Cross-sector Project Research Articles

Integrating Local Food Policies and Spatial Planning to Enhance Food Systems and Rural–Urban Links: A Living Lab Experiment

The development of synergies between rural and urban areas is one of the EU’s objectives to contribute to smart and inclusive growth. Effective governance of rural–urban links is essential for balanced development but often lacks policy coherence. This study examines the role of spatial planning and food policy integration in enhancing local food system sustainability and resilience, specifically in peri-urban areas. It investigates challenges and enablers in this integration through a Living Lab experiment in Lucca (Italy) as part of the ROBUST H2020 project. The Living Lab methodology entailed envisioning, experimenting, and experiencing phases to identify key rural–urban connections and assess governance arrangements, focusing on reclaiming abandoned land in peri-urban areas together with local stakeholders. By highlighting the strengths and limitations of a multi-year collaborative research approach, the research highlights a weak recognition of rural–urban linkages and the need for improved dialogue between rural stakeholders and urban planners. Key recommendations comprise formalising public–private partnerships and cross-sectoral projects linking agriculture with education, tourism, and landscape (e.g., agricultural parks).

Design of Instructional Videos for People with Autism Who Want to Learn About Grocery Store Work: A Community, Business, Educational and Health Partnership.

To facilitate the integration of people with autism into the food industry labour market, this cross sectoral project aimed to design, validate and test instructional videos to concretely demonstrate various tasks in the grocery store, and to probe interest and assess knowledge about these tasks. Results are the delivery of 21 instructional videos validated for individuals with autism and 21 for mentors in grocery.

Digital Humanities Solutions for pan-European Numismatic and Archaeological Heritage Based on Linked Open Data

This paper discusses current challenges in archaeological cultural heritage data management and presents the interdisciplinary research project DigiNUMA. The project investigates solutions in data harmonisation and dissemination of pan-European cultural heritage through an interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral project in Digital Humanities, semantic computing, participatory heritage, museum collections management and archaeological/numismatic studies. Using Finnish and English numismatic data as a test case, DigiNUMA creates ontological infrastructure and a proof-of-concept data model for finely-grained Linked Open Data (LOD) harmonisation across national and international databases for cultural heritage data, and tests it through a broad suite of Digital Humanities analyses.

Creation and Evaluation of a Pretertiary Artificial Intelligence (AI) Curriculum

<italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Contributions:</i> The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)-Jockey Club AI for the Future Project (AI4Future) co-created the first pretertiary AI curriculum at the secondary school level for Hong Kong and evaluated its efficacy. This study added to the AI education community by introducing a new AI curriculum framework. The preposttest multifactors evaluation about students’ perceptions of AI learning confirmed that the curriculum is effective in promoting AI learning. The teachers also confirmed the co-creation process enhanced their capacity to implement AI education. <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Background:</i> AI4Future is a cross-sector project that engages five major partners—CUHK’s Faculty of Engineering and Faculty of Education, secondary schools, Hong Kong government, and AI industry. A team of 14 professors collaborated with 17 principals and teachers from six secondary schools to co-create the curriculum. <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Research Questions:</i> Would the curriculum significantly improve the student perceived competence, attitude, and motivation toward AI learning? How does the co-creation process benefit the implementation of the curriculum? <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Methodology:</i> The participants were 335 students and eight teachers from the secondary schools. This study adopted a mix-method with quantitative data measures at pre- and post-questionnaires and qualitative data emphasizes teachers’ perspectives on the co-creation process. Paired <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${t}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> -tests and ANCOVAs, and thematic analysis were used to analyze the data. <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Findings:</i> 1) students perceived greater competence and developed a more positive attitude to learn AI and 2) the co-creation process enhanced teachers’ knowledge in AI, as well as fostered teachers’ autonomy in bringing the subject matter into their classrooms.

