Diverse Stakeholders Research Articles

The role of regional LGBTQI+ festivals and events in promoting social movements: A local stakeholder perspective

Festivals and events can foster a collective sense of purpose and foster shared commitment to a cause by engaging the numerous and diverse stakeholders necessary for the organisation and running of these events. It is from this stakeholder perspective that this paper explored how LGBTQI+ events can help regional communities resist marginalisation and become advocates for social movements. Interviews with ten key stakeholders involved in the planning and implementation of the Broken Heel festival in Broken Hill and the fabALICE Festival in Alice Springs, identified four overarching themes: resisting marginalisation; places of identity; value of inclusion; and emerging tensions. These themes provide important insights into the role and effect of regional LGBTQI+ festivals on local communities and suggests areas for future research and advocacy.

The Urgency of Stakeholder Cyberspace Collaboration to Support Indonesia’s National Defense

In today's interconnected digital world, stakeholder collaboration in cyberspace is crucial for national defense. Advances in information and communication technology have transformed daily life but also introduced complex cyber threats like cyber warfare, cybercrimes, and cyber terrorism, challenging security and stability. The objective of this