scholarly journals Epidemiology’s dual social commitment: to science and health

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodolfo Saracci
Keyword(s):  
Decision Processes ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Research Gaps ◽  
Social Commitment ◽  
Research Results ◽  
The Public ◽  
Operational Capabilities ◽  
Dual Commitment ◽  
Practical Implications

Abstract Matching epidemiology’s aspirations to actual delivery of goods valuable for population health depends both on the scientific and operational capabilities of epidemiology and on the degree to which the goods meet its contract with society. Epidemiology’s capabilities have remarkably advanced in recent decades, although research gaps have appeared during the current Covid-19 pandemic. Epidemiology’s social contract reflecting a dual commitment to science and health could arguably be entirely met by producing research results under conditions variously described as objective, impartial, neutral, independent and handing such results to decision makers and the public at large. However a closer examination shows that the four adjectives address sharply distinct issues, with distinct practical implications, and that the epidemiologist responsibility is ‘de facto’ involved beyond providing research results. Hence the epidemiologist’s engagement should encompass arguing from a science-for-health viewpoint and proactively driving the results into decision processes on public health issues.

Who’s making the decisions? How managers can harness artificial intelligence and remain in charge

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pooya Tabesh
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Machine Learning ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Big Data ◽  
Digital Transformation ◽  
Decision Processes ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Human Decision ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose While it is evident that the introduction of machine learning and the availability of big data have revolutionized various organizational operations and processes, existing academic and practitioner research within decision process literature has mostly ignored the nuances of these influences on human decision-making. Building on existing research in this area, this paper aims to define these concepts from a decision-making perspective and elaborates on the influences of these emerging technologies on human analytical and intuitive decision-making processes. Design/methodology/approach The authors first provide a holistic understanding of important drivers of digital transformation. The authors then conceptualize the impact that analytics tools built on artificial intelligence (AI) and big data have on intuitive and analytical human decision processes in organizations. Findings The authors discuss similarities and differences between machine learning and two human decision processes, namely, analysis and intuition. While it is difficult to jump to any conclusions about the future of machine learning, human decision-makers seem to continue to monopolize the majority of intuitive decision tasks, which will help them keep the upper hand (vis-à-vis machines), at least in the near future. Research limitations/implications The work contributes to research on rational (analytical) and intuitive processes of decision-making at the individual, group and organization levels by theorizing about the way these processes are influenced by advanced AI algorithms such as machine learning. Practical implications Decisions are building blocks of organizational success. Therefore, a better understanding of the way human decision processes can be impacted by advanced technologies will prepare managers to better use these technologies and make better decisions. By clarifying the boundaries/overlaps among concepts such as AI, machine learning and big data, the authors contribute to their successful adoption by business practitioners. Social implications The work suggests that human decision-makers will not be replaced by machines if they continue to invest in what they do best: critical thinking, intuitive analysis and creative problem-solving. Originality/value The work elaborates on important drivers of digital transformation from a decision-making perspective and discusses their practical implications for managers.

VENTURE CAPITAL, THE PUBLIC SECTOR AND THE HIGH-TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY

2008 ◽  
Vol 05 (01) ◽  
pp. 105-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
AVI MESSICA ◽  
TAMIR AGMON
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Venture Capital ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Stock Index ◽  
Short Term ◽  
The Public ◽  
Technology Industry ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
Decision Making Model ◽  
Practical Implications

We studied the optimal funding of the public sector for the Hi-Tech industry in the presence of short-term, cyclical, venture capital (VC) funding by constructing a decision-making model that results in the optimal governmental support and a model that accounts for the dynamics of the VC industry. We found that the VC industry is highly correlated with the NASDAQ stock index and that the optimal public policy for funding the Hi-Tech sector should be anti-cyclical, dynamic, and conditioned on the VC investments. The models and their validation are discussed as well as the practical implications for policy and decision makers.

To which extent do projects explore the opportunity space?

