Community Innovation Research Articles

Eight caring technology principles: development and implementation of a framework for responsible health technology innovation

ABSTRACT Successfully implementing care technology to enhance people's health-related quality of life poses several challenges. Although many technological tools are available, we lack consensus on values and principles, regulatory systems, and quality labels. This article describes the FIDE process of the Belgian ‘Teckno 2030' project: Future-thinking Interdisciplinary workshops for the Development of Effectiveness principles, resulting in a framework of eight Caring Technology principles. These principles are built on three overarching values: autonomy, justice, and trust. The framework enables responsible health technology innovation by focusing on the needs of users and society, data security, equity, participatory governance, and quality control. A learning community was established to support the framework’s implementation in projects, organizations, and the broader innovation community. We also discuss the barriers, facilitators, and practical tools developed within this learning community. The FIDE process, caring technology principles, and learning community provide a case study for responsible innovation in care technology.

Research on the Communication and Development of Heilongjiang Cultural and Creative Industry under the Background of “Belt and Road”

This paper focuses on the research on the dissemination and development of cultural and creative industries in Heilongjiang Province under the background of “Belt and Road.” Firstly, the paper analyzes the main characteristics of cultural and creative industries in Heilongjiang Province and then puts forward the leading advantages of the government to promote the development of cultural and creative industries. The government gives full play to its regional advantages and creates Longjiang cultural products, while also accelerating regional industrial cooperation and innovative cultural communication forms. In-depth discussion is made on integrating scientific and technological means of the times and strengthening the cultivation of innovative talents. The government optimizes the communication and development path of the Heilongjiang cultural entrepreneurship industry and brings positive influence to the stable development of the Heilongjiang region in the future.

Exploration and practice of cultivating innovation ability of postgraduates majoring in biological and medical sciences with the new strategy of "six integration and six optimizations"

The emerging biomedical industry has an increasing demand for the professional talents and puts forward higher requirements for the quality, especially the innovation ability of the talents. Exploring a new model for fostering the innovation ability of postgraduates majoring in biological and medical sciences based on the principle of integrating production, education and research is of practical significance for improving the quality of professional talents and empowering the bio-economic development. Taking the training of innovation ability of postgraduates majoring in biological and medical sciences at Jiangnan University as an example, this paper introduced a new training system of "six integration and six optimizations". This system included ideological guidance, discipline system, training program, faculty, research innovation platform, and communication and cooperation. Satisfactory cultivation results were achieved with this new system. This paper is expected to provide reference for the training of innovative talents in the biological and medical industry.

Skill Requirements for Planning for Adopting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at Panchayat Level in Coimbatore District

Objectives: The primary objective of this study is to integrate Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into Coimbatore District Panchayat planning to promote long-term environmental, social, and economic well-being. The research aims to address the challenges faced by the Panchayats, such as water conservation, land management, and community connection, by proposing an innovative approach to sustainable development. Methods: The study introduces the Innovative Sustainable Community Hamlet Empowered Watershed Approach (ISCH-WA) as a solution to address the challenges of rural resource management. This method emphasizes sustainable hamlets with a focus on water conservation, land management, and community resilience. ISCH-WA integrates modern and traditional practices, encourages community-led initiatives, and emphasizes participatory governance. Its impacts are simulated to evaluate its effectiveness in meeting SDGs and empowering rural communities. Results: The ISCH-WA method demonstrated significant potential to improve water resource management, sustainable farming, and land conservation. The approach proved effective in fostering self-sufficient and sustainable communities, highlighting its adaptability and scalability to other regions with similar challenges. Simulation results showed that ISCH-WA could seamlessly integrate SDGs into Panchayat planning, strengthening rural development efforts. Conclusion: The ISCH-WA method offers a transformative pathway for integrating SDGs into Coimbatore District Panchayat planning. By promoting education, participatory governance, and sustainable practices, this approach addresses key challenges in water conservation, land management, and community connection. The study concludes that ISCH-WA has the potential for widespread application, serving as a model for empowering rural communities and ensuring sustainable development.

