scholarly journals An open innovation approach to co-produce scientific knowledge: an examination of citizen science in the healthcare ecosystem

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Vincenza Ciasullo ◽  
Mariarosaria Carli ◽  
Weng Marc Lim ◽  
Rocco Palumbo
Keyword(s):  
Citizen Science ◽  
Scientific Knowledge ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Comparative Case Study ◽  
Illustrative Case ◽  
Healthcare Organizations ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Management Interventions ◽  
Lay People

PurposeThe article applies the citizen science phenomenon – i.e. lay people involvement in research endeavours aimed at pushing forward scientific knowledge – to healthcare. Attention is paid to initiatives intended to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic as an illustrative case to exemplify the contribution of citizen science to system-wide innovation in healthcare.Design/methodology/approachA mixed methodology consisting of three sequential steps was developed. Firstly, a realist literature review was carried out to contextualize citizen science to healthcare. Then, an account of successfully completed large-scale, online citizen science projects dealing with healthcare and medicine has been conducted in order to obtain preliminary information about distinguishing features of citizen science in healthcare. Thirdly, a broad search of citizen science initiatives targeted to tackling the COVID-19 pandemic has been performed. A comparative case study approach has been undertaken to examine the attributes of such projects and to unravel their peculiarities.FindingsCitizen science enacts the development of a lively healthcare ecosystem, which takes its nourishment from the voluntary contribution of lay people. Citizen scientists play different roles in accomplishing citizen science initiatives, ranging from data collectors to data analysts. Alongside enabling big data management, citizen science contributes to lay people's education and empowerment, soliciting their active involvement in service co-production and value co-creation.Practical implicationsCitizen science is still underexplored in healthcare. Even though further evidence is needed to emphasize the value of lay people's involvement in scientific research applied to healthcare, citizen science is expected to revolutionize the way innovation is pursued and achieved in the healthcare ecosystem. Engaging lay people in a co-creating partnership with expert scientist can help us to address unprecedented health-related challenges and to shape the future of healthcare. Tailored health policy and management interventions are required to empower lay people and to stimulate their active engagement in value co-creation.Originality/valueCitizen science relies on the wisdom of the crowd to address major issues faced by healthcare organizations. The article comes up with a state of the art investigation of citizen science in healthcare, shedding light on its attributes and envisioning avenues for further development.

Competency-oriented education for sustainable development

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (7) ◽  
pp. 1299-1316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mandy Singer-Brodowski ◽  
Katrin Grossmann ◽  
Stephan Bartke ◽  
Sandra Huning ◽  
Theresa Weinsziehr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Education For Sustainable Development ◽  
Learning Goals ◽  
Comparative Case Study ◽  
Positive Development ◽  
Energy Poverty ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
General Didactics ◽  
Key Competencies

Purpose Energy poverty can be seen as a relatively new, but typical sustainability problem in which various dimensions (ecology, society and economy) are interlinked and in part conflict with each other. Moreover, the variety of involved stakeholders (planners, tenants, housing companies, private landlords, energy consultants, etc.) represents conflicting aims for solving this problem. This paper aims to present a systematic linkage between higher education for sustainable development (HESD) and education about energy poverty yet. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative comparative case study approach with a similar didactic approach is used. Findings Based on the literature about HESD and an overall model in general didactics, ten criteria were identified and used for an overall reflection about similar courses dealing with the topic of energy poverty. The criteria covered the learning goals, the didactical approaches and the institutional support in the forms of organisation in the courses. Research limitations/implications There was no competency measurement of the students in the described courses. Practical implications There was no evaluation of the development of students’ key competencies for sustainability. However, the reflections of students and teachers revealed a positive development regarding the students’ learning process, especially because they worked on a real-world sustainability problem: energy poverty. Originality/value This contribution describes how university courses on energy poverty were designed and implemented at five German universities. Against the background of general criteria for HESD, it reflects on the experiences that the use of this concept evoked. Through a comparison of the five courses against these criteria, the paper outlines strengths and weaknesses of the approach and closes with recommendations and requirements for designing further courses.

scholarly journals Industry, government, and community: power and leadership in a resource constrained DMO

2014 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan L. Slocum ◽  
Sally Everett
Keyword(s):  
Rural Development ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Rural Landscape ◽  
Destination Marketing ◽  
Resource Constrained ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Development Agencies ◽  
Marketing Messages

