Groupware Research Articles

Evidence Following Conditional NICE Technology Appraisal Recommendations: A Critical Analysis of Methods, Quality and Risk of Bias.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) may approve health technologies on condition of more evidence generated only in research (OiR) or only with research (OwR). NICE specifies the information needed to comply with its request, although it may not necessarily guarantee good quality and timely evidence for re-appraisal, before reaching a final decision. This study aimed to critically appraise the methods, quality and risk of bias of evidence generated in response to NICE OiR and OwR technology appraisal (TA) and highly specialised technologies (HSTs) recommendations. NICE TAs (between March 2000 and September 2020) and HST evaluations (to October 2023) of medicines were reviewed. Conditional recommendations were analysed to identify the evidence requested by NICE for re-appraisal. The new evidence was analysed for compliance with NICE's request and assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration's tools for risk of bias in randomised trials and the ROBINS-I tool for non-randomised evidence. NICE made 54 conditional recommendations from TAs (13 OiR and 41 OwR) and five conditional recommendations for HSTs (all OwR). Of these, 16 TAs presented additional evidence for re-appraisal (9 OiR [69%] and 7 OwR [17%]) and three HSTs (3 OwR [60%]). Two of the nine re-appraised TAs with OiR recommendation and four of the seven OwR complied fully with NICE's request for further evidence, while all three from the HSTs complied. The majority of re-appraised TAs and HSTs included evidence that was deemed to be at serious, high, moderate or unclear risk of bias. Among the 26 randomised controlled trials from TAs assessed, eight were categorised as having low risk of bias in all domains and ten had at least one domain as a high risk of bias. Reporting was unclear for the remainder. Twenty-two non-randomised studies, primarily single-arm studies, were susceptible to biases mostly due to the selection of participants and to confounding. Two HSTs provided evidence from randomised controlled trials which were classified as unclear or high risk of bias. All non-randomised evidence from HSTs were categorised as moderate or serious risk of bias. There is widespread non-compliance with agreed data requests and important variation in the quality of evidence submitted in response to NICE conditional approval recommendations. Quality standards ought to be stipulated in respect to evidence contributing to re-appraisals following NICE conditional approval recommendations.

Using “TELL ME MORE” software in teaching-learning of French for students pedagogy at the Department of Foreign Languages, Faculty of Education, National University of Laos.

The study aimed to self-training in the teaching-learning of French as a foreign language using the “TELL ME MORE” software the students majoring in French Pedagogy Course of Faculty of Education, National University of Laos. In our research we want to get involved to respond to the request for training support on the "TELL ME MORE" software in collaboration between the National University of Laos, the AUF association and the Francophone center. This software is installed at the Francophone Center of the National University of Laos. For teachers and students of French at the National University of Laos. The target group was the students from 3rd year, majoring in French Pedagogy Course of Faculty of Education, National University of Laos with the total number of 34 (18 females and 16 males). The research tool was the questionnaire and class observation grid. The statistics used to analyze data to find percentages using computer programs. The research results can be summarized as follows: The majority of the population prefers to use the TELL ME MORE software to develop skills in French such as: speaking (41.2%), listening (23.5%), writing (17. 6%) and reading (17.6%) meaning most students use it for speaking and listening. The activities that students use a lot in the TELL ME MORE software are pronunciation (88 %), conversation and grammar (82%), written production (73%), photo and audio, video and word writing activities (70%).

Students’ Motivation and Engagement with Task-Based Activities Using Google Workspace

The current demand for integrating technology into English language instruction to engage students in meaningful conversations is pressing in the digital era. Despite this, research on employing Google tools for collaborative, task-based activities in English education is scarce, particularly in meeting the needs of today's digital learners and boosting their motivation. This study aims to bridge this research gap by evaluating the impact of using task-based Google's collaborative tools on creating a cooperative learning environment and increasing students’ engagement and motivation in English classes. Over one academic year, data were collected from 65 Saudi university students with varying levels of English proficiency using approximately 45 task-based activities administered using different Google tools. According to questionnaire results, motivation was a significant predictor of students' initiative and enjoyment in using these collaborative tools. The study confirms that students appreciate these Google tools and associates their use with increased motivation to learn English. These findings suggest that educators should align their teaching with the preferences of the digital generation by incorporating tools like Google Forms with preemptive feedback, Google Slides, and Google Docs to foster meaningful English learning. This approach can narrow the divide between traditional teaching methods and the preferred learning styles of digital learners. This study was conducted prior to the surge in Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools; the study also points out that the rise of AI has expedited the creation of task-based activities, warranting further consideration in educational practices.

