Challenges Of Collaboration Research Articles

Opportunities and Challenges in Cross-Country Collaboration: Insights from the Beneluxa Initiative.

National pricing and reimbursement agencies face growing challenges with complex health technologies, prompting European policy advancements. Beneluxa is a cross-country collaboration involving Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxemburg, Austria, and Ireland that aims to address sustainable access to medicines. In view of the soon-to-be-implemented EU HTA Regulation, insights and experiences from stakeholders with Beneluxa cross-country collaboration could provide possible transferable learnings. Therefore, this research aims to (i) identify the opportunities and challenges faced by Beneluxa, (ii) gather insights from stakeholders, namely (possible) applicants and policymakers, within and beyond Beneluxa on the initiative and broader cross-country collaboration principles, and (iii) transfer these insights into learnings and recommendations in anticipation of the full implementation of the new HTA Regulation. Fifteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with industry and European HTA/policy stakeholders. The principal challenges discussed by stakeholders encompass hesitancy from the industry toward Beneluxa assessments, which were attributed to procedural and timeline uncertainties, legislative framework ambiguity, and challenges in terms of industry's internal organization. Another challenge highlighted is the resource-intensive nature of the procedure due to diverse approaches among member states. In addition, industry stakeholders mentioned limited communication and procedural complexity. Despite challenges, both stakeholder groups recognized important opportunities for cross-country collaboration. Transferable insights for future cross-country collaboration include transparent communication, clear legislative embedding, internal industry restructuring to facilitate joint HTAs, and member state support for conducting collaborative assessments. The study underscores diverging views among stakeholders on cross-country collaboration's potential to support HTA and the market access of complex health technologies. While acknowledging benefits, there still are challenges, including industry hesitancy, emphasizing the need for transparent communication and clear guidance in the evolving EU HTA landscape.

The Role of Influencers in Political Communication: Influence and Challenges of Collaboration with Public Figures

The phenomenon of influencers in political communication has undergone development in the digital era. The use of influencers as a medium to convey political messages not only changes the paradigm of traditional communication but also creates new dynamics in the interaction between the public and political figures. The involvement of influencers in political campaigns shows great potential in influencing public opinion. This research aims to examine the role of influencers in political communication, particularly in the context of their influence on public opinion and the challenges faced in collaboration between influencers and public figures or politicians. The main focus is to understand how influencers influence political decisions and the implications of using influencers in political communication strategies. This study uses qualitative methods with a case study approach. The results show that influencers play a crucial role in shaping political narratives and influencing public opinion. Their influence is particularly evident in raising awareness of political issues and mobilizing young voters. However, the study also reveals significant challenges, including credibility issues and potential information bias that can affect public trust in the political process. The study concludes that while using influencers in political communication offers new opportunities for public engagement, it also requires a careful approach to managing the associated risks and challenges. Political parties and candidates need to choose influencers who have a wide reach and high credibility and integrity to maintain public trust and enhance the effectiveness of political communication.

Challenges of biomedical research collaboration in India: Perceptions of Indian and international researchers

Biomedical research collaborations are to be contextualized in the larger global health agenda which also opens up new information pathways, expands research networks, and brings additional resources. A qualitative inquiry was employed to understand the perceived benefits and challenges of research collaborations by biomedical scientists from India (Global South [GS] country) and the Global North (GN). In-depth interviews were conducted with 47 biomedical scientists from India and 06 from the GN. The data was analyzed using the grounded theory approach. Complementarity of skills and resources, access to funds, improved quality of work, an opportunity to conduct multi-centric studies, development of collaborative networks, better and larger number of publications, mutual learning, opportunity to work with credible researchers, address common interests, leverage interpersonal and trusted relationships and larger societal good were some of the critical factors for eagerness of participants in joint scientific endeavors. However, the challenging aspects of dissent and disagreements were the power imbalance between the collaborators, the development of a trust deficit, and local administrative issues. The challenges reported in the current publication, also echoed in several previous publications can be surmounted and negotiated amicably when the rules of the game, law of the land, sharing of the credits, and interest of the collaborating parties are addressed and agreed up in a fair and just manner before the start of the collaboration. Overall biomedical partnerships are complex collaborations with its challenges, the processes are dynamic and outcomes are emergent. This requires constant and proactive evolution of the preparation, implementation and sustainability of the collaborative efforts be it national or international.

