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This paper is concerned with new formulations of local meshfree and finite element numerical methods, for the solution of two-dimensional problems in linear elasticity.

In the local domain, assigned to each node of a discretization, the work theorem establishes an energy relationship between a statically admissible stress field and an independent kinematically admissible strain field. This relationship, derived as a weighted residual weak form, is expressed as an integral local form. Based on the independence of the stress and strain fields, this local form of the work theorem is kinematically formulated with a simple rigid-body displacement to be applied by local meshfree and finite element numerical methods. The main feature of this paper is the use of a linearly integrated local form that implements a quite simple algorithm with no further integration required.

The reduced integration, performed by this linearly integrated formulation, plays a key role in the behavior of local numerical methods, since it implies a reduction of the nodal stiffness which, in turn, leads to an increase of the solution accuracy and, which is most important, presents no instabilities, unlike nodal integration methods without stabilization. As a consequence of using such a convenient linearly integrated local form, the derived meshfree and finite element numerical methods become fast and accurate, which is a feature of paramount importance, as far as computational efficiency of numerical methods is concerned. Three benchmark problems were analyzed with these techniques, in order to assess the accuracy and efficiency of the new integrated local formulations of meshfree and finite element numerical methods. The results obtained in this work are in perfect agreement with those of the available analytical solutions and, furthermore, outperform the computational efficiency of other methods. Thus, the accuracy and efficiency of the local numerical methods presented in this paper make this a very reliable and robust formulation.

Presentation of a new local mesh-free numerical method. The method, linearly integrated along the boundary of the local domain, implements an algorithm with no further integration required. The method is absolutely reliable, with remarkably-accurate results. The method is quite robust, with extremely-fast computations.

Aim of the present monograph is the economic analysis of the role of MNEs regarding globalisation and digital economy and in parallel there is a reference and examination of some legal aspects concerning MNEs, cyberspace and e‐commerce as the means of expression of the digital economy. The whole effort of the author is focused on the examination of various aspects of MNEs and their impact upon globalisation and vice versa and how and if we are moving towards a global digital economy.

Integration between health and local authority services has been informed more by policy than by evidence. The gap which often exists between the development of an evidence base and its implementation has in this way been circumvented, but new challenges have arisen as a result of the policy context and services' response to it. Research undertaken by a learning disability service to inform the local integration agenda failed to have any impact, possibly in part because the research itself was a product of the same organisational context that was shaping integration. Although several isolated integration initiatives were in existence, the lack of clear strategic direction identified by the project as a key feature of the local integration agenda also limited the extent to which the project itself could effect change. Both the project and those changes which were occurring in services became features of an overall stasis, which in itself can illuminate the challenge of effecting meaningful change through research on services in constant flux.

The purpose of this paper is to shed light on challenges faced in human resource (HR) integration in subsidiary mergers of western corporations in Poland. The paper seeks to investigate the central themes in HR integration in terms of the role of the HR function and the implications for the local workforce.

A qualitative method research design was adopted with semi‐structured formal and informal interviews, participant observation, and secondary/primary data analysis.

Findings provide insights into the challenges of integrating the subsidiaries of western corporations based in transition economies and why problems might emerge from the collaboration between local and foreign managers. Specifically, the analysis suggests that a success of the HR integration might be particularly at stake in circumstances of a low HR power in a subsidiary and a low multiculturalism of the foreign investor.

The main study limitation concerns the fact that investigations concerned perspectives of local managers. It would be interesting in future research to observe the HR processes as perceived by both local executives and foreign parent decision‐makers.

The paper's findings may help managers and change agents to understand the specific challenges to HR integration of subsidiary mergers.

The results shed light on HR integration in subsidiaries of corporations from western economies based in emerging or developing regions. Specifically, in circumstances of a low HR power in a subsidiary and a low multiculturalism of the foreign investor, officially proclaimed friendly mergers may turn to hostile takeovers and drastic changes risk implemention without a clear understanding of the local context. Then, HR integration risks having a dysfunctional impact on the workforce and consequently, failing to deliver expected synergies and, in the long‐term, cause M&As failure.

The purpose of this paper is to consider whether the framework for integration initiated by the White Paper Liberating the National Health Service (NHS) is likely to be more successful than previous frameworks.

The paper formulates ten principles of integration derived from a historical literature review, and makes the comparison with principal features of new proposals for promoting integration between NHS and Local Government in England.

There is a relatively good fit between the principles and proposals but gaps were identified and implementation difficulties are already becoming evident especially in respect of the tension between localism and national accountability.

