Analyzing Iran’s science and technology foresight programs: recommendations for further practices

foresight ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 312-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reza Hafezi ◽  
Siavosh Malekifar ◽  
Amirnaser Akhavan
Keyword(s):  
Science And Technology ◽  
National Level ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Policy Recommendations ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Community Needs ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Three Phase ◽  
Developing Communities ◽  
Developed World

PurposeStudying previous science and technology (S&T) foresight activities reveals information that helps decision makers to redesign policy-making templates aimed at dealing with new millennium challenges. To propose policy recommendations about further S&T foresight programs in Iran, this paper aims to propose a three-phase process to study historical S&T foresight activities at national and sub-national level since 2005 to 2015, to analyze the state of selected activities to discover weaknesses and potential solutions and, finally, to provide strategies and tactics to improve further S&T foresight activities through an expert-based process.Design/methodology/approachThis paper provides a three-stage methodology, designed to survey Iranian historical foresight practices (study) using scoping framework equipped with additional features, diagnosis and evaluating (analyze) and finally proposing recommendations to organize and implement more efficient further foresight practices (design) to initialize further practices in developing countries such as Iran.FindingsAlthough concerns about future and the importance of foresight activities are raised however Iranian foresight community needs to be developed. As noted in Section 5, Iranian foresight facilitators and specialist are biased to limited methodologies and methods; therefore, creating foresight networks and developing communities is strongly recommended.Research limitations/implicationsThe main constraint of this research was lack of valid data in the case of some Iranian S&T foresight programs.Originality/valueIran as a developing country needs to plan for long-run programs; however, there is no integrated study which reviews and analyzes the previous attempts to dedicate insights about how to reframe existing foresight paradigms. As foresight practices facilitate the paths toward sustainability, analyzing and diagnosis of a series of foresight practices in a devolving country may initialize designing such efforts in less developed world.

Modelling housing prices and market fundamentals: evidence from the Sydney housing market

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 746-762 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md Abdullah Al-Masum ◽  
Chyi Lin Lee
Keyword(s):  
Investment Decision ◽  
Housing Prices ◽  
National Level ◽  
Housing Price ◽  
Capital City ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Price Series ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Investment Decision Making ◽  
Market Fundamentals

PurposeHousing prices in Sydney have increased rapidly in the past three decades. This leads to a debate of whether Sydney housing prices have departed from macroeconomic fundamentals. However, little research has been devoted to this area. Therefore, this study aims to fill this gap by examining the long-run association between housing prices and market fundamentals. Further, it also examines the long-run determinants of housing prices in Greater Sydney.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis of this study involves two stages. The first stage is to estimate the presence of long-run relationship between housing prices and market fundamentals with the Johansen and Juselius Cointegration test. Thereafter, the determinants of housing prices in Greater Sydney is assessed by using a vector error correction model.FindingsThe empirical results show that Sydney housing prices are cointegrated with market fundamentals in the long run. In addition, there is evidence to suggest that market fundamentals such as gross disposable income, housing supply, unemployment rate and gross domestic product are the key long-run determinants of Sydney housing prices, reflecting that Sydney housing prices, in general, can be explained by market fundamentals in the long run.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings enable more informed and practical policy and investment decision-making regarding the relation between housing prices and market fundamentals.Originality/valueThis paper is the first study to offer empirical evidence of the degree to which the behaviour of housing prices can be explained by market fundamentals, from a capital city instead of at a national level, using a relatively disaggregated dataset of housing price series for Greater Sydney.

Technology transfer and its impact on innovation and firm performance: empirical evidence from Turkish export companies

Kybernetes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Omer Cinar ◽  
Serkan Altuntas ◽  
Mehmet Asif Alan
Keyword(s):  
Technology Transfer ◽  
Firm Performance ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
National Level ◽  
Theoretical Framework ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this study is to determine the relationships between technology transfer, innovation and firm performance. Design/methodology/approach The relationship between technology transfer, innovation and firm performance is examined by using data obtained from 252 Turkish export firms, which are among the top 1,000 firms in terms of export volume in Turkey. To examine these relationships, a theoretical framework is empirically tested using structural equation modeling and tested via an empirical study of Turkish export companies. Findings The results of this study can benefit policymakers in government at the national level and company decision-makers at the firm level. Furthermore, an understanding of the relationship between technology transfer, innovation and firm performance may help firms to make correct technology transfer decisions and focus on the correct type of innovation to increase firm performance in practice. The findings indicate the positive effects of technology transfer on innovation and firm performance. In addition, innovation mediates the relationship between technology transfer and firm performance in Turkish export companies. This study suggests that decision-makers should transfer the right technology because well-realized technology transfers lead to the improvement of corporate innovation capacities and improvement of firm performances for export companies. Originality/value There is no study that fully examined the relationship between technology transfer, innovation and firm performance. The proposed literature-based theoretical framework in this study is novel for Turkish export companies.

