Actual Strategies Research Articles

Linking institutional environment with technological change: The rise of China's flat panel display industry

In view of the complex dynamic environment from technological change and uncertain government regulation, this study examines how business strategies improve technological capabilities under the dynamic interaction between technological change and institutional environment. Drawing on detailed evidence gathered from first-hand and second-hand data, we develop a framework and combine the framework with the rising process of China's flat panel display (FPD) industry to identify levels of technological capabilities in distinctive phases. The findings show that three phases of technological capability-building in China's FPD industry consist of basic operational and innovative capability-building, intermediate innovative capability-building, and advanced innovative capability-building. The findings also show that three levels of technological capability are determined by the distinctive portfolios of business strategies under the dynamic interaction of technology change and institutional environment. Specifically, we find that with the guidance of distinct intended strategies, firms adopt different actual strategies to enhance their technological capabilities. Firms employ strategies of the joint venture, and merger and acquisitions (M&As) to build basic operational and innovative capability under a mutually reinforcing local and central institutional environment, and industrial environment of technological substitution. Whereas strategies of the contractual arrangement and talent introduction result in building intermediate innovative capability, according to mutually offsetting local and central institutional environment, and industrial environment of technological upgrading. The strategies of the contractual arrangement and strategic alliance lead to building advanced innovative capability based on mutually reinforcing local and central institutional environment, and industrial environment of technological leapfrogging. Finally, the limitation of this study and the direction for further research are provided.

Taking back the Swedish night: making and reclaiming space

With a spatial analytical framework, we study Take Back the Night demonstrations as a way of mobilizing for safety and claiming the right to the city. The marches are a symbolic display of women’s distress about living in fear of violence. It is a critique of society’s inability to handle the problem of prevailing gendered power relations and the unequal access to city spaces that stem from these. The aim of this paper is to examine feminist struggles to challenge gendered spatial power relations, focusing on Take Back the Night mobilization. Hence, this qualitative study focuses Take Back the Night demonstrations as a phenomenon and as an actual spatial strategy, by analysing representations regarding Take Back the Night in Sweden at large, and in Malmö, Sweden’s third largest city, in particular. We discuss feminist efforts to create temporary safe spaces in terms of the demonstrations’ emancipatory potential and how these spatial claims provoke resistance. The demonstrations and the reactions they create reveal existing inequalities and power structures.

Incomplete information about the partner affects the development of collaborative strategies in joint action.

Physical interaction with a partner plays an essential role in our life experience and is the basis of many daily activities. When two physically coupled humans have different and partly conflicting goals, they face the challenge of negotiating some type of collaboration. This requires that both participants understand their partner’s state and current actions. But, how would the collaboration be affected if information about their partner were unreliable or incomplete? We designed an experiment in which two players (a dyad) are mechanically connected through a virtual spring, but cannot see each other. They were instructed to perform reaching movements with the same start and end position, but through different via-points. In different groups of dyads we varied the amount of information provided to each player about his/her partner: haptic only (the interaction force perceived through the virtual spring), visuo-haptic (the interaction force is also displayed on the screen), and partner visible (in addition to interaction force, partner position is continuously displayed on the screen). We found that incomplete information about the partner affects not only the speed at which collaboration is achieved (less information, slower learning), but also the actual collaboration strategy. In particular, incomplete or unreliable information leads to an interaction strategy characterized by alternating leader-follower roles. Conversely, more reliable information leads to more synchronous behaviors, in which no specific roles can be identified. Simulations based on a combination of game theory and Bayesian estimation suggested that synchronous behaviors correspond to optimal interaction (Nash equilibrium). Roles emerge as sub-optimal forms of interaction, which minimize the need to account for the partner. These findings suggest that collaborative strategies in joint action are shaped by the trade-off between the task requirements and the uncertainty of the information available about the partner.