The conduct of the literature review is consistent with standard historical research methods but does not aim to comply with the protocols for systematic reviews in health sciences. It does not attempt to be based on a fully comprehensive search because of the time and other resources associated with its commissioning. Future empirical research will be necessary to establish the actual impact of the proposed legislative changes on relationships between the NHS and Local Government together with any changes to health and wellbeing outcomes at local level.

Local and national strategies for improving integration should be reviewed in the light of the principles set out here.

The paper should be of value to policymakers and policy analysts seeking to understand more systematically the implications of the current legislative proposals in the context of previous empirical and theoretical knowledge. It will also be of value as an up‐to‐date analytical account of an important dimension of the proposed health reforms in the context of longer term historical understandings frequently missing from the organisational memories of health and social care agencies.

Following the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), many forms of bottom-up civic action emerged as ways to collectively “flatten the curve” and tackle the crisis. In this paper, the authors examine to what extent local online and offline social integration contributes to civic participation, above and beyond typical predictors such as news consumption and civic talk.

An online survey was administered among 7,137 users of the online neighbourhood network (ONN) Hoplr in Flanders (i.e. the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium) from 8 May to 18 May 2020. Regression analyses were used to examine how local social integration, in addition to news consumption, civic talk and political antecedents, predict different types of civic participation.

The results show consistent positive associations between news consumption, civic talk and civic participation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, the role of political antecedents varied across different forms of civic participation. Further, the results point to the importance of both offline and online local social integration in explaining civic participation.

This study provides much-needed insight in the societal and democratic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. The results confirm the importance of local social integration in explaining civic participation, while also advancing theoretical understanding of more established predictors of civic participation, such as news consumption and interpersonal communication.

The peer review history for this article is available at https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-08-2020-0379.

A survey of integrated working between primary care trusts (PCTs) and adult social services across England was undertaken in December 2009 and January 2010. The survey results are presented in the context of the history of integrated working between health and social care, and the recent policy announcements of the Conservative‐Liberal Democrat Coalition Government.

The purpose of this paper is to try and understand how several organisations in one area in England are working together to develop an integrated care programme. Weick’s (1995) concept of sensemaking is used as a lens to examine how the organisations are working collaboratively and maintaining the programme.

Qualitative methods included: non-participant observations of meetings, interviews with key stakeholders and the collection of documents relating to the programme. These provided wider contextual information about the programme. Comprehensive field notes were taken during observations and analysed alongside interview transcriptions using NVIVO software.

This paper illustrates the importance of the construction of a shared identity across all organisations involved in the programme. Furthermore, the wider policy discourse impacted on how the programme developed and influenced how organisations worked together.

The role of leaders from all organisations involved in the programme was of significance to the overall development of the programme and the sustained momentum behind the programme. Leaders were able to generate a “narrative of success” to drive the programme forward. This is of particular relevance to evaluators, highlighting the importance of using multiple methods to allow researchers to probe beneath the surface of programmes to ensure that evidence moves beyond this public narrative.

A Swedish framework law has enabled integration between public agencies in vocational rehabilitation. With the support of this law, coordination associations can be formed to fund and organize joint activities. The purpose of this study is to describe and analyze how the law has been interpreted and translated into local coordination associations and how local institutional logics have developed to guide the organization of these associations.

Data was collected through observations of meetings within two coordination associations and supplemented with documents. The material was analyzed by compilation and examination of data from field notes, whereupon the most important aspects were crystallized and framed with institutional organization theory.

Two different translations of the law were seen in the associations studied: the association as an independent actor, and as an arena for its member organizations. Two subsequent institutional logics have developed, influencing decisions on autonomy, objectives and rationality for initiating and organizing in the two associations and their activities. The institutional logics are circular, further enhancing the different translations creating different forms of integration.

Both forms of integration are legitimate, but the different translations have created integration with different degrees of autonomy in relation to the member organizations. Only a long‐term analysis can show whether one form of integration is more functional than the other.

This article is based on an extensive material providing insights into a form of interorganizational integration which has been scarcely researched. The findings show how different translations can influence the integration of welfare services.

Organizational flexible integration capability equips organizations to deal with the whole range of problems presented by dynamic environments. Adopting the language of dynamic capability research we advance four components that constitute flexible integration capability. These are a dominant logic of opportunity, a wide variety of problem solving projects, the deployment of portable integration expertise, and organizational practices support the development of portable integration expertise. Of these four portable integration expertise is a purely individual level capability. Organization level flexible integration capability is founded on the development of portable integration expertise by individuals. Organizations can facilitate portable integration expertise by structuring careers, valuing long term goals and objectives, adopting knowledge management practices and being receptive to external sources of knowledge.