Innovative application of strategic foresight to oncology research

foresight ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (5/6) ◽  
pp. 533-550
Author(s):  
Peter Bishop ◽  
Rebecca Tamarchak ◽  
Christine Williams ◽  
Laszlo Radvanyi
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Research ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Medical Topic ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Strategic Issues ◽  
University Of Houston ◽  
Oncology Research ◽  
Do It Yourself ◽  
Fiscal Austerity ◽  
Climate Crisis

Purpose This study aims to investigate into the future of cancer and cancer research in preparation for a strategic plan for a cancer research centre. Design/methodology/approach The study used framework foresight, a method for creating scenarios and their implications developed by the MS program in Foresight at the University of Houston. Findings The study identified four scenarios: a continuation scenario in which progress in detecting and treating cancer progressed as it has over the past few decades, a collapse scenario in which attention was diverted from medical research due to a climate crisis, a new equilibrium scenario in which cost became the overriding concern for cancer treatment, and a transformation scenario in which individuals took control of their treatment through Do-It-Yourself remedies. Those scenarios suggested four strategic issues for the planning exercise: the growing volume of genomic and clinical data and the means to learn from it, the increased involvement and influence of patients in diagnosis and treatment, the ability to conduct research in a time of fiscal austerity and declining levels of trust in all professions, including medicine. Research limitations/implications The paper not only provides guidance for cancer centers but also for medical practice in general. Practical implications The client used the scenarios and their implications as part of its considerations in strategic planning. Originality/value This paper represents the first time that Framework Foresight has been applied to a medical topic.

Practical Aspects of Implementing and Applying Health Care Cloud Computing Services and Informatics to Cancer Clinical Trial Data

2021 ◽  
pp. 826-832
Author(s):  
Jay G. Ronquillo ◽  
William T. Lester
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Cancer Research ◽  
Cloud Computing ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Laboratory Tests ◽  
Cancer Clinical Trial ◽  
Cancer Clinical Trials ◽  
Precision Oncology ◽  
Oncology Research

PURPOSE Cloud computing has led to dramatic growth in the volume, variety, and velocity of cancer data. However, cloud platforms and services present new challenges for cancer research, particularly in understanding the practical tradeoffs between cloud performance, cost, and complexity. The goal of this study was to describe the practical challenges when using a cloud-based service to improve the cancer clinical trial matching process. METHODS We collected information for all interventional cancer clinical trials from ClinicalTrials.gov and used the Google Cloud Healthcare Natural Language Application Programming Interface (API) to analyze clinical trial Title and Eligibility Criteria text. An informatics pipeline leveraging interoperability standards summarized the distribution of cancer clinical trials, genes, laboratory tests, and medications extracted from cloud-based entity analysis. RESULTS There were a total of 38,851 cancer-related clinical trials found in this study, with the distribution of cancer categories extracted from Title text significantly different than in ClinicalTrials.gov ( P < .001). Cloud-based entity analysis of clinical trial criteria identified a total of 949 genes, 1,782 laboratory tests, 2,086 medications, and 4,902 National Cancer Institute Thesaurus terms, with estimated detection accuracies ranging from 12.8% to 89.9%. A total of 77,702 API calls processed an estimated 167,179 text records, which took a total of 1,979 processing-minutes (33.0 processing-hours), or approximately 1.5 seconds per API call. CONCLUSION Current general-purpose cloud health care tools—like the Google service in this study—should not be used for automated clinical trial matching unless they can perform effective extraction and classification of the clinical, genetic, and medication concepts central to precision oncology research. A strong understanding of the practical aspects of cloud computing will help researchers effectively navigate the vast data ecosystems in cancer research.

Biodiversity will rise as an international priority

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Political Will ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Biodiversity Crisis ◽  
Low Profile ◽  
Global Biodiversity ◽  
Climate Crisis

Significance No substantive agreements emerged. Global targets to limit biodiversity loss were agreed in 2010, but all were missed and biodiversity loss has accelerated. The 'Kunming Declaration' does indicate some political will, but any enforceable delivery plans will have to wait for the second part of COP15 next year. Impacts The global biodiversity crisis is arguably as serious and pressing as the climate crisis. The low profile of COP15 shows that the severity of the problem is not yet widely recognised. The goal of making 30% of earth's land and seas 'protected' by 2030 provides new focus; disputes will focus on what it actually means. As host, Beijing will want to demonstrate success and will put pressure on other governments. Biodiversity is difficult even to measure, making is extremely challenging to create clear structures for accountable implementation.

