scholarly journals Actors and Politics in Finland’s Forest-Based Bioeconomy Network

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 3785 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaana Korhonen ◽  
Alexandru Giurca ◽  
Maria Brockhaus ◽  
Anne Toppinen
Keyword(s):  
Network Structure ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Policy Networks ◽  
Benefit Sharing ◽  
Transformative Change ◽  
Industrial Organizations ◽  
Policy Beliefs ◽  
Development Participation ◽  
Key Aspects ◽  
Business As Usual

To foster innovativeness for supporting (forest-based) bioeconomy development, participation in decision-making and interaction between diverse actors become a necessary precondition for designing and implementing transition policies. However, who forms the emerging policy networks, and which policy beliefs are promoted? Based on data from a national online survey, we performed a quantitative social network analysis to investigate emerging social structures and policy beliefs in the context of the Finnish forest-based bioeconomy. Our explorative analysis shows that research, governmental, and industrial organizations mainly constitute the Finnish forest-based bioeconomy network. Actors primarily exchange information, and most key organizations report high levels of trust among each other. However, the network structure is rather closed. This raises concerns about equal benefit sharing and the inclusiveness of concerned actors. We discuss the implication of this network structure for enabling new innovations. Finally, we present the key aspects and drivers of “business as usual”, and suggest an option for or a more transformative change in the Finnish forest-based bioeconomy.

scholarly journals Telehealth consultations in general practice during a pandemic lockdown: survey and interviews on patient experiences and preferences

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fiona Imlach ◽  
Eileen McKinlay ◽  
Lesley Middleton ◽  
Jonathan Kennedy ◽  
Megan Pledger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
General Practice ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Sudden Change ◽  
High Satisfaction ◽  
The Future ◽  
Clinical Relationship ◽  
General Practices ◽  
Key Aspects

Abstract Background During the first COVID-19 pandemic ‘lockdown’ in Aotearoa/New Zealand (March–May 2020, in which strict ‘stay at home’ measures were introduced), general practices were advised to use telephone and video consultations (telehealth) wherever possible instead of the usual in-person visits. This was a sudden change for most practices and patients. This research aimed to explore how patients accessed general practice during lockdown and evaluate their experiences with telehealth, to inform how telehealth could be most effectively used in the future. Methods Using a mixed-method approach, we undertook an online survey and in-depth interviews with adults (> 18 years) who had contact with practices during lockdown, recruited through social media and email lists. We present descriptive statistics from the survey data (n = 1010) and qualitative analysis of interview data (n = 38) and open-ended survey questions, using a framework of access to health care, from the patient’s perspective. Results In general, patients reported high satisfaction with telehealth in general practice during lockdown. Telehealth was convenient and allowed patients to safely access health care without having to weigh-up the fear of COVID-19 infection against the need to be seen. Telehealth worked best for routine and familiar health issues and when rapport was established between patients and clinicians. This was easier with a pre-existing clinical relationship, but not impossible without one. Telehealth was less suitable when a physical examination was needed, when the diagnosis was unknown or for patients who had a strong preference to be seen in-person. Conclusions Even in this disruptive lockdown period, that prompted an unexpected and rapid implementation of telehealth services in general practices, most patients had positive experiences with telehealth. In the future, patients want the choice of consultation type to match their needs, circumstances, and preferences. Technological issues and funding barriers may need to be addressed, and clear communication for both patients and clinicians is needed about key aspects of telehealth (e.g. cost, appropriateness, privacy). Maintaining telehealth as an option post-lockdown has the potential to increase timely and safe access to primary health care for many patients.

scholarly journals The Influence of Bottle Design on Perceived Quality of Beer: A Conjoint Analytic Study

Beverages ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 64
Author(s):  
Styrmir Gislason ◽  
Simon Bruhn ◽  
Alexander M. Christensen ◽  
Mikkel T. Christensen ◽  
Mette G. Hansen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Consumer Preferences ◽  
Perceived Quality ◽  
Alcoholic Beverages ◽  
Product Evaluations ◽  
Packaging Design ◽  
Two Factors ◽  
Color Scheme ◽  
Key Aspects ◽  
Design Factors

Research on the influence of packaging on consumer perception of beer and other alcoholic beverages suggest an important role in capturing consumers’ attention and generating expectations on perceived product quality, and in particular that color, bottle shape, and label design are key aspects. There is, however, a paucity of research looking at interactions between different aspects of packaging design. This is a topical issue given an increasingly saturated market where especially craft breweries strive for differentiation and brand recognition. Situated within this context, the present research used a conjoint analytic approach to investigate the effect of packaging design on consumer perceived quality and liking for beers. Beer images were designed to systematically vary in four design factors—label color, label shape, label complexity, and bottle shape—and evaluated in an online survey with a representative sample of Danish beer drinkers. Two of the design factors—label color and bottle type—significantly affected consumers’ product evaluations, whereas the other two factors did not. Post-hoc analyses of the main effects indicated that the combination of a “Bomber” bottle shape and a warm color scheme in the label as the optimal combination of design factors to maximize consumer preferences. Preference for the Bomber bottle was linked to a perceived premiumness associated with a preference for curvatures (as opposed to angularity), whereas the preference for warm colors was tentatively explained as due to crossmodal correspondences generating favorable sensory expectations for this color scheme.

