Resource Development Research Articles

Consensus study on UK weight management services' response to COVID-19: best practices in outpatient management, governance and digital solutions.

The COVID-19 pandemic put unprecedented pressure on weight management services. These services were required to adapt to continue to provide care for people living with obesity. This study sought to develop consensus recommendations on the best practice solutions adopted by weight management services in the United Kingdom during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study utilised a semi-structured interview and a modified Delphi methodology to develop a consensus of best practice recommendations identified by specialist weight management services during the pandemic. Twenty-three healthcare professionals working in weight management service across the United Kingdom participated in the study. Analysis of interview transcripts identified four key thematic domains: outpatient, patient education and support, perioperative care and team working. Of the initial 43 unique recommendations, 30 reached consensus agreement. Outpatient recommendations focused on communication strategies, patient self-monitoring and remote patient tracking. Patient education and support recommendations addressed the development of online educational resources and support groups. Perioperative care recommendations emphasised case prioritisation, waiting list support and postoperative care. Team working recommendations targeted the use of digital collaboration tools and strategies for effective teamwork. Developing consensus recommendations on best practice is a critical step for weight management and outpatient services to achieve higher standards of care. These recommendations provide a springboard for departmental discussions, paving the way for improved experiences for individuals living with obesity as they progress along their weight management journey.

Pengembangan Sumber Daya Manusia dalam Pengentasan Kemiskinan di Kalimantan Timur

This research discusses human resource development (HRD) as a key strategy in poverty alleviation efforts in East Kalimantan. Using a descriptive qualitative approach, this study analyses various factors that influence the quality of human resources and their relationship with the poverty rate in the region. The data used comes from secondary sources, including government reports and statistical data. The results show that improving the quality of education, access to health, and economic empowerment of local communities are key to reducing poverty. This research provides policy recommendations for local and national governments to focus on improving the quality of human capital as a strategic step in poverty alleviation in East Kalimantan.

Navigating the digital frontier: transformative technologies reshaping public administration

We are witnessing unprecedented, swift transformations across all industries in the current era. Advancements in information and communication technology have provided us with a tremendous opportunity for change. Our research delves into the profound impacts of digital transformation, extending beyond the public sector to encompass a variety of fields. The public sector, in particular, is experiencing its own set of transformations and changes. Our research offers an in-depth analysis of digital transformation in the public sector, with an emphasis on the key technologies driving this evolution. These include artificial intelligence and machine learning, the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, big data and analytics, digital twins, robotic process automation, augmented reality, and the metaverse. We thoroughly conceptualize these technologies, assessing their relevance and impact on the public sector. Moreover, we identify the potential challenges and present diverse global examples. Our findings reveal that technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning (including Generative AI, ChatGPT, and Google Gemini/Bard), IoT, cloud computing, big data and analytics, digital twins, robotic automation, and augmented reality are pivotal in enhancing or creating new value propositions. These technologies have shown remarkable efficacy in elevating the quality of services between individuals and governmental entities, reducing burdens, boosting efficiency, and profoundly transforming public administration and political science. Moreover, aligning these technologies with institutional requirements is essential for successful transformation. Nevertheless, it is noted that these technologies will also refine the competencies of human resources in public administration. Implemented practices reveal that civil servants need higher expertise and improve their skill sets compared to past benchmarks. Based on these insights, we advocate for higher education institutions and other bodies responsible for public sector human resource development to integrate more practical and theoretical technology-focused courses into their curricula. A comprehensive review of the existing literature indicates a scarcity of studies that holistically investigate these technologies and assess them through the lens of field experts, researchers, and policymakers. Our study addresses this gap and contributes significantly to understanding these technologies’ transformative potential.

