Learning from crisis: the 2015 and 2017 avalanches in Longyearbyen

Longyearbyen has been hit by two avalanches in 2015 and 2017 causing severe damages to housing and two fatalities. In this study we investigate organised learning processes regarding emergency preparedness and response following the avalanches. Longyearbyen provides a case of particular interest as climatic change rapidly is altering the environmental conditions, including the risk of avalanches. First, the study outlines the organisation, scope and participation of learning processes, that is, who learns, when and what is the scope. Second we investigate whether the lessons learnt are single-loop or double-loop; if they focus on corrective actions of existing systems and policies, or if they address the more fundamental aspects, such as norms, strategies and policies. Third, we consider how contextual factors influence learning. Finally, we investigate how learning has been followed up by implementation. The study concludes that the first avalanche of 2015 led to a broad and inclusive evaluation and learning process and a series of recommended measures, including the establishment of an avalanche warning system. It also initiated a broader double-loop process of reassessing risks, redrawing the plans and maps of Longyearbyen, and raising physical preventive barriers. However, the second avalanche demonstrated the limitations of the established system in 2015. This spurred a range of corrective actions to the system, but also it established that in a time of climate change, historical experience no longer provides a basis for assessing risks

Building Organizational Resilience Through Organizational Learning: A Systematic Review

With organizational environments becoming increasingly complex and volatile, the concept of “organizational resilience” has become the “new normal”. Organizational resilience is a complex and multidimensional concept which builds on the myriad of capabilities that an organization develops during its lifecycle. As learning is an inherent and essential part of these developments, it has become a central theme in literature on organizational resilience. Although organizational resilience and organizational learning are inherently interrelated, little is known of the dynamics of effective learning that may enhance organizational resilience. This study explores how to achieve organizational learning that can serve to promote organizational resilience. Our aim is to contribute to a more comprehensive knowledge of the relation between organizational resilience and organizational learning. We present the results of a systematic literature review to assess how organizational learning may make organizations more resilient. As both organizational resilience and organizational learning are topics of practical importance, our study offers a specifically targeted investigation of this relation. We examine the relevant literature on organizational learning and resilience, identifying core themes and the connection between the two concepts. Further, we provide a detailed description of data collection and analysis. Data were analyzed thematically using the qualitative research software NVivo. Our review covered 41 empirical, 12 conceptual and 6 literature review articles, all indicating learning as mainly linked to adaptation capabilities. However, we find that learning is connected to all three stages of resilience that organizations need to develop resilience: anticipation, coping, and adaptation. Effective learning depends upon appropriate management of experiential learning, on a systemic approach to learning, on the organizational ability to unlearn, and on the existence of the context that facilitates organizational learning.publishedVersio

Study of the long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas) bile content - An indicator of ocean health

Globicephala melas has been harvested in the Faroe Islands for centuries. Given the distances travelled by this species, tissue/body fluid samples represent unique matrices to be considered as an integration of environmental condition and pollution status of their prey. For the first time, bile samples were analysed for presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) metabolites and protein content. Concentrations of 2- and 3-ring PAH metabolites ranged from 11 to 25 μg mL−1 pyrene fluorescence equivalents. In total, 658 proteins were identified and 61,5 % were common amongst all individuals. Identified proteins were integrated into in silico software and determined that the top predicted disease and functions were neurological diseases, inflammation, and immunological disorders. The metabolism of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was predicted to be dysregulated, which can have consequences to both the protection against ROS produced during dives and contaminant exposures. The obtained data is valuable for understanding metabolism and physiology of G. melas.publishedVersio

Substituted Two- To Five-Ring Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds Are Potent Agonists of Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua) Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptors Ahr1a and Ahr2a

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are among the most toxic and bioavailable components found in petroleum and represent a high risk to aquatic organisms. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ahr) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that mediates the toxicity of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and other planar aromatic hydrocarbons, including certain PAHs. Ahr acts as a xenosensor and modulates the transcription of biotransformation genes in vertebrates, such as cytochrome P450 1A (cyp1a). Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) possesses two Ahr proteins, Ahr1a and Ahr2a, which diverge in their primary structure, tissue-specific expression, ligand affinities, and transactivation profiles. Here, a luciferase reporter gene assay was used to assess the sensitivity of the Atlantic cod Ahrs to 31 polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs), including two- to five-ring native PAHs, a sulfur-containing heterocyclic PAC, as well as several methylated, methoxylated, and hydroxylated congeners. Notably, most parent compounds, including naphthalene, phenanthrene, and partly, chrysene, did not act as agonists for the Ahrs, while hydroxylated and/or alkylated versions of these PAHs were potent agonists. Importantly, the greater potencies of substituted PAH derivatives and their ubiquitous occurrence in nature emphasize that more knowledge on the toxicity of these environmentally and toxicologically relevant compounds is imperative.publishedVersio

