Rethinking project reliability using the ambidexterity and mindfulness perspectives

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to bring together two seemingly disparate bodies of literature – ambidexterity (the ability both to exploit and explore) and mindfulness – to take a fresh perspective on the management of uncertainty. The authors differentiate between “rule-based” and “mindfulness-based” reliability and explore project risk responses in environments characterised by varying degrees of uncertainty. Design/methodology/approach Five case organisations across a range of industries are used to illustrate how uncertainty may be prepared for and suitable responses activated. This also adds to the understanding of the nature of ambidexterity, which has previously been characterised primarily at the organisational level with relatively few studies looking at managerial actions and “switches” between modes. The data consist of initial survey responses to indicate the level of mindfulness under conditions of normality, followed by interviews studying particular incidents and the nature of the responses. Findings Key practices are identified that support high reliability in complex projects, with four managerial modes (“Traditional”, “Just-in-time”, “Infusion”, and “Entrepreneurial”) that emerged from the data. Practical implications The findings offer managers a practical framework to choose between different modes of reliable performance by considering the uncertainty of the environment and whether the primary driver of the work is efficiency or effectiveness. This allows managers to reflect on their own organisations and practices and identify whether their current approach is suitable. Originality/value This work offers new insight into risk responses in complex environments and shows how the mindfulness and ambidexterity literatures may be used as beneficial lenses to increase understanding. Blending these two schools also offers opportunities for future research

Unexpected Events in Nigerian Construction Projects: A Case of Four Construction Companies

In Nigeria, 50% to 70% of construction projects are delayed due to unexpected events that are linked to lapses in performance, near misses, and surprises. While researchers have theorized on the impact of mindfulness and information systems management (ISM) on unexpected events, information is lacking on how project teams can combine ISM and mindfulness in response to unexpected events in construction projects. The purpose of this case study was to examine how project teams can combine mindfulness with ISM in response to unexpected events during the execution phase of Nigerian construction projects. The framework of High Reliability Theory revealed that unexpected events could be minimized by mindfulness defined by 5 cognitive processes: preoccupation with failure, reluctance to simplify, sensitivity to operations, commitment to resilience, and deference to expertise. In-depth semi-structured interviews elicited the views of 24 project experts on team behaviors, tactics, and processes for combining mindfulness with ISM. Data analysis was conducted by open coding to identify and reduce data into themes, and axial coding was used to identify and isolate categories. Findings were that project teams could combine mindfulness with ISM in response to unexpected events by integrating effective risk, team, and communication management with appropriate training and technology infrastructure. If policymakers, project clients, and practitioners adopt practices suggested in this study, the implications for social change are that project management practices, organizational learning, and the performance of construction projects may improve, construction wastes may be reduced, and taxpayers may derive optimum benefits from public funds committed to construction projects

Agile Processes in Software Engineering and Extreme Programming: 18th International Conference, XP 2017, Cologne, Germany, May 22-26, 2017, Proceedings

agile software development; lean development; scrum; project management; software developmen

Stress Management Among Healthcare Workers During a Pandemic

Background: Approximately- 59 million healthcare workers worldwide provide healthcare at any given time. Many of these workers experienced increased stress and daily adversity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Purpose: The purpose of this DNP project was to evaluate if the use of a newly developed, evidenced-based mindfulness meditation program could help front-line healthcare workers manage perceived stress. There were two specific DNP project aims. The first was to develop and implement an evidence-based mindfulness meditation program to help front-line healthcare workers manage pandemic-related stress during the pandemic. The second aim was to evaluate the use and impact of the web-based mindfulness meditation program on perceived stress among participants. Methodology: One group of primary care healthcare providers at a south Florida clinic were assessed before, and two weeks after, the mindfulness meditation program. A survey was administered remotely. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), a psychological instrument, was used to measure perceived stress among participants. Additionally, survey items were developed to assess familiarity with mindfulness practice and the frequency of use of the mindfulness practice. Participant demographics included age, gender, and professional role. Intervention: A 30-minute mindfulness program that focused on meditation techniques was available on YouTube for a two-week period. Results: Eleven healthcare workers participated in the project. Data were available for 11 participants before the intervention and 8 participants post-intervention. The participants were QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT primarily women (n = 10). The mean PSS score prior to the intervention was 21.90 (SD = 8.05), and after the intervention the PSS score was 17.37 (SD = 9.11). Both mean scores indicate moderate levels of stress. There were no statistically significant differences pre versus post-intervention in PSS mean scores or individual PSS items. Following exposure to the web-based intervention, most of the participants, 57% (n = 4), found the mindfulness program to be helpful “fairly often,” while 28% (n = 2) found it to be very helpful. Conclusion: Web-based mindfulness meditation programs have been proven to be well-received, feasible, and effective in decreasing perceived stress among healthcare workers. Administrators should consider making mindfulness meditation programs available to employees to address stress, especially during a pandemic. Keywords: stress, stress management, pandemic, mindfulness, meditation techniqu