Science-Nonscience Research Partnership in Poland

Purpose: The objective of this paper is to inquire into the network structure of publicly financed research collaboration, which Polish scientific institutions undertake with their commercial and non-commercial partners from a multilevel perspective (international, domestic, and intra-regional one). Design/Methodology/Approach: Data collected from the POL-on was used. There were identified 97 publicly financed scientific inter-organizational projects launched in 2019. Social network analysis was applied: there were recognized components, bi-components, centrality measures were calculated (degree, closeness, betweenness). Findings: Polish scientific institutions conduct cross-sectoral projects at different hierarchical levels, and nearly half of them involve partners from different domestic regions. A trilateral partnership between sectors is visible within international projects, while at domestic and local levels, science collaborates with those sectors separately. Warsaw University of Technology is a dominant entity recognized within the identified network. Practical Implications: The conducted analysis helped describe some effects of the public financing system of Polish science. There were also indicated entities of significant meaning within this network. Particular science sector institutions may apply the research results to their future strategies. Originality/Value: This study enriches the empirical investigation on cross-sectoral research collaboration in Poland (that includes not only university-industry-government linkages but also encompasses other types of scientific, commercial, and non-commercial entities). Moreover, a multilevel perspective was applied.

The concept of collaboration windows on the example of world cases

The article presents the concept of the collaborative windows as a tool for establishing cooperation between the maximum number of stakeholders to solve problems of different hierarchical levels. Through the synthesis of theoretical developments by B. Gray, J. Kingdon, and D. Lobster, the author proposes an integrative model of the collaborative window by crossing four relatively independent flows, namely: problem, procedural, political response, and organizational-structured ones. The researcher notes that except for the outlined components, external triggers and the figure of the collaborationist politician with a developed network of contacts play an important role in maintaining the potential of the collaboration window to further unite all stakeholders on a single collaboration platform. The latter serves as a space to facilitate the establishment of communications and the trust formation between the participants of the collaboration. But even the presence of all these elements does not guarantee the longevity of joint cross-sectoral projects due to the lack of adaptive capabilities of temporal and spatial factors because of their dynamic nature. The researcher also outlines some issues with the creation of collaborative platforms such as liquidity traps, power distribution, common accountability standards, and monitoring of participants’ actions. The article presents not only a schematic model of the collaboration window, but also examples from the world practice of cooperation between public, private, and civil sectors. The author also analyzes the transformation of urban infrastructure within the EU on an integrative model, highlighting the relevant flows and platforms of joint interaction. The collaborative window technique can be applied to a different range of common practices, as the outlined flows take place in virtually every policy area.

Various dimensions of trust in the health care system

Trust is one of the most important factors in building effective and long-lasting relationships in the entire healthcare sector. Trust becomes a valuable ally in situations of high risk and uncertainty as well as the increasing complexity of tasks that accompany the daily work of all medical professionals, especially paramedics, due to the nature of their work in the medical rescue system. Mutual trust is the basis of social capital thanks to which it is possible to achieve mutual benefits, easier to coordinate activities, create new quality and solutions through cooperation or strong ties. It is a kind of glue that binds various organizational and system links, thanks to which it is easier to plan and introduce necessary improvements and changes within individual medical units or the entire health care system. The high degree of trust increases the quality of clinical communication with the patient and the effectiveness of medical care and strengthens the employees’ motivation and willingness to cooperate. Creating social capital based on trust is in the interest of all internal and external stakeholders of the entire health care system, thanks to which joint, cross-sectoral projects for health in the public dimension are possible. The aim of the article was, on the one hand, to systematize the theoretical and practical knowledge related to the multidimensionality of trust in the health care system, but on the other, to identify and analyse the factors building trust that should be discussed and, above all, applied in everyday professional practice and social space of all employees of the health care system. with particular emphasis on paramedics.

From multi-utility to cross-utilities: The challenges of cross-sectoral entrepreneurial strategies in a German city

In the water and energy sectors, projects geared towards new forms of cross-sectoral functioning have boomed in most European countries over the past decade, and have deeply transformed the ecology of urban services. These projects are often considered as an answer to a rising challenge affecting numerous traditional utilities: the unforeseen urban change relating to shifting (i.e. declining) demand patterns that are undermining traditional models of infrastructure management. The development of cross-sectoral strategies is considered a way both to tackle the attrition of traditional sources of revenue and to develop greener infrastructure systems by enhancing their efficiency level, often in line with low-carbon programmes implemented by national or local governments. The appeal lies in a fairly static perception of infrastructure management and technological change. Based on a detailed analysis of a traditional German local multi-utility and informed by a six-month internship within the company, the article deciphers the rationale of multi-sectoral practices, in particular the company’s transformation into a cross-utility that devised a common strategy for all its infrastructure networks and its ambiguities. Various facets of such ‘boundary work’ are analysed, focusing on organisational and financial aspects to reveal the new sites of tensions and negotiations between sectors, but also on the material component of these cross-sectoral projects through the case of one such nexus programme, a waste-to-energy programme. This programme embodies the potential contradictions between the call for reduced use of resources (i.e. the production of less waste) and the development of new urban technical systems relying primarily on those same resources.

