scholarly journals The decision-making process of synthetic pesticide use in agricultural communities in Colombia: a grounded theory approach

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Ysabel Polanco Lopez de Mesa

Objective: to explore the decision-making process of agricultural workers associated with pesticide use and exposure; and to discover if these processes differ between pesticide users and non users. and the characteristics of these differences Methods: his study used a grounded theory approach to understand the decision-making process for pesticide use/non-use among agricultural workers in San Cristobal, Colombia. This study involved participantobservation, individual interviews, and focus groups. Results: the theory developed to explain the decision making process of pesticide use showed several categories including: the prospect of having a good harvest, efficient pest control, habituation to use pesticides, feeling obligated to do use them, poor knowledge about pesticides, believing that pesticide increased the quality of the products, positive attitudes towards pesticide use, family support towards pesticide use, community pressure and acceptance, economic fear, and market pressure. In the non pesticide users group categories included: having better health, pesticides considered harmful for human health, pesticides being deleterious for  the environment, being used to work without pesticides, family and economic support, and negative attitude towards pesticide use . The decision making process for personal protective equipment (PPE) use encompassed categories such as: powerless feelings, economic difficulties, and belief that equipment is not necessary. Discussion: The decision-making process for pesticide use in agricultural communities is complex and varies between pesticide users and non-users. Conclusions: It is important to consider the intricate process of pesticide use in order to orient interventions in the agricultural sector.

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 265-285
Author(s):  
Dolores Kuchina-Musina ◽  
John Charles Morris ◽  
Joshua Steinfeld

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine procurement professionals’ perceptions of public-private partnerships in contract arrangements and to explore decision-making that takes place in the contracting process. Design/methodology/approach A grounded theory approach is applied to Simon’s (1947) model of decision-making to better understand the perceptions of procurement professionals, especially because it pertains to public vs private sector contexts. The researchers collected data by conducting interviews and observing a compliance webinar of federal contracting employees. Findings The results show that in the decision-making process, Simon’s illustration of a means-end hierarchy is applicable for procurement decision-making because it is driven by activities that are evaluated using aims established by the organization. Practical implications The implications are that, in the procurement decision-making process, a means-end hierarchy is driven by the activities that are evaluated using aims established by the organization. Essentially, the activities are associated to a mean, a mean is associated to a sub-goal and the sub-goal supports the main aim of the organization. Social implications This study supports the notion that training, information and procedures are a way for organizations to control behaviors and promote consistent results from their subordinates. Originality/value This study contributes by examining the drivers of procurement decision-making. Despite previous literature that focuses on practitioner discretion or emphasizes on socio-economic factors, this study highlights the linkages between practitioner decision-making and organizational aims and objectives. As such, the paper serves to illustrate the vital connection between procurement activities and outputs.


2021 ◽  
pp. 238008442110144
Author(s):  
N.R. Paul ◽  
S.R. Baker ◽  
B.J. Gibson

Introduction: Patients’ decisions to undergo major surgery such as orthognathic treatment are not just about how the decision is made but what influences the decision. Objectives: The primary objective of the study was to identify the key processes involved in patients’ experience of decision making for orthognathic treatment. Methods: This study reports some of the findings of a larger grounded theory study. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews of patients who were seen for orthognathic treatment at a teaching hospital in the United Kingdom. Twenty-two participants were recruited (age range 18–66 y), of whom 12 (male = 2, female = 10) were 6 to 8 wk postsurgery, 6 (male = 2, female = 4) were in the decision-making stage, and 4 (male = 0, female = 4) were 1 to 2 y postsurgery. Additional data were also collected from online blogs and forums on jaw surgery. The data analysis stages of grounded theory methodology were undertaken, including open and selective coding. Results: The study identified the central role of dental care professionals (DCPs) in several underlying processes associated with decision making, including legitimating, mediating, scheduling, projecting, and supporting patients’ decisions. Six categories were related to key aspects of decision making. These were awareness about their underlying dentofacial problems and treatment options available, the information available about the treatment, the temporality of when surgery would be undertaken, the motivations and expectation of patients, social support, and fear of the surgery, hospitalization, and potentially disliking their new face. Conclusion: The decision-making process for orthognathic treatment is complex, multifactorial, and heavily influenced by the role of DCPs in patient care. Understanding the magnitude of this role will enable DCPs to more clearly participate in improving patients’ decision-making process. The findings of this study can inform future quantitative studies. Knowledge Transfer Statement: The results of this study can be used both for informing clinical practice around enabling decision making for orthognathic treatment and also for designing future research. The findings can better inform clinicians about the importance of their role in the patients’ decision-making process for orthognathic treatment and the means to improve the patient experience. It is suggested that further research could be conducted to measure some of the key constructs identified within our grounded theory and assess how these change during the treatment process.


2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly R. Wickersham

Objective: Empirical work explaining student mobility, particularly postsecondary pathways among 2-year college students, remains limited. This study examines the underlying process that drives 2-year college students into one or more pathways as they navigate higher education. Method: Drawing upon survey, transcript, and interview data from one transfer-focused and two comprehensive community colleges in a Midwestern state, this study uses a grounded theory approach to develop a conceptual model to understand college students’ decision-making process when choosing among competing postsecondary pathways. Results: The resulting College Pathway (Re)Selection Model Among Beginning 2-Year College Students contained two categories—lifetime decision-making and short-term decision-making—that defined the purposes of students’ decisions as they navigate postsecondary education. Within the categories, 2-year college students described the role of payoff, fit, transferability, place, flexibility, and mobility in their decision-making process. Contributions: This study offers a new model that explains what shapes 2-year college students’ decisions and challenges notions of postsecondary pathways, student progress, success, and completion in the context of 2-year college students’ fluid lives and goals.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tony Ikechukwu Nwanji . ◽  
Kerry E. Howell . ◽  
Sainey Faye . ◽  
Dominic Z. Agba . ◽  
Sunday O. Adewara . ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 233339362096005
Author(s):  
Hanako Numata ◽  
Maiko Noguchi-Watanabe ◽  
Akitake Mukasa ◽  
Shota Tanaka ◽  
Shunsaku Takayanagi ◽  
...  

Medical care-related decision-making among patients with malignant brain tumors has not been sufficiently discussed. This study aimed to develop a framework for understanding patients’ experiences in the decision-making process. Semi-structured interviews with 14 patients were analyzed using a grounded theory approach, focusing on their 48 decision-making points. Additionally, interviews with two family members and seven healthcare providers, and participant observations were used to gain contextual insight into patients’ experiences. Patients faced decisions while they struggled in vulnerability under shock, fear, and anxiety while hoping. Under this context, they showed four decision-making patterns: (1) led by the situation, (2) controlled by others, (3) entrusted someone with the decision, and (4) myself as a decision-making agent. Across these patterns, the patients were generally satisfied with their decisions even when they did not actively participate in the process. Healthcare providers need to understand patients’ contexts and their attitudes toward yielding decision-making to others.


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