Strategies of Kenyan firms: a case study of food processing firms in Nairobi

Purpose While many studies have discussed the regulatory constraints that hinder industrial development in sub-Saharan Africa, little attention has been paid to the behavior of those firms that succeed despite a challenging business environment. The purpose of this paper is to fill this gap by focusing on specific strategies of a subset of successful industrial firms in Kenya. Design/methodology/approach The paper draws on two data sets. First, a quantitative data set based on a survey of food processing firms provides an overall profile of the sub-sector and the strategies employed by successful Kenyan firms. Second, qualitative in-depth case studies unpack the concept of strategy from the perspective of the firm, with the aim of showing the links between vision and strategy and the adaptive nature of firm strategy. Findings The quantitative data set reveals that the most important strategies used by agri-processing firms are differentiation strategies (selling at a premium), cost reduction strategies and niche strategies. A second major finding, based on the case study interviews, is that Kenyan firms adopt a combination of strategies to cope with the volatile business environment and grow their market. Furthermore, the qualitative interviews reveal that the vision of the leader is linked to firm strategy and firms follow an adaptive approach to strategy development. Originality/value The paper’s original contribution is the conclusion that while the existing typologies of strategy were acknowledged by respondents, their actual strategies were composites resulting from adaptive strategy development. This conclusion was made possible by the paper’s mixed methods approach.

Do we still need to assess nurses' attitudes towards pressure ulcer prevention? A systematic review.

To critically appraise and synthesise existing research literature pertaining to nurses' attitudes towards pressure ulcer (PU) prevention. Using systematic review methodology, published quantitative studies focusing on nurses' attitudes towards PU prevention measured by psychometric tests were included. The search was conducted in May 2019 using PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Cochrane and EMBASE databases, and returned 442 records, of which 21 met the inclusion criteria. Data were extracted using a pre-designed extraction tool and all included studies were quality appraised using the checklist. Of the included studies, 20 employed a cross-sectional design and one author employed a validation study. In measuring nurses' attitudes toward PU prevention two distinct instruments were used: the 'Moore and Price Attitude Scale' and the 'Attitude towards Pressure Ulcer Prevention Instrument'. The mean attitude score within the studies was 73% (standard deviation=9.2%). The lowest attitude score was 51%, while the highest score was 89%. The results obtained from the studies indicated that 86% (n=18) yielded positive attitude results. The findings suggest that, overall, nurses are positively disposed towards PU prevention. However, it is important to highlight that the nurses have difficulties translating this positive attitude into actual PU prevention strategies.

A World Elsewhere

Documentaries about the use of Shakespeare in applied theatre publicise and endorse the work of practitioners to scholars as well as the general public, and have influenced the growth of academic interest in what this article terms Social Shakespeare: practices in which Shakespeare and social work interact with each other to bring about change. However, in the quest for touching and uplifting individual stories, such media treatments risk ignoring the actual values and strategies governing the work in favour of narratives that normalise social differences through emphasis on the transformative power of Shakespearean theatre, viewed as a sanctified space. Documentaries about three different constituencies – prisoners, young people with learning disabilities, and combat veterans – are examined to determine how far they locate the need for change in society rather than in the individual.

WOMEN IN THE LIVE POKER ROOM, WHERE ARE THEY? THE MARKET SEGMENT THAT HAS YET TO BE REPRESENTED

ABSTRACT Few women play poker, and while many gambling venues, both physical locations and online, are looking for ways to increase the low percentage of female gamblers, men still dominate the sector. Despite the interest of casinos to draw more women to poker, an actual strategy to increase interest and participation in poker tournaments for women has not improved turnout. This is the first phase of an exploratory study to examine industry barriers for women in poker. Interviews were used to determine major categories of inexperienced (beginner) and experienced (seasoned) female players and poker dealers to derive the avenues to entry into the live poker room, experiences once playing in the poker room, and opportunities to grow the market. This study reveals key findings that are not only challenges in the retention of female poker players, but are also barriers to entry in learning the game of poker in a live environment which has little coverage in previous academic studies. This initial research lays the foundation for a more robust secondary study that will provide implications for growth to this key segment of the $40 billion-dollar industry. Keywords Women in poker, gender equity, women gambling, casino gaming

Actual Condition and Activation Strategies in Counseling for Students with Disabilities via Special Education Teachers

Actual Condition and Activation Strategies in Counseling for Students with Disabilities via Special Education Teachers

Management Program about Strategies of Building Effective Work Team on Nursing Staff Performance at Intensive Care Units