Actions of primary health care professionals to reduce maternal mortality in the Brazilian Northeast

BackgroundMaternal mortality is a global public health problem. Statistics show that in 2013, 289,000 women died from complications during pregnancy, childbirth or the postpartum period worldwide. Between 2010 and 2015, there were 10,075 maternal deaths in Brazil, 3,522of which occurred in the Northeast region. The aim of this study was to investigate the actions taken by primary health care (PHC) professionals to reduce maternal mortality.MethodThis was a cross-sectional, descriptive field study with a qualitative approach. The sample comprised 81 graduate-level professionals working in PHC in the state of Ceará, Brazil. Data were collected from January to March 2016 using structured interviews, which were digitally audio recorded and transcribed. The results were organized using collective subject discourse and analyzed according with the relevant literature.ResultsThe PHC professionals took both individual and joint measures to reduce maternal mortality. These activities included home visits, health education, active searches, prenatal care consultations, referrals to specialized care and outreach. The challenges that must be overcome to prevent maternal mortality include poor care and ineffective public policies that are associated with a lack of managerial support.ConclusionInteraction among professionals in the health care network is critical to the development of cross-sectoral projects that improve the quality of women’s health care. Prenatal care is a key factor in reducing maternal death and enables the identification and classification of the risks to which pregnant women may be exposed and the implementation of early actions that can ensure a safe and uncomplicated delivery. However, all of these actions require effective public policies and managerial support.

Everyday Industry—Pragmatic approaches for integrating sustainability into industry decision making

Many sustainability evaluation tools exist, but few are used on a day-to-day basis within the process industries to help project teams make better decisions regarding process and product improvements. This article presents collated experiences and views from the EU process sectors on the ‘state-of-the-art’ of sustainability evaluation tools, highlighting the differences between the practical use of such tools in an industrial setting versus simplified ideal-world case studies. The review was performed as part of an EU cross-sector project, ‘STYLE’, through formation of an international consortium, reviewing current practice, testing of sustainability evaluation tools in industry case studies, academic validation of tools’ functions and features, and stakeholder consultations. Consequently, a proposal is made regarding the high-level features and functions of a toolkit to address gaps and shortfalls in currently available tools and identification of useful features that could be implemented more widely. The proposed toolkit framework consists of a three-stage process:materiality setup, qualitative screening and semi-quantitative assessment. Recommendations are also made regarding further research and tool development needs, requiring collaboration between sustainability expertise and ‘soft’ sciences to address barriers to tools being used regularly and broadly across industry.

A framework for assessing and implementing the co-benefits of nature-based solutions in urban areas

To address challenges associated with climate resilience, health and well-being in urban areas, current policy platforms are shifting their focus from ecosystem-based to nature-based solutions (NBS), broadly defined as solutions to societal challenges that are inspired and supported by nature. NBS result in the provision of co-benefits, such as the improvement of place attractiveness, of health and quality of life, and creation of green jobs. Few frameworks exist for acknowledging and assessing the value of such co-benefits of NBS and to guide cross-sectoral project and policy design and implementation. In this paper, we firstly developed a holistic framework for assessing co-benefits (and costs) of NBS across elements of socio-cultural and socio-economic systems, biodiversity, ecosystems and climate. The framework was guided by a review of over 1700 documents from science and practice within and across 10 societal challenges relevant to cities globally. We found that NBS can have environmental, social and economic co-benefits and/or costs both within and across these 10 societal challenges. On that base, we develop and propose a seven-stage process for situating co-benefit assessment within policy and project implementation. The seven stages include: 1) identify problem or opportunity; 2) select and assess NBS and related actions; 3) design NBS implementation processes; 4) implement NBS; 5) frequently engage stakeholders and communicate co-benefits; 6) transfer and upscale NBS; and 7) monitor and evaluate co-benefits across all stages. We conclude that the developed framework together with the seven-stage co-benefit assessment process represent a valuable tool for guiding thinking and identifying the multiple values of NBS implementation.