App release strategy in the presence of competitive platforms’ quality upgrades

Mobile platforms such as Google Android and Apple iOS have established their app stores to entice numerous app developers into their platform ecosystem. These platform firms will deliberate on upgrading the quality of their platforms to bolster performance and security, while app developers may choose to rely on different platforms to release their developed apps as a strategic response. In this study, we explore how the quality upgrade decisions of two competitive platforms affect the app release strategies of an app developer, and reveal the optimal quality upgrade and app release strategies for supply chain members. The platform firms compete on both the platform price and platform quality, and the app developer needs to make decisions about the price and quality of the app. Our analysis suggests that, interestingly, there always exist suitable differences in upgrade efficiency, enabling one platform firm to upgrade the quality in equilibrium irrespective of the app developer's release strategy. In addition, we find that when the app developer releases the app on only one platform, the quality upgrade from the collaborative platform can yield a win-win outcome for supply chain members. Furthermore, our analysis shows that releasing the app on two platforms is not necessarily always the most beneficial compared to releasing on just one for the app developer. The findings carry implications for app developers seeking contented platform collaborators, as well as platform firms such as Google and Apple, which can cope with app release strategies.

Problems and countermeasures: a phenomenological study of Chinese EFL supervisors’ perspectives about the practicum / Problemas y contramedidas: un estudio fenomenológico de las perspectivas de los supervisores de ILE en China sobre el programa de prácticas

Informed by the cultural-historical approach, this phenomenological study examined a group of Chinese EFL (English as a foreign language) teacher educators’ views about the practicum. Longitudinal observations, individual formal interviews and informal conversations were employed to understand the supervisors’ perceptions about the problems arising from the practicum and strategies to enhance it. The results reveal three key problems, including supervisors’ limited involvement, limited support from the university and practicum schools, and interns’ weaknesses. The countermeasures involve the initiative of student teachers and a stable collaborative platform. Implications are drawn from the study about strategies of constructing a coherent activity system with shared objects for university–school partnerships.

Efficacy and Accuracy of Ultrasound Guided Injections in the Treatment of Cervical Facet Joint Syndrome: A Systematic Review.

Background/Objectives: Cervical facet joint syndrome (CFJS) is a frequent cause of neck pain and motor disability. Among the available therapies for CFJS, ultrasound (US)-guided injections are becoming more and more widespread, but the evidence about their accuracy and effectiveness is still debated in the scientific literature. The aim of this systematic review is to assess efficacy, accuracy and feasibility of US-guided cervical facet injections for the related chronic neck pain treatment. Methods: This review was conducted following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis 2020 (PRISMA) statement guidelines. The scientific articles were identified through the PubMed, Google Scholar and Cochrane Library databases. Qualitative assessment of the selected studies was carried out using the modified Oxford quality scoring system. Nine studies with a total of 958 patients were included in this review. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration tool. The protocol was registered at PROSPERO 2024 (n°CRD42024512214). Results: The results of this review suggest that the US-guided cervical facet injection for CFJS treatment is an effective technique in terms of accuracy (using the lateral technique it ranges from 92% to 98%), and efficiency (it grants pain relief with a decrease in the procedure time and fewer needle passes in comparison with the X-ray-guided technique, which also involves radiation exposure). Conclusions: US-guided injections are a safe and effective method to treat this musculoskeletal disease, granting a high functional recovery and long-lasting pain relief, net of the used drugs. However, these procedures are strictly operator-dependent and require important training to acquire good expertise.

Posterior-anterior versus anterior-posterior screws for posterior malleolar fractures: A meta-analysis.

