Design of a Controlled Language for Critical Infrastructures Protection

We describe a project for the construction of controlled language for critical infrastructures protection (CIP). This project originates from the need to coordinate and categorize the communications on CIP at the European level. These communications can be physically represented by official documents, reports on incidents, informal communications and plain e-mail. We explore the application of traditional library science tools for the construction of controlled languages in order to achieve our goal. Our starting point is an analogous work done during the sixties in the field of nuclear science known as the Euratom Thesaurus.JRC.G.6-Security technology assessmen

An empirical investigation into the sources of supply chain disruptions

Master's thesis Industrial Economics and Technology Management IND590 - University of Agder 2019Firms are facing a vast array of risks which can cause disruptions to the normal operation of their supply chains. Managers striving to prepare for and overcome these disruptions have a broad selection of literature and risk reports at their disposal when assessing risks to their supply chain. These risk reports and academic works provide differentiated and compelling answers to what are the most pressing risks to supply chains, but are they accurate? This study aims at providing managers with an empiricalfoundation on what the main sources of supply chain disruptions have been the last decade by addressing the following research question:What have been the main sources of supply chain disruptions over the last decade, and do observed patterns correspond with expectations put forward in the scholarly literature and the risk management communities?Based on a content analysis of 11 504 articles from the Financial Times archive from 2009-2018, 445 articles describing sources of supply chain disruptions were retrieved. The samples were later analysed using statistical methods. The results of this investigation revealed that disruptions originating from within the supply chain were in sum the most prevalent. The majority of these disruptions were associated with risks that have traditionally been the concerns of supply chain managers. These risks include operational struggles at suppliers that are unable to deliver the desired quantity and quality, as well as challenges with forecasting demand and navigating the legal and bureaucratic process that emerge from operating a complex global supply chain across multiple regions. The study also revealed that supply chain disruptions stemming from risk sources external to the supply chain such as asset price collapse, natural hazards, terrorism and political turmoil have accounted for a relatively constant number of supply chain disruptions over the last decade. This observation is contrary to the seemingly increasing focus on these risks by the global community. However, even though there has not been an increase in disruptions caused by external events, catastrophic events still stood out as one of the biggest threats facing supply chains. Catastrophic incidents encompass high impact-low probability events including natural hazards such as earthquakes and hurricanes together with man-made acts both deliberate e.g. war and terrorism, and unintentional such as fires. Somewhat contrary to the attention given o acts of terrorism in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, disruptions associated with acts of terrorism constituted a surprisingly small number of the supply chain disruptions, with the vast majority of disruptions related to catastrophic events attributed to natural hazards. Lastly, the findings showed that disruptions originating from risks associated with information and communication technology, in particular, cyber-crime and unplanned IT outage, have been an increasingly common source of supply chain disruptions during the decade in conjunction with the advancing digitalisation of supply chains.Comparing the findings against the focus of academia and the risk management communities it is apparent that the strong focus on risks external to the supply chain is somewhat warranted given the frequent occurrences of catastrophic events that disrupt supply chains. However, the study revealed that too much attention has been given to these high-profile events, and in the process the more mundane risks facing supply chains have received less attention. As a consequence,these risks continue to pose a significant threat to the performance of supply chains. The findings highlight the importance of using several sources of information when assessing risks to supply chains. No single source of information, may it be scholarly literature, risk reports or internal reporting are able to grasp all the current, and future, patterns of supply chain disruptions by themselves. Managers should keep this in mind when identifying and assessing the risks to their supply chain. Diligence in seeking out alternative sources of information on supply chain risks can aid in creating a more advantageous supply chain risk management process and foster greater resilience in supply chains

Calamities, Catastrophes, and Cataclysms: Current Trends in International Disaster Risk Management Practices for Cultural Heritage Sites

Several initiatives, conferences, and collaborative agreements in recent years have focused on cultural heritage protection in response to climate change and natural disasters. Despite an established network of institutions united in preserving the world’s cultural heritage, risk management planning for heritage properties remains in its infancy. This thesis asks what types of risk management for cultural heritage properties are currently being implemented and which organizations are doing this work. A review of disaster risk management activities of international heritage conservation groups reveals that organizations tend to focus their efforts on one of the three disaster phases: advance planning, emergency response, or post-disaster recovery. The reasons for this are directly related to the types of resources the agency or organization can commit to these activities: professional expertise, technical support, funding, local networks, or some combination of these. Recent examples show that collaboration between organizations with different resources but common goals can be successful, as in the case of the Haitian Gingerbread House project undertaken by the World Monuments Fund together with the Prince Claus Fund. Similar partnerships can be initiated before disaster strikes; to facilitate this, a centralized agency recognized by other international relief agencies that is capable of collecting data and coordinating response teams is needed. The most effective form of risk mitigation at any heritage site, however, is the inclusion of risk management procedures into general site management operations; regular maintenance and monitoring alone can substantially minimize damage and loss in unavoidable natural disasters

Comparative Analysis of National Emergency Management Charters: A Pilot Study Towards Achieving a Standardized Global Emergency Management Framework

The world is facing increasing risks from a variety of threats, especially those related to extreme weather and natural disasters. The substantial and sustained impacts of major disasters are reinforcing the calls for global collaboration. Nevertheless, worldwide emergency assistance efforts are confronted with several challenges that negatively affect the disaster victims, stress international diplomatic relations, and threaten the social and national security of nations. These challenges arise from the unique nature of each national emergency management framework and the lack of global standardization and governing rules. We conducted this qualitative study. Using a variety of qualitative analytical methods. we examined and compared the national emergency management charters of China, the US, the Maldives, Bangladesh, and Ethiopia. We used a variety of data sources, including national emergency management laws and strategiesas well as published studies. The findings showed substantial differences between the five national emergency management charters. Among those findings are the government entity overseeing emergency management activities, the levels and categories of disasters, the structure, organization, and operations of the emergency management system, and the commitment to international directives and frameworks. One striking finding was the lack of any global emergency management ethics code. The challenges of global response call for countries to work closely to standardize the types, levels, and categories of disasters. Additionally, they need to develop a process to facilitate and expedite the acceptance of international aid and assistance. Countries also need to commit to international regulations and frameworks and establish a code for global emergency ethics

Interagency approach in EU’s crisis management during migration crisis of 2015: an effective solution or unused opportunity?

http://www.ester.ee/record=b5145944*es