Opening Educational Practices in Scotland (OEPS)

OEPS is a cross-sector project led by the Open University in Scotland (OUiS) and funded by the Scottish Funding Council. The project began in late spring 2014 and runs until the end of July 2017. It has its origins in OER projects carried out by the OUiS over the preceding four years. In most cases these involved close partnership between the university and other organisations that would not normally be involved in the creation of educational materials. OEPS aims to build on these approaches, and on other valuable experience from across the Scottish sector, to increase the use of open licensed resources in Scotland, develop better understanding of good open educational practice and support widening participation and transitions. The project is multi-stranded, involving a wide range of partners in development work. Integral to the project methodology is a process of embedded research and evaluation aimed at understanding and evidencing good practice. In this paper we share the progress of the project to date and highlight some of the questions and issues that are emerging.

Social Work-Business Sector Collaboration in Pursuit of Economic Justice.

This article examines social workers' perceptions, experiences, and prospects regarding working in the business sector after participating in an MSW field practicum with a local microlending program. Social workers' insights suggest that cross-sector collaboration leads to vast opportunities not only for the populations served by the collaborative efforts, but also for social work as a profession. However, several challenges are evealed, including social workers' unfamiliarity with business operations, the business sector's narrow understanding of social workers' roles, and divisions between participants in interprofessional collaboration. This article calls for enhancing the role of social work to maximize its impact on economic development through further research and tangible cross-sector projects.

: (Integrated Cross-Sectoral Project Solution: The Development of Agriculture and Eco-Tourism in the Region)

Russian Abstract: Актуальность повышения конкурентоспособности российских производителей продукции агропромышленного комплекса для решения проблемы продовольственной безопасности страны требует развития диверсификации производства, переработки и торговли готовыми продуктами питания, применения технологий, направленных на улучшение окружающей среды. Развитие сельского туризма дает возможность совмещения экономических, культурных и экологических приоритетов в стратегии развития региона.English Abstract: The urgency of improving the competitiveness of Russian producers of agricultural products to solve the problem of food security requires the development of diversification, processing and trade in manufactured food products, use of technology to improve the environment. Development of rural tourism makes it possible to combine economic, cultural and environmental priorities in the development strategy of the region.

Lottery funding to transform early years services in five areas in England

The Big Lottery Fund has announced the five cross-sector projects that will benefit from a 10-year programme of investment in early intervention and prevention.

Educating child practitioners: a (re)turn to the university disciplines

This paper analyses a specific disjunctive policy space in Scotland involving the current key children's social and educational policy agenda, Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC), and a recent national report on teacher education, the ‘Donaldson Report’. In four main parts, the paper first introduces and applies in policy review and analysis a capitals frame to identify the policy–practice discontinuities currently inherent in the ‘GIRFEC-child practitioner education’ policy space, exemplified by the Donaldson Report. Then, the same capitals frame is applied to examine the capitals resources demanded in the particular ‘child–child practitioner education’ policy space previously delineated. Next, examples of policy disconnects amongst current child practice and practitioner education policy production and implementation, which warrant a concerted integrative cross-sector project to ensure coherent social and intellectual capital relations at all levels, are discussed. Finally, the paper calls for the governing professional registration bodies and universities involved in the education of child-sector practitioners to engage in the redesign of university programmes underpinned by principles of transdisciplinarity and transprofessionalism. The methodology is policy sociology and policy text analysis.

Welsh Information Literacy Project

This report gives an overview of the work to date of the Welsh Information Literacy Project (WILP). WILP is a cross sector project looking to embed information literacy skills across Wales and has been funded by the Welsh Government through CyMAL (Museums, Archives and Libraries, Wales). The report provides specific details of phase three of the project (April 2012-March 2013). The focus of this current phase of the project is the development of information literacy skills amongst public library staff so that these staff can support the development of information literacy skills amongst the whole range of different public library users. In addition, the project is supporting the development of information literacy skills amongst secondary school pupils, by working with school librarians and teachers.

Pragmatism and caffeine: lessons from cross-agency, cross-sector working

The ways forward for addressing complex policy problems have been well documented and concepts like network leadership, collaboration and citizen engagement espoused. In reality, for those working in cross-agency, cross-sector teams, the way forward is messy, frustrating, and simultaneously exciting. This article shares the practical experience of a cross-agency, cross-sector project team in the hope that thinking is invested not only in the virtues of new ways of working, but in how to operationalise them.

The Akropong approach to multi-sector project planning

We introduce an approach to cross-sector project planning developed in the context of a climate change adaptation strategy being carried out in Ghana. The approach, which uses a simplified cross-impact approach, should be applicable in many cross-sector or cross-disciplinary studies in which the work is carried out by sector or discipline-specific teams.