Disaster response: The COVID-19 pandemic and insider trading around the world

This paper investigates how corporate insiders respond to the initial COVID-19 outbreaks. Using comprehensive insider transaction data from 25 countries, we document a consistent pattern of insider selling during the month after the first COVID-19 case is confirmed in a given country. Insider selling during these disease outbreaks is less pronounced in countries with higher information disclosure requirements, higher public enforcement index, a more efficient judiciary system, and stronger investor protection. Furthermore, cultural differences and the stringency levels of government responses to the COVID-19 outbreaks help moderate insider panic selling when health disasters strike. The findings suggest that a transparent, reliable business system contributes to rebuilding investor trust and corporate resilience during crises.

Organizational Responsiveness to the COVID-19 Pandemic: a Mixed Methods Social Validity Assessment of Human Services Care Providers

OBJECTIVES

The COVID-19 pandemic posed many challenges to human services organizations serving persons with pre-existing conditions and health concerns. Study objectives were to assess organizational responsiveness to the pandemic through training, safety, and risk mitigation initiatives at community-based group homes for adults with intellectual disability (ID) and acquired brain injury (ABI).

METHOD

This was a two-phase mixed methods study with human services care providers. In phase 1, 54 focus group participants responded to standardized interviews about leadership actions in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic and discussed implementation effectiveness. These qualitative findings informed the design and distribution of a multi-item questionnaire in phase 2 that quantified acceptance and approval of leadership actions among 498 participants.

RESULTS

Both focus group and questionnaire participants identified several consistent leadership actions that had a positive impact on risk mitigation, health promotion, and participant satisfaction. Participants also converged on priority needs and recommendations for performance improvement.

CONCLUSIONS

The study supports previous research on the effects of pandemic health crises among frontline healthcare workers and more definitively the impact on direct care providers of adults with ID and ABI during COVID-19. Care providers were able to judge organizational effectiveness and provide feedback to aide strategic planning. Mixed methods research provides an approach to large-scale program evaluation through integrated qualitative and quantitative analyses.

Adaptive governance and coping strategies in the Yucatan Peninsula coasts facing COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has abruptly transformed all social structures around the world, and coastal zones where tourist and fishing activities take place is no exception. Due to the sanitary measures, restrictions to travel and lock down periods, the tourist sector has been one of the economic sectors most affected by this health and economic crisis. However, it is not the only sector to have been affected, the fisheries sector, being highly dependent on the export market, has also suffered the consequences of this crisis. In this article, we aim to identify the main characteristics and key aspects of the fishing and tourist sectors in the states of Yucatan and Campeche, in Mexico, under pandemic dynamics. What are the organizational and governance structures that have been developed in response to this world phenomena? To answer this question, we conducted phone interviews and reviewed governmental and community actions. Results show that individual survival strategies prevail as a response to COVID-19, over community or governmental actions. There was limited coordination among the different governance structures, between the community and governmental levels. However, this crisis has also been a period of learning and innovation to implement adaptive governance structures to build resilience and a "new normal social reality".

Ebola outbreaks: A stress test of the preparedness of medicines regulatory systems for public health crises

In a globalized world, infectious diseases of international concern are inevitable. When they (re-)emerge, the regulatory system works towards mitigating their impact. Ebola outbreaks marked a turning point in regulatory preparedness and efforts led to the accelerated development of therapeutic agents, in a catastrophic environment. However, only one clinical trial determined a vaccine's efficacy. Key lessons were considered and applied thereafter. The collaborative work resulted in the approval of the first therapeutic options against Ebola, a milestone in public health preparedness. The response demonstrated the successful implementation of regulatory mechanisms fostering development, early access and assessment of therapeutic agents, and the flexibility to embrace innovative regulatory solutions. The current system is robust to address health crises and protect global health.

Outlining the challenges of Covid-19 health crises in Africa's maritime industry: the case of maritime operations in marine warranty surveying practice

The relevance of carrying out marine warranty surveys (MWS) as mandatory insurable practice in mitigating associated operational risks within the offshore oil and gas industry, during the Covid-19 crises, was examined against the potential health risk and the various Covid-19 restrictions resulting from newly formed regulations. The health risk concerns to the surveyor and the impact of the Covid-19 policy restrictions for the surveyor's business measured are against the risk of excluding MWS in assessing the suitability of procedures, analyses, and vessels involved in typical offshore marine operations. The purpose of any MWS undertakings ensures that all risks in operations, with potential to destroy property, life, and environment, are minimized-if not eliminated. A series of remote interviews across Africa and direct field observations were respectively conducted at the Takoradi port to develop an understanding of the MWS service product, to ascertain the conditions resulting from current challenges, and to determine contingencies and innovations to ensure full service. The study finds MWS service as paramount to the energy industry with its range of risk control checks for high-value assets and operations. Surveyors demonstrated high-levels of awareness for Covid-19 crises and regulatory policies while in adherence but noted challenges of high-cost and delays as by-products of the restrictions. Surveyors deemed site attendances as crucial in their practice at all time, though recognized the several social and technologically innovative approaches adopted industry-wide to facing the pandemic. The study highlights the need for 'essential worker' status and the introduction of innovative insurance packages.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40152-021-00220-7.

A Friend in Need? Exploring the Influence of Disease and Disability Onset on the Number of Close Friends Among Older Adults

OBJECTIVES

This research examines whether onset of life-threatening disease (i.e., cancer, lung disease, heart disease, or stroke) or activities of daily living disability influences the reported number of close friends.

METHOD

Using data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS; 2006-2012), this research capitalizes on panel data to assess changes in number of close friends over a 4-year period. Lagged dependent variable (LDV) and change score (CS) approaches were used.

RESULTS

Both the LDV and CS models provide evidence that onset of life-threatening disease was associated with reporting more friends 4 years later. In particular, onset of cancer was associated with reporting more close friends.

DISCUSSION

This research provides evidence of the network activation hypothesis following onset of life-threatening disease among older adults.

The French Health Care System; What can We Learn?

All public systems look for the best organizational structure to funnel part of their national income into healthcare services. Appropriate policies may differ widely across country settings. Most healthcare systems fall under one of two broad categories, either Bismark or Beveridge systems. There is no simple ideal model for the organization of health services, but most healthcare systems that follow the Beveridge healthcare model are poor performers. The Libyan Health system is a low responsive, inefficient and underperforming system that lacks goals and/or SMART. (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time specific) objectives. A look at different organization models in the world would reinforce efforts to reorganize and improve the performance of the Libyan National Healthcare services. The French Health Care System (FHCS) ranked first according to the WHO and the European Health Consumer Powerhouse. The FHCS was described to have a technically efficient, generous healthcare system that provides the best overall health care. This makes the FHCS a practical model of organization having many of the essential aspects of a modern national health service. In this review, we describe the main features of the FHCS, current challenges and future trends with particular attention paid to aspects that could be of importance to the Libyan Healthcare System.