Exploring Performance Management of Volunteers in Non-Profit Organisations in New Zealand’s Human Service Sector

<p>Many non-profit organisations (NPOs) are highly dependent on volunteers to achieve their mission, and while volunteers tend to be motivated by altruistic reasons, performance management (PM) likely plays a key role in facilitating their commitment and directing their efforts to achieving their goals and the organisation’s mission. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the PM process as applied to volunteers in an NPO in New Zealand. Moreover, the similarities and differences between PM practices used for employees and volunteers are examined. Extant non-profit research has focused on individual management practices, but largely ignored the holistic PM process, whereas existing for-profit literature has concentrated on performance appraisals and evaluations, rather than PM. This study contributes to the limited research on PM processes by drawing together research from both sectors to develop an updated PM process model which is based on current PM trends and includes the steps goal-setting, feedback, training/development, and rewards/recognition. Due to the dearth in research on volunteer PM, a qualitative approach was deemed appropriate for this study to gain a deeper understanding of contextual factors and the research problem. A single case study was chosen to collect rich and in-depth data about the perceptions and experiences of managers and volunteers regarding PM. The New Zealand Cancer Society’s Otago Southland Division (OSD) was selected as case study organisation and 19 semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten managers and nine volunteers. The interviews were held in late 2016 in four locations, the Cancer Society’s national office in Wellington and the OSD’s three main offices, Dunedin, Invercargill, and Queenstown. The findings show that managers and volunteers struggle with the concept of PM in relation to volunteers because of its poor reputation and perceived unsuitability due to the special characteristics of volunteering. The individual practices, however, generated interest among participants as most practices are already used for volunteers in the OSD, albeit in an informal, ad-hoc manner and under the designation ‘volunteer management’. The interviews revealed a pattern of accepted (rewards/recognition), unaccepted (goal-setting) practices and a “grey area” of practices which allow for further development (feedback, training/development). Volunteers’ motivation and the frequency of use of the practices in the OSD influence if participants perceived them as accepted, unaccepted or as practices with potential (grey area). Based on the outcomes of this study, the updated PM process model was adapted to reflect the OSD’s PM practices for volunteers. Some inconsistencies in the participants’ perceptions and experiences of PM and a lack of clear volunteer PM procedures were detected. The findings revealed that managers are reluctant to formalise the management practices for volunteers out of fear of losing them and, thus, hide certain practices behind social events which blurs the boundaries between the practices. The findings, therefore, suggest that PM is a valuable concept for the management of volunteers in NPOs, but that a semantic problem exists which prevents the further engagement with PM. Resulting implications are proposed which include a terminology change of PM in NPOs to conceal the managerial character of this concept.</p>

Exploring Performance Management of Volunteers in Non-Profit Organisations in New Zealand’s Human Service Sector

<p>Many non-profit organisations (NPOs) are highly dependent on volunteers to achieve their mission, and while volunteers tend to be motivated by altruistic reasons, performance management (PM) likely plays a key role in facilitating their commitment and directing their efforts to achieving their goals and the organisation’s mission. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the PM process as applied to volunteers in an NPO in New Zealand. Moreover, the similarities and differences between PM practices used for employees and volunteers are examined. Extant non-profit research has focused on individual management practices, but largely ignored the holistic PM process, whereas existing for-profit literature has concentrated on performance appraisals and evaluations, rather than PM. This study contributes to the limited research on PM processes by drawing together research from both sectors to develop an updated PM process model which is based on current PM trends and includes the steps goal-setting, feedback, training/development, and rewards/recognition. Due to the dearth in research on volunteer PM, a qualitative approach was deemed appropriate for this study to gain a deeper understanding of contextual factors and the research problem. A single case study was chosen to collect rich and in-depth data about the perceptions and experiences of managers and volunteers regarding PM. The New Zealand Cancer Society’s Otago Southland Division (OSD) was selected as case study organisation and 19 semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten managers and nine volunteers. The interviews were held in late 2016 in four locations, the Cancer Society’s national office in Wellington and the OSD’s three main offices, Dunedin, Invercargill, and Queenstown. The findings show that managers and volunteers struggle with the concept of PM in relation to volunteers because of its poor reputation and perceived unsuitability due to the special characteristics of volunteering. The individual practices, however, generated interest among participants as most practices are already used for volunteers in the OSD, albeit in an informal, ad-hoc manner and under the designation ‘volunteer management’. The interviews revealed a pattern of accepted (rewards/recognition), unaccepted (goal-setting) practices and a “grey area” of practices which allow for further development (feedback, training/development). Volunteers’ motivation and the frequency of use of the practices in the OSD influence if participants perceived them as accepted, unaccepted or as practices with potential (grey area). Based on the outcomes of this study, the updated PM process model was adapted to reflect the OSD’s PM practices for volunteers. Some inconsistencies in the participants’ perceptions and experiences of PM and a lack of clear volunteer PM procedures were detected. The findings revealed that managers are reluctant to formalise the management practices for volunteers out of fear of losing them and, thus, hide certain practices behind social events which blurs the boundaries between the practices. The findings, therefore, suggest that PM is a valuable concept for the management of volunteers in NPOs, but that a semantic problem exists which prevents the further engagement with PM. Resulting implications are proposed which include a terminology change of PM in NPOs to conceal the managerial character of this concept.</p>