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore a resource-constrained Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) to assess the power struggles inherent in community tourism initiatives when leadership is weakened through shrinking resources. Design/methodology/approach – Using a comparative instrumental case study approach, this paper analyses three separate studies within Experience Bedfordshire to develop a comprehensive picture of governance within a single tourism destination. Findings – The results show that privately held attractions, hospitality businesses, and transportation authorities retain control over key marketing messages. Visitor and stakeholder surveys indicate that a more sustainable form of rural development, based on natural/cultural attractions and the development of bed and breakfast and artisan small businesses is the preferred development path. Unfortunately, the increasing use of Tourism Information Centres by local residents, as opposed to tourists, has reduced support by key power holders in the community, thereby forcing major industry restructure. Research limitations/implications – This research was conducted during the transitionary period as the Rural Development Agencies were being dissolved in the UK and the new Local Enterprise Partnership system was being implemented in early 2011. It is still too early to anticipate how this new system will affect destination marketing in the long run. Practical implications – This paper argues that commercial interests ultimately control the destination image in this resource-constrained region, and its marketing messages which are currently focused on high adventure and large scale development are pursued to the detriment of local wishes and rural landscape development. Originality/value – This paper is the first article to address the transition from the Rural Development Agencies to the Local Enterprise Partnerships within a tourism and destination marketing framework.

Creation of firm performance through resource orchestration: the case of ÜLKER

2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rifat Kamasak
Keyword(s):  
Firm Performance ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Business Processes ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Complex Nature ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Multiple Data

Purpose – This study aims to investigate the complex interaction of different resource sets and capabilities in the process of performance creation within the context of resource-based theory. Design/methodology/approach – An inductive case study approach that included multiple data collection methods such as in-depth interviews, observation and documentation was utilized. Findings – Organizational culture, reputational assets, human capital, business processes and networking capabilities were found as the most important determinants of firm performance within the context of Ülker case study. Originality/value – Although large-scale empirical studies can be used to explore the direct resource–performance relationship, these quantitative methods bypass the complex and embedded nature of intangibles and provide only a limited understanding of why some resources are identified as strategic but others are not, what their roles are, and how these resources are converted into positions of competitive advantage. However, understanding of complex nature of resources that are embedded in organizations designates the need for more fieldwork-based qualitative studies. This study aims to address this gap by providing a thorough understanding about the managerial and organizational processes through which the resources become valuable.

Communication and leadership in healthcare quality governance

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 144-161
Author(s):  
Alison Brown
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Healthcare Quality ◽  
Healthcare Setting ◽  
Public Hospitals ◽  
Comparative Case Study ◽  
Open Communication ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Key Aspects

PurposeThe importance of hospital board engagement in the work of governing healthcare quality has been demonstrated in the literature. Research into influences on effective corporate governance has traditionally focused on board architecture. Emerging research is bringing to light the importance of governance dynamics. This paper contributes to emerging research through highlighting how communication and leadership underpin effective engagement in governing healthcare quality.Design/methodology/approachA comparative case study of eight Australian public hospitals was undertaken involving document review, interviews and observations. Case studies were allocated into high- or low-engagement categories based on evidence of governance processes being undertaken, in order to compare and contrast influencing factors. Thematic analysis was undertaken to explore how communication and leadership influence healthcare governance.FindingsSeveral key components of communication and leadership are shown to influence healthcare quality governance. Clear logical narratives in reporting, open communication, effective questioning and challenge from board members are important elements of communication found to influence engagement. Leadership that has a focus on healthcare excellence and quality improvement are aligned and promote effective meeting processes is also found to foster governance engagement. Effective engagement in these communication and leadership processes facilitate valuable reflexivity at the governance level.Practical implicationsThe findings highlight the way in which boards and senior managers can strengthen governance effectiveness through attention to key aspects of communication and leadership.Originality/valueThe case study approach allows the exploration of communication and leadership in greater depth than previously undertaken at the corporate governance level in the healthcare setting.