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 473-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Knut Samset ◽  
Bjorn Andersen ◽  
Kjell Austeng
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Concept Development ◽  
Decision Processes ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Final Choice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Execution Phase ◽  
Objective Reasoning ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Selection Of

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore a selection of projects to understand how conceptual appraisals and choice of concepts are handled, and to which extent the conceptual opportunity space is exploited. Design/methodology/approach – The study is essentially case based, and rooted in a number of in-depth studies of single-project cases. Its study combines information from document studies with interview data, and culminates in normative recommendations. Findings – The study found that the projects do indeed not exploit the opportunity space to a very large extent. The lessons from the present study is that the final choice is determined more by decision makers than the analysts, and will often be the result of policy and preferences more than objective reasoning. Which again suggests that the efforts as analysts will often be in vain. Research limitations/implications – These findings could influence theoretical models outlining project establishment and decision processes. Practical implications – The study has identified many shortcomings in public sector processes that could be utilized to alter such processes. Originality/value – The study is original in that it focusses on the concept development phase of projects, rather than the traditional execution phase, and has studied decision processes.

Malaysians’ awareness towards legal metrology and Weights and measures act, 1972

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 617-631
Author(s):  
Ahsan Mohamed Nazim ◽  
Ismael AbuJarad ◽  
Mohamed Sulaiman ◽  
Ibrahim bin Hamzah
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Legal Metrology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Weights And Measures ◽  
The Public ◽  
Actual Behaviour ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the level of awareness of the public about Weights and Measures Act, the awareness of Metrology Corporation Malaysia (MCM) services such as verification sticker and the awareness about ways to file a complaint by the public. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative research methodology survey was used to collect data. The quantitative collected data were analysed to achieve the objectives of this study. Findings The results of this study showed a low awareness level of the general public, especially non-stakeholders, knowledge, attitude and actual behaviour about the work of verification and re-verification and checking for verification sticker as well as ways of complaining if the instrument is not verified. In addition, the number of stakeholders working in the legal metrology area was high and Facebook was one of the most preferred media by the public to get awareness messages. Research limitations/implications It is recommended for other researchers to enlarge the sample size and implement the study on more companies in the industry. Practical implications The findings of this study revealed that public awareness, knowledge and intention have significant and positive relationship with actual behaviour of the public and that awareness, knowledge and actual behaviour among the non-stakeholder were low compared to the stakeholder. The results also enriched the stakeholders in legal metrology for improving public awareness, knowledge and actual behaviour toward the legal metrology and Wight and Measure Act, 1972. Social implications This study shows that Facebook was one of the most preferred media by the public to get awareness messages. This reflects the important role that social media plays. This is useful to the companies because it helps them understand the preferences of public in the society. In addition, the results of this study are useful to the decision-makers in the industry, which is expected to impact the performance of such companies. Originality/value This study is among the few studies conducted in the Malaysian context.

Instrumental red teaming of “terrorism”: attack-concept gaming to develop comprehension, anticipation and resilience

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 83-94
Author(s):  
Charles Knight
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Terrorist Attack ◽  
Public Support ◽  
Theoretical Explanation ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe a gaming approach to making key theoretical ideas accessible, understandable and useful for security practitioners confronting “terrorism” in the real world. Design/methodology/approach The tool is instrumental “red-team” matrix gaming: a structured way to first build and then wargame instrumental “terrorist” attack plans. The working assumption is that “terrorist” violence is designed with purpose, and that it reflects Fromkin’s understanding that terrorism is a form of jujitsu to manipulate more powerful opponents into politically and ideologically self-destructive behaviours. By designing and gaming attack plans with political objectives as the focus, practitioners quickly gain a deeper understanding of the processes of violent influence and the role of responders and decision makers. The paper is structured to, first, provide a theoretical explanation of contemporary conflict, focussing on the public support and how violence can be differently designed to political ends. On this foundation, the methods for learning are explained. A “playing-card” technique for setting students objectives in terms of psychological levers, vulnerabilities, political purposes and influence targets is described and options for participants generating scenarios outlined. Then the matrix-gaming approach, where play progresses according to the result of a dice roll applied to a probability based on the merit of participants’ competing arguments is explained with an example. Findings The described method of creating and wargaming terrorist attack plans offers a new and engaging method of exploring and understanding the processes of terrorism while preparing practitioners by potentially developing both their decision making and resilience. Practical implications The method described has potential value for teaching about terrorism by generally improving student engagement, preparing practitioners to respond to terrorism and wider application (of matrix gaming) to other topics. Originality/value This is a novel application of matrix gaming in a simplified format suited for classrooms.