Bioaccumulation potential of the tricyclic antidepressant amitriptyline in a marine Polychaete, Nereis virens

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Oil spill emergency response in the Barents Sea : issues of interorganizational coordination.

Following the substantial increase in maritime transport and offshore industrial developments in the Arctic areas, accidental discharge of oil from ships in the Barents Sea has become recognized as a significant threat in Norway and northwest Russia. This study examines how oil spill emergency response (OSER) is organized on the Norwegian and Russian sides of the Barents Sea and how cooperation between the two states has been established. In focus here is the problem of interorganizational coordination. The analysis is based on the premise that the effectiveness of an OSER system is a function of the ability of the actors to coordinate their activities. The study outlines the main actors and formal organizational structure of the Norwegian and Russian OSER system. It further examines patterns of interorganizational coordination and shows how such formal and informal mechanisms as various aspects of coordination interact to provide effective functioning of the system. It studies how interdependence is created among organizations in OSER systems and how this affects organizational behaviour in terms of interorganizational coordination. Finally, it discusses the key characteristics of the organizational structure of OSER system and their determinants. The study is inspired by the systems theory and further builds on analytical approaches to interorganizational coordination. Mintzberg’s understanding of the structuring of organizations is applied to illustrate the OSER systems and to reflect on the empirical findings in terms of organizational theory

International Cooperation on Search and Rescue in the Arctic

SAR in the Arctic is a complex and dynamic cross-disciplinary activity that requires the combined effort of multiple actors with specialized human and technical resources. Due to limited resources and infrastructure in the Arctic, international cooperation is particularly important. This article applies a conceptual framework drawn from regime-theory to study SAR cooperation in the Arctic. More specifically, we apply the three dimensions of regime effectiveness (outputs, outcomes and impacts) to examine the regimes established by the 2011 Arctic SAR Agreement and the 1995 Barents SAR Agreement. The study addresses the rights and duties established by the regimes and their institutional arrangements for cooperation. Further, it investigates the importance of operational cooperation among response agencies in understanding the development and effectiveness of the regimes. The study concludes that the Arctic SAR regime is still under implementation. The agreement has entered into force but a series of steps needs to be taken for the common SAR system to be operative. Consequently, the regime is in the early stages of development and any evaluations of its impact are premature. The parties have implemented the Barents SAR regime both formally and in practice. Though the regime is generally held to have a positive effect on cooperation between the parties, there is a range of challenges that raise questions regarding its capacity to provide for a coordinated and effective joint SAR operation. The study further concludes that treating regime effectiveness in terms of a causal link between output, outcome and impact should be done with caution. It also argues that the focus of regime theory on interest-based decision-making among regime parties should be supplemented by investigating the operative and informal aspects of cooperation

The crystal structure of haemoglobin from Atlantic cod

The crystal structure of haemoglobin from Atlantic cod has been solved to 2.54 Å resolution. The structure consists of two tetramers in the crystallographic asymmetric unit. The structure of haemoglobin obtained from one individual cod suggests polymorphism in the tetrameric assembly.publishedVersio

Lean Production – One path to organizational Resilience?

In this in­depth single­case study from a large international aerospace and defence company, we ask the following research question: In what ways does lean production influence organizational resilience? Our findings suggest that various lean practices, such as lean meetings, using lean tools and a lean production­inspired organizational culture promote the development of organizational capabilities that foster anticipation, coping, and adaptation – the three stages of organizational resilience. We find that lean practices enhance agility, promote more flexible procedures, increased strategic decentralization and greater ‘sharp end’ involvement – all of which are conducive to resilience. Further, our data suggest that organizational learning and a lean­inspired culture reinforce the synergy between lean practices and organizational resilience. Interestingly, if there is too much standardization, lean practices may potentially also undermine organizational resilience