Determinants of internal and external networking behaviours: insights into gender, education, political skills and mentoring

ABSTRACT Employee internal and external networking behaviours may drive different employee and organisational outcomes, which has implications for Human Resource Development professionals. However, little is known about how to develop internal and external networking behaviours. Using social role theory, social capital theory, and personal initiative theory, this study examines the impact of employee gender, education, political skills, and mentoring on internal and external networking behaviours. We utilised a mixed-method sequential research design comprising two studies. Study 1 survey data were collected from 372 middle managers from 10 Sri Lankan manufacturing and service organisations. The results indicate the higher external networking behaviours of men; the elevated internal and external networking behaviours of managers with a master’s degree; a positive relationship between political skills and both internal and external networking behaviours; and a positive relationship between mentoring and internal networking behaviours. Study 2 comprised 12 interviews of middle managers who had participated in Study 1. Thematic and content analyses explain, refine, and extend the results of Study 1. The findings have several implications for developing the networking behaviours of middle managers. Theoretical and research contributions are discussed.

Navigating the digital frontier: transformative technologies reshaping public administration

We are witnessing unprecedented, swift transformations across all industries in the current era. Advancements in information and communication technology have provided us with a tremendous opportunity for change. Our research delves into the profound impacts of digital transformation, extending beyond the public sector to encompass a variety of fields. The public sector, in particular, is experiencing its own set of transformations and changes. Our research offers an in-depth analysis of digital transformation in the public sector, with an emphasis on the key technologies driving this evolution. These include artificial intelligence and machine learning, the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, big data and analytics, digital twins, robotic process automation, augmented reality, and the metaverse. We thoroughly conceptualize these technologies, assessing their relevance and impact on the public sector. Moreover, we identify the potential challenges and present diverse global examples. Our findings reveal that technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning (including Generative AI, ChatGPT, and Google Gemini/Bard), IoT, cloud computing, big data and analytics, digital twins, robotic automation, and augmented reality are pivotal in enhancing or creating new value propositions. These technologies have shown remarkable efficacy in elevating the quality of services between individuals and governmental entities, reducing burdens, boosting efficiency, and profoundly transforming public administration and political science. Moreover, aligning these technologies with institutional requirements is essential for successful transformation. Nevertheless, it is noted that these technologies will also refine the competencies of human resources in public administration. Implemented practices reveal that civil servants need higher expertise and improve their skill sets compared to past benchmarks. Based on these insights, we advocate for higher education institutions and other bodies responsible for public sector human resource development to integrate more practical and theoretical technology-focused courses into their curricula. A comprehensive review of the existing literature indicates a scarcity of studies that holistically investigate these technologies and assess them through the lens of field experts, researchers, and policymakers. Our study addresses this gap and contributes significantly to understanding these technologies’ transformative potential.

Development of a Model of Care resource for FASD in the justice system

ABSTRACT This article describes the development of a Model of Care (MoC) resource to support youth involved with the justice system where a neurodevelopmental disability such as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is suspected. Service staff within the Youth Justice sector were engaged in an iterative process of resource development over a 9-month period. A reference group was established for feedback at each stage, expert advice was sought from the Australian and New Zealand FASD Clinical Network. Five phases of iterative resource development occurred; the first three covered function, form and content of the resource while iterations 4 and 5 mainly pertained to usability. Referral pathway schematics, poster style resources and a user manual were developed and distributed to Youth Justice affiliated organizations. The aim is for the resource to assist in early and appropriate intervention and support for youth with suspected neurodevelopmental disabilities involved in the justice system.

Analysis of Job Promotions to Improve the Performance of Bombana Regency Civil Servants

Bombana Regency became an autonomous region based on Law Number 29 of 2003 concerning establishment in Southeast Sulawesi Province. The development of a region is highly dependent on the competence and participation of the human resources in utilizing the potential of respective areas. Therefore, the development of human resources is essential to support future development process. However, the Regional Staffing Agency (BKD) of Bombana Regency faced several challenges. The implementation of objective competency tests has not been optimal, and employees performance is hindered by inadequate Manpower Planning (workforce planning in accordance with organizational needs through identification, evaluation and needs planning). The execution of employees education and training (Diklat) has not been carried out effectively. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the challenges to promotions affecting the performance of civil servants at the BKD of Bombana Regency and explore the efforts to address these issues. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used, in-depth interviews were conducted with key informants, and descriptive statistics were derived from processed questionnaires. Furthermore, data were collected through interviews, observation, and documentation. The results showed that subjectivity was a significant challenge that affected promotions considerations and employees performance at BKD Bombana Regency. The primary effort to address this issue and improve employees performance was the implementation of competency tests.