Family firm versus non-family firm: the role of resource orchestration in fast-growing high-tech SMEs

2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Torbjörn Ljungkvist ◽  
Börje Boers ◽  
Jim Andersén
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Firm Growth ◽  
Family Firms ◽  
Family Firm ◽  
Comparative Case Study ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Resource Orchestration ◽  
Paradoxical Growth

PurposeThis paper strives to understand the role of resource orchestration (RO) in the rapid growth of high-tech small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).Design/methodology/approachBased on a comparative case study, RO is compared between a high-tech family firm and a high-tech non-family firm. To capture the complexity of RO, this study applies a longitudinal approach using a large volume of archival and interview data gathered over ten years.FindingsThe configuration of family-firm paradoxical growth-oriented RO emphasizes RO based on collectivism and responsibility, although relying on large-scale conforming normative control. In contrast, the configuration of non-family-firm growth-oriented RO emphasizes administrative-based delegation and management-supported value creation.Originality/valueBy suggesting ownership-based RO configurations, this study provides insights into how ownership types, i.e. family firms and non-family firms, affect RO in firms operating in complex and dynamic environments. These configurations explain how and why RO is arranged in a growth context.

Why the leadership of change is especially difficult for Chinese principals

2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 486-498 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuangye Chen ◽  
Zheng Ke
Keyword(s):  
Principal Leadership ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Institutional Framework ◽  
Illustrative Case ◽  
Change Initiatives ◽  
Student Centered ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Context Sensitive ◽  
Leadership Impact ◽  
School Changes

Purpose – There is research evidence emerging to show that Chinese principal leadership appears to have a limited effect on the large-scale and deep school changes, but reasons for this have not been well explored. The purpose of this paper is to offer a conceptually framed explanation. By using China as an illustrative case, the authors propose using a macro-institutional framework to examine how principal leadership is mediated institutionally and why the leadership of change is especially difficult for Chinese principals. Design/methodology/approach – In order to facilitate a contextualized understanding, the three institutional pillars developed by Scott's (2001) were used as a macro-institutional framework to explain difficulties confronting principal leadership in China when making deep and sustainable school changes from regulative, normative and cognitive perspectives. Findings – The appeared change inertia and school changes on surface can partially be attributed to the cultural and institutional contexts of Chinese principal leadership. For principals, professional incentives and their change initiatives are institutionally and culturally constrained. Consequently, Chinese principals are left with very limited professional space to focus on making visible and endurable student-centered school changes. Originality/value – This is a first macro-institutional application to address principal leadership of change from the context of China. The regulative, normative and cognitive aspects are analytically useful to differentiate and manifest the institutional complexity and intricacy which are mediating principal leadership impact on school changes. This also illuminates the exploration of context sensitive leadership research to capture context features and understand context-embedded logics.

Value chain supply procurement strategies in international construction

2016 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 501-521 ◽  
Author(s):  
Igor Martek ◽  
Chuan Chen
Keyword(s):  
Value Chain ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Comparative Case Study ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
International Construction ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Local Supply ◽  
Procurement Strategies ◽  
Foreign Enterprises

Purpose – Firms compete using a variety of strategies. Typically they aim to provide something different, to be better, or simply cheaper. In the construction industry, the performance characteristics, quality and cost of the final delivered project will be the outcome of the interplay of capabilities of all the firms involved in the project. Consequently, in order to improve competitiveness, firms must pay attention to not only their own competitive advantage but to those of the firms, both up-stream and down-stream, on whom they depend in delivering their projects. For foreign constructors in China, those competitive considerations will be informed by circumstances different from home. How then do foreign constructors adapt themselves to the problem of sourcing competitively when located within a China-based supply chain? The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – In this study 60 foreign enterprises operating within the Chinese construction sector were investigated by using a comparative case study approach. Findings – Four generic procurement strategies were identified. First, firms adapt themselves in the search for optimal supply sources by replicating home-based suppliers, controlling local suppliers, or by remaining agile and non-aligned. Second, firms develop niche supply monopolies through market dominance, uniquely differentiated offerings, or by integration with down-stream providers. Third, firms find opportunities to bring in off-shore technology intensive procurements, where that technology is either protected, improved upon, or sold. Finally, firms also seek to transit to China as a procurement base in order to reduce local supply cost, service world-wide operations, or as part of a total strategy of China relocation. Originality/value – The identification of this rich range of procurement approaches will be of interest to internationalization strategists, as well as to industry practitioners looking to find appropriate business models for off-shore operations.