Teaching entrepreneurs for the dynamic economic environment: a case-study of student startup competitions

The article examines the aspects of the formation of entrepreneurial skills among students in the conditions of dynamic development of the modern economy. The authors consider the experience of holding a competition of student startups (Hackathon) as an interesting opportunity for students to demonstrate theoretical knowledge in practice. But an important component of such competitions is the jury, which must be knowledgeable and competent. That is why the authors paid attention to the aspects of attracting business and investors to such contests and their motivation to participate in such contests as a jury.The literature review shows that most research focuses on the importance of developing practical projects and conducting relevant competitions to form entrepreneurial skills in students. However, the issue of motivation and involvement of business representatives in such competitions remains insufficiently researched, so the authors focus on this aspect. The research analyses the practice of organizing the student competition of innovative ideas, Mohyla Open Hackathon “BE FIRST,” and the results of a survey of the competition’s jury members.In general, the jury members have a positive attitude towards such activities and show a desire to participate in similar events in the future, indicating the innovative and business community’s interest in such events as part of the ecosystem’s development and growth. One of the biggest advantages of hackathons is the benefits for participants, primarily students. However, our research shows that the benefits for judges are also significant and include personal (networking, improving communication skills, etc.) and professional (seeing students in action and understanding their potential for the industry and job market) advantages.Such competitions serve several roles: (1) demonstrating to university stakeholders the practical skills and competencies of students that are important for better employability, (2) enabling students to develop entrepreneurial skills, promoting proactivity and a greater propensity for self-employment, and (3) creating an environment for developing new ideas and introducing innovations, ensuring the sustainable development of the economy. Thus, the expansion of startup competitions appears to be an important and effective mechanism for promoting entrepreneurship in university settings.

Creating an Innovative Community for the Sustainable Self-reliant Debt Management and Community Mediation by Enhancing the Legal Skills of the Tha Fa Tai Community Leaders and Elders Through Active Learnings Methods

Creating an Innovative Community for the Sustainable Self-reliant Debt Management and Community Mediation by Enhancing the Legal Skills of the Tha Fa Tai Community Leaders and Elders Through Active Learnings Methods

Responsive service design and workforce strengthening: Recommendations to improve aged care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

This study aimed to develop innovative and practical strategies and recommendations for aged care policy and practice that support the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. A research symposium was held in June 2023 on Kaurna Country at the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute. The symposium brought together 70 attendees including aged care consumers, Federal and State Government representatives, advocacy services, health, aged care and social service providers, and health and aged care researchers. Two roundtable sessions titled 'Responsive Service Design' and 'Workforce Strengthening' were conducted following a World Café approach. Data were analysed thematically. This paper proposes recommendations relating to innovation and improvement within aged care policy and practice. Recommendations for responsive service design and workforce strengthening include the following: (1) promote genuine engagement and involvement, (2) establish partnerships between sectors, (3) ensure compliance, (4) innovative communication and feedback pathways, (5) holistic approaches to well-being, (6) prioritise cultural safety and (7) flexible recruitment and retention strategies. Working together and building partnerships between diverse stakeholders including community members, workforce, service providers and policymakers is required for sustainable and meaningful innovation within the aged care sector. Our recommendations, driven by community needs, provide an opportunity to ensure the innovation and implementation of ongoing aged care reforms meet the needs and expectations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Feasibility Study on the International Promotion of Wushu Bingdao under the Belt and Road Initiative: A Strategy Exploration Based on Multi-Method Analysis

Abstract Background: This study aims to explore the feasibility of the international promotion of Wushu Bingdao within the context of the Belt and Road Initiative. As a significant component of traditional Chinese culture, Wushu Bingdao holds potential for cross-cultural exchange. However, its promotion faces multiple challenges in the globalized context, such as cultural differences, a shortage of skilled practitioners, market competition, and the limitations of traditional promotion methods. Methods: Utilizing literature review, expert interviews, and qualitative analysis, this study systematically reviews literature related to the promotion of Wushu Bingdao, analyzing its cultural connotations and historical heritage, and identifying key obstacles to international promotion. Strategic recommendations are proposed to address these challenges. Results: The study reveals that enhancing the understanding of the cultural essence of wushu, developing a specialized team of international promotion professionals, standardizing the Wushu Bingdao system, and employing innovative international communication methods can significantly increase the visibility and influence of Wushu Bingdao globally, facilitating its exchange and development within global cultural diversity. Conclusion: Despite the numerous challenges facing the international promotion of Wushu Bingdao, leveraging the Belt and Road Initiative platform and combining innovative promotion strategies offer the potential for broader recognition and practice of Chinese Wushu Bingdao worldwide.

How action learning broke down silos, built referent power, and created sustainable capability building

This paper presents a case study of how technology support moved from being a just in time (JIT) help service to developing capability and capacity building through a process of building digital self-efficacy (DSE). By active membership of the UNSW Online Learning and Innovation Community of Practice (OLI CoP) a process of action learning cycles was undertaken in partnership to focus on pedagogy ahead of technology. By doing so, a scalable change process was initiated that brings the coalition of the willing into being core university influencers. As a result, the academics see technology become embedded into their pedagogical practice rather than a tool alone. This case provides insights from the key learnings which have, in turn, enabled a new model of technology support delivery. This model has also provided career growth opportunities for both academics and the educational technology services (ETS) team, while also supporting student learning.