Women's perceptions and experiences with cannabis use in menopause: a qualitative study.

Since the legalization of recreational cannabis in 2018, the use of cannabis for medical reasons has increased in Canada. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences and perceptions of midlife women using cannabis for medical purposes coinciding with menopause symptom management. Semistructured, one-on-one interviews were conducted using a qualitative description method. This was the second phase of a mixed methods study, where interviewees were purposefully selected from a sample of women (ages 35 and over, located in Alberta) surveyed during the first phase of the study. Interviews were by phone or virtual meeting, audio-recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Qualitative content analysis was applied to analyze the data collected. Twelve interviews were conducted between December 2020 and April 2021. Menopause was perceived as a complex experience for women. Cannabis was described as a therapeutic agent, providing symptom relief through the menopause transition. Women reported similarities in their menopause and cannabis use experiences in the lack of information available, limited role of healthcare providers, feelings of stigmatization, and emphasis on self-education. Women self-managed their cannabis use, learning from their own experiences or the anecdotal sharing of others', accessed cannabis from a variety of medical and nonmedical sources, and relied on experimentation, and a range of supports were described. Midlife women pursued the use of cannabis medically to manage symptoms that overlap with menopause. Understanding how and why midlife women use cannabis medically can provide insight for future research and the development of educational resources to support women in menopause.

Analysis of Job Promotions to Improve the Performance of Bombana Regency Civil Servants

Bombana Regency became an autonomous region based on Law Number 29 of 2003 concerning establishment in Southeast Sulawesi Province. The development of a region is highly dependent on the competence and participation of the human resources in utilizing the potential of respective areas. Therefore, the development of human resources is essential to support future development process. However, the Regional Staffing Agency (BKD) of Bombana Regency faced several challenges. The implementation of objective competency tests has not been optimal, and employees performance is hindered by inadequate Manpower Planning (workforce planning in accordance with organizational needs through identification, evaluation and needs planning). The execution of employees education and training (Diklat) has not been carried out effectively. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the challenges to promotions affecting the performance of civil servants at the BKD of Bombana Regency and explore the efforts to address these issues. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used, in-depth interviews were conducted with key informants, and descriptive statistics were derived from processed questionnaires. Furthermore, data were collected through interviews, observation, and documentation. The results showed that subjectivity was a significant challenge that affected promotions considerations and employees performance at BKD Bombana Regency. The primary effort to address this issue and improve employees performance was the implementation of competency tests.

China's Legal Governance Approaches toward Safeguarding Its Maritime Rights and Interests

Ocean development is crucial for modern states, and the importance of safeguarding and developing ocean rights and interests is becoming increasingly apparent. Economic development relies on the ocean, as does national sovereignty, security, and interests. In addition, national political and military development also depends on the ocean. China has long been committed to safeguarding its own ocean rights and interests, while also actively promoting the development of the international legal order for the ocean. In terms of international legislation, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea provides a legal basis for safeguarding ocean rights and interests and plays a regulatory role in the maintenance of maritime rights and interests for all states. In terms of domestic legislation, many ocean laws in China play an important role in safeguarding China's maritime security and ocean rights and interests. As an important part of the legal system for safeguarding ocean rights and interests, maritime law enforcement has practical significance in the application of national jurisdiction at sea. China's maritime law enforcement, centered on safeguarding ocean rights and interests, is carried out by the reorganized China Coast Guard, guided by domestic and international legal norms, and strictly combats illegal and criminal activities at sea through international cooperation to protect the sustainable development of marine resources and environment and to safeguard international maritime public security and order while guaranteeing ocean rights and interests. In terms of judicial practice, China has already used legal means to effectively safeguard ocean rights and interests in the areas of marine environmental protection, maritime rights protection, fisheries law enforcement, and maritime traffic safety.

Prioritise safety, optimise success! Return to rugby postpartum.