scholarly journals Measuring and assessing the impact of using volunteers in UK libraries: issues and methods

2014 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 112-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith Broady-Preston
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Third Sector ◽  
Professional Staff ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Qualitative Approaches ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Third Sector Organisations ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine a range of issues and methods in relation to measuring the impact of volunteer labour on the design and delivery of all types of library services. With the increasing use of volunteers to deliver library and information services in all sectors, managers need to assess their effectiveness and evaluate the impact of their use in relation to operational service design and delivery, and on the development of the profession and professional practice as a whole. Presented here is an initial scoping study, outlining a range of issues, methods and challenges for more detailed future investigation. Design/methodology/approach – A number of methodological challenges and perspectives are identifiable. Contemporary libraries exhibit increasing similarities with Third Sector organisations, namely a complex stakeholder community, and increasing use of volunteers to supplement or replace services delivered by professional staff. Therefore, a starting point for the research is a systematic review and analysis of the methodologies developed by the Third Sector Research Centre, and those studies in the ESRC contemporary Developing Impact Evaluation strand. As a rich picture is required, both quantitative and qualitative approaches are necessary, with the overall study adopting a mixed methods approach. Findings – This paper reports the findings of the preliminary documentary analysis, literature review and scoping aspects of a large-scale study. Originality/value – Research undertaken to date (June 2014) has failed to identify any published systematic review and examination of these issues.

Therapeutic communities and the local community: isolation or integration?

2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 150-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
David William Best ◽  
Gerard Byrne ◽  
David Pullen ◽  
Jacqui Kelly ◽  
Karen Elliot ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Community Development ◽  
Community Engagement ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Salvation Army ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Mutual Aid ◽  
Action Research Project ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Wide Range

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to test the feasibility of utilising an Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) model in the context of an Alcohol and Other Drug Therapeutic Community, and to use this as a way of assessing how TCs can contribute to the local communities in which they are sited. Design/methodology/approach – This is a qualitative action research project, based on an evolving model in which key stakeholders from participating sites were instrumental in shaping processes and activities, that is a partnership between a research centre, Turning Point in Melbourne, Australia and two Recovery Services operated by the Salvation Army Australia Eastern Territory (TSA). One of these is the Dooralong Transformation Centre on the Central Coast of New South Wales and the other, Fairhaven, is in the Gold Coast hinterland of Queensland, Australia. The project was designed to create “rehabilitation without walls” by building bridges between the treatment centres and the communities they are based in, and improving participation in local community life. This was done through a series of structured workshops that mapped community asset networks and planned further community engagement activities. Findings – Both of the TCs already had strong connections in their local areas including but not restricted to involvement with the mutual aid fellowships. Staff, residents and ex-residents still in contact with the service were strongly committed to community engagement and were able to identify a wide range of connections in the community and to build these around existing Salvation Army connections and networks. Research limitations/implications – This is a pilot study with limited research findings and no assessment of the generalisability of this method to other settings or TCs. Practical implications – Both TCs are able to act as “community resources” through which residents and ex-residents are able to give back to their local communities and develop the social and community capital that can prepare them for reintegration and can positively contribute to the experience of living in the local community. Social implications – This paper has significant ramifications for how TCs engage with their local communities both as a mechanism for supporting resident re-entry and also to challenge stigma and discrimination. Originality/value – The paper and project extend the idea of ABCD to a Reciprocal Community Development model in which TCs can act as active participants in their lived communities and by doing so can create a “therapeutic landscape for recovery”.

Stakeholder dialogue: strategic tool or wasted words?

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 3-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laetitia Guibert ◽  
Julia Roloff
Keyword(s):  
Best Practice ◽  
Stakeholder Management ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Stakeholder Dialogue ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Strategic Issues ◽  
Csr Strategies ◽  
Stakeholder Support ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Csr Strategy