Gait Disorder Detection and Classification Method Using Inertia Measurement Unit for Augmented Feedback Training in Wearable Devices

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disease, one of the symptoms of which is a gait disorder, which decreases gait speed and cadence. Recently, augmented feedback training has been considered to achieve effective physical rehabilitation. Therefore, we have devised a numerical modeling process and algorithm for gait detection and classification (GDC) that actively utilizes augmented feedback training. The numerical model converted each joint angle into a magnitude of acceleration (MoA) and a Z-axis angular velocity (ZAV) parameter. Subsequently, we confirmed the validity of both the GDC numerical modeling and algorithm. As a result, a higher gait detection and classification rate (GDCR) could be observed at a higher gait speed and lower acceleration threshold (AT) and gyroscopic threshold (GT). However, the pattern of the GDCR was ambiguous if the patient was affected by a gait disorder compared to a normal user. To utilize the relationships between the GDCR, AT, GT, and gait speed, we controlled the GDCR by using AT and GT as inputs, which we found to be a reasonable methodology. Moreover, the GDC algorithm could distinguish between normal people and people who suffered from gait disorders. Consequently, the GDC method could be used for rehabilitation and gait evaluation.

Training muscle activation patterns of the lower paretic extremity using directional exertion improves mobility in persons with hemiparesis: a pilot study

Background Controlled static exertion performed in the sagittal plane on a transducer attached to the foot requires coordinated moments of force of the lower extremity. Some exertions and plantarflexion recruit muscular activation patterns similar to synergies previously identified during gait. It is currently unknown if persons with hemiparesis following stroke demonstrate similar muscular patterns, and if force feedback training utilizing static exertion results in improved mobility in this population. Methods Electromyographic (EMG) activity of eight muscles of the lower limb were recorded using surface electrodes in healthy participants (n = 10) and in persons with hemiparesis (n = 8) during an exertion exercise (task) performed in eight directions in the sagittal plane of the foot and a plantarflexion exercise performed at 20 and 40% maximum voluntary effort (MVE). Muscle activation patterns identified during these exertion exercises were compared between groups and to synergies reported in the literature during healthy gait using cosine similarities (CS). Functional mobility was assessed in four participants with hemiparesis using GAITRite® and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test at each session before, during and after static force feedback training. Tau statistics were used to evaluate the effect on mobility before and after training. Measures of MVE and the accuracy of directional exertion were compared before and after training using ANOVAs. Spearman Rho correlations were also calculated between changes in these parameters and changes in mobility before and after the training. Results Muscle activation patterns during directional exertion and plantarflexion were similar for both groups of participants (CS varying from 0.845 to 0.977). Muscular patterns for some of the directional and plantarflexion were also similar to synergies recruited during gait (CS varying from 0.847 to 0.951). Directional exertion training in hemiparetic subjects resulted in improvement in MVE (p < 0.040) and task performance accuracy (p < 0.001). Hemiparetic subjects also demonstrated significant improvements in gait velocity (p < 0.032) and in the TUG test (p < 0.022) following training. Improvements in certain directional efforts were correlated with changes in gait velocity (p = 0.001). Conclusion Static force feedback training following stroke improves strength and coordination of the lower extremity while recruiting synergies reported during gait and is associated with improved mobility.