Pregnancy and childbirth involve substantial physical, physiological and psychological changes. As such, postpartum rugby players should be supported and appropriately prepared to return to the demands of rugby alongside the additional demands of motherhood. This review aims to discuss specific perinatal considerations that inform a rugby player's readiness to return-to-sport postpartum and present an approach to rehabilitation. Before engaging in full rugby training and matchplay, postpartum players should have progressed through the initial phases of rehabilitation and graded sports-specific training to prepare them for the loads they will be exposed to. Additional rehabilitation considerations include minimising deconditioning during pregnancy; medical concerns; the abdominal wall; the pelvic floor; perinatal breast changes, breastfeeding and risk of contact breast injury; body mass; nutritional requirements; hormonal considerations; athlete identity and psychological considerations; joining team training; return to contact and tackle training; evaluating player load tolerance and future research, policy and surveillance needs. A whole-systems, biopsychosocial approach following an evidence informed return-to-sport framework is recommended when rehabilitating postpartum rugby players. Health and exercise professionals are encouraged to use the perinatal-specific recommendations in this review to guide the development of postpartum rehabilitation protocols and resources.

СТРАТЕГИЧЕСКОЕ УПРАВЛЕНИЕ УСТОЙЧИВЫМ РАЗВИТИЕМ ОТРАСЛИ ЖИВОТНОВОДСТВА НА РЕГИОНАЛЬНОМ УРОВНЕ

The livestock industry is a fundamental part of agriculture. The relevance of developing a sustainable livestock development system is due to a number of global and local factors that have a significant impact on modern agricultural systems. The article examines the current state of the livestock industry in the Russian Federation, as well as in the Nizhny Novgorod region. Ensuring the sustainable development of animal husbandry is an important aspect in the formation and assessment of the country's food security. Criteria for the sustainable development of the industry can serve not only economic indicators, including profitability, gross profit, etc., as well as indicators of social sustainability, which include the quality of life of the population, the development of human resources, etc., but also directly indicators characterizing the production of livestock products, the preservation of animal health, etc. In this regard, measures to ensure sustainable development are of particular relevance. In order to determine the main directions of development, we have compiled a strategic map. The strategic map serves as a tool for visualizing, planning and implementing a development strategy, taking into account many factors and stakeholders. The development of a strategic map for the sustainable development of livestock is a key element for achieving a balance between economic efficiency, social justice and environmental sustainability. A methodological tool for drawing up a strategic map has been developed, providing a systematic approach to the issue under consideration with the allocation of the following "pools": human resources, innovation, financing, as well as active marketing.

Examining the effect of urbanization on various land cover classes and environmental quality using remote sensing and GIS methods

It is vital for public awareness and decision-makers to investigate the impact caused by changes in urban land use and land cover on ecosystem service values (ESVs) in order to promote sustainable urban development, protect the environment, protect public health, and ensure communities’ long-term well-being. Changes in ecosystem services brought on by changes in land use and cover (LULC) are a crucial early indicator and warning sign of ecological shifts. Using remote sensing and GIS tools, this study examined the shifting dynamics of ESVs in the Haridwar district in Uttarakhand state, India. The evaluation of land use land cover (LULC) changes was carried out by analyzing satellite images of the research region from 2001 to 2021. In addition, we examined changes in ecosystem services according to the study area’s LULC classifications. Using a random forest machine learning classifier, satellite images were classified into five categories of land cover: water bodies, forests, built-up areas, agricultural land, and bare land. The findings showed that from 2001 to 2021, forest cover and water bodies fell by 15.35% and 41.50%, respectively, while urban area and agricultural area rose by 69.24% and 12.31%, respectively. Due to increased urbanization and degradation of water bodies and forest areas, ESV fell from 103.19 USD ha −1 year −1 in 2001 to 70.53 USD ha −1 year −1 in 2021. The combination of LULC with the value of ecosystem services may improve our knowledge of several difficulties in an urban ecosystem. As a result, we advocate for the incorporation of LULC and ESVs as a tool that might be useful to urban planners and land managers in the future for sustainable development of natural resources.

Hydrochemical characterization and health risk assessment of different types of water bodies in Fenghuang Mountain Area, Northeast China.