Leading Online Professional Development for Instructional Technology Coaches with Effective Design Elements

This single-case study focused on the impact of design elements in online professional development for Instructional Technology Coaches to develop their TPACK. In this study, 30 participants enrolled in an online professional development series of synchronous and asynchronous sessions called Pathways. Ten design elements were implemented including content-focused, active learning, collaboration, modeling, coaching support, feedback, sustained duration and time, reflection, resources, and utilization of technology. Qualitative data were collected from 28 participants’ feedback forms, interviews, and asynchronous assignments. The results showed that all ten design elements were perceived to be beneficial to Instructional Technology Coaches’ learning. However, at the same time, some participants found a few hindrances to their learning from certain aspects of the six design elements. Hindrances in Pathways’ design elements include ineffective modeling, collaboration challenges, off-topic discussions, unfamiliarity with Teams, technical difficulties, insufficient time, and home distractions. These findings emphasize the need for effective collaboration, time allocation, and technical proficiency. The coaches developed their TPACK through Pathways as discovered by the rubric results of the asynchronous assignments. Directions for future research and recommendations for professional development are discussed.

Relationship of Demographic Profile to Satisfaction in Interprofessional Collaboration among Medical-Surgical Ward Nurses in Selected Hospitals of Shandong, China: A Cross-Sectional Study

With the spread of the concept of team medicine, active nurse-doctor collaboration is closely related to nursing quality. Nursing standards recognize that collaborative practice is a necessary condition for high-quality patient care, but many nurses are often reluctant to participate in interprofessional teams, indicating that challenges in nurse-doctor collaboration still exist. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between demographic data and nurse interprofessional satisfaction of medical and surgical nurses in tertiary hospitals in Shandong Province, and to provide a reference direction for improving teamwork. Methods: The research method was a cross-sectional study. Medical and surgical nurses in three tertiary hospitals in Shandong Province were surveyed. Medical and surgical nurses who were officially registered in the hospital and had been engaged in internal medicine or surgery for at least one year were selected. They were aged 18 to 45 years. The researchers used SPSS software to analyze the data, and descriptive statistics (frequency percentage distribution, mean score, and standard deviation) were used to present the satisfaction scores. If the data did not follow a normal distribution, nonparametric tests were used. Results: The average scores of the interprofessional collaboration satisfaction scale for the participating nurses were: "overall expectation" 2.67; "perception dimension of professional collaboration" 3.78; "The overall relationship satisfaction of professional cooperation" 3.83; "Communication and tolerance of interprofessional collaboration" 3.80; "Equality of interprofessional collaboration" 3.81; "Satisfaction with interprofessional collaboration" 2.98. The results of non-parametric tests showed that there was a significant difference between marriage and nurses' satisfaction with interprofessional collaboration (P<0.05). Conclusion: The overall satisfaction of nurses with interprofessional collaboration in three tertiary hospitals in Shandong Province was generally average. The three hospitals should improve the management model and care about the mental health of nurses according to factors such as the marital status of nurses. Nurses should make a good distinction and plan between work and life to promote interprofessional collaboration.

Interdisciplinary Training For Future Leaders Through The Create-Redevelop Graduate Student Program

REDEVELOP is a graduate student training program funded by the NSERC-CREATE grant, starting in 2017. Its goal is to support the training of new professionals and researchers (> 100) who will be the next generation of science and engineering leaders and policymakers in Canada. The program has successfully developed a framework for operating almost completely virtually, well ahead of the world's transition to online learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our psychology lab, The Individual and Team Performance (ITP) lab, has dedicated over a decade to researching and designing tools that enhance specific training and skill growth necessary for effective remote teamwork. In partnership with the REDEVELOP program, we support students in navigating the unique interpersonal and collaboration challenges posed by virtual team environments. We will discuss how a complex and multidisciplinary program succeeds in training graduate students to become stronger academics, practitioners, and communicators of knowledge.