Challenges of innovation management in health system organizations: evidence from Germany

ABSTRACT The introduction of innovations poses particular challenges for organizations in the healthcare sector. These can be analyzed based on adoption and diffusion theory. In this study, a two-stage qualitative research design consisting of expert interviews (n = 13) and 3 workshops (n = 26) was used to analyze the experiences of healthcare professionals and related disciplines concerning innovation perception and communication and to derive management challenges for organizations. As part of the interview analysis, a total of 489 text segments were deductively assigned to the diffusion process categories of innovation (n = 100), process (n = 15), social system (n = 15) and information exchange channels (n = 59), and a further 219 text segments, synthesized into 18 categories, were inductively identified as management challenges. The results were validated during the workshop and expanded to include findings on innovation transfer and innovation perception. It was shown that digital innovations in organizations in the healthcare system context are associated with high expectations and that these can be influenced by various interacting communication partners and channels. There is a growing impression that the adoption and diffusion processes of telemedicine and digital innovations on an individual, social and organizational level are more subliminal than previously assumed.

Ana Cristina Andreazza: Driven by curiosity – transforming mental health through mitochondrial innovation

Dr. Ana Cristina Andreazza is a Professor of Pharmacology Toxicology and Psychiatry at the University of Toronto, holding the Thomas C. Zachos Chair in Mitochondrial Research and a Tier II Canada Research Chair in Molecular Pharmacology of Mood Disorders. As the visionary Founder and Scientific Director of the Mitochondrial Innovation Initiative (Mito2i), she leads pioneering research on the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in neurological and psychiatric diseases, organ transplants, and novel therapeutic strategies. Her groundbreaking work has revolutionized our understanding of the relationship between mitochondrial function and mental health disorders, particularly bipolar disorder. Dr. Andreazza's career was inspired by early curiosity, family influence, and a commitment to reduce the stigma surrounding metabolic and psychiatric conditions. Her innovative work bridges multiple disciplines, aiming to discover biomarkers that could enable personalized treatments in mental health. A recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including membership in the Royal Society of Canada College of New Scholars, Dr. Andreazza has published over 200 peer-reviewed papers and is internationally recognized for her contributions to metabolic psychiatry. In this Genomic Press Interview, she shares insights into her remarkable journey from studying wine chemistry in Brazil to becoming a leading force in mitochondrial research while discussing her perspectives on collaborative science and innovation. Driven by a passion for teaching and collaborative science, Dr. Andreazza continues to foster innovation and mentorship in the mitochondrial research community.

THE EFFECT OF STRATEGIC HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE WITH THE MEDIATING ROLE OF INNOVATION (CASE STUDY: MIANDOAB CITY EDUCATION DEPARTMENT)

This study aimed to explore the effect of strategic human resource management practices on organizational performance with the mediating role of organizational innovation in the Miandoab City education department. This research is practical, in terms of purpose, and among descriptive studies in terms of data collection method. The statistical population of the research was all the experts of the Miandoab city education department, who were selected by simple random sampling method number of 218 people. To collect data, three questionnaires on strategic human resource management by Chen and Hong (2009), organizational performance by Ahmadi (2012), and organizational innovation by Shoham et al., (2012) were used. The validity of the questions was confirmed using confirmatory factor analysis, and the results showed that strategic human resource management has a significant effect on organizational performance with a factor of 44%, and on organizational innovation with a factor of 76%. Organizational innovation significantly affects organizational performance with a factor of 59%. The results also confirmed the mediating role of organizational innovation in the research community. The study emphasizes the necessity of paying more attention to the strategic methods of human resource management and strengthening innovation to cope with scientific and technological advances.

Empirical Determinants of Innovation in European Countries: Firm-level Analysis Based on CIS 2018

This study examines the role of perceptions about environmental regulations and their influence on the innovative performance and productivity of firms in Germany, Southern Europe, and Central and Eastern Europe. Utilizing the CDM model for innovative performance and data stemming from the Community Innovation Survey (CIS), we explore the alignment with the Porter hypothesis, which posits that well-designed environmental regulations can stimulate technological innovation and enhance market competitiveness. Our findings present a mixed view: in Germany, positive perceptions about environmental regulations correlate with the initiation of innovation activities, contributing to an increase in labour productivity. This supports the Porter hypothesis, evidencing that regulations can lead to beneficial ‘innovation offsets’ such as reduced resource use and pollution. Conversely, in Southern Europe and Central and Eastern Europe, the perceptions about these regulations on innovation activities are insignificant, with no considerable correlation observed between perceptions about environmental regulations and innovation output. Our findings are crucial for policymakers, environmental regulators, and business leaders aiming to leverage environmental regulations to boost innovation and competitiveness within their regions.