Background: Team building includes wide range of activities and strategies designed for improving team performance. Its aim is to bring out the best in a team to ensure self -development, positive communication, conflict and change management skills and the ability to work closely together as a team. Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate program about strategies of building effective work team on nursing staff performance at intensive care units. Setting: Study was conducted at five ICUs at El-Menshawy hospital affiliated to Ministry of Health, namely neurology, cardiology, medical, pediatric and neonatal. Subjects: All (n=210) nursing staff working at the five ICUs understudy divided into all (n=10) head nurses two in each ICU and all (n=200) nurses. Tool: Two tools were used; (1) nursing staff work team building knowledge questionnaire (2) nursing staff actual work team building strategies observation checklist. Results: majority of nursing staff (84.9%) had poor knowledge level for work team building, decreased to about one third had poor knowledge level post program. Preprogram majority of nursing staff (89.6%) showed either low or moderate total practice level for work team building seven strategies, changed post program to be (51.1%) of nursing staff showed high total practice level. Half of head nurses preprogram had moderate total management practice level for work team building; changed post program to equal (40%) percent of them had high and moderate total management practice level. Conclusion: Nursing staff of ICU at El-Menshawy hospital demanding for management program to develop their knowledge and practice about team building strategies. Implementing of the program actually develops their knowledge and practice. Recommendations: conducting pre-employment educational training workshops for novice nurses about effective work team building strategies. Maintain periodical orientation of nursing staff at ICU about strategies of building effective work team.

Stresses, Strengths and Resilience in Adolescents: A Qualitative Study.

Resilience, or positive adaptation in the face of adversity, mitigates the negative effects of stress and promotes lifelong physical and mental wellbeing. Identifying adolescents who are struggling with stress could provide opportunities for individual clinical preventive interventions. However, resilience assessments are rarely performed in clinical settings and no clear, evidence-based protocols or language for such exploration exist. The aim of this qualitative study was to identify both clinically feasible methods for assessment, and actual findings, regarding stress, supports, attributes, and strategies youth consider most useful for building resilience. We recruited 59 urban and rural dwelling 13-16year olds from two Canadian primary care practices. Interviewers asked five open-ended questions about sources of stress and resilience and wrote summaries of answers provided. These were then coded. Researchers independently identified conceptual themes, then reached consensus on these. Stress arose from schoolwork and conflicts with friends or family, rather than from socioeconomic adversities. A majority of participants felt able to manage stresses well, finding strength through (1) social connection with family or friends; (2) self-reliant activities including exercise, music or drawing; and (3) personal attributes such as optimism, calmness and competence. They used a variety of approaches to work through stress, many of which align with key domains of resilience, as well as the novel technique of distraction. Ruminating on stress-provoking events made youth feel they were coping poorly. Most participants experienced stress and drew strength from psychosocial and emotional assets, as well as external resources that fostered resilience. Direct, open conversation was particularly effective for building rapport, augmenting strengths by discussing them, and identifying those who were struggling. Similar questions asked in clinical practice may open doors to deep and, perhaps, transformative conversations and evidence-based preventive interventions.

Dynamic hedging analysis of carbon emission trading yield in Shenzhen

The paper selected the carbon emission trading yields data from 2014 to 2017 in Shenzhen. A generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity model was used to find the best way to hedge the risk of spot carbon emissions in Shenzhen carbon emission trading exchange market. The variances of carbon spot and coal futures were first examined. The dynamic hedging rate was calculated too. The results showed that according to the actual data and market change strategies, the dynamic hedging rate is better than the optimal hedging rate that can hedge risk better. The carbon emission trading yield was found to exhibit aggregate fluctuation; in addition, the dynamic hedging can better hedge risk timely than static hedging. This provides investors with the basis for decision-making to hedge risk in carbon emission trading and helps investors to maximize their returns under certain risk conditions.