Groundwater, as an essential resource, holds significant importance for human production and livelihoods. With the deterioration of the water environment, the issue of groundwater quality has become an urgent international concern. This study focused on the Fenghuang Mountain Area (FMA) and collected a total of 41 sets of samples including pore groundwater (PGW), fissure groundwater (FGW), karst groundwater(KGW), and river water(RW). Hydrochemical analysis methods were employed to identify the hydrochemical characteristics and controlling factors. The entropy-weighted water quality index (EWQI) and health risk assessment model were utilized to assess the groundwater quality and nitrate health risk, respectively. The results indicated that the dominant anion and cation in both groundwater and surface water in the FMA were HCO3- and Ca2+, respectively, with the main hydrochemical type being HCO3-Ca. Groundwater and surface water in the FMA were primarily controlled by rock weathering process, with ion concentrations influenced mainly by the dissolution of halite, sylvite, carbonates (calcite and dolomite), silicates, and gypsum, as well as by reverse anion exchange process. PGW was significantly affected by agricultural activities, with NO3- concentration closely related to human activities. The water quality of FGW was relatively good, with Class I and Class II water accounting for the highest proportion, reaching 84.62%. The high-value area of EWQI in PGW was influenced by human activities. The impact of nitrate health risk on children was significantly greater than on adults, with FGW having the lowest health risk and PGW having the highest health risk. The research results can provide important guarantees for the rational development and utilization of water resources in the FMA and the sustainable development of the economy in Northeast China.

A framework for assessing the blue equity of social-ocean systems in marine governance transformation

The equitable utilization of marine resources and the maintenance of healthy and sustainable marine ecosystems are essential to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and promoting the well-being of all humanity. In this paper, we propose a Blue Equity Assessment Framework, which is based on a systematic literature review approach and takes into account the characteristics of Social-Ocean Systems (SOSs). The framework consists of Distributional Equity, Procedural Equity, Recognitional Equity, and Contextual Equity. The aim of this framework is to conduct equity analyses of policies or behaviors within SOSs in order to assess whether blue equity is explicitly implemented and practiced in these societal norms and policy mechanisms. The assessment framework reveals that blue equity has a positive synergy for the majority of the SDGs. This synergy is analyzed in terms of its influence on the assessment dimensions of distributional justice, procedural justice, recognitional justice, and contextual justice. The findings aim to enhance societal understanding of blue equity issues, thereby guiding policymakers in the prioritization of blue equity in the development and utilization of marine resources and in the transformation of global ocean governance.

Hydrochemical characterization and health risk assessment of different types of water bodies in Fenghuang Mountain Area, Northeast China.

Groundwater, as an essential resource, holds significant importance for human production and livelihoods. With the deterioration of the water environment, the issue of groundwater quality has become an urgent international concern. This study focused on the Fenghuang Mountain Area (FMA) and collected a total of 41 sets of samples including pore groundwater (PGW), fissure groundwater (FGW), karst groundwater(KGW), and river water(RW). Hydrochemical analysis methods were employed to identify the hydrochemical characteristics and controlling factors. The entropy-weighted water quality index (EWQI) and health risk assessment model were utilized to assess the groundwater quality and nitrate health risk, respectively. The results indicated that the dominant anion and cation in both groundwater and surface water in the FMA were HCO3- and Ca2+, respectively, with the main hydrochemical type being HCO3-Ca. Groundwater and surface water in the FMA were primarily controlled by rock weathering process, with ion concentrations influenced mainly by the dissolution of halite, sylvite, carbonates (calcite and dolomite), silicates, and gypsum, as well as by reverse anion exchange process. PGW was significantly affected by agricultural activities, with NO3- concentration closely related to human activities. The water quality of FGW was relatively good, with Class I and Class II water accounting for the highest proportion, reaching 84.62%. The high-value area of EWQI in PGW was influenced by human activities. The impact of nitrate health risk on children was significantly greater than on adults, with FGW having the lowest health risk and PGW having the highest health risk. The research results can provide important guarantees for the rational development and utilization of water resources in the FMA and the sustainable development of the economy in Northeast China.