The incidence of posterior malleolus fractures in ankle fractures ranges from 7% to 44%. Studies have indicated a poorer prognosis for ankle joint function when a posterior malleolar fracture is present, underscoring the significance of active intervention for optimal postoperative ankle function recovery. Hence, the selection of treatment for such fractures holds particular importance. Screw fixation is a key treatment for posterior malleolus fractures (PMFs) or Haraguchi Type 1 fractures involving less than 25% of the distal tibia's articular surface. However, the optimal screw placement direction - anteroposterior (AP) or posterior-anterior (PA) - remains debated. This meta-analysis aims to compare these two approaches for treating posterior ankle fractures, focusing on the efficacy of PA fixation. We searched the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, PubMed, SinoMed, and Web of Science databases from their inception to October 20, 2022. Methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing bias risk in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Stata MP17 software was used to compare the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score, full weight-bearing time, and fracture healing time at the last follow-up between the two fixation methods. A total of 403 patients with posterior malleolar fractures from six RCTs met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis revealed a higher AOFAS score at the last follow-up for PA placement compared to AP placement [SMD = 0.512, 95% CI (0.244 to 0.780), z= 3.74, P< 0.001]. Postoperative full weight-bearing time and fracture healing time did not show statistically significant differences between the two groups. PA fixation demonstrated a superior AOFAS score compared to AP fixation for posterior malleolar fractures. PA screw placement offers advantages in restoring ankle joint stability and enhancing joint function recovery post-surgery.

Interdisciplinary teaching squares enhance reflection and collegiality: A collaborative pedagogical approach

AimTo explore the experiences of interdisciplinary Higher Educational Academics within Nursing, Midwifery, Pharmacy and Biomedical Science in the use of teaching squares as a formative, collaborative pedagogical tool to promote reflection. BackgroundOne approach to enhancing academic teaching practice involves the provision of feedback to individual academics. This approach can be challenging for the reviewer, hence other less intimidating approaches are popular. One such approach is the teaching square. In this approach typically 4 other teaching staff are involved in observing their peers’ teaching methods (synchronous or asynchronous) and then engaging in a cycle of personal reflection. Reflection on teaching practices of their peers can provide opportunity to improve their own teaching. Typically teaching squares involve participants from the same academic discipline, however, in this study participants from related yet different disciplines were purposely connected and the benefits of this approach assessed. DesignA qualitative descriptive design was used to explore the participants’ experiences of undertaking interdisciplinary teaching squares through online questionnaires and focus group feedback opportunities. MethodsThis study was undertaken between August 2022 to June 2023 at an Australian university. Sixteen academic staff members from Nursing, Midwifery, Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical science and Biological science expressed an interest in the project. Five participants elected not to continue citing time pressures and 11 staff members participated in the project. Participation involved completing the teaching square experience and a subsequent focus group that were held to explore their experiences of undertaking a teaching square. The demographic survey data were presented and the focus group interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically. ResultsTriangulation of the findings resulted in the identification of four main themes: Teaching squares for professional networks; Perceptions of Safety; Stepping in and out of a reflective cycle; and Time Constraints vs. Time Value. ConclusionsThe study aimed to explore the effectiveness of teaching squares in encouraging academic reflection on teaching and fostering a collaborative teaching culture within interdisciplinary higher education academics. An unexpected finding was the value and promotion of interdisciplinarity professional relationships and networks. The findings from this research project offer valuable insights into the benefits of adopting teaching squares in health education and contributes to evidence-based pedagogical practices.

Devcomms : “Where Developers Innovate And Unite”: Research Review

In today's fast-paced technological landscape, effective collaboration among developers is crucial for innovation and progress. "DevComms: Where Developers Innovate and Unite" is a pioneering platform designed to address the challenges of fragmented communication and limited collaborative coding tools. This comprehensive ecosystem integrates advanced technologies such as Next.js 13, React, Tailwind, Prisma, MongoDB, Next Auth, and Pusher to offer a seamless and enhanced coding experience. By incorporating a state-of-the-art real-time compiler, DevComms sets new standards in developer collaboration, fostering a unified environment for communication and code development. This paper explores the transformative potential of DevComms in revolutionizing developer interactions and establishing a new paradigm for collaborative ingenuity in the tech community.

