Reimagining Systems Thinking in a Post-Pandemic World


Book Description

The COVID-19 pandemic caused the largest systemic disruption in history. The pandemic was a complex phenomenon that impacted economic, political, and education systems. The pandemic had widespread business impacts, having forced many businesses to close, and the world is still impacted by the effects of supply chain disruptions. The pandemic also impacted political systems with disputes over mask mandates, lockdowns, and vaccine distribution. The COVID-19 pandemic further caused the most extensive education system disruption in history. The pandemic has highlighted the world’s complex interdependent structures, and it will require a multidisciplinary systems thinking approach for post-pandemic recovery and future pandemic prevention. Reimagining Systems Thinking in a Post-Pandemic World examines the role of systems thinking in a post-pandemic world. It identifies effective models of systems thinking and destems design and generates continuous knowledge building on systems thinking by addressing a multitude of industries and service communities. This book provides value in understanding the complexities of an interconnected world and in the exploration of effective approaches to systems thinking and design. Covering topics such as blended learning, local governments, and systems thinking, this premier reference source is an excellent resource for practitioners, policymakers, healthcare providers, business leaders and managers, educators of both K-12 and higher education, pre-service teachers, administrators and faculty, teacher educators, sociologists, librarians, researchers, and academicians.




Reimagining Innovation Systems in the COVID and Post-COVID World


Book Description

Countries around the world are working to counter the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on their healthcare systems, economies, and industries. This book brings together strategies for the adoption of new technologies and innovation systems which would help re-invigorate social and economic institutions and help communities, especially in the Global South. The book focuses on innovation systems that address health and socioeconomic inequalities in countries such as India, Africa, Brazil, Costa Rica, and others. It looks into the responses of different countries to the shocks inflicted on the economy and health systems by the pandemic from the perspective of government institutions as well as businesses, industries, and communities. The pandemic forced many organizations to embrace various innovative strategies to contain the spread of COVID-19 and ameliorate the lives of people including employees, people from marginalized communities, and low-income groups who have suffered due to the disease. The chapters in this book study innovative interventions and community-based measures which reached many people and paved the way for policies which helped rebuild communities sustainably. The volume also analyses how these newly created and streamlined health and economic innovation systems will be carried forward in the post-COVID-19 world to address weaknesses in health and governance and address inequalities, especially for countries in the Global South. This book will be of interest to scholars and students of economics, political economy, health and economics, development studies, public policy, and sociology.




The New Great Depression


Book Description

A Wall Street Journal and National Bestseller! The man who predicted the worst economic crisis in US history shows you how to survive it. The current crisis is not like 2008 or even 1929. The New Depression that has emerged from the COVID pandemic is the worst economic crisis in U.S. history. Most fired employees will remain redundant. Bankruptcies will be common, and banks will buckle under the weight of bad debts. Deflation, debt, and demography will wreck any chance of recovery, and social disorder will follow closely on the heels of market chaos. The happy talk from Wall Street and the White House is an illusion. The worst is yet to come. But for knowledgeable investors, all hope is not lost. In The New Great Depression, James Rickards, New York Times bestselling author of Aftermath and The New Case for Gold, pulls back the curtain to reveal the true risks to our financial system and what savvy investors can do to survive -- even prosper -- during a time of unrivaled turbulence. Drawing on historical case studies, monetary theory, and behind-the-scenes access to the halls of power, Rickards shines a clarifying light on the events taking place, so investors understand what's really happening and what they can do about it. A must-read for any fans of Rickards and for investors everywhere who want to understand how to preserve their wealth during the worst economic crisis in US history.




