Smart City (SC) Initiative and Urban Development in Rural Regions of Inland Norway

2022 ◽  
pp. 62-82
Author(s):  
Xiang Ying Mei ◽  
Victoria Kovalenko Slettli
Keyword(s):  
Urban Development ◽  
Smart City ◽  
Qualitative Approach ◽  
Metropolitan Region ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Rural Regions ◽  
Seamless Integration ◽  
The Public ◽  
Key Stakeholders ◽  
Group Interviews

This study investigates the nature of the interconnection between Smart City (SC) and urban development initiatives. A case of Hamar city is used to identify how SC initiatives is used to combat some of the key challenges faced by a smaller city and non-metropolitan region. In contrast to metropolitan areas, the inland region with Hamar as its administrative centre is facing depopulation. A qualitative approach was applied including individual semi-structured and focus-group interviews. Despite an ambition of adopting SC and several SC projects that are up and running, the process is still at the early stages where many of its key stakeholders are unfamiliar with Hamar's SC initiatives. Poor integration between ICT systems also creates certain challenges. It concludes that better integration and marketing effort should be directed at educating the public about the purpose and goal of SC. Moreover, as technology evolves, it is important to be cautious about issues concerning privacy while ensuring seamless integration and communication between the systems in order to become a true ‘smart' effort.

scholarly journals A paradigm shift: Adoption of disruptive learning innovations in an ODL environment: The case of the University of South Africa

2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Blessing Mbatha
Keyword(s):  
Paradigm Shift ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Qualitative Approach ◽  
Transactional Distance ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Disruptive Innovations ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Axial Coding ◽  
The University

<p class="norm">The aim of this article is to shed some light on patterns of and major motives for the adoption of different types of disruptive learning innovations by Unisa academics. To realise the aim of the study, the following questions were addressed: What are the reasons for adopting disruptive learning innovations? What is the level of interaction with disruptive innovations? What training do Unisa academics require on disruptive innovations? A qualitative approach was adopted by conducting focus group interviews with 76 Unisa academics. The data was analysed using open and axial coding, where dominant themes from the discussions were identified and discussed in detail. The findings show that the interaction of Unisa lecturers with different technologies varied from technology to technology. The study also found that disruptive innovations play a pivotal role in opening avenues and collapsing the transactional distance in an ODL institution. Some lecturers lack skill in using some technology, which is a cause for concern. Therefore, lecturers need to be trained in using technology and develop a good understanding of it to improve teaching and learning.</p>

scholarly journals Perceptions of registered nurses regarding factors influencing service delivery in expanding programmes in a primary healthcare setting

2012 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nnoi. A. Xaba ◽  
Mmapheko D. Peu ◽  
Salaminah S. Phiri
Keyword(s):  
Service Delivery ◽  
Registered Nurses ◽  
Primary Healthcare ◽  
Healthcare Setting ◽  
Qualitative Approach ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Enabling Factors ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Group Interviews

The aim of this study was to explore and describe the perceptions of registered nurses regarding factors influencing service delivery regarding expansion programmes in a primary healthcare setting, using a qualitative approach. The registered nurses, who have been working in the clinics for more than two years and have been exposed to the expansion programmes there, were purposively sampled. Two focus group interviews were conducted in a neutral place and the data collected by the researcher Nnoi A. Xaba (N.A.X.). Data were analysed by the researcher and an independent co-coder using the Tesch method. Categories, subcategories and themes were identified; those that formed the basis of discussion were disabling factors, enabling factors, client-related factors, service-related factors and solutions to problems. It is recommended that integration of programmes and coordination be done at a provincial level and planned together with the training centres in order to alleviate problems in service delivery. Training on expansion programmes in the form of in-service education should be carried out continually in the region.Die doel van die studie was om die persepsie van geregistreerde verpleegkundiges met betrekking tot die  faktore wat dienslewering van die uitbreidingsprogramme in ‘n primêre gesondheid opset beinvloed; te eksploreer en te beskryf. ‘n Kwalitatiewe benadering is gevolg in die iutvoering van die studie. ‘n Doelgerigte steekproef is uitgevoer vanuit geregistreerde verpleegkundiges wat vir langer as twee jaar in die klinieke werksaam was en blootgestel is aan die uitbreiding programme. Twee fokus groep onderhoude is deur die navorser Nnoi A. Xaba (N.A.X.) in ‘n neutrale opset uitgevoer. Data is deur die navorser en ʼn onafhanklike kodeerder ontleed volgens Tesch se metode van analise. Kategorieë, sub-kategorieë en temas was geidentifiseer. Die kategorieë fundamenteel tot die bespreking behels: remmende faktore, bydraende faktore, kliënt-verwante faktore, diens-verwante faktore, en oplossing van probleme. Daar word aanbeveel dat die integrasie en koordinasie van programme op provisiale vlak beplan word in samewerking met opleidings instansies om die dienslewerings probleem te verlig. In die streek behoort opleiding met betrekking tot die uitbreidingsprogramme deurlopend deur middel van indiensopleiding gedoen word.