Effectiveness of intradiscal ozone injections for treating pain following herniated lumbar disc: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Low back pain and sciatica caused by herniated lumbar discs (HLDs) are common complaints among patients visiting pain clinics. Among the various therapeutic methods, intradiscal ozone injections have emerged as an effective alternative or additional treatment option for HLDs. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effectiveness of intradiscal ozone injections in the treatment of HLDs. We searched the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Scopus databases for relevant studies published until January 25, 2024. We included studies that investigated the efficacy of intradiscal ozone injections in patients with HLDs. We evaluated the methodological quality of individual studies using the Cochrane Collaboration tool. At ⩾ 6 months after treatment, the therapeutic effect of intradiscal ozone injections in patients with HLDs was greater than that of steroid injections (treatment success rate, 6 months: odds ratio = 3.95, 95% confidence interval [CI] [2.44, 6.39], P< 0.01) or conventional medications (changes in the Visual Analog Scale [VAS], 6 months: standardized mean difference [SMD] = 1.65, 95% CI [1.08, 2.22], P< 0.01; 12 months: SMD = 1.52, 95% CI [0.96, 2.08], P< 0.01) but similar to that of microdiscectomy (changes in VAS, 18 months: SMD =-0.05, 95% CI [-0.67, 0.57], P= 0.87). At < 6 months after treatment, the reduction in the VAS score after intradiscal ozone injections was higher than that after steroid injections (changes in VAS, 1month: SMD = 2.53, 95% CI [1.84, 3.21], P< 0.01). Intradiscal ozone injections may be a useful therapeutic tool in patients with HLDs. Compared with other conventional treatment methods such as steroid injections and oral medications, intradiscal ozone injection has great long-term (⩾ 6 months) effectiveness.

Effectiveness of lifestyle interventions for glycaemic control among adults with type 2 diabetes in West Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

BackgroundLifestyle interventions are key to the control of diabetes and the prevention of complications, especially when used with pharmacological interventions. This protocol aims to review the effectiveness of lifestyle interventions in relation to nutrition and physical activity within the West African region. This systematic review and meta-analysis seeks to understand which interventions for lifestyle modification are implemented for the control of diabetes in West Africa at the individual and community level, what evidence is available on their effectiveness in improving glycaemic control and why these interventions were effective.MethodsWe will review randomised control trials and quasi-experimental designs on interventions relating to physical activity and nutrition in West Africa. Language will be restricted to English and French as these are the most widely spoken languages in the region. No other filters will be applied. Searching will involve four electronic databases — PubMed, Scopus, Africa Journals Online and Cairn.info using natural-language phrases plus reference/citation checking.Two reviewers will independently screen results according to titles and abstracts against the inclusion and exclusion criteria to identify eligible studies. Upon full-text review, all selected studies will be assessed using Cochrane’s Collaboration tool for assessing the risk of bias of a study and the ROBINS-I tool before data extraction. Evidence will be synthesised narratively and statistically where appropriate. We will conduct a meta-analysis when the interventions and contexts are similar enough for pooling and compare the treatment effects of the interventions in rural to urban settings and short term to long term wherever possible.DiscussionWe anticipate finding a number of studies missed by previous reviews and providing evidence of the effectiveness of different nutrition and physical activity interventions within the context of West Africa. This knowledge will support practitioners and policymakers in the design of interventions that are fit for context and purpose within the West African region.Systematic review registrationThis systematic review has been registered in the International Prospective Register for Systematic Reviews — PROSPERO, with registration number CRD42023435116. All amendments to this protocol during the process of the review will be explained accordingly.

Surgical outcomes of neoadjuvant endocrine treatment in early breast cancer: meta-analysis.

Neoadjuvant endocrine therapy presents an important downstaging option with lower toxicity than neoadjuvant chemotherapy in oestrogen receptor (ER)-positive early breast cancer. Meta-analysis of the effects of neoadjuvant endocrine therapy on surgical outcomes across randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and cohort studies has not previously been performed. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of neoadjuvant endocrine therapy on surgical outcomes (PROSPERO (international prospective register of systematic reviews, 2020)) compared with surgery followed by adjuvant endocrine therapy. PubMed and EMBASE were searched to identify RCT and cohort studies between 1946 and 27 March 2024. Two independent reviewers manually screened the identified records and extracted the data. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration tools and random-effects meta-analysis was done with ReviewManager. The search identified 2390 articles eligible for screening. The review included 20 studies (12 cohort and 8 RCTs); 19 were included in the meta-analysis with a total of 6382 patients. Overall, neoadjuvant endocrine therapy was associated with a lower mastectomy rate compared with surgery first (risk ratio (RR) 0.53, 95% c.i. 0.44 to 0.64). Subgroup analysis showed similar improvement in the mastectomy rate in the neoadjuvant endocrine therapy group versus control group irrespective of study type (RCT: RR 0.58, 95% c.i. 0.50 to 0.66; cohorts: RR 0.48, 95% c.i. 0.33 to 0.70). There was no difference in the mastectomy rate by duration of neoadjuvant endocrine therapy (more than 4 months: RR 0.57, 95% c.i. 0.42 to 0.78; 4 months or less than 4 months: RR 0.52, 95% c.i. 0.43 to 0.64). Most of the studies were characterized by moderate-quality evidence with significant heterogeneity. Neoadjuvant endocrine therapy is associated with a reduction in mastectomy rate. Given the moderate methodological quality of previous studies, further RCTs are required. CRD42020209257.