Improving Virtual Team Collaboration Paradox Management: A Field Experiment

Virtual teams are ubiquitous in the workplace, yet they experience frequent collaboration challenges. Successfully managing the team collaboration paradox, in terms of maintaining a unified team perspective and diverse individual perspectives, presents a potentially important lever to improve virtual team performance. However, scholars have conflicting opinions regarding whether such improvement is possible. We argue that team collaboration paradox management will positively relate to team performance over time and can be improved via a theory-based intervention. This intervention draws from theory on paradoxes for its content (paradoxical thinking) and team development interventions for its structure (general content knowledge, team-specific feedback, action-focused planning). Given the complexity of paradoxes, it is unclear whether a single training session could substantively improve their management; therefore, one intervention condition was comprised of a single training session and the other condition included a follow-up session. Analyzing two waves of multisource quantitative data from a sample of 76 virtual teams from 37 organizations, we find a positive relationship between team collaboration paradox management and team performance at both time periods. We also find that only the intervention condition with the follow-up session, as compared with untreated control teams, significantly improved how well teams managed the collaboration paradox and thereby facilitated subsequent changes in team performance. Supplementary qualitative insights from the intervention sessions illuminate the actions virtual teams took to improve their collaboration paradox management. These results have important implications for the paradox and teams literatures, as well as the managers and members of virtual teams. Funding: This work was supported by the SHRM Foundation [Project 166].

Intersectoral collaboration for supporting the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal families and children in out-of-home care: perspectives from Western Australian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations.

Western Australia has one of the highest rates of Aboriginal children entering out-of-home care in Australia. Kinship care is the preferred culturally safe out-of-home care option for Aboriginal children, yet all jurisdictions, including Western Australia, are far from meeting best-practice national standards. Intersectoral collaboration is a key primary healthcare principle and internationally recognized for improving health systems and outcomes. This paper presents findings from a qualitative research project investigating Aboriginal primary healthcare workers' experiences of intersectoral collaboration challenges and strengthening opportunities. Constructivist grounded theory guided this research involving 55 semi-structured interviews and four focus group discussions with Aboriginal primary healthcare workers. The research was guided by Indigenous methodologies and led by Indigenous researchers Participants were recruited from seven Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations located across Perth metro, Pilbara, Midwest/Gascoyne and Southwest regions in Western Australia. Key themes identified around intersectoral collaboration challenges were communication, including information sharing and interagency meetings, and the relationship with the government sector, including trust and the importance of the perception of Aboriginal health service independence. Key themes around strengthening areas to improve intersectoral collaboration included strengthening service resourcing and coverage, including the availability of services, and addressing high program turnover. The need for a shift in approach, including more emphasis on Aboriginal-led care and aligning approaches between sectors, was another area for strengthening. This study addresses a significant research gap concerning out-of-home care, kinship care, and intersectoral collaboration in an Australian Aboriginal context. Findings highlighted the need to review the out-of-home and kinship models of care to strengthen the system, including creating more formal and structured modes of collaborating and better resourcing family support and kinship care.

Exploring the collaborative innovation operational model of government-industry-education synergy: a case study of BYD in China

ABSTRACT This paper investigates the collaborative innovation model employed by BYD Company, which integrates government, industry, and academia. Through a single-case analysis, it evaluates BYD's current innovation landscape and compares the dynamics of its cooperative efforts to elucidate its operational model. Key issues identified within BYD's ecosystem include a reliance on government subsidies, dispersion in industrial layout, and challenges in collaboration between enterprises and industries as well as university partnerships. The study attributes these issues to flaws in subsidy methods, problems with interest integration, and the weak market orientation of research outcomes. To address these challenges, the paper suggests that BYD should refine its subsidy mechanisms, concentrate on pivotal R&D areas, establish innovation alliances, and enhance its patent succession strategies.

