Assessing Firm Readiness to Adopt Cluster-Based Innovative Projects: A Segmentation Analysis

As innovation has garnered substantial attention on corporate success and sustainability, organizations must evaluate internal contexts to determine potential innovative practices and benefits. Firms need to investigate the determining factors of innovation preparedness as organizational innovation practices are catalyzed through internal elements. This study evaluates small and medium firms’ readiness to adopt and execute collaborative innovative projects within a future cluster and its impacts on organizational advantages, intentions, and attributes. Thereby, three dimensions were considered in examining organizational preparedness, namely, climate, culture, and motivation. A total of 70 firms operating in the labeled agri-food sector in Morocco were interviewed and homogenously classified using integrated hierarchical and non-hierarchical algorithms, following a segmentation approach. Three segments were identified, stressing the degree of organizational readiness to undertake innovative projects within future service clusters. The segments varied according to the firm’s sub-sector, experience, and resources. Considering the association of readiness with benefits and practical aims, the results broaden firm preparedness understanding to adopt innovative projects. The results also illustrate the relevance of adapting both innovative and beneficial project arrangements for firms with minor to moderate experience while addressing current issues across different segments.

Integrated Framework for Proper Constructability in Bridges Using Value Engineering and Analytical Network Process 'ANP" (Analytical Study): إطار متكامل لتحسين إنشائية الكباري باستخدام الهندسة القيمية وعملية الشبكة التحليلية "ANP" (دراسة تحليلية)

Due to recent environmental and Political requirements, and regulations of the construction industry, in which bridges is one of its important category, deciding its proper constructability is becoming vital. Therefor the objective of this research is to develop a decision model for selecting proper constructability of green bridges constructions, the model was built based on analytical network process (the ANP) soft were program, integrated with value engineering approach. For this analytical study different parameters are identified and ranked to be implemented for the decision model developed on the biases of four surveying studies conducted in this study the results of these surveying's was be analyzed by using the statically analytical program; "SPSS". Model validation and reliability is carried out using the analytical network process (ANP) for statistically analysis using case study which is a cable bridge project constructed in Egypt. ANP proves to be an effective framework for assessing readiness to adopt and facilitating TQM. The result of the study illustrate that the proper constructability alternative in green bridge concept for this determinate project is the concrete box girder type, upon this there is a cost loss of $3, 500 per square meter, equivalent to 50% losses, respect to the life cycle cost this is due to did not using the best alternate of the estimated project. upon the possibility of applying this decision model to such studies of infrastructure projects, and with respect to the results gained; it is recommend to apply the ANP model with respect to VE procedures to bridges projects of all kinds and their determinants, as well as all other construction projects, especially national ones, in future studies, which allows decision- makers to make decisions that aim at the highest quality without any waste in unnecessary costs.

Women’s Perception of and Readiness to Adopt a Sustainable Healthy Diet: A Cross-sectional Survey in Enugu City, Nigeria

Background: Perceived benefit of and readiness to adopt sustainable healthy diets (SHDs) is under-investigated in low-resource countries. We assessed women’s perceived benefit of and readiness to adopt SHDs and their associated factors in Enugu Metropolis, Nigeria. Methods: A household cross-sectional survey of childbearing women (n = 450) was conducted in January and February 2021 using a questionnaire assessing food choice motives, perceived benefit, and readiness to adopt SHDs. Readiness to adopt SHDs was grouped into pre-contemplation and contemplation (PC/C), preparation and relapse (P/R), and action and maintenance (A/M). Results: About 79% and 60% of women have high perception and adopted SHDs respectively. Perceived benefit of SHD was associated with younger age (β = -0.20, ρ < 0.05), low education (β = -0.19, ρ < 0.05), and poor wealth quintile (β = -0.57, ρ < 0.001). PC/C was predicted by low perceived benefit (OR = 10.07, 95% CI: 4.78-21.22, ρ < 0.001), low education (OR = 2.51, 95% CI: 1.25-5.04, ρ = 0.010), and taste (OR = 3.96, 95% CI: 1.61-9.75, ρ = 0.003). PR was predicted by low perceived benefit (OR = 3.92, 95% CI: 1.99-7.73, ρ < 0.001), low education (OR = 1.82, 95% CI: 1.00-3.29, ρ = 0.049). A/M was related to younger age (OR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.27-0.84, ρ = 0.010, PR), and health (OR = 0.14, 95% CI: 0.06-0.36, ρ < 0.001, PC/C) and (OR = 0.17, 95% CI: 0.08-0.35, ρ < 0.001, P/R). Conclusions: Adoption of SHDs need to improve in Enugu, Nigeria. We identified the factors that should inform dietary guidelines and campaigns to increase women's adoption of SHDs.