scholarly journals Change in store? An investigation into the impact of the book superstore environment on use, perceptions and expectations of the public library as a space, place and experience

2009 ◽  
Vol 28 (88) ◽  
pp. 13-26
Author(s):  
Helen Cartwright
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Community Resource ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
The Public ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Perceptions And Expectations ◽  
The Impact

The book superstore is promoted not just as a place to buy books but also as a community resource in which to read, learn and socialise: traits that have in combination traditionally been the preserve of the public library. This study investigates the impact of the bookstore environment on public library space. The attitudes and behaviours of library and bookstore users were examined through focus group interviews and a self-completed questionnaire. Clear areas of overlap in the functions of the two sites were found, as was evidence of age and income-related splits in use and perception of bookstores and libraries. Results suggest attention should be paid to the beliefs and behaviours of young people and middle-income earners (the groups most noticeably increasing their use of the bookstore) and to the desired balance of education and recreation in the image and nature of the public library.

Relationships and Expectations

2021 ◽  
pp. 147-162
Author(s):  
Oscar H. Gandy Jr.
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Third Parties ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Small Minority ◽  
The Public ◽  
Marketing Activities ◽  
Group Members ◽  
Broad Variety ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
The U.S

This chapter is focused on the perceptions of the public about the panoptic sort and its likely influence on society. Although the focus within the scholarly community was on surveillance, the term was not in broad use within the population, and as a result, estimates of public opinion at the time were limited to a focus on privacy as an issue of public concern. A broad variety of issues and concerns were explored in previously published and specially designed surveys of the U.S. public. The approach taken to understand the views of the public was shaped by the analysis of a series of focus group interviews that are described within this chapter. In addition to seeking discussants’ understanding of the generation and use of consumer and citizen profiles, the members of these focus groups were also invited to share their views about the kinds of limits they thought needed to be established to govern the use of profiling technologies. Of particular importance were their views about the sharing of personal and transaction-generated information with third parties. Most of these focus group members were quite knowledgeable about marketing activities, and only a small minority expressed strong criticism of their use.

Consumer reflections on post-ingestive sensations. A qualitative approach by means of focus group interviews

Appetite ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 142 ◽  
pp. 104350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mette Duerlund ◽  
Barbara Vad Andersen ◽  
Marlene Schou Grønbeck ◽  
Derek Victor Byrne
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Qualitative Approach ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Group Interviews

scholarly journals Nurses’ experiences of simulation-based learning, 12–18 months after the simulation: A qualitative study

2021 ◽  
pp. 205715852110327
Author(s):  
Elisabeth Solheim ◽  
Jill Flo
Keyword(s):  
Health Professionals ◽  
Clinical Competence ◽  
Qualitative Approach ◽  
Learning Method ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Important Method ◽  
Long Period ◽  
Simulation Based ◽  
Educational Programmes ◽  
Group Interviews

Simulation-based learning is a learning method used in educational programmes for health professionals. Little is known about nurses’ experiences after a long period of time has elapsed since the simulation. The aim of this study was to describe nurses’ experiences of simulation scenarios and their perceptions of learning 12–18 months after the simulation. An explorative qualitative approach, including three focus-group interviews, was used. A total of 21 nurses participated. Data were collected in September 2017 and April 2018. The COREQ checklist was used to report the study. Three themes emerged: Simulation as a rewarding learning method, Pedagogical factors that affect the simulation and Perception of different roles in the simulation. The findings indicate that 12–18 months after the simulation took place, the nurses could still recall their experiences from simulation-based learning and the cases used. This indicates that simulation is an important method for strengthening clinical competence.

scholarly journals Diversity and health strategies for newly resettled refugees

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 241-252
Author(s):  
Linda Vikdahl ◽  
Göran Ståhle ◽  
David Gunnarsson ◽  
Fredrik Saboonchi
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Different Levels