AUVs Under Ice: A Four-Decade Retrospective on Strategy and Risk Through the Autosub Looking Glass

Abstract Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) have been used in the polar regions for decades. The technical challenges are well understood, and since the mid 1990s, missions of several hundred kilometers under sea ice have been possible. However, there remains a large gap between the endurance achieved in practice and the 1000+ km needed for large-scale sea ice studies; multiple, parallel sections under West Antarctic ice shelves; or sections under the Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf. This retrospective examines how the U.K. Autosub program's requirements for under ice observations were determined and how those requirements helped build a strategy for a decade of technical progression and scientific achievement. At times progress was faltering, vehicle reliability was inadequate and the approach to risk management was reactive rather than proactive. New analytical tools, some controversial, were developed to assess and manage risk and to drive improvements. While new satellite techniques arguably reduced the need for deployments under sea ice, they remain the only effective solution to fill data-gaps in bathymetry and ocean/ice interactions under ice shelves. The challenge for international collaboration is to accelerate the development of robust and reliable vehicles. The first task remains to survey the basic geometry of the key Antarctic ice shelf cavities. Taking a decadal view, AUV capability should expand to be capable of yearlong deployments under critical ice shelves.

Addressing Challenges in Enhancing Team Collaboration and Evaluating Interdisciplinary Projects

The aim of this paper is to clarify the extent to which collaborative project work needs to be promoted to develop key competences, notably autonomous learning, and effective collaboration, essential in the context of our rapidly evolving world. The impact of different assessment methods on the final outcomes of Project Based Learning (PBL) is examined in its interdisciplinary perspective. The samples encompassed 180 American College of Sofia (ACS) students divided into two cohorts: a control group of 60 and an experimental one of 120. Of particular interest is to examine whether the use of alternative assessment techniques is applicable to an interdisciplinary project and how effective they are in incentivizing teamwork. Recommendations aimed at reducing instances of social loafing and increasing student activity in collaborative project work are also discussed. The assessment tools used to measure the course objectives comprise purpose-designed checklists tailored to the specifics course needs. The research methodology is based on extensive observations of project-related activities, including periodic evaluations, questionnaires on the achievement of intermediate objectives, peer evaluations and teachers’ feedback, culminating in a final project report. In addition, a comparative analysis of the students’ academic performance is made, focusing only on the area of mathematics in the context of a multidisciplinary project. This comparative analysis is intended to provide an overall assessment of the efficacy of the alternative assessment techniques used and their suitability for PBL. Keywords: project-based learning, project-oriented learning, interdisciplinary project, teamwork, feedback, alternative assessment, rubric

Enmity then empathy: How militarisation facilitated collaborative but exclusive exchange in Sierra Leone's Ebola response.

In the autumn of 2014, with the 2013-16 West Africa Ebola epidemic spiralling out of control, the United Kingdom announced a bespoke military mission to support-and in some ways lead-numerous Ebola response functions in Sierra Leone. This study examines the nature and effect of the civil-military relationships that subsequently developed between civilian and military Ebola response workers (ERWs). In total, 110 interviews were conducted with key involved actors, and the findings were analysed by drawing on the neo-Durkheimian theory of organisations. This paper finds that stereotypical opposition between humanitarian and military actors helps to explain how and why there was initial cooperative and collaborative challenges. However, all actors were found to have similar hierarchical structures and operations, which explains how and why they were later able to cooperate and collaborate effectively. It also explains how and why civilian ERWs might have served to exclude and further marginalise some local actors.