Purpose The purpose of this study is to identify which stakeholder dialogue approach has the best outcomes. Moreover, it is investigated how stakeholder dialogue practices are linked to the quality of stakeholder management and the maturity of corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy. Design/methodology/approach Twelve CSR managers of 11 French enterprises are interviewed. Findings Four different types of stakeholder dialogue are identified and their characteristics, as well as the opportunities and risks connected to each approach, are discussed. Research limitations/implications Only a limited number of enterprises operating in France are studied. More research is needed to ensure the generalisability to other countries and to identify the prevalence of each dialogue type. Practical implications Proactive companies manage their stakeholders in a mutually beneficial way and receive more stakeholder support on strategic issues. They discuss issues material to stakeholders, include a wide range of stakeholders and organise frequent meetings. This approach, the Hanoï Dialogue, has the best outcomes and is, therefore, best practice. Social implications Stakeholder dialogue is key for the development of CSR strategies which truly benefit society. Originality/value Although stakeholder dialogues become empirically more relevant, most researchers conduct single-case studies of good practices and do not systematically compare a range of practices.

scholarly journals Spontaneous and Induced Animal Models for Cancer Research

Diagnostics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 660
Author(s):  
Anca Onaciu ◽  
Raluca Munteanu ◽  
Vlad Cristian Munteanu ◽  
Diana Gulei ◽  
Lajos Raduly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Research ◽  
Animal Models ◽  
Mouse Models ◽  
Behavioral Science ◽  
Laboratory Mouse ◽  
Human Tumor ◽  
Large Animal ◽  
Large Animal Models ◽  
Oncology Research ◽  
Genetically Engineered Mice

Considering the complexity of the current framework in oncology, the relevance of animal models in biomedical research is critical in light of the capacity to produce valuable data with clinical translation. The laboratory mouse is the most common animal model used in cancer research due to its high adaptation to different environments, genetic variability, and physiological similarities with humans. Beginning with spontaneous mutations arising in mice colonies that allow for pursuing studies of specific pathological conditions, this area of in vivo research has significantly evolved, now capable of generating humanized mice models encompassing the human immune system in biological correlation with human tumor xenografts. Moreover, the era of genetic engineering, especially of the hijacking CRISPR/Cas9 technique, offers powerful tools in designing and developing various mouse strains. Within this article, we will cover the principal mouse models used in oncology research, beginning with behavioral science of animals vs. humans, and continuing on with genetically engineered mice, microsurgical-induced cancer models, and avatar mouse models for personalized cancer therapy. Moreover, the area of spontaneous large animal models for cancer research will be briefly presented.

scholarly journals Priority issues in occupational cancer research: Ontario stakeholder perspectives

2011 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 147-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Hohenadel ◽  
E Pichora ◽  
L Marrett ◽  
D Bukvic ◽  
J Brown ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Cancer Research ◽  
Health Care Policy ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Occupational Cancer ◽  
Care Policy ◽  
Stakeholder Perspectives ◽  
Exposure Data ◽  
Occupational Role ◽  
Care Workers

Introduction Workers are potentially exposed to known and suspected carcinogens in the workplace, many of which have not been fully evaluated. Despite persistent need, research on occupational cancer appears to have declined in recent decades. The formation of the Occupational Cancer Research Centre (OCRC) is an effort to counter this downward trend in Ontario. The OCRC conducted a survey of the broad stakeholder community to learn about priority issues on occupational cancer research. Methods The OCRC received 177 responses to its survey from academic, health care, policy, industry, and labour-affiliated stakeholders. Responses were analyzed based on workplace exposures, at-risk occupations and cancers by organ system, stratified by respondents’ occupational role. Results Priority issues identified included workplace exposures such as chemicals, respirable dusts and fibres (e.g. asbestos), radiation (e.g. electromagnetic fields), pesticides, and shift work; and occupations such as miners, construction workers, and health care workers. Insufficient funding and a lack of exposure data were identified as the central barriers to conducting occupational cancer research. Discussion The results of this survey underscore the great need for occupational cancer research in Ontario and beyond. They will be very useful as the OCRC develops its research agenda.

Open innovation platforms in tourism: how do stakeholders engage and reach consensus?