Enhancing Writing Skills with Social Media-Based Corrective Feedback

This study investigates the effectiveness of utilizing corrective feedback delivered through social media networks to enhance the writing skills of students at Andijan State Institute of Foreign Languages. Adopting a mixed-methods approach, the research explores the integration of platforms such as Facebook to facilitate peer feedback, track student progress, and provide personalized learning experiences tailored to individual needs. The study involved a controlled experiment where participants were divided into an experimental group receiving online feedback and a control group receiving traditional feedback. The findings reveal that corrective feedback provided through social media significantly improves writing accuracy, fluency, and complexity. Students in the experimental group demonstrated marked improvements in sentence structure, grammar, vocabulary, and content organization compared to those in the control group. Moreover, the study highlights the potential of social media as an engaging and collaborative tool that motivates students and supports continuous learning outside the traditional classroom setting. These results underscore the importance of incorporating technology into language instruction, suggesting that social media networks can serve as an effective medium for enhancing the writing skills of learners in both formal and informal educational environments. The implications of this study are significant for educators seeking innovative methods to support student development and improve writing proficiency in the digital age.

Talent management: Preparing future leaders

Effective human resource management is an important factor in preparing future leaders for a company. The process encompasses various strategic stages, including selective recruitment, continuous development, and solid employee retention. In addition, the utilisation of advanced technology and the implementation of diversity and inclusion values play a major role in creating a dynamic and performance-oriented work environment. In practical terms, companies that successfully integrate all of these elements can attract and retain the best talent, and create clear development paths for high-potential employees. This ensures that future leaders have the skills, experience and motivation needed to lead the company to sustainable success. A holistic approach to human resource management also ensures that every individual in the company feels valued and can make maximum contributions. By placing diversity and inclusion as a priority, companies can capitalise on multiple perspectives and diverse talents, which in turn increases levels of innovation and creativity. Advanced technologies, such as predictive analytics and collaboration tools, play an important role in supporting this strategy. Ultimately, companies committed to holistic human capital management not only prepare future leaders but also create a work environment that empowers every employee to thrive and fulfil their full potential.

Immersive gathering: insights into virtual workplace meetings

In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence of remote business meetings through videoconferencing platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams has substantially increased. While remote meetings provide benefits such as increased efficiency, flexibility, and environmental sustainability, they may also reduce meeting engagement, hamper conversational flow, or cause fatigue. This study investigates whether social Extended Reality technology can serve as a viable alternative for videoconferencing for remote business meetings. Employees from three distinct organizations in the Netherlands convened through Meta Horizon Workrooms, a collaborative virtual platform. Afterwards, participants were inquired about their perspectives on Extended Reality during semi-structured interviews that focused on the meeting’s engagement, conversational flow and the system’s usability. The study’s findings highlight the benefits of Extended Reality for remote business meetings, as participants reported improved interaction, more togetherness, and a better conversational flow. Embodied virtual reality was identified as useful in supporting nonverbal communication by allowing for more natural interaction and turn-taking, similar to face-to-face interactions. Nonetheless, challenges associated with avatar realism and the developing technological state of Extended Reality present barriers, rendering current widespread adoption a difficult task.

Pengembangan Model Pembelajaran Collaborative Artistic Platforms Terintegrasi dengan Projek Penguatan Profil Pelajar Pancasila Untuk Optimasi Mahasiswa PPG di Sekolah Mitra

This research aims to develop a Collaborative Artistic Platforms learning model that is integrated with the Pancasila Student Profile Strengthening Project, in order to optimize the abilities of PPG (Professional Teacher Education) students at partner schools. This model is designed to improve collaborative skills, creativity and understanding of Pancasila values through interactive artistic activities. Research methods include model development, implementation in the field, and evaluation of effectiveness through qualitative and quantitative approaches. The research results show that this learning model is effective in increasing student involvement, their understanding of Pancasila values, as well as more creative and collaborative teaching abilities. It is hoped that this model can become a reference in developing a PPG curriculum that is more innovative and relevant to educational needs in Indonesia.