Building of the knowledge-based entrepreneurial economy through collaboration between enterprises and start-ups

Methods. In the course of study the following scientific methods were used: abstraction, which was employed to define the essence of the knowledge-based entrepreneurial economy; induction and deduction, which were used to identify the benefits, risks and challenges of collaboration between enterprises and start-ups; generalization and specification to distinguish between various approaches to facilitating growth of innovative start-ups. Results. The study has enabled one to contend that in order to ramp up a knowledge-based entrepreneurial economy, there has to be better cooperation between enterprises and start-ups. Collaborating can help both well-established enterprises and start-ups maintain their competitive advantage and expand into markets that would be challenging for them to enter on their own. However, there are also a lot of potential risks and difficulties with this collaboration. It was also defined that the three main industries served by Ukrainian IT businesses are business productivity software, media, and fintech. Novelty lies in identifying the saliant features of collaboration between enterprises and startups for facilitating growth of innovative start-ups and building knowledge-based entrepreneurial economy under modern circumstances. Practical value is enshrined in establishing benefits, risks, and challenges of collaboration between well-established corporates and start-ups as new market entrants. This may serve as a foundation for implementation of government policies aimed at ramping up economic growth through knowledge-based entrepreneurial economy.

Multidisciplinary clinical decision-making of anterior diastema closure.

Anterior diastema is a common esthetic defect in China. The general treatment for a patient with diastemata, including orthodontics and direct and indirect restorations, is a multidisciplinary clinical procedure covering the orthodontics, operative dentistry, general dentistry, and prosthodontics department. Given the diversity of departments and the complex etiology of this defect, decision-making regarding the closing methods and time selection is undefined and unintegrated, which makes the long-term stability of closure unpredictable. This article proposed an etiology-based decision tree with actual measurement of diastemata width for diastemata closure. The decisional steps include classifying the etiological factors based on patients' medical history and clinical manifestation to evaluate the stability of diastemata. After maintaining the stability of diastemata, contemporary and multidisciplinary treatment plans were selected in accordance with the measured width of diastemata and patients' cosmetic psychology, economics, and available time. These decision trees focus on the challenges of collaboration among dental departments, propose an objective and efficient ways for connections, and promote efficient and effective diastemata closure.

Business model innovation in circular start-ups: Overcoming barriers in the circular plastics economy

Circular start-ups (CSUs) are crucial for implementing a circular economy; yet, little research has been undertaken on the specific barriers they face. Through a case study of CSUs in the Dutch plastics industry, we identify several key barriers encompassing technology dependence, poor credibility, constrained resources, collaboration challenges, lack of knowledge and inadequate institutional support. Additionally, we highlight four success factors (SFs) that enable CSUs to compete in circular plastics: circular value proposition design, market sensitivity, networking prowess and circular ambidexterity. Our study shows that CSUs can enact these SFs as strategies-in-use to overcome barriers. Yet still, CSUs in plastics continue focusing on recycling-centric business models, limiting their potential to drive the transition more radically along the waste hierarchy. This calls for support from various entities such as entrepreneurial ecosystems as well as a multi-stakeholder perspective that considers their business models as interdependent with other actors in the plastics value chain.

Re]Integrating a dispersed agenda: advancing archaeological research in Central Eurasia

Amid resurgent geopolitical fissures and in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, there is a growing awareness in the sector of the need for, and concern about, national and international collaboration in archaeological projects. This article reflects on present-day challenges for international collaboration in central Eurasian archaeology and furthers a much-needed discussion about (re)integrating local narratives with inter-regional trends in future research. Responsible and practical proposals for bridging collaborator differences in institutional or publishing obligations, language capacities and access to resources are discussed.

Exploring Gaps and Strategies: A Pilot Interview for Enhancing Disaster Risk Governance in Malaysia through Integrated Climate Change Adaptation for Resilience in the Future

Global climate change has led to a surge in climate-related disasters. Effectively managing these crises requires adopting disaster risk reduction strategies that account for climate change's profound impact. This article explores gaps in Malaysia's disaster risk reduction governance and climate change adaptation through literature review and preliminary interview. It highlights critical shortcomings which are outdated policies, challenges in multiple disciplinary collaboration and data sharing, and a lack of a robust strategic plan. While these findings are not exhaustive, they open the opportunity and emphasize the pressing need for further research. Future studies should focus on uncovering networks among actors, policies, and practices in Malaysia to develop a governance framework for a safer and more sustainable future amid evolving climate challenges. This requires thorough examination of the overlaps and distinctions in both fields, paving the way for a governance strategy aligned with the Paris Agreement, Sustainable Development Goals, and Sendai Framework.