IMPROVING MECHANISMS FOR MANAGING COMMUNICATIVE CREATIVITY OF HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION LEADERSHIP PERSONNEL

This study explores the critical role of communicative creativity among leadership personnel in higher education institutions and proposes mechanisms for its enhancement. In an era of rapid change and complex challenges in the education sector, effective and innovative communication from institutional leaders is paramount. Through a comprehensive survey of students across various higher education institutions, this research identifies key issues in leadership communication, including limited visibility of leaders, inconsistent engagement with students, and challenges in conflict resolution. The study reveals a gap between student expectations and current leadership communication practices, highlighting the need for more adaptive and student-centered approaches. Drawing on these findings and existing literature, the article proposes a set of ten mechanisms to improve communicative creativity in highereducation leadership. These mechanisms include leadership visibility programs, communication skills training, feedback loops, regular open forums, and creative problem-solving initiatives. The proposed framework aims to foster a more responsive, transparent, and collaborative educational environment. This research contributes to the growing body of literature on higher education leadership by offering practical, implementable strategies to enhance communicative creativity. The findings have significant implications for leadership development in higher education and suggest directions for future research in assessing the long-term impact of these communication enhancement mechanisms.

A role game to learn about risk perception via downward counterfactual thinking

Italy is exposed to significant seismic and volcanic hazards, particularly in the Campania region, home to the Phlegraean Fields volcanic crater near Naples. Unlike Vesuvius and Stromboli, the Phlegraean Fields threat is not readily visible, and public awareness of volcanic danger and the civic emergency plan is correspondingly quite limited. Recent increased levels of regional seismic activity have concentrated attention on enhancing public volcano risk awareness, especially among younger generations.Recognizing the influential role of the younger demographic in societal scientific awareness, effective language and engagement strategies become paramount. In this context, Serious Games, which balance serious and playful elements, emerge as an innovative science communication tool actively involving participants and enhancing their learning experience.Integral to risk analysis is the use of downward counterfactual analysis, a cognitive psychology concept that prompts a deliberate examination of how events might have taken a more adverse turn. This approach contributes to enhanced disaster preparedness, particularly for extreme natural risks such as volcanic eruptions.An interactive Victorian parlor game was designed for the 2023 edition of the Science Fair “Futuro Remoto” in Bagnoli, in the Phlegraean Fields. This game aims to elevate risk awareness, offering participants an instructive and engaging experience focused on counterfactual thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills development.The initiative places participants at the core of the learning process, fostering not only the acquisition of scientific knowledge but also individual risk intelligence. An evaluation protocol has been developed to assess the impact of the experience on risk perception, with outcomes to be presented after the 2023 edition of “Futuro Remoto,” where nearly 200 participants engaged in the game.

Comparing Provider and ChatGPT Responses to Breast Reconstruction Patient Questions in the Electronic Health Record.

Patient-directed Electronic Health Record (EHR) messaging is used as an adjunct to enhance patient-physician interactions but further burdens the physician. There is a need for clear electronic patient communication in all aspects of medicine, including plastic surgery. We can potentially utilize innovative communication tools like ChatGPT. This study assesses ChatGPT's effectiveness in answering breast reconstruction queries, comparing its accuracy, empathy, and readability with healthcare providers' responses. Ten deidentified questions regarding breast reconstruction were extracted from electronic messages. They were presented to ChatGPT3, ChatGPT4, plastic surgeons, and advanced practice providers for response. ChatGPT3 and ChatGPT4 were also prompted to give brief responses. Using 1-5 Likert scoring, accuracy and empathy were graded by 2 plastic surgeons and medical students, respectively. Readability was measured using Flesch Reading Ease. Grades were compared using 2-tailed t tests. Combined provider responses had better Flesch Reading Ease scores compared to all combined chatbot responses (53.3 ± 13.3 vs 36.0 ± 11.6, P < 0.001) and combined brief chatbot responses (53.3 ± 13.3 vs 34.7 ± 12.8, P < 0.001). Empathy scores were higher in all combined chatbot than in those from combined providers (2.9 ± 0.8 vs 2.0 ± 0.9, P < 0.001). There were no statistically significant differences in accuracy between combined providers and all combined chatbot responses (4.3 ± 0.9 vs 4.5 ± 0.6, P = 0.170) or combined brief chatbot responses (4.3 ± 0.9 vs 4.6 ± 0.6, P = 0.128). Amid the time constraints and complexities of plastic surgery decision making, our study underscores ChatGPT's potential to enhance patient communication. ChatGPT excels in empathy and accuracy, yet its readability presents limitations that should be addressed.