СТРАТЕГИЧЕСКОЕ УПРАВЛЕНИЕ УСТОЙЧИВЫМ РАЗВИТИЕМ ОТРАСЛИ ЖИВОТНОВОДСТВА НА РЕГИОНАЛЬНОМ УРОВНЕ

The livestock industry is a fundamental part of agriculture. The relevance of developing a sustainable livestock development system is due to a number of global and local factors that have a significant impact on modern agricultural systems. The article examines the current state of the livestock industry in the Russian Federation, as well as in the Nizhny Novgorod region. Ensuring the sustainable development of animal husbandry is an important aspect in the formation and assessment of the country's food security. Criteria for the sustainable development of the industry can serve not only economic indicators, including profitability, gross profit, etc., as well as indicators of social sustainability, which include the quality of life of the population, the development of human resources, etc., but also directly indicators characterizing the production of livestock products, the preservation of animal health, etc. In this regard, measures to ensure sustainable development are of particular relevance. In order to determine the main directions of development, we have compiled a strategic map. The strategic map serves as a tool for visualizing, planning and implementing a development strategy, taking into account many factors and stakeholders. The development of a strategic map for the sustainable development of livestock is a key element for achieving a balance between economic efficiency, social justice and environmental sustainability. A methodological tool for drawing up a strategic map has been developed, providing a systematic approach to the issue under consideration with the allocation of the following "pools": human resources, innovation, financing, as well as active marketing.

A framework for assessing the blue equity of social-ocean systems in marine governance transformation

The equitable utilization of marine resources and the maintenance of healthy and sustainable marine ecosystems are essential to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and promoting the well-being of all humanity. In this paper, we propose a Blue Equity Assessment Framework, which is based on a systematic literature review approach and takes into account the characteristics of Social-Ocean Systems (SOSs). The framework consists of Distributional Equity, Procedural Equity, Recognitional Equity, and Contextual Equity. The aim of this framework is to conduct equity analyses of policies or behaviors within SOSs in order to assess whether blue equity is explicitly implemented and practiced in these societal norms and policy mechanisms. The assessment framework reveals that blue equity has a positive synergy for the majority of the SDGs. This synergy is analyzed in terms of its influence on the assessment dimensions of distributional justice, procedural justice, recognitional justice, and contextual justice. The findings aim to enhance societal understanding of blue equity issues, thereby guiding policymakers in the prioritization of blue equity in the development and utilization of marine resources and in the transformation of global ocean governance.

Human resource development practices and job performance of academic staff of Bishop Stuart University.

This study examined human resource development practices and their impact on academic staff performance. Specifically, it investigated whether training, promotion, job enrichment and organisational policies significantly influence the job performance of academic staff. The study surveyed 158 academic staff members at Bishop Stuart University in Uganda using a quantitative approach and a correlational research design. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires and analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The findings revealed that job enrichment and organisational policies had a positive and significant impact on academic staff performance. In contrast, training had a negative but significant influence on academic staff performance, and promotion had a positive but insignificant influence on the job performance of academic staff. The study concluded that effective human resource practices, specifically job enrichment and organisational policies, play a crucial role in enhancing academic staff performance. However, limited training opportunities hindered the performance of academic staff. Furthermore, unsatisfactory promotion practices minimally contribute to the job performance of academic staff. The study recommended that university managers implement human resource development practices, namely job enrichment, organisational policies, training, and promotion, to promote job performance.

The synergy of human resource development (HRD) and artificial intelligence (AI) in today’s workplace

ABSTRACT The systematic review paper examines the relationship between artificial intelligence and human resource development in organisations. The study aims to understand AI’s symbiotic role in improving HRD functions like training and development, organisational development, career development, performance management, and workforce planning in the last two decades. It highlights how AI revolutionises HRD, including performance management, learning and development, and workforce planning. The paper also covers the role HRD plays in facilitating AI adoption. This paper closes the gap between AI and HRD by highlighting the benefits of this symbiotic relationship. The work poses crucial research questions to guide future investigations. The questions cover how HRD is essential for ensuring the smooth adoption of AI to boost human capital by focusing on HRD and how AI can strengthen HRD by improving critical functions. By employing HRD practices to improve AI adoption and AI to improve HRD function, this research aims to increase our understanding of how AI and HRD need to work together in synergy.