Metabolic network structure determines key aspects of functionality and regulation

Nature ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 420 (6912) ◽  
pp. 190-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jörg Stelling ◽  
Steffen Klamt ◽  
Katja Bettenbrock ◽  
Stefan Schuster ◽  
Ernst Dieter Gilles
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Network ◽  
Network Structure ◽  
Key Aspects

scholarly journals How to design a hypertension treatment trial that informs care of older people with frailty: a survey of clinicians in Ireland and the UK

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miriam Veenhuizen ◽  
Oliver Todd ◽  
Atul Anand ◽  
Will Whiteley
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Treatment Target ◽  
Nice Guidelines ◽  
Treatment Agent ◽  
Blood Pressures ◽  
New Treatment ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Key Aspects

Abstract Introduction At all ages, randomised trials demonstrate lower mortality and cardiovascular disease incidence with blood pressure (BP) lowering. However, this may not generalise to older people with frailty. We aimed to determine the acceptability to clinicians of key aspects of trial designs using different BP targets and strategies to better manage hypertension in the context of frailty. Methods We conducted a multinational survey of clinicians managing hypertension in older people, distributed using an online survey link amongst professional societies and social networks. Questions described case histories of patients who were frail with different systolic blood pressures (SBP), treatment target, strategy and target trial population. Results In total, 114 responses were received (48 primary care, 66 secondary care). A majority would consider recruiting patients to a trial of relaxing treatment in those whose SBP < 130 mm Hg; a majority would consider recruiting to a trial intensifying treatment in patients with SBP > 150 mm Hg. Respondents elected to intensify treatment by: choosing the next step by NICE guidelines, adding a new treatment agent at full dose, or adding two agents at half dose. Conclusion A majority of clinicians surveyed would recruit older people to a trial intensifying treatment where SBP is more than 150 mm Hg and where patients have high cardiovascular risk or to a trial relaxing treatment where the SBP is below 130 mm Hg and where the patient has frailty.

Consumer cross-channel behaviour: is it always planned?

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (12) ◽  
pp. 1357-1375 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabella Maggioni ◽  
Sean James Sands ◽  
Carla Renee Ferraro ◽  
Jason Ian Pallant ◽  
Jessica Leigh Pallant ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Deep Understanding ◽  
Channel Switching ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Channel Choice ◽  
Segmentation Analysis ◽  
Multi Attribute Utility Theory ◽  
Consumer Perspective ◽  
Key Aspects

PurposeFor consumers, cross-channel behaviour is increasingly prevalent. Such behaviour involves consumers actively engaging in (and deriving benefit) from one channel during a product search but switching to another channel when making a purchase. Drawing on multi-attribute utility theory, this study proposes a cross-channel behaviour typology consisting of three key aspects: channel choice behaviour, functional and economic outcomes and consumer-specific psychographic and demographic variables.Design/methodology/approachSegmentation analysis conducted via latent class analysis (LCA) was performed on a sample of 400 US consumers collected via an online survey.FindingsCross-channel behaviour is not always intentional. We identify a specific segment of consumers that most often engage in unplanned, rather than intentional, cross-channel switching. We find that of all shoppers that engage in cross-channel behaviour, a fifth (20%) are forced to switch channels at the point of purchase.Practical implicationsCross-channel behaviour can be mitigated by retailers via a deep understanding of the driving factors of different configurations of showrooming and webrooming.Originality/valueIn contrast with existing conceptualisations, this study suggests that cross-channel behaviour often stems from consumers being “forced” by factors outside of their control, but within the retailers' control. This research presents a nuanced approach to decompose consumer cross-channel behaviour from the consumer perspective as planned, forced or opportunistic.

scholarly journals How does COVID-19 Impact Oil Palm Management Practices in Indonesia?

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 56-67
Author(s):  
Ratnawati Nurkhoiry ◽  
Sachnaz Desta Oktarina
Keyword(s):  
Oil Palm ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Selling Price ◽  
Fresh Fruit Bunch ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Harvesting Process ◽  
Turn Over ◽  
Business As Usual ◽  
The Impact