Bringing the community into the classroom: professional identity and practice of social workers who studied alongside at-risk adolescent girls

ABSTRACT This study explores the professional identity development of social workers who participated in an academic elective course alongside at-risk adolescent girls aged 16–18. The course, influenced by critical pedagogy, and community and feminist social work, emphasized three core principles: flattening power hierarchies, challenging socio-structural oppression, and mutual learning. In-depth interviews were conducted with course graduates, social workers with 1 to 4 years of experience. Phenomenological analysis uncovered that the course acted as a ‘transitional space’ between student and professional life. Three subthemes emerged: recognizing the vulnerability and strengths of adolescent girls, reflecting on personal life experiences, and learning about forming partnerships with clients. Forming partnerships with clients was enabled by three vehicles: daring to be equal, daring to be authentic, and learning from clients’ knowledge. This study highlights the creation of a ‘community of practice’ through innovative teaching methods and community involvement. It underscores the importance of hands-on experiences and engagement with real-life contexts to bridge the gap between theory and practice, enhancing understanding of concepts like partnership and nonhierarchical approaches in both community and general social work.

Urban green spaces and public realm design in Cairo: Enhancing quality of life and environmental sustainability

The paper explores the pressing challenges and promising initiatives in enhancing urban green spaces and the public realm in Cairo, a metropolis grappling with rapid population growth and environmental degradation. As the city struggles with density, air pollution, and a shortage of green areas—far below the recommended standard for urban health—the article highlights key efforts to revitalize public spaces. Notable projects include the creation of large parks like Al-Azhar Park, the redevelopment of the Nile riverfront through projects such as Mamsha Ahl Misr, and the introduction of green infrastructure solutions like street trees, green roofs, and sustainable urban drainage systems. Despite these advancements, Cairo faces significant obstacles, including limited public land, budget constraints, and water scarcity. However, there are opportunities to address these challenges through innovative urban agriculture, public-private partnerships, and community participation in green space development. The paper suggests that through continued investment and thoughtful urban design, Cairo can foster a more sustainable, livable environment. By integrating green infrastructure into future development projects, the city holds potential to transform its landscape and improve the quality of life for its residents in the coming decades.

The effects of environmental innovations on labor productivity: how does it pay to be green

ABSTRACT Due to growing environmental concerns, environmental innovations (EIs) have gained prominence in firms’ strategies. This study delves into the productivity effects of regulation-driven environmental innovations using data from four Finnish Community Innovation Survey (CIS) waves. Instrumental variable estimation controls for the endogeneity of voluntary and regulation-driven EIs in a novel way. Our results support the prior findings on the strong Porter hypothesis that environmental regulation improves performance. However, the results also hint at a delay before environmental innovations translate into higher productivity. We also find that regulation-driven EIs improve performance in services. Small firms do not benefit relatively less, although they are inclined to do fewer voluntary EIs. Environmental regulation may favor firms in the Nordic context due to firms being close to the industry frontier.

Coopetitive service innovation: the role of geographical proximity, innovation focus and customer cooperation

PurposePrevious research on the impact of coopetition on innovation performance has provided contradictory results. Thus, this study aims to fill the gap by gathering data to explain the impact of coopetition on service innovation, considering the partners’ geographical proximity, innovation focus of the firm and cooperation with customers.Design/methodology/approachA logistic regression model is applied, and four hypotheses are tested using data from the Eurostat Community Innovation Survey 2018. The cross-sectional data set consists of 13,723 firms innovating services in selected European Union countries.FindingsThe findings verify the importance of coopetition for service innovation. However, the coopetitive partners’ nationality does not have a significant impact. Furthermore, the integration of customer cooperation with coopetition enhances service innovation. Hence, competing partners seem not to avoid cooperation in output functions near the customers. To coopete in innovation is risky, but the findings reveal that partners develop novel services through coopetition, intended to produce a higher return to compensate for the risks.Originality/valuePresumably, this is one of the first large-scale studies examining the impact of coopetition on service innovation in a European context. This study indicates that coopetition amplifies service innovation, thus reducing the divergent views on the impact of coopetition on innovation performance. It responds to the request for more research on the context of coopetitive innovation by explaining how the firms’ geographical proximity, innovation focus and cooperation with customers impact their service innovation performance.