Organizational strategies to reduce physician burnout: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The growing "process" of burnout impair performance and quality of professional services, with consequences for physicians, healthcare care organization, and patient's outcomes. We aim to evaluate which strategy of intervention, individual or organization directed, is more effective to reduce physician burnout and to provide management suggestions in terms of actual organizational strategies and intensity leading to reductions in physician burnout. The meta analysis was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. We included physicians of any specialty in the primary, secondary, or intensive care setting, including residents and fellows. Eligible interventions were any intervention designed to relieve stress and/or improve the performance of physicians and reported burnout outcomes, including physician-directed interventions and organization-directed interventions. The electronic search strategy applied standard filters for identification of the different studies. Databases searched were the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, The Cochrane Library), MEDLINE (from inception to September 2018), and EMBASE (from beginning to September 2018). Meta analysis was performed with mixed random effect using DerSimonian and Laird method. The standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% CI for each outcome were separately calculated for each trial pooling data when needed, according to an intention-to-treat principle. Pooled interventions were associated with small significant reductions in burnout (SMD=-0.289; 95% CI, -0.419 to -0.159; I2=29%) (Fig. 2). Organization-directed interventions were associated with a medium reduction in burnout score (SMD=-0.446; 95% CI, -0.619 to -0.274; I2=8%) while physician-directed interventions were associated with a moderate reduction in burnout score (SMD=-0.178; 95% CI, -0.322 to -0.035; I2=11%). This systematic review and meta-analysis showed that (1) organization-directed interventions were associated with moderate reduction in burnout score, (2) physician-directed interventions were associated with small reduction in burnout score, (3) organization-directed interventions reduced more the depersonalization than physician-directed interventions, (4) organization-directed interventions were related to a more improvement of the personal accomplishment than physician-directed interventions. This meta analysis found that physicians could gain important benefits from interventions to reduce burnout, especially from organizational strategies, by viewing burnout rooted in issues related to the working environment and organizational culture.

Анализ расчетов идеального и реального циклов двигателя внутреннего сгорания

The purpose of this article is to study the thermodynamic efficiency of the real cycle of the internal combustion engine. There are various methods for calculating the values of the main thermodynamic parameters of the efficiency factor and average pressure in the nodal points. According to the known data, these results significantly differ from the real ones. The most rational assessment of engine performance is the one using the proven methods. Today there are enough assessment methods of internal combustion engine efficiency, the main ones are entropy and exergy methods. The object of research is the exergy method since it is more versatile. Consideration is given to a 4-stroke diesel engine V-84, which is widely used in military equipment. The ideal and real cycles of the internal combustion engine are calculated. Their input parameters are taken from tactical and technical characteristics of the engine V-84. The exergy method applied to estimate the efficiency of both cycles serves the basis for building entropy vs enthalpy graphs. The latter demonstrate that the maximum losses occur in the real cycle. The conducted calculations allowed to obtain the dependences of the object exergy (object efficiency) on the level of energy dissipation, enthalpy. A graph of exergy variations at cycle control points is obtained. It is proposed to carry on further studies where to assess the reduction of the object performance when in operation. This can be used in the development of the actual technical condition-based operation strategy. The study results are proposed to be used in the comparison of experimental data with reference ones. Moreover, it is possible to predict the changes in the performance level by a generalized criterion, which is the exergy of the working medium.

A Digital-based Integrated Methodology for the Preventive Conservation of Cultural Heritage: The Experience of HeritageCare Project

ABSTRACT A sustainable conservation strategy for cultural heritage protection is not feasible without a systematic documentation, registration and management of the information. The adoption of integrated inspection protocols and regular tracking processes, based on standardized procedures and uniform criteria, are the basis to successfully replace actual curative strategies with proactive conservation approaches. The opportunities brought by the digital tools can offer tremendous advantages in this regard. This paper explores the leading role that digitization is assuming in the context of heritage conservation through the experience of the HeritageCare project — Monitoring and preventive conservation of historic and cultural heritage” (SOE1/P5/P0258). The project has developed a digital-based integrated methodology aimed at providing enhanced tools and services to properly document cultural heritage buildings and engage directly owners in the conservation process of their legacy. The structured digital workflow on which the HeritageCare protocol relies is described in detail, encompassing different levels of information. Finally, the full application of the protocol is presented with reference to one of the most emblematic case studies of the project, the Ducal Palace of Guimarães, Portugal.