Development of a Feedback Training Protocol and Clinical Force Measuring Walker for Older Patients with Restricted Upper Extremity Weight Bearing

Patients recovering from bone disruption due to trauma or surgery need to limit movement to minimize shear force, thereby protecting callus formation and osteogenesis. Patients often use their arms to assist with functional activities, but pushing is frequently limited to &lt;10 lb (4.5 kg). With only verbal instructions, patients&rsquo; ability to accurately limit weight-bearing (WB) force is poor. A therapeutic intervention to improve patient adherence with upper extremity (UE) WB guidelines during functional mobility using an instrumented walker could be beneficial. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to describe a feedback training protocol to improve the ability to modulate weight-bearing force in older adults and then provide an overview of the efficacy of this protocol and subsequent development of a Clinical Force Measuring Walker. An instrumented walker was used to measure UE WB during functional mobility in older healthy subjects (n = 30) before, during, and after (immediately and 2 hours) a visual and auditory concurrent feedback training session. During feedback training, force was significantly reduced with all 3 sessions as compared to baseline. When using the front wheeled walker, UE WB force during the second and third feedback training trials went down compared to the first trial. During the third feedback training trial, force was greater than the two previous trials while transferring sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit. After completion of practice with feedback, UE WB force was significantly reduced and remained so 2 hours later. These findings suggest that feedback training is effective for helping patients to modulate UE WB. Use of an instrumented walker and feedback training would be beneficial in clinical practice, especially with older patients. A more intensive feedback training with additional trials and or simultaneous visual and auditory cues during whole-practice may be needed to get UE WB below a 10 lb threshold.

Effect of an Intensified Combined Electromyography and Visual Feedback Training on Facial Grading in Patients With Post-paralytic Facial Synkinesis

Background: There is no current standard for facial synkinesis rehabilitation programs. The benefit and stability of effect of an intensified 10-day facial training combining electromyography and visual biofeedback training was evaluated.Methods: Fifty-four patients (77.8% female; median age: 49.5 years) with post-paralytic facial synkinesis (median time to onset of paralysis: 31.1 months) were included in retrospective longitudinal study between January 2013 and June 2016. Facial function was assesses at baseline (T0), first days of training (T1), last day of training (T2), and follow-up visit (T3) at a median time of 6 months later using the House-Brackmann (HB) facial nerve grading system, Stennert index (SI), Facial Nerve Grading System 2.0 (FNGS 2.0), and Sunnybrook Facial Grading System (SFGS). Pairwise comparisons between the time points with post-hoc Bonferroni correction were performed.Results: No significant changes of the gradings and subscores were seen between T0 and T1 (all p &gt; 0.01). The 10-day combined and intensified feedback training between T1 and T2 improved facial symmetry and decreased synkinetic activity. Facial grading with the FNGS 2.0 or the SFGS were most suited to depict the training effect. FNGS 2.0, regional score, FNGS 2.0, synkinesis score, and FNGS 2.0 total score improved significantly (all p ≤ 0.0001). Both, the FNGS 2.0 and the SFGS showed the strongest improvement in the nasolabial fold/zygomatic and the oral region. Neither the age of the patient (r = 0.168; p = 0.224), the gender (r = 0.126; p = 0.363) nor the length of the interval between onset of the palsy and training start (r = 0.011; p = 0.886) correlated with the changes of the SFGS between T1 and T2. The results remained stable between T2 and T3 without any further significant change.Conclusion: Intensified daily combined electromyography and visual biofeedback training over 10 days was effective in patients with facial synkinesis and benefits were stable 6 months after therapy.