Purpose In general, newly resettled refugees have poorer physical and mental health than native-born Swedes. This indicates that the society must make special efforts to enable refugees to attain health that is on a par with the rest of the population. The challenges rest primarily with employees in the public sector. But what resources do professionals need to meet the refugees’ health needs? This paper is about the need to develop strategies for professionals working with diversity and health, with a focus on the establishment of newly resettled refugees in Sweden. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to identify the needs and obstacles in working with diversity and health for the newly resettled. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on focus group interviews with 40 professionals working in three large municipalities and one County Administrative Board, all of whom work with challenges related to migration and health on a daily basis. Findings The needs expressed by the interviewees are primarily about developing and improving communications. Three important areas of communication were expressed: how information can be transferred from sender to receiver, institutionalization and interactions at different levels. Originality/value This paper identifies important needs and obstacles when working with diversity and health in Sweden, with a focus on the establishment of newly resettled refugees. It is an important contribution because refugees in general have poorer physical and mental health than native-born Swedes and strategies to improve their health, therefore, need to be further developed.

Transition to Puberty as Experienced by 12-Year-Old Swedish Girls

2008 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 326-334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gun I. Rembeck ◽  
Evelyn Hermansson
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Transition Period ◽  
School Nurses ◽  
Qualitative Approach ◽  
Growing Up ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Important Relationship ◽  
Old Swedish ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Physical Changes

The purpose of this study was to describe 12-year-old girls’ experiences of entering puberty. A qualitative approach was used to gather data from focus group interviews, and content analysis was used to identify common themes from the responses of 18 girls. Findings revealed four main themes: (a) growing up—awareness, bodily changes, longing; (b) mother—a close and important relationship; (c) menarche—a personal and important occurrence; and (d) sex and relationships. Girls sought understanding for their feelings and thoughts during this transition period. Mothers were important to be close at hand and provide understanding. When entering menarche, the girls felt a greater need for integrity. They strongly experienced their sexuality physically and had many questions about sex and their physical changes. They longed to discuss these issues and learn more about sex but stated adults had failed them in this regard because the adults believed the girls were too young for this information. School nurses have opportunities to meet the needs of girls during the transition to puberty.

scholarly journals How student paramedics navigate a changing UK healthcare landscape

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 57-62
Author(s):  
Carolyn Lees ◽  
Trudy Hutchison ◽  
Alison White ◽  
Robyn Lotto
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Prehospital Emergency Care ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
The Public ◽  
Professional Groups ◽  
Competing Demands ◽  
Prehospital Emergency ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Purposive Sample

Background: Paramedics have witnessed a huge shift in their role as providers of prehospital emergency care, although little is known about how student paramedics manage the competing demands they face in practice. Aim: To explore how student paramedics experience the changing healthcare landscape. Method: Semi-structured, focus groups and thematic content analysis was adopted. A purposive sample of student paramedics at different stages of their diploma preparatory training were invited to participate in focus group interviews. Findings: Participants considered that other services and the public perceived the purpose of emergency paramedics as largely a traditional one, as a service to transport patients to hospital. This appears to influence how they manage complex clinical situations. Student paramedics' clinical decision-making is frequently influenced by the emotional environments in which they work, combined with difficult communication with patients and a lack of support from the various professional groups involved in patient care. Conclusion: This study has highlighted the complexity of situations that student paramedics find themselves in while making decisions, which has important implications for paramedic educators and those supporting them in practice.

A qualitative inquiry on religious married men’s perceptions of relationship dynamics during everyday sickness

2020 ◽  
pp. 135910531990027
Author(s):  
Josh R Novak ◽  
Adam Johnson ◽  
Julie Gast ◽  
Terry Peak ◽  
Melinda Arnell
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Inquiry ◽  
Qualitative Approach ◽  
Family Roles ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Support Strategies ◽  
Symptom Appraisal ◽  
Generic Qualitative ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
And Coping ◽  
Acute Sickness

The purpose of this study was to evaluate men’s perceptions of self-dynamics and partner dynamics during common everyday sickness. Five focus group interviews ( N = 44) were conducted, each lasting approximately 120 minutes. The data were analyzed using a generic qualitative approach which identified two larger themes and several sub-themes: sickness appraisals and appraisal communication (gender differences in symptom appraisal and minimization of own and partner’s sickness) and coping and support strategies (individual coping, one-way provision of support, and coping together). It seems acute sickness creates shared stressors for both partners but differentially impacts each based on gender and family roles.

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