From Individual Contributor to First-Line Manager in Indian CROs: Direct Reports’ Perspectives in Centralized Clinical Research Teams

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The transition from Individual Contributor (IC) to First-Line Manager (FLM) represents a critical career milestone in the highly regulated Indian clinical research sector. Within centralized operational models such as Centralized Monitoring and electronic Trial Master File (eTMF) oversight, FLMs are required to balance technical compliance demands with effective people leadership. Despite the strategic importance of these roles, empirical research capturing direct reports’ perspectives remains limited. This study adopted a qualitative approach informed by grounded theory principles to explore how direct reports perceive managerial behaviors, effectiveness, and challenges in centralized teams. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine professionals (n = 9) working across centralized functions in Indian contract research organizations (CROs). Data were analyzed using the constant comparative method to identify recurring patterns in the manager–report relationship. The findings indicate a clear contrast in leadership experiences. Positive direct report perceptions were associated with relational trust, psychological safety, consistent communication, and empowerment. In contrast, negative experiences were linked to technical credibility gaps, communication breakdowns, and perceived favoritism. Reporting duration emerged as an important contextual factor: shorter reporting tenures reflected greater tolerance for managerial learning curves, whereas longer tenures without visible developmental progress were associated with frustration and reduced morale. The study highlights that FLM effectiveness in centralized clinical research teams is a developmental process shaped by relational competence and organizational support. By foregrounding psychological safety as an important enabler of trust and team resilience, this study contributes a bottom‑up perspective to leadership literature within the clinical research industry and offers practical insights for designing interventions that strengthen communication, fairness, and psychologically safe team environments during early managerial transitions.

Floating solar photovoltaics in Greece. A SWOT analysis

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Floating solar photovoltaics is an emerging solar energy technology which allows the installation of solar photovoltaic systems on the surface of water bodies. It has several advantages and drawbacks compared to ground-mounted solar photovoltaics. There are many applications worldwide while the majority of them are located in Asia. Greece has abundant solar energy resources while many solar photovoltaic systems are installed on the ground and on rooftop of buildings. However, there are not currently installations of floating solar photovoltaics in the country. SWOT analysis is a strategic management tool which helps organizations to assess their internal capabilities and the external environment for making rational decisions for the future. The current study investigates the possibility of developing floating solar photovoltaic systems in Greece using SWOT analysis. The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in developing these innovative solar energy systems in Greece have been identified. Our results could facilitate the promotion of this emerging benign energy technology in Greece removing the existing barriers which hinder their deployment. The findings could be used from policy makers, local authorities and renewable energy companies which are involved in the development of renewable energy systems generating green electricity in the country.

Buddhist Ethical Values and Transformations in the Practice of Mother Goddess Worship of the Three Palaces in Contemporary Hanoi

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This article examines the role of Buddhist ethical values, including compassion, karma, merit-making, moral self-cultivation, right faith, and moderation, in orienting the contemporary transformations of Mother Goddess Worship of the Three Palaces in Hanoi. Drawing on an interdisciplinary approach that combines religious studies, cultural studies, and ethics, the article uses document analysis, qualitative synthesis of recent field-based studies, and comparative interpretation of ritual spaces, ritual performances, and practitioners’ perceptions. The findings show that Buddhism influences Mother Goddess Worship not only at the doctrinal level but also as an ethical and legitimizing framework that helps practitioners regulate behavior, solemnize ritual practice, restrain commercialization, and strengthen humanistic and communal values. The Buddhist-Mother Goddess convergence in Hanoi should therefore not be understood as a one-way process of Buddhistization. Rather, it is a dynamic process of reception, selection, and reinterpretation by practitioner communities amid urbanization, heritage revival, and changes in contemporary spiritual life.

The Importance of Diagnostic Vigilance Amid Cultural Barriers in Pediatric Oncology: A Case of Atypical B-ALL

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Pediatric cancers have the ability to spread rapidly, however, they also respond well to chemotherapy, and can have incredible success rates when diagnosis and intervention are implemented early. This case report describes an unusual presentation of B-ALL in a patient whose treatment was initially delayed due to barriers of cultural origin. The child initially presented with high fevers and vomiting, with mild abdominal distention and tenderness. With concern for sepsis or the need for surgical intervention, the pediatrician urged the family to proceed to a tertiary care center for further workup. The family felt these processes were unnecessary and felt that he would recover at home with over-the-counter medications. As the boy remained ill, emergency care was sought, and further investigations revealed a diagnosis of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. With this case report, we examine the importance of diagnostic vigilance amongst physicians to ensure a prompt and accurate diagnosis, while remaining mindful of cultural factors that may complicate clinical assessment and compliance.

Enhancing Customer Satisfaction through Talent Management and Innovative Work Behavior: The Mediating Role of Operational Performance in Reducing Lightning-Induced Claims in a Telecommunication Tower Company

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This study examines the effect of talent management and innovative work behavior on customer satisfaction through operational performance in reducing lightning-induced claims at XYZ Company in Area 1 Sumatra. A quantitative approach with a causal and cross-sectional research design was employed. The population consisted of 11,260 operational sites, from which 400 sites were selected using the Slovin formula. The unit of analysis was the operational site, while the units of observation included managerial representatives and customer representatives. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire measured on a five-point Likert scale and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (SEM-PLS). The results show that talent management has a positive and significant effect on operational performance and innovative work behavior. Operational performance also has a positive and significant effect on customer satisfaction. However, innovative work behavior does not directly affect operational performance or customer satisfaction. The direct effect of talent management on customer satisfaction is significant but negative, indicating that internal talent practices do not automatically improve customer satisfaction unless they are translated into better operational outcomes. Furthermore, operational performance significantly mediates the relationship between talent management, innovative work behavior, and customer satisfaction. These findings emphasize that customer satisfaction in lightning-induced claim management is more effectively improved through reliable operational performance supported by strong talent management and structured innovation practices.