The Road to Iraq

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Idrees Ahmad
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Policy ◽  
Iraq War ◽  
Empirical Investigation ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Road ◽  
Cohesive Group ◽  
Political Agents

The Road to Iraq is an empirical investigation that explains the causes of the Iraq War, identifies its main agents, and demonstrates how the war was sold to decision makers and by decision makers to the public. It shows how a small but ideologically coherent and socially cohesive group of determined political agents used the contingency of 9/11 to outflank a sceptical foreign policy establishment, military brass and intelligence apparatus and provoked a war that has had disastrous consequences.

Policy Considerations for the Design and Use of Web Portals for Researchers, Clinicians, and Patients: A Scoping Literature Review (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Lang ◽  
Sébastien Lemieux ◽  
Josée Hébert ◽  
Guy Sauvageau ◽  
Ma'n H. Zawati
Keyword(s):  
Patient Care ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Complex Disease ◽  
Patient Empowerment ◽  
Patient Portals ◽  
Research Results ◽  
Online Systems ◽  
The Public ◽  
Online Tools ◽  
Research Findings

BACKGROUND Medical care and health research are jointly undergoing significant changes brought about by the Internet [1,2,3]. New online tools, apps, and programs are helping to facilitate unprecedented levels of data sharing and collaboration, potentially enabling more precisely targeted treatment and rapid research translation [4,5,6]. Patient portals have been a significant part of this emerging online health ecosystem, providing patients a mechanism for accessing electronic health records, managing appointments and prescriptions, even communicating directly with care providers [7]. Much has been written about the technical and ethical challenges associated with the development and integration of patient portals into the clinic [8,9]. But portal technology might also be used to connect health researchers to clinicians, patients, and the public. Online systems could be a useful platform for broadly and rapidly disseminating research results while also promoting patient empowerment. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to assess the potential use of online portals that facilitate the sharing of health research findings among researchers, clinicians, patients, and the public. It will also summarize the potential legal, ethical, and policy implications associated with such tools for public use and in the management of patient care for complex disease. METHODS We systematically consulted three databases, PubMed, Scopus, and WestLaw Next for sources describing online portals for sharing health research findings among clinicians, researchers, and patients and their associated legal, ethical, and policy challenges. raised by the integration of online tools into patient care for complex disease. Of 719 source citations, we retained 22 for review. RESULTS We found a varied and inconsistent treatment of online portals for sharing health research findings among clinicians, researchers, and patients. While the literature supports the view that portals of this kind are potentially highly promising, they remain novel and are not yet being widely adopted. We also found a wide-ranging discussion on the legal, ethical, and policy issues related to the use of online tools for sharing research data. We identified five important policy challenges: privacy & confidentiality, health literacy & patient empowerment, equity, training, and decision making. Each of these, we contend, have meaningful implications for the increased integration of online tools into clinical care. CONCLUSIONS As online tools become increasingly important mechanisms for sharing health research with clinicians, patients, and the public, it is vital that these developments are met with ethical and conceptual scrutiny. Therapeutic portals as they are presented in this paper may become a more widespread feature of precision and translational medicine. Our findings suggest that online portals are already being used to disseminate research results among clinicians, patients, and the public. But much of the ethical and conceptual debate is framed in terms of the patient portal, a concept that does not adequately reflect the potentially broader scope of therapeutic portals. It may be useful to clarify this distinction in future research and to underscore the unique ethical, legal, and policy challenges raised when online systems are used as a platform for disseminating research to as wide an audience as possible. CLINICALTRIAL n/a

scholarly journals Teaching Science in Today’s Society: The Case of Particle Physics for Primary Schools