Women’s Perception of and Readiness To Adopt a Sustainable Healthy Diet: A Cross-Sectional Survey in Enugu City, Nigeria

Background Perceived benefit of and readiness to adopt sustainable healthy diets (SHDs) is under-investigated in low-resource countries. We assessed women’s perceived benefit of and readiness to adopt SHDs and their associated factors in Enugu Metropolis, Nigeria. Methods A household cross-sectional survey of childbearing women (n = 450) was conducted in January and February 2021 using a questionnaire assessing food choice motives, perceived benefit, and readiness to adopt SHDs. Readiness to adopt SHDs was grouped into pre-contemplation and contemplation (PC/C), preparation and relapse (P/R), and action and maintenance (A/M). Results About 79% and 60% of women have high perception and adopted SHDs respectively. Perceived benefit of SHD was associated with younger age (β = -0.20, ρ < 0.05), low education (β = -0.19, ρ < 0.05), and poor wealth quintile (β = -0.57, ρ < 0.001). PC/C was predicted by low perceived benefit (OR = 10.07, 95% CI: 4.78-21.22, ρ < 0.001), low education (OR = 2.51, 95% CI: 1.25-5.04, ρ = 0.010), and taste (OR = 3.96, 95% CI: 1.61-9.75, ρ = 0.003). PR was predicted by low perceived benefit (OR = 3.92, 95% CI: 1.99-7.73, ρ < 0.001), low education (OR = 1.82, 95% CI: 1.00-3.29, ρ = 0.049). A/M was related to younger age (OR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.27-0.84, ρ = 0.010, PR), and health (OR = 0.14, 95% CI: 0.06-0.36, ρ < 0.001, PC/C) and (OR = 0.17, 95% CI: 0.08-0.35, ρ < 0.001, P/R). Conclusions Adoption of SHDs need to improve in Enugu, Nigeria. We identified the factors that should inform dietary guidelines and campaigns to increase women's adoption of SHDs.

Italian Consumers’ Readiness to Adopt Eggs from Insect-Fed Hens

Demand for eggs from laying hens is increasing as the world population continues to grow. The use of insects as animal feed is a strategic opportunity to find a new innovative, economic and sustainable source of protein. The aim of this study was to evaluate the Italian consumer inclination for eggs produced with the use of insect-fed hens. The investigation on consumers’ readiness to adopt eggs from insect-fed hens was carried out through an online survey conducted on 510 participants. Survey results outlined four different clusters on the basis of the willingness to buy/eat eggs fed with insects: “ready” (40.1%), “environmentalist” (24.3%), “cautious” (21.7%), and “reluctant” (13.9%). “Ready”, “environmentalist”, and “cautious” were quite favorable to the use of insects as feed stuffs and share drivers for product choice: cheap, organic, and with an explicit indication of use of insects. On the other hand, for the “reluctant”, the diet based on insects was the main negative factor influencing product acceptance. This cluster also showed the highest level of neophobia. Italian consumers showed a considerable level of readiness to accept insects as feed material for egg production, which should be reinforced with further information on the origin and the environmental benefit of using insects.

Factors associated with eMental health adoption readiness and use by mental health counsellors in general practices (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Literature shows that mental health care counsellors generally have a high adoption readiness for eMental Health, while the actual use of eMental Health in patients is limited. Facilitating future adoption and use requires insight into the most important underlying factors, as well as the eligibility criteria the mental health care counsellors use in their decision to apply eMental Health for their (vulnerable) patients. OBJECTIVE This study examined the use and non-use of eMental Health by mental health counsellors and aimed to unfold the underlying reasons and readiness to adopt eMental Health. METHODS A theoretical model was developed, based on the Reasoned Action Approach, the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology Model and the Measurement Instrument Determinants of Innovations model. By means of an online survey among mental health counsellors (N = 132), this model was empirically validated. An additional study goal was to unveil the criteria mental health counsellors use to estimate patients’ eligibility for eMental health. RESULTS The most important predictors of the readiness of mental health counsellors to adopt eMental health were the perceived usefulness and benefits. eMental Health also needed to be easily accessible and making use of an eMental Health application should match the task perception of the mental health counsellor. The readiness of mental health counsellors to adopt eMental health had a direct and an indirect effect (via estimated patients’ eligibility for eMental health) on the use of eMental Health by the counsellors. In order to determine whether eMental health suited a patient, the mental health counsellors not only looked at whether the patients had access to a computer and internet and had sufficient digital and Dutch language skills, but they also considered it crucial that the patients were motivated to use eMental health. CONCLUSIONS The study revealed that there will only be a future for eMental health in general practice if the mental health counsellor is convinced of the benefits of eMental health and can transfer this enthusiasm to the patient. It is recommended to involve mental health counsellors in the development of eMental health to increase the (perceived) added value and use in general practice.