Crisis preparedness of genz business students and graduates oOf Nova Sbe: a qualitative exploratory study

The past decades have witnessed a rising number of crises, and it is important to be prepared for them, especially leaders and managers as pivots for change. The aim of this study is to demonstrate how well-prepared Generation Z business students and graduates are when dealing with crisis scenarios. A qualitative exploratory study was carried out to assess the perceptions of GenZs, with semi-structured interviews. Our study shows that GenZ business students and graduates believe that they are ready to deal with crises, and soft skills are considered the leading reason for professional success and crisis management in their views

Effects of Interrelated Goals, Anxiety, and Mindfulness on Somatic Symptoms

The present study investigated the interrelationships between interrelated goals, anxiety, somatic symptoms, and mindfulness among a sample of undergraduate college students (n = 454). Structural equation modeling was used to develop a well-fitting model based on collected data. Results showed that goal conflict was positively associated with higher levels of anxiety and somatic symptoms. Anxiety was found to mediate the relationship between goal conflict and somatic symptoms. Goal facilitation was found to be unrelated to anxiety and somatic symptoms. Mindfulness was not found to moderate the relationship between anxiety and somatic symptoms, but was found to be negatively related to lower levels of goal conflict, anxiety, and somatic symptoms. Mindfulness was also correlated with goal facilitation. This study serves as further evidence in support of Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory. Results of the study also serve to illuminate the importance of goal conflict and its role in explaining anxiety and somatic symptoms, as well as the role of mindfulness as being associated with lower levels of these constructs that are demonstrated in literature to have a negative impact on psychological and physiological health and well-being

Mind over matter: an exploratory case study of mind-body interventions in the burn unit

2019 Summer.Includes bibliographical references.Introduction: The aim of this case study was to explore the experience of five patients who participated in mind-body based occupational therapy (MB-OT) while in the burn unit. Individual responses to mind-body practices were assessed and patient perspectives were included to better understand what MB-OT brought to the recovery process. Methods: This retrospective chart review included five patients admitted to the burn unit. Data were gathered from the electronic medical records (EMRs) to include demographics and burn characteristics, changes in vital signs throughout MB-OT meditation sessions, specifically, and before and after measures on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-6 (STAI-6), which was available for two patients. Additional information was obtained from occupational therapy documentation to better understand the unique experience of each patient with the MB-OT intervention. Inductive content analysis occurred within and across subjects to generate induvial and over-arching themes. Results: Patients experienced a reduction in heart rate during seven of the eight MB-OT meditation sessions, while a reduction in respiration rate was seen in four of these sessions. For two patients, STAI-6 measures were available and indicated a reduction in state-anxiety scores after MB-OT. Inductive coding within subjects revealed that patients self-generated a desired focus for MB-OT and perceived that MB-OT supported personal coping. Four themes emerged across documentation of all five patients and included 1) eagerness to explore mind-body practices; 2) feelings of appreciation towards MB-OT; 3) MB-OT provided a sense of calm; 4) MB-OT supported daily occupations in the burn unit. Conclusion: MB-OT was a client-driven intervention that complemented standard occupational therapy practice in the burn unit. MB-OT has the potential to support patients in coping with everyday aspects of life in the burn uni