Use of spatial autocorrelation and time series Landsat images for long-term monitoring of surface water shrinkage and expansion in Guanting Reservoir, China

ABSTRACTReservoirs are closely related to anthropic activities, and quantifying the long-term dynamics of surface water in reservoirs could be useful for decision-makers to improve the actual strategies of reservoir management. This study used the global Moran’s I index, modified Normalized Difference Water Index (MNDWI) and a total of 596 Landsat images during 1985–2018 for tracking the annual dynamics of water extent in the process of water shrinkage and expansion in Guanting Reservoir, China. Landscape metrics related to the area, elongation, fragmentation, and edge complexity of surface water in reservoir landscape were computed for tracking the annual dynamics of surface water patterns. Statistical comparison between the results of global Moran’s I index and landscape metrics indicates that except for the complexity of water and non-water edge, global Moran’s I index can successfully estimate the dynamics of the area, elongation and fragmentation of surface water in the reservoir. This study proposed a continuous approach of long-term monitoring of surface water patterns using spatial autocorrelation that might be used in the areas where the surface water extraction is difficult and water dynamics are complex.

An Alternative Evaluation and Indicating Methodology for Sustainable Fire Safety in the Process Industry

There is a mismatch between the desire to introduce greater levels of sustainability in engineering design and in the need to provide effective engineering solutions, particularly where issues of human safety and asset protection are involved. Sustainability engineering typically incorporates economic, environmental, and social factors, all of which are highly relevant and applicable to fire safety and the design of fire protection systems. The term fire strategy denotes a documented methodology to encapsulate a full range of such systems, within a single framework, for more complex risks such as those found in the process industry. The subject of fire safety is emotive and its application within building design may not change unless we refocus on a holistic and strategic approach, especially for complex building profiles. Fire is a recognized critical safety issue for most types of industrial plants. Due to the complexity of the processes, even a relatively small fire accident can lead to a chain of events that could be devastating, resulting in huge asset and continuity losses, damage to the local environment, and of course, the threat to life. More complex processes require a more flexible and relevant approach. The use of fire safety engineering and performance-based evaluation techniques, instead of prescriptive rules, continues to grow in prominence because of this. This is the case when specifying fire protection and safety for modern power generating plants. However, when it comes to critical infrastructure, such as is the case with power plants, it is sometimes not clear whether optimum fire safety engineering solutions have been applied. One of the ideas specifically developed for evaluating the most appropriate fire safety strategies and systems, especially for such infrastructure examples, is a method based upon the British Standard Specification PAS 911. This method is captured in a diagram and identifies eight main elements for fire safety and protection. The idea presented in this article is to allow assessment of a submitted actual fire strategy for a building or other form of infrastructure, against what has been predetermined as a standard baseline fire strategy for, in this case, a power plant building. The assessment makes use of a multi-level questionnaire, in this case specifically formulated for power plant fire safety needs. By comparing the actual fire strategy diagram against a baseline fire strategy, enforcement agencies, or other interested stakeholders, can recognize which fire safety factors play the most important part in the fire strategy, and determine whether proper levels of fire safety and protection have been applied. The fire strategy evaluation is realized by a team of engineers, which consists of independent fire strategist from a consultant office, internal fire and technical experts from the industrial plant, such as the person responsible for fire safety, person responsible for explosion safety, person responsible for housekeeping, and building manager. Additionally, there should be representatives of insurance companies and independent fire experts. Typically, the group consists of 7 to 12 people.

Ranking Strategic Objectives in a Strategy Map Based on Logarithmic Fuzzy Preference Programming and Similarity Method

AbstractThis paper aims to rank strategic objectives in a strategy map to improve the efficiency of strategy implementation. Objectives are ranked based on strategic destinations using the combination of Logarithmic Fuzzy Preference Programming (LFPP) and similarity method. In the first step, the weight of strategic destinations is obtained using LFPP technique; then objectives are ranked by similarity method. Similarity method uses the concept of alternative gradient and magnitude for effectively solving the general multi-criteria analysis problem. Finally, objectives are ranked in an actual strategy map. As a practical and efficient tool, the proposed approach can assist managers and decision-makers in drawing more efficient output from strategy maps.