Development of the Caregiver Confidence using Music Scale

Music serves as an important tool to improve the health and wellness of individuals in healthcare settings. In times of high caregiver burnout, therapeutic outlets such as music for care receivers and providers are becoming increasingly important. This paper presents the first iteration of the Caregiver Confidence using Music Scale (CCuMS), an assessment tool designed to evaluate caregivers’ readiness to adopt music care. Music care is defined as the informed and intentional use of music by anyone to improve the quality of care. The CCuMS was derived from a hierarchical cluster analysis of the Music Care Training program’s Level 1 post-evaluation survey (Post-MCTL1). Thematic interpretation of the statistical outputs from the cluster analysis was completed, resulting in the first iteration of the CCuMS. Initial validation methods that were feasible with current data were conducted. Specifically, face validity, content validity and convergent validity were calculated using Pearson correlations. The CCuMS shows promise as a measurement tool for use in healthcare settings due to the moderate correlation between the Post-MCTL1 and the CCuMS scale (r=0.524), and the strong correlation between the music care training thematic questionnaire and the CCuMS (r=0.970).

Assessing Institutional Preparedness of Pakistani Medical Schools towards Curriculum Change Using MORC

Purpose: Changing community needs and disease patterns are the major stimulator for change in medical curriculum throughout the world. The process of change depends on many factors that come under the umbrella of organizational readiness for its successful implementation. Inappropriate planning and low levels of organizational readiness for change will result in failure of change process. Methodology: A quantitative study design was chosen for this study. Medical school’s organizational readiness questionnaire (MORC) was used to collect data. The questionnaire consists of 53 items further categorized into three scales and twelve subscales. The questionnaire was distributed among faculty members of four medical colleges of Punjab, collected data was coded and descriptive and inferential statistics were applied for analysis using SPSS. Analysis revealed that all four medical colleges were having good organizational readiness to adopt change. Findings: The results of descriptive analysis showed, that majority of the respondents (47%) were agreed that their medical school, is in preparatory phase, 29%respondents showed that their institute is in more than two years of implementation phase of curriculum change, 23.8% agreed that in their medical school is in first two years of implementation phase. Implication: MORC is a reliable instrument for assessing institutional preparedness for curriculum change.

Psychological Readiness for Mobile Learning Among Maldivian Students at Higher Education Institutions

Objective - Mobile learning had widely impacted higher education, providing technology enabled educational opportunities to the mobile-first learners of the millennium, anytime, anywhere. The adoption of mobile technology rapidly increased among higher education institutions of Maldives, changing the psychological perception of distance learners who were located in different atolls of the country. Methodology/Technique - This paper was developed to explore psychological readiness of institutional distance learning students to adopt mobile learning in Maldives. Using quantitative approach, the research was conducted among the distance learners from three key higher education institutions of Maldives. Contributing to the e- questionnaire, three hundred and forty-three (n=340) students expressed their psychological readiness to adopt mobile learning in Maldives. Data collected using mobile technology was analysed using the analysis summary retrieved from Google forms and SPSS. Finding - The analysis revealed that majority of the students of Maldives higher education institutions were acquainted and psychologically ready to adopt mobile learning as a convenient mode of delivery. Novelty - Thereby, it can be said that students were willing to welcome mobile learning enhanced by mobile technology and were psychologically ready to adopt the emerging shift in the paradigm. Type of Paper - Empirical. Keywords: Mobile learning, psychological readiness, paradigm shift, higher education institutions, Maldives JEL Classification: I21, I23