Performing Simulated Basic Life Support without Seeing: Blind vs. Blindfolded People

Previous pilot experience has shown the ability of visually impaired and blind people (BP) to learn basic life support (BLS), but no studies have compared their abilities with blindfolded people (BFP) after participating in the same instructor-led, real-time feedback training. Twenty-nine BP and 30 BFP participated in this quasi-experimental trial. Training consisted of a 1 h theoretical and practical training session with an additional 30 min afterwards, led by nurses with prior experience in BLS training of various collectives. Quantitative quality of chest compressions (CC), AED use and BLS sequence were evaluated by means of a simulation scenario. BP’s median time to start CC was less than 35 s. Global and specific components of CC quality were similar between groups, except for compression rate (BFP: 123.4 + 15.2 vs. BP: 110.8 + 15.3 CC/min; p = 0.002). Mean compression depth was below the recommended target in both groups, and optimal CC depth was achieved by 27.6% of blind and 23.3% of blindfolded people (p = 0.288). Time to discharge was significantly longer in BFP than BP (86.0 + 24.9 vs. 66.0 + 27.0 s; p = 0.004). Thus, after an adapted and short training program, blind people were revealed to have abilities comparable to those of blindfolded people in learning and performing the BLS sequence and CC.

Capnometric feedback training decreases 24-h blood pressure in hypertensive postmenopausal women

Background High normal resting pCO2 is a risk factor for salt sensitivity of blood pressure (BP) in normotensive humans and has been associated with higher resting systolic BP in postmenopausal women. To date, however, no known studies have investigated the effects of regular practice of voluntary mild hypocapnic breathing on BP in hypertensive patients. The objective of the present research was to test the hypothesis that capnometric feedback training can decrease both resting pCO2 and 24-h BP in a series of mildly hypertensive postmenopausal women. Methods A small portable end tidal CO2 (etCO2) monitor was constructed and equipped with software that determined the difference between the momentary etCO2 and a pre-programmed criterion range. The monitor enabled auditory feedback for variations in CO2 outside the criterion range. 16 mildly hypertensive postmenopausal women were individually trained to sustain small decreases in etCO2 during six weekly sessions in the clinic and daily sessions at home. 24-h BP monitoring was conducted before and after the intervention, and in 16 prehypertensive postmenopausal women in a control group who did not engage in the capnometric training. Results Following the intervention, all 16 capnometric training participants showed decreases in resting etCO2 (− 4.3 ± 0.4 mmHg; p < .01) while 15 showed decreases in 24-h systolic BP (− 7.6 ± 2.0 mmHg; p < .01). No significant changes in either measure was observed in the control group. In addition, nighttime (− 9.5 ± 2.6; p < .01) and daytime (− 6.7 ± 0.2 mmHg) systolic BP were both decreased following capnometric training, while no significant changes in nighttime (− 2.8 ± 2.2 mmHg; p = .11) or daytime (− 0.7 ± 1.0 mmHg; p ≤ .247) systolic BP were observed in the control group. Conclusions These findings support the hypothesis that regular practice of mild hypocapnic breathing that decreases resting etCO2 reliably decreases 24-h blood pressure in hypertensive postmenopausal women. The extent to which these effects persist beyond the training period or can be observed in other hypertensive subgroups remains to be investigated.

Application of Real-Time Visual Feedback System in Balance Training of the Center of Pressure with Smart Wearable Devices

Balance control with an upright posture is affected by many factors. This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of real-time visual feedback training, provided by smart wearable devices for COP changes for healthy females, on static stance. Thirty healthy female college students were randomly divided into three groups (visual feedback balance training group, non-visual feedback balance training group, and control group). Enhanced visual feedback on the screen appeared in different directions, in the form of fluctuations; the visual feedback balance training group received real-time visual feedback from the Podoon APP for training, while the non-visual feedback balance training group only performed an open-eye balance, without receiving real-time visual feedback. The control group did not do any balance training. The balance training lasted 4 weeks, three times a week for 30 min each time with 1–2 day intervals. After four weeks of balance training, the results showed that the stability of human posture control improved for the one leg static stance for the visual feedback balance training group with smart wearable devices. The parameters of COP max displacement, COP velocity, COP radius, and COP area in the visual feedback balance training group were significantly decreased in the one leg stance (p < 0.05). The results showed that the COP real-time visual feedback training provided by smart wearable devices can better reduce postural sway and improve body balance ability than general training, when standing quietly.