A fresh approach to corporate social responsibility (CSR): partnerships between businesses and non-profit sectors

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 352-362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niveen Labib Eid ◽  
Anton Robert Sabella
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Ethical Practices ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
Governmental Organization ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to offer a new conceptualisation on partnership emergence and dynamism between the business sector and the non-governmental organization (NGO) sector from a corporate social responsibility perspective. More specifically, the paper intends to examine partnering behaviour and management from a socio-political standpoint. Design/methodology/approach – The case study approach used in the study utilised data from eight in-depth, semi-structured interviews, with managers from the business and NGO sectors engaged in a large-scale partnership between a Palestinian Cellular Corporation and an NGO. Interview transcripts were analysed using content and narrative analyses. Findings to be presented include reciprocity, corporate constitutionalism and utilitarianism. Findings – The results found in this paper show that partnership has social, political, and ethical dimensions in support of the theoretical framework developed for this paper. More specifically, the results show that the studied partnership is an emergent process, fundamentally concerned with self-efficacy over community welfare, as well as being driven by individual organisational goals. Originality/value – This paper sheds light on certain aspects of partnership that are often overlooked in mainstream research. It does not only highlight the multifaceted dimensions of partnering but also discusses how partnership can be envisioned and practised as inter-organisational relationships. It stimulates a pragmatic understanding of partnership nature and management showing that partnership emergence, direction and sustainability are conditioned by the stakeholders’ socio-political and ethical practices.

scholarly journals Innovative austerity management

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 350-367 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Overmans
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Case Study ◽  
Fiscal Stress ◽  
City Managers ◽  
Predictive Capacity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Public Managers ◽  
The Social ◽  
Elite Interviews ◽  
The Right

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to uncover the right type of organizational slack for innovation. It examines how city managers conceive slack, and how they create slack to facilitate innovation while dealing with fiscal stress. Design/methodology/approach The study is built around a comparative case study approach to uncover contrasts, similarities and patterns of slack-building for innovation in austere times. It relies on the experiences of 12 experienced city managers. Data are sought from elite interviews and one focus group. Findings The main finding is that innovation in the public sector does not benefit from slack in general, but from a specific type of slack. The evidence shows that useful slack for innovation is not so much about financial slack or HR slack, but about psychological slack. Research limitations/implications This study adds to the literature that the key questions of slack research should not only focus on identifying the “right amount” of slack but also on identifying of the “right type” of slack. Practical implications Public managers who want to deal with (fiscal) crises more innovatively might reconsider their perceptions of slack and its value. Rather than operating on a pure cost effectiveness paradigm, they should balance the costs of slack and its innovative abilities. Originality/value This paper highlights the social/psychological side of austerity management. It concludes that increasing the ability of public organizations to innovatively cope with fiscal stress is not so much about increasing predictive capacity or financial buffers, but about increasing the mental leeway of coworkers.

Principals and teachers “craft coherence” among accountability policies

2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Leisy Stosich
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Evaluation ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
Classroom Practice ◽  
Evaluation Framework ◽  
Academic Standards ◽  
External Support ◽  
Comparative Case Study ◽  
Support Providers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine how US school leaders and teachers make sense of multiple accountability policies, including the Common Core State Standards and teacher evaluation, and how this process relates to school priorities and classroom practice. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a comparative case study approach to understand how principals and teachers in three high-poverty urban schools respond to policy. Findings Although principals and teachers viewed academic standards and the teacher evaluation framework as complementary, two of the three schools focused on meeting the expectations of the teacher evaluation framework at the expense of attention to academic standards. Without attention to the connections among policies and school priorities, the introduction of new policies may detract from rather than reinforce attention to academic standards. Research limitations/implications Principals who are stronger instructional leaders may be better able to “craft coherence” among multiple standards-based policies and school priorities for instruction and student learning. Although their experiences are not generalizable, findings suggest that attending to standards for student and teacher performance without connecting to the implications for content and students’ learning may lead to superficial integration of accountability policies with school priorities. Practical implications Findings provide further evidence that principals play an essential role in responding to policy and suggest that districts and external support providers can assist their efforts by creating opportunities for professional learning about the connections among multiple policies and their implications for practice. Originality/value This paper extends Honig and Hatch’s conceptualization of “crafting coherence” to the work of teachers and the implications for classroom practice.

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