Universe ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 169
Author(s):  
Cristina Lazzeroni ◽  
Sandra Malvezzi ◽  
Andrea Quadri
Keyword(s):  
Particle Physics ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Past ◽  
Rapid Changes ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Ongoing Project

The rapid changes in science and technology witnessed in recent decades have significantly contributed to the arousal of the awareness by decision-makers and the public as a whole of the need to strengthen the connection between outreach activities of universities and research institutes and the activities of educational institutions, with a central role played by schools. While the relevance of the problem is nowadays unquestioned, no unique and fully satisfactory solution has been identified. In the present paper we would like to contribute to the discussion on the subject by reporting on an ongoing project aimed to teach Particle Physics in primary schools. We will start from the past and currently planned activities in this project in order to establish a broader framework to describe the conditions for the fruitful interplay between researchers and teachers. We will also emphasize some aspects related to the dissemination of outreach materials by research institutions, in order to promote the access and distribution of scientific information in a way suited to the different age of the target students.

scholarly journals Working towards evidence-informed policy: Public health report Stockholm

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
V Bartelink ◽  
D Yacaman Mendez ◽  
A Lager
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Resource Allocation ◽  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Public Health Report ◽  
The Public ◽  
Health Report ◽  
High Quality Evidence ◽  
Quality Evidence

Abstract Issue Public health problems and interventions are often addressed in sub-optimal ways by not prioritizing them based on the best available evidence. Description of the Problem The public health report 2019 for the Stockholm region aims to inform decision makers, politicians, and public health workers about the risk factors and diseases that account for the biggest part of the burden of disease with a clear focus on high quality evidence and communication of main messages. How did the public health report 2019 affect public health policy in the Stockholm region? Results The public health report 2019 influenced agenda setting, resource allocation and priority setting in the Stockholm region. Lessons We identified the following facilitating factors in the process, of which most also are supported in scientific literature, in chronological order: 1) understanding the policymaking context to be aware of windows of opportunity, 2) establishing relationships with relevant policymakers, engage with them routinely in the decision-making process, and being accessible for questions, 3) doing high-quality research by considering the latest scientific literature, multiple data sources and involving academic experts in the field, 4) communicating clear and relevant messages for generalists by translating research into easy-understandable texts and attractive figures, and 5) active dissemination of the report through multiple channels. In addition, the following barriers were identified: 1) the timeframe of the policymaking process was not in line with the research process, and 2) involving politicians in an early stage can potentially harm the objectivity of research in media messages. Key messages By focussing on major problems, high quality evidence and clear messages a public health report can contribute to more evidence-informed policy making. Engaging decision makers in the process of public health reporting is critical for the impact on agenda setting, resource allocation, and priority setting.

scholarly journals SMARTIES Project: The Survey of Needs for Municipalities and Trainers for Smart Cities

Challenges ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 13
Author(s):  
George Xydis ◽  
Luca Pagliaricci ◽  
Živilė Paužaitė ◽  
Vygintas Grinis ◽  
Gyula Sallai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Smart Cities ◽  
Prior Experience ◽  
Environmental Awareness ◽  
General Concept ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
The Public ◽  
Low Level ◽  
The Subject

In an aim to contribute to already existing knowledge upon the subject of smart cities and the public sector’s wider knowledge in Europe, this study investigates the perception by the municipalities and the wider public sector, responsible for implementing smart solutions in the environment. The understanding of the concept of smart cities/villages by municipalities is on a low level due to the fact that the problem is too wide, not well described, solutions even wider, accompanied by the lack of experts able to offer comprehensive solutions to municipalities. The study presents factors according to the current municipalities’ knowledge (environmental awareness, knowledge and prior experience) and the existing market, of whether these factors can be said that affect the acceptance of smart cities. The public is already aware of the smart cities as a general concept, however, the study sheds light upon the established knowledge that the decision makers have in five countries, Hungary, Slovakia, Italy, Lithuania, and Denmark.

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