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 2517-2536 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lidija Lalicic
Keyword(s):  
Open Innovation ◽  
Online Discussions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Strategic Issues ◽  
Interaction Styles ◽  
Communication Processes ◽  
Collaborative Innovation ◽  
Working Groups ◽  
Innovation Platform ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThis paper aims to visualize the communication processes between stakeholders who discuss, reach consensus and engage with user-generated ideas through an open innovation platform facilitated by Destination Management Organization (DMO).Design/methodology/approachVarious discussion and interaction styles between the different types of stakeholders on the innovation platform are analyzed using quantitative content analysis. Likewise, perceived issues among the stakeholders that motivate collaboration and consensus are identified.FindingsThis paper identifies that stakeholders interact with each other, reach agreements and solve joint problems on the platform by using predominantly constructive interaction styles. Meanwhile, feasibility and strategic issues appear to be the most dominant topics when discussing the fruition of ideas; however, this depends significantly on the category of the idea.Practical implicationsDMOs are given an understanding of why and how stakeholders engage with a certain idea and the kind of challenges they perceive when pursuing the execution of an idea. DMOs are advised to carefully design an open innovation platform to facilitate effective online discussions that may lead to working groups.Originality/valueThere is a scarcity of approaches in the field of tourism that invite stakeholders to innovate. This study aims to close this gap in tourism research by identifying how and which stakeholders respond to an invitation from a DMO to engage in an open innovation platform and, subsequently, how they interact with other partners to foster collaborative innovation projects in their destination.

The subjective side of DiDIY: the profile of makers in network marketers communities

2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolina Guerini ◽  
Eliana Alessandra Minelli
Keyword(s):  
Digital Literacy ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Personal Characteristics ◽  
Network Marketing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Direct Sales ◽  
Do It Yourself ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Subjective Side

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to focus on the profile of DiDIYers and the antecedents of digital do it yourself (DiDIY) in Network Marketing Direct Selling Organizations (NMDSO). Design/methodology/approach A two-step research design allowed the detection of DiDIYers strictu sensu (i.e. digital makers). After collecting data about the attitudes and the actual use of digital technology (DT) by network marketers through an online survey, an open-ended interview technique made it possible to analyze the personal characteristics of DiDIYers, the motivations that drive them and the activities that mainly foster the creation of artifacts in the DT domain. Besides, it allowed to recognize the perceived benefits and the impact of DiDIY output on networkers’ downline and firms’ performance. Findings The results provide a preliminary profile of the DiDIYer in network marketing communities that is suitable for further comparative studies. More specifically, this exploratory study acknowledges the most important antecedents of DiDIY in digital literacy – including the awareness of being a digital literate and/or a potential appropriateur – and in organizational culture. Research limitations/implications This is an exploratory study based on a limited sample of DiDIYers, nevertheless it offers a preliminary view of the subjective side of the DiDIY phenomenon in network marketing and represents as well a context-bound study. Practical implications Considering the ascribed benefits of DiDIY output on the traditional network marketing objectives (effectiveness, efficiency, cohesion, mutual assistance and reinforcement) network marketing communities could benefit from an increase of attention to the topic. Originality/value The study throws light on the process of DiDIY within direct sales and network marketing activities by defining a preliminary profile of digital makers and thus, underlining a phenomenon neglected so far.

Blockchain technology design in accounting: Game changer to tackle fraud or technological fairy tale?

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Piera Centobelli ◽  
Roberto Cerchione ◽  
Pasquale Del Vecchio ◽  
Eugenio Oropallo ◽  
Giustina Secundo
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Fairy Tale ◽  
Design Science ◽  
Distributed Database ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Technological Infrastructure ◽  
Strategic Issues ◽  
Blockchain Technology ◽  
Private Network

PurposeThis paper aims to design, build and evaluate a blockchain platform in the accounting domain, taking an ecosystem perspective. To achieve this aim, the research provides evidence for developing a decentralised architecture rooted on blockchain technology, designing a proof of concept and modelling an accounting blockchain-based system.Design/methodology/approachMoving from the analysis of previous literature and leveraging on the design science approach, this paper provides a framework grounded on the main pillars of blockchain and accounting functions, identifying technical and non-technical issues that must be addressed embrace blockchain technology's full potential.FindingsWe propose and discuss a conceptual framework for a blockchain-based accounting context, moving from the identification of a typical accounting scenario. The framework is organised around three scalable levels: the first level is a technological infrastructure based on a distributed database with peer-to-peer storage; second, in the intermediate level, increasing control levels are assured through permissions and validation and third, in the higher level, the system provides the integration of business and security applications. The deployment of this system relies on a private network of nodes that validates transactions.Practical implicationsThe proposed conceptual framework about blockchain development in accounting allows closing the knowledge gap between blockchain developers and accounting experts by suggesting technological and strategic issues for practitioners.Originality/valueWe provide practical guidelines to design and adopt blockchain in the accounting domain.

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