Science and technology diplomacy: a framework at the national level

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 98-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Mahdi Zolfagharzadeh ◽  
Alireza Aslani ◽  
Ali Asghar Sadabadi ◽  
Mahdi Sanaei ◽  
Fahimeh Lesan Toosi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Technology Policy ◽  
Science And Technology ◽  
National Level ◽  
Legal Issues ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fuzzy Delphi

Purpose Science and technology diplomacy (STD) is an emerging area in the field of public policy and technology management. The purpose of this study is to overview the concept of STD based on the two approaches “Science and Technology” and “Diplomacy” to explain its necessity for Non-Aligned Movement member countries. Design/methodology/approach To design the work, principal domains and sub-domains of STD are identified based on the thematic analysis. By using MAXQDA software, the initial codes are analyzed and validated for the case study. Then, six areas and 29 sub-areas are identified based on the fuzzy Delphi and the framework is designed. Findings STD is defined from six scopes, including political, economics, law and legal issues, social sciences, philosophy and science and technology. Each scope has its own mechanism that is discussed in the article. Originality/value This work is one of the first in the literature of science and technology policy making.

scholarly journals Strategic analysis of medal markets at the Winter Olympics

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 229-252
Author(s):  
Andreas Christoph Weber ◽  
Veerle De Bosscher ◽  
Simon Shibli ◽  
Hippolyt Kempf
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
National Level ◽  
Investment Decisions ◽  
Market Potential ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Strategic Analysis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Winter Olympics ◽  
Speed Skating ◽  
Cross Country

Purpose This paper aims to propose the concept of market potential analysis, which is commonly applied in economics, as a method to enable these investment decisions to be based on sound evidence. Design/methodology/approach The markets for Olympic awards, i.e. medals (top three places) and diplomas (i.e. top eight places) are compared in alpine skiing, biathlon, cross country, speed skating, freestyle skiing, short track and snowboarding from 1992 to 2018. Findings The most notable changes are identified in cross country (2002), biathlon (2006), freestyle skiing (2014), snowboarding (2006 and 2014) and speed skating (2018). Originality/value In spite of the evidence of nations investing strategically in their elite sport systems to produce Olympic success, there is a lack of knowledge on how national-level decision makers can use a strategy to analyse the competitive environment concerning sports contested in the Olympic Winter Games.

A longitudinal study of information needs and search behaviors in science and technology

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Minsoo Park ◽  
Tae-Seok Lee
Keyword(s):  
Information System ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Web Search ◽  
Science And Technology ◽  
Technical Information ◽  
Academic Disciplines ◽  
User Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Search Behaviors

Purpose This study aims at a longitudinal understanding of the user–system interactions from the context of science and technology at a query level. Design/methodology/approach The authors quantitatively analyzed log data sets culled from more than 24,820,416 queries submitted by users of a national scientific and technical information system, collected in 2008-2011. Findings In the fields of science and technology, the user search behaviors and patterns have remained stable. User queries are short and simple. In all, 80 per cent of the queries are made up of one-three terms. The length of query on a scholarly information system in the fields of science and technology is different from that of Web search. The former is longer than the latter. Search topics have shifted fast. “FUEL BATTERY”, “NANO”, “OLED”, “CAR”, “ROBOT” and “SMARTPHONE” were high-ranked queries from 2008 to 2011. It was found that the time to determine whether the users will stay on the site took about 10 seconds on average from the time of visit. If the users viewed the results of a list generated by the search query and took any action, such as detailed view, export or full-text download, most of them stayed more than 10 minutes on average. Originality/value Longitudinal user research using a query analysis helps to understand the information needs and behavioral patterns of users on information systems related to a specific field and those based on the Web. It also brings insights into the past, present and future events of a field. In other words, it plays a role as a mirror that reflects the flow of time. In the long run, it will be an historic asset. In the future, user studies using a query analysis need to be carried out from various (e.g. social, cultural or other academic disciplines) long-term perspectives on a continuous basis.

scholarly journals Scaling up breastfeeding policy and programs in Samoa: application of the Becoming Breastfeeding Friendly initiative

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Soti-Ulberg ◽  
◽  
Amber Hromi-Fiedler ◽  
Nicola L. Hawley ◽  
Take Naseri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Role Models ◽  
Infant Health ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
National Level ◽  
Scaling Up ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Policy Recommendations ◽  
Maternal And Infant Health ◽  
Becoming Breastfeeding Friendly ◽  
Breastfeeding Policy