The Role of Video Cameras and Emerging Technologies in Disaster Response to Increase Sustainability of Societies: Insights on the 2023 Türkiye–Syria Earthquake

New technologies are being used to facilitate the recognition process during and after earthquakes. These advanced tools are essential to keep track of what is left from of the destruction suffered by the built stock. Among the new technologies are video recordings captured during seismic events, footage from drones, and satellite imagery acquired before and after the event. This review paper presents a series of examples collected from the 2023 Türkiye–Syria earthquakes to illustrate how these new technologies offer a unique and efficient way to capture, document, and transfer information among experts in seismology, earthquake engineering, and disaster management. Whenever possible, these examples are accompanied by simple qualitative explanations to enhance understanding. To demonstrate the potential of video cameras and drone imagery for quantitative analysis, in addition to the various simple examples provided, two case studies are provided—one on road blockages, and another on intensity assessment and wave attenuation as observed in video cameras. These technologies are critical and merit considerable focus, particularly video cameras, which have not received much attention recently, on helping to understand seismic wave passage and their impact on the built environment. Enhancing our use of video cameras in this context can significantly contribute to the sustainability and resilience of our society. With the rapid advancement of image analysis, we advocate for a collaborative platform for accessing and utilizing imagery materials, aiding current and future generations in analysing the causes of such tragedies.

Responsible metaverse: Ethical metaverse principles for guiding decision-making and maintaining complex relationships for businesses in 3D virtual spaces

A metaverse is a three-dimensional virtual space (3D VS) where businesses and individuals worldwide can engage, interact, communicate, transact, and exchange information in real-time through an immersive and collaborative platform. These interactions can create complex relationships influenced by the decision-making processes of businesses. Such complexity can lead to challenges in maintaining relationships, ensuring exclusiveness, preventing misuse, and addressing other ethical issues. Therefore, this study aims to identify ethical principles within the metaverse to guide decision-making and maintain complex relationships between users and businesses. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected for analysis, and simple random sampling was employed for primary data collection. The empirical analysis was conducted using a mixed-method approach. The study identified four ethical principles that guide complex relationships within the metaverse: business benefit evaluation, fairness, explainability, and reliability principles. These principles positively influence decision-making, which, in turn, positively affects the maintenance of complex relationships within 3D VS.

Beyond Back-to-Back: Rethinking Meetings for Well-Being and Productivity

This article explores the psychological factors contributing to "meeting fatigue" in many organizations and offers recommendations for restructuring meeting culture in a more sustainable way. Meetings are increasingly used by companies as a collaboration tool, but can satisfy deeper human drives for involvement, approval, and control rather than just productivity. However, over-reliance on frequent and back-to-back meetings takes a psychological toll by disrupting focus, activating stress responses, and reducing autonomy. Though intended to increase productivity, excessive scheduling often backfires as overstressed employees are less effective. The article recommends guidelines for purposeful meetings, empowering employees to consider alternatives, limiting back-to-backs, using timeboxes and clear agendas, and fostering well-being. A case study demonstrates reductions in staff meeting time and improvements in productivity after implementing norm changes. Overall, the article makes the case that rethinking meeting culture grounded in behavioral science can boost employee engagement and company performance.

Building and Maintaining a High-Performing Team

This article discusses effective strategies for establishing and maintaining high-functioning teams. It asserts that team performance starts with careful member selection based on complementary skills, commitment to goals, and interpersonal chemistry. Once formed, teams must define clear roles and specific, measurable goals. Member expectations around norms, communication and decision-making should be aligned upfront. Ongoing performance management through feedback, recognition and addressing poor performance is also necessary. Teams require open communication facilitated through meeting structures and collaboration tools. Conflict should be addressed constructively through open discussion focused on problem-solving rather than blaming. Providing frequent, specific recognition and rewards helps sustain motivation. When implemented consistently, these techniques can transform a group of individuals into a cohesive unit that consistently achieves superior outcomes through a people-first, process-driven approach.