Kainuun sosiaali- ja terveydenhuollon kuntayhtymän ja kuntien hallinnon toimijoiden kokemuksia yhteistyöstä COVID-19-pandemian aikana integroiduissa sosiaali- ja terveyspalveluissa

Kainuu Social Welfare and Health Care Joint Authority’s and municipalities’ administration actors’ experiences of collaboration during COVID-19 pandemic in integrated social and health services This qualitative descriptive study aimed to describe social and healthcare and municipalities’ administration actors’ experiences of collaboration during COVID-19 pandemic in integrated social and health services. A systems theory was applied as a theoretical framework. The data were collected in thematic interviews of eight actors in Kainuu between November 2021 and February 2022. The data were analyzed using inductive content analysis. Seven main categories were formed: 1) experience of the history of collaboration, 2) roles and leadership in collaboration, 3) interactive collaboration, 4) effective collaborative process, 5) challenges of collaboration, 6) coherent and interactive communication and 7) structure of collaboration. Integrated social and health services are perceived as a resource of collaboration in a crisis because there are not many boundaries between organizations.

Unlocking the potential of university-industry collaborations in African higher education: A comprehensive examination of agricultural faculties

This paper delves into integrating industry perspectives into Sub-Saharan African agricultural education, exploring collaboration challenges and benefits. It comprehensively analyses factors influencing university-industry collaboration in the region where literature is scarce, as well as the related strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. The study draws insights from case studies of eight universities in Eastern, Western, and Northern regions of Africa. Key findings include effective management, stakeholder engagement, and the N-tuple Helix Model, crucial for successful university-industry collaboration that offers many benefits, including improved student employability, technology transfer, innovative research, and industry-aligned curriculum development. However, university-industry collaboration also faces several challenges, such as reduced funding, industry reluctance, and intellectual property protection issues. The study highlights the need for a multifaceted approach to fostering successful university-industry collaboration in African universities, considering institutional, stakeholder, relationship, and output factors. Tailoring strategies to unique contexts and priorities is essential for building sustainable and mutually beneficial partnerships.

Systematic challenges and opportunities in insect monitoring: a Global South perspective.

Insect monitoring is pivotal for assessing biodiversity and informing conservation strategies. This study delves into the complex realm of insect monitoring in the Global South-world developing and least-developed countries as identified by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development-highlighting challenges and proposing strategic solutions. An analysis of publications from 1990 to 2024 reveals an imbalance in research contributions between the Global North and South, highlighting disparities in entomological research and the scarcity of taxonomic expertise in the Global South. We discuss the socio-economic factors that exacerbate the issues, including funding disparities, challenges in collaboration, infrastructure deficits, information technology obstacles and the impact of local currency devaluation. In addition, we emphasize the crucial role of environmental factors in shaping insect diversity, particularly in tropical regions facing multiple challenges including climate change, urbanization, pollution and various anthropogenic activities. We also stress the need for entomologists to advocate for ecosystem services provided by insects in addressing environmental issues. To enhance monitoring capacity, we propose strategies such as community engagement, outreach programmes and cultural activities to instill biodiversity appreciation. Further, language inclusivity and social media use are emphasized for effective communication. More collaborations with Global North counterparts, particularly in areas of molecular biology and remote sensing, are suggested for technological advancements. In conclusion, advocating for these strategies-global collaborations, a diverse entomological community and the integration of transverse disciplines-aims to address challenges and foster inclusive, sustainable insect monitoring in the Global South, contributing significantly to biodiversity conservation and overall ecosystem health. This article is part of the theme issue 'Towards a toolkit for global insect biodiversity monitoring'.