Consumer Preferences for Purchasing Local Fruits at The Farmers Market Supermarket in Palembang City

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Fruit consumption in Palembang City remains below the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation and has not reached an optimal level. Meanwhile, the increasing availability of imported fruits creates competition and affects consumer preferences toward local fruits. This study aims to identify the attributes influencing consumer preferences, analyze the dominance of physical and non-physical attributes, and examine the effect of imported fruit presence. A quantitative survey was conducted involving 100 respondents selected through accidental sampling. Data were analyzed using the Fishbein multi-attribute model, multiple linear regression, and path analysis. The results show that freshness, taste, and price are the main attributes shaping consumer attitudes. The attitude score (Ao) is categorized as high (101.167 or 67.44%), indicating that stronger positive attitudes are associated with higher consumer preferences for local fruits. Regression analysis reveals that product attributes significantly influence preferences, with physical attributes as the dominant factor. Meanwhile, the presence of imported fruits does not have a significant effect. These findings indicate that consumer preferences are mainly driven by product attributes and attitudes, suggesting that improving the quality of local fruits is essential to enhance their competitiveness.

Effectiveness of Health Education in Improving Pregnant Women’s Knowledge of Triple Elimination Screening for HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis B

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Background: Triple elimination screening for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B among pregnant women is a strategic program in maternal and child health services to prevent intrauterine and mother-to-child transmission. The success of this program is determined not only by the availability of testing services but also by pregnant women’s level of knowledge regarding the benefits, procedures, and timing of triple elimination screening.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of health education in improving pregnant women’s knowledge of triple elimination screening for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B.

Methods: This study used a pre-experimental design with a one-group pretest-posttest approach. The study sample consisted of 196 pregnant women. Data were collected through interviews using a structured questionnaire to assess pregnant women’s knowledge. Respondent characteristics were analyzed descriptively. Knowledge was assessed before and after health education using a score ranging from 0 to 100. Differences in mean scores were analyzed using the paired sample t-test with a significance level of 0.05.

Results: Most respondents were aged 20-35 years (144 respondents; 73.5%), came from Gulak Galik Village (91 respondents; 46.4%), were unemployed (182 respondents; 92.9%), and underwent screening in the first trimester (150 respondents; 76.5%). Triple elimination screening results showed no reactive HIV or syphilis cases, whereas reactive HBsAg was found in 4 respondents (2.0%). The mean knowledge score increased from 57.59 ± 10.11 before education to 81.02 ± 11.11 after education.

Conclusion: There was a statistically significant difference in mean knowledge scores based on the paired sample t-test (t = 49.37; p < 0.001).

Digital Transformation and Bank Profitability in Indonesia: The Role of Firm Size as a Moderating Variable

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This study investigates the effect of digital transformation on bank profitability in Indonesia, with firm size examined as a moderating variable. Specifically, it assesses whether digital transformation enhances financial performance and whether larger banks are better positioned to benefit from digital initiatives. Using a quantitative research design, the study analyzes panel data from 41 banks operating in Indonesia. A fixed-effects regression model is employed to estimate the direct effect of digital transformation on profitability, measured by return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE), as well as the moderating effect of firm size. The results show that digital transformation has a positive and statistically significant effect on both ROA and ROE, indicating that investments in digital technologies improve banking performance. In addition, firm size positively moderates the relationship between digital transformation and profitability. Larger banks appear to derive greater benefits from digitalization due to their stronger technological infrastructure, greater financial capacity, and higher ability to invest in innovation and human capital. The study concludes that digital transformation is a key driver of bank profitability and that organizational scale enhances its effectiveness. These findings contribute to the literature on digital transformation and banking performance and offer practical implications for bank managers and regulators in formulating digital strategies that align with institutional size and capabilities.

Effectiveness of Mozart Classical Music Therapy in Reducing Stress Levels Among Final-Year Medical Students at Nusa Cendana University

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Background: Stress is common among final-year medical students due to academic demands, thesis preparation, and clinical responsibilities. Mozart classical music therapy may serve as a simple non-pharmacological relaxation method to reduce stress.

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of Mozart classical music therapy in reducing stress levels among final-year medical students at Nusa Cendana University.

Methods: This quasi-experimental study used a one-group pretest-posttest design. Respondents were final-year students of the Medical Education Study Program, Faculty of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, Nusa Cendana University. Stress levels were measured using the Perceived Stress Scale-10 before and after Mozart classical music therapy. The intervention was given for 15 minutes daily for seven consecutive days. Pretest and posttest stress scores were analyzed using a paired t-test.

Results: Before the intervention, most respondents had moderate stress (89.1%), followed by mild stress (7.3%) and severe stress (3.6%). After the intervention, mild stress increased to 30.9%, moderate stress decreased to 63.6%, and one respondent (1.8%) reported no stress. A significant reduction in stress level was found after therapy (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Mozart classical music therapy significantly reduced stress levels among final-year medical students.