Systemic Thinking for Public Managers


Book Description

Offering a pathway to vibrant organizations, this book integrates systems thinking, critical thinking, and design thinking, and provides the tools needed to proactively apply them in the social systems where we live and work. Systemic thinking—the combination of systems thinking, critical systems thinking, and design thinking—provides a way of addressing the complexity of problems faced by public sector managers. Far too often systemic thinking has been discussed theoretically rather than practically. This book changes that, enabling public sector managers and leaders to connect staff, partners, and stakeholders in the pursuit of thoughtfully designed and responsive service. Clearly written and designed to be put to immediate use on the job, each chapter provides a discussion of one specific practice. Included are guiding principles, a case study, relevant practical tools, and suggestions of for additional practice and reading. Using this book, managers of social systems such as public welfare, healthcare, public schools and libraries, housing and community development, and students of public administration will gain a deeper understanding of organizational systems and design, and a new toolkit to fortify their own organizations.




Reimagining Public Spaces and Built Environments in the Post-Pandemic World


Book Description

This book considers the implications of the emerging post-pandemic reality for public space and the built environment. It addresses changes to our cities, parks, neighborhoods, transportation modes, schools, streetscapes, cultural spaces, and engineering systems present in each of these. The chapters’ broad topics include public space and the built environment; tactical urbanism and temporality; designing built environments and hybrid remote spaces; engaging community and participation; connection with nature for mental health and wellness; the future of post pandemic space; and disaster preparedness. Recurring themes are design flexibility, repurposed cities, building standards, virtual connectedness, environmental vigilance, refocus on wellness and green space, gender perspectives, and community organization. It will be an important reference work for researchers, students and practitioners.




Reimagining Communication in a Post-pandemic World: The Intersection of Information, Media Technology, and Psychology


Book Description

The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically changed social interactions. Social distancing policies, lockdowns, and mandatory quarantines have accelerated the technological mediation of communication (e.g. AI-mediated communication, computer-mediated communication) on an unprecedented scale, willingly or otherwise. Many physical activities such as office work, education, and conferences have had to be performed in the online space through social media apps, the metaverse or specialized programs on mobile phones or laptops as part of pandemic control efforts. As a result, digitally mediated channels have become critical for information acquisition and communication across a wide spectrum of human activities such as education, social interaction, entertainment, and commercial activities. Human beings are increasingly reliant on non-human agents, including social media, Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered tools, or smartphone mobile devices for most routine activities, professional communication, and social interactions. As scientific understanding of COVID-19 improves, pandemic restrictions are gradually loosening. However, it remains to be seen whether the pandemic communication paradigm characterized by heavy technological mediation and reliance on non-human agents will also gradually decline, or will the paradigm shift become deeply entrenched with further acceleration of dependency on technological mediation and non-human agents.




Systemic Inequality, Sustainability and COVID-19


Book Description

Systemic Inequality, Sustainability and COVID-19 provides an opportunity to engage in a critical dialog on the consequences and interactions of COVID-19 with social inequalities and environment management.







Developing Skills and Competencies for Digital and Green Transitions


Book Description

In today's rapidly changing digital world, the need for education to keep pace with technology has never been more important. However, the traditional education system is struggling to adapt to these changes, and many students are not acquiring the digital skills and competencies needed to thrive in the current job market. At the same time, there is a growing need for sustainability and green education to address the pressing issues of climate change and create more resilient and inclusive societies. Developing Skills and Competencies for Digital and Green Transitions provides a persuasive solution to these pressing problems. By exploring the intersection of green education and digital technologies, this book offers a comprehensive approach to transforming education in the digital era. Through its innovative topics and methodologies, this book provides a platform for international collaboration, fostering the development of new digital technologies for education and accelerating innovation in educational technologies. It offers insights into how green education and advanced information technologies can be applied in the education sector to create more resilient, climate-neutral, and green economies and societies. With its focus on inclusiveness and sustainability, this book is a valuable resource for students, academics, policymakers, and other stakeholders looking to build a more sustainable future.




Reimagining Philanthropy in the Global South


Book Description

Explores some COVID-induced sectoral changes of traditional philanthropic best practice and the responses to them in emerging markets.