Disrupted economy due to COVID-19 pandemic has been spilled to multifaceted sectors. Agriculture, more specifically oil palm sector was also hit by the impact of the catastrophe. This study is aimed to decipher the effect of COVID-19 pandemic to the management of oil palm plantation. The pandemic has caused the mobility and morbidity of people in such a way that exacerbated distribution of input factor, harvesting process, and transporting activities. Through online survey to 59 farmers consist of smallholder, government, and private estates, the study indicated that there was salient change of limiting activities particularly during immature and mature stages. Hence, the production of fresh fruit bunch (FFB) also decreased by 15% compared to business as usual as measured on monthly bases. Although the magnitude of production change was not statistically significance, planters still suffered from declining FFB farm gate price. On average, they received 5% lower selling price of FFB as a consequence of contracted CPO demand from prominent importing countries such as China, India, and Italy. The lower selling farm gate price has caused the income shocks to the farmers. Thus, quite large number of them experienced either turn-over or cost efficiency at the expense of fertilizer input. It is perpetuating the vicious cycle of lower smallholder attainable FFB yield. For a group that is at the high risk of infections as well, this circumstances has bring about concerns to Indonesian palm oil development, especially in terms of replanting realization and biodiesel blending progress in the long run

scholarly journals Telehealth consultations in general practice during a pandemic lockdown: survey and interviews on patient experiences and preferences

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
F Imlach ◽  
E McKinlay ◽  
Lesley Middleton ◽  
J Kennedy ◽  
Megan Pledger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
General Practice ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Sudden Change ◽  
High Satisfaction ◽  
The Future ◽  
Clinical Relationship ◽  
General Practices ◽  
Key Aspects

© 2020, The Author(s). Background: During the first COVID-19 pandemic ‘lockdown’ in Aotearoa/New Zealand (March–May 2020, in which strict ‘stay at home’ measures were introduced), general practices were advised to use telephone and video consultations (telehealth) wherever possible instead of the usual in-person visits. This was a sudden change for most practices and patients. This research aimed to explore how patients accessed general practice during lockdown and evaluate their experiences with telehealth, to inform how telehealth could be most effectively used in the future. Methods: Using a mixed-method approach, we undertook an online survey and in-depth interviews with adults (> 18 years) who had contact with practices during lockdown, recruited through social media and email lists. We present descriptive statistics from the survey data (n = 1010) and qualitative analysis of interview data (n = 38) and open-ended survey questions, using a framework of access to health care, from the patient’s perspective. Results: In general, patients reported high satisfaction with telehealth in general practice during lockdown. Telehealth was convenient and allowed patients to safely access health care without having to weigh-up the fear of COVID-19 infection against the need to be seen. Telehealth worked best for routine and familiar health issues and when rapport was established between patients and clinicians. This was easier with a pre-existing clinical relationship, but not impossible without one. Telehealth was less suitable when a physical examination was needed, when the diagnosis was unknown or for patients who had a strong preference to be seen in-person. Conclusions: Even in this disruptive lockdown period, that prompted an unexpected and rapid implementation of telehealth services in general practices, most patients had positive experiences with telehealth. In the future, patients want the choice of consultation type to match their needs, circumstances, and preferences. Technological issues and funding barriers may need to be addressed, and clear communication for both patients and clinicians is needed about key aspects of telehealth (e.g. cost, appropriateness, privacy). Maintaining telehealth as an option post-lockdown has the potential to increase timely and safe access to primary health care for many patients.

scholarly journals Can low-carbon urban development be pro-poor? The case of Kolkata, India

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 139-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Colenbrander ◽  
Andy Gouldson ◽  
Joyashree Roy ◽  
Niall Kerr ◽  
Sayantan Sarkar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Development ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Climate Change Mitigation ◽  
Urban Poverty ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Transformative Change ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
City Governments ◽  
Business As Usual ◽  
Change Mitigation

Fast-growing cities in the global South have an important role to play in climate change mitigation. However, city governments typically focus on more pressing socioeconomic needs, such as reducing urban poverty. To what extent can social, economic and climate objectives be aligned? Focusing on Kolkata in India, we consider the economic case for low-carbon urban development, and assess whether this pathway could support wider social goals. We find that Kolkata could reduce its energy bill by 8.5 per cent and greenhouse gas emissions by 20.7 per cent in 2025, relative to business-as-usual trends, by exploiting readily available, economically attractive mitigation options. Some of these measures offer significant social benefits, particularly in terms of public health; others jeopardize low-income urban residents’ livelihoods, housing and access to affordable services. Our findings demonstrate that municipal mitigation strategies need to be designed and delivered in collaboration with affected communities in order to minimize social costs and – possibly – achieve transformative change.

Local Autism Policy Networks: Expertise and Intermediary Organizations

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 823-854 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bryan M. Parsons
Keyword(s):  
Nonprofit Organizations ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Policy Issue ◽  
Policy Networks ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Implementation Challenges ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Intermediary Organizations ◽  
Education Act

The increasing prevalence of diagnoses for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), now one in 68 children according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), presents a number of policy implications. In particular, many of these children become eligible for special education services under the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Given the specialized expertise and resources required of local education agencies (LEAs), how do they respond to this implementation challenge? In May 2015, an online survey was distributed to various governmental and nongovernmental actors in three Virginia localities to measure the extent of collaboration in local autism policy networks. The findings suggest that these networks are driven by autism-related information, and that nonprofit organizations act as intermediary organizations that bridge disparate stakeholders. The results contribute to our understanding of fragmentation across policy subsystems, with the focus here on education policy, and the implementation challenges related to a rapidly changing policy issue.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document