BSCI-16. HEMODYNAMIC SHEAR STRESS SELECTS A SUBPOPULATION OF LUNG ADENOCARCINOMA CELLS WITH HIGHER METASTATIC CAPACITY

Patients with primary cancers often develop delayed brain metastases. One of the most common cancer types and sources of brain metastasis is lung cancer. For metastasis from lung cancer the 3-year survival is < 5%. Cancer cells in circulation are responsible for metastatic spread. The mechanical microenvironment plays an important role in cancer cells behavior. When cancer cells reach the bloodstream they are exposed to hemodynamic shear stress. It has been shown that most of the circulating tumor cells die once they reach the bloodstream, but the biology of the survival cells is poorly understood. We designed a microfluidics system that simulated the mechanical stress in the human circulating system such as turbulence, change in pressure (0.4-15dyn/cm2) and flow rate (1.06–106.1mm/s). Lung adenocarcinoma cells (A549) were put into circulation and collected after 72 hours. It was found that, 1.4±0.3% of the cells survived, and viability was evaluated by LDH and calcein. CD133, SOX2, and NANOG were downregulated and EMT genes were upregulated in the circulating cancer cells (CCCs) compared with cells in static-suspension or 2D. After re-seeding in 2D, CCCs overexpressed CD133. Female athymic nude rats (6-8weeks,n=16) received intracardiac injections of CCCs or 2D cells (GFP-LUC lentivirus traduced). Bioluminescence imaging was performed every week; the survival in of the CCCs group was lower than the 2D group. One-way ANOVA test was used to analyze survival and gene expression. Survival data was plotted on a Kaplan-Meier curve and compared using the Mantel-Cox logrank test, p=< 0.05. We have isolated a cellular subpopulation of lung adenocarcinoma with high resistance to hemodynamic shear stress that shows a higher metastatic capacity and genetic plasticity compared with cells growing in suspension or 2D. Targeting these cells would potentially allow us to develop personalized treatments to help to stop metastatic spread and improve actual therapeutical strategies.

Kinetics of Caffeine Inhibition to the Growth of Caulobacter crescentus on Caffeine

Caffeine is a purine alkaloid naturally found in many species of plant and can be degraded by bacteria. Prolong caffeine consumption is well-known to have serious adverse effects. A caffeine-degrading bacterium had been shown to be inhibited by high concentration of caffeine. To study this phenomenon in greater detail, the effect of caffeine on the maximum specific growth rate on caffeine is studied using various inhibition kinetic models such as Luong, Haldane, Aiba, Yano, Teissier, Webb and Monod. The Haldane model was the best model in modelling the effect of caffeine concentration to Caulobacter crescentus maximum specific growth rate based on statistical tests such as corrected AICCc (akaike information criterion), bias factor (BF), adjusted coefficient of determination (R2) and root-mean-square error (RMSE). Parameters obtained from the fitting exercise were maximum specific growth rate (qmax), Ks (concentration of substrate at the half maximal specific growth rate (mg/L) and Ki (inhibition constant) mg/L with their values at 0.7620 (95%, C.I. or confidence interval from 0.603 to 0.920), 0.1050 mM (95% C.I. from 0.001 to 0.211) and 4.614 mM (95% C.I. from 2.154 to 7.073), respectively. These biologically meaningful coefficients will be useful in predicting growth conditions under batch studies and also probably under actual bioremediation strategy where the concentration of caffeine in the treatment may need be diluted to nontoxic concentration prior to remediation.

Drivers and responses to climate variability by agro-pastoralists in Kenya: the case of Laikipia County

This paper examines factors influencing the choice of response strategies and the actual strategies smallholder farmers use to respond to the effects of climate variability in transitional climatic zones of Africa, specifically Laikipia West Sub-County in Kenya. Data for this study were collected from 392 randomly selected smallholder farmers, using a structured questionnaire. The study used principal component analysis to group together related strategies that farmers used to respond to the effects of climate variability, which resulted into seven groups of responses. Majority of farmers at 97.5%, 85% and 74.1%, respectively, used cultural practices, diversification practices and risk reduction practices. Intensification practices followed by 69.3% while terraces crop and herd management and new breeds were the least adopted at 27%, 13.2% and 9%, respectively. Multivariate probit model was then used to examine the factors influencing smallholder farmers’ choice of response strategies to effects of climate change. The results indicated that access to weather information had a strong effect on use of risk management strategies at 74% and intensification strategies at 49%. Increase in level of education and exclusive dependence on agriculture increased the probability of introducing new breeds by 30% and 53%, respectively, while access to extension services increased use of terraces by 42%. Strong local institutions that facilitate access to information and credit are likely to initiate changes in key household characteristics, which positively affect response to effects of climate variability. Policies should aim to strengthen local institutions that enhance access to information and credit services. There is need for investment in the provision of affordable and quality education, relevant demand-driven extension services that provide localized response solutions.