Abstract Background Breastfeeding is a critical, evidence-based intervention that addresses malnutrition, improves early childhood development outcomes, and influences long-term maternal and infant health by reducing the non-communicable disease risk. Scaling up breastfeeding is an indisputably strong action countries can take to prevent suboptimal maternal and infant health outcomes. The Becoming Breastfeeding Friendly (BBF) initiative assists countries with scaling up breastfeeding policy and programs. BBF has been successfully implemented within Latin America, Africa, Europe and South-East Asian regions. This study assessed its application in Samoa. Methods In 2018, BBF was implemented in Samoa by a 20 member committee of breastfeeding experts who participated in collecting and utilizing national level data to score the degree of friendliness of Samoa’s breastfeeding environment, identify gaps, and propose policy recommendations to address those gaps. This eight-month process resulted in a public event where priority recommendations were widely disseminated to decision makers and actions agreed upon. Results The total BBF Index score for Samoa was 1.6 out of 3.0, indicating a moderate breastfeeding friendly environment for scaling up policies and programs that protect, promote, and support breastfeeding. Gear total scores indicated that seven of the eight gears were moderately strong within Samoa, while the eighth gear, funding and resources, was weakest in strength. Six prioritized recommendations emerged: 1) development and implementation of a National Breastfeeding Policy and Strategic Action Plan; 2) strengthening monitoring and evaluation of all breastfeeding activities; 3) ratifying the International Labour Organization’s Maternity Protection Convention 2000 (No 183); 4) identifying high-level advocates to champion and serve as role models for breastfeeding; 5) creation of a national budget line for breastfeeding activities; and 6) hiring of a national breastfeeding coordinator and trainer. Decision makers demonstrated commitment by signing the breastfeeding policy for hospitals ahead of the BBF dissemination meeting and electing to move forward with establishing lactation rooms within government ministries. Conclusion Implementation of BBF in Samoa yielded important policy recommendations that will address current gaps in national level breastfeeding support. The BBF consultation process can be successfully applied to other countries within the Western Pacific region in order to strengthen their breastfeeding programs.

Policy Recommendations to Reduce Toxic Exposures for Nail Salon Workers

2011 ◽  
Vol 9 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 43-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Liou ◽  
Catherine Porter ◽  
Thu Quach
Keyword(s):  
National Level ◽  
Safety Information ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Policy Recommendations ◽  
Safety Issues ◽  
Government Oversight ◽  
Regulatory Perspective ◽  
Nail Salon ◽  
Health And Safety Issues ◽  
Nail Salon Workers

The nail salon sector is growing rapidly. Nail salon workers are predominantly Vietnamese immigrant women who are exposed to numerous harmful chemicals in nail care products. The situation is exacerbated by limited safety information, language barriers to information, and lack of government oversight. This brief discusses the health and safety issues faced by workers at the nexus of environmental and worker justice and the policy recommendations by which to address these issues from a public health and regulatory perspective. Although these policy recommendations pertain to California where the sector is largest, they also have far-reaching implications at the national level.

COVID-19 and Conflict: Major Risks and Policy Responses

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominic Rohner
Keyword(s):  
Political Violence ◽  
Political Conflict ◽  
Policy Recommendations ◽  
Policy Responses ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Social Tensions ◽  
Short Essay ◽  
Long Run Risk

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic entails a medium- and long-run risk of heightened political conflict. In this short essay we distinguish four major consequences of COVID-19 that may fuel social tensions and political violence, namely i) spiking poverty, ii) education under stress, iii) potential for repression, and iv) reduced inter-dependence. After discussing them in turn, we will formulate policy recommendations on how to attenuate these risks.

Medical treatment and best interests: judicial interpretation of values, wishes and beliefs under the Mental Capacity Act 2005

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 165-173
Author(s):  
Owen P. O'Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Medical Treatment ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Case Law ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Best Interests ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Supreme Court ◽  
Mental Capacity Act 2005 ◽  
Mental Capacity Act ◽  
The Uk

Purpose The prominence of the best interests principle in the Mental Capacity Act 2005 represented an important transition to a more resolutely patient-centred model regarding decision-making for incapable adults (“P”). This paper aims to examine the courts’ consideration of P’s values, wishes and beliefs in the context of medical treatment, reflect on whether this has resulted in a wide interpretation of the best interests standard and consider how this impacts clinical decision makers. Design/methodology/approach A particular focus will be on case law from the Court of Protection of England and Wales and the Supreme Court of the UK. Cases have been selected for discussion on the basis of the significance of their judgements for the field, the range of issues they illustrate and the extent of commentary and attention they have received in the literature. They are presented as a narrative review and are non-exhaustive. Findings With respect to values, wishes and beliefs, the best interests standard’s interpretation in the courts has been widely varied. Opposing tensions and thematic conflicts have emerged from this case law and were analysed from the perspective of the clinical decision maker. Originality/value This review illustrates the complexity and gravity of decisions of the clinical decision makers and the courts have considered in the context of best interests determinations for incapacitated adults undergoing medical treatment. Subsequent to the first such case before the Supreme Court of the UK, emerging case law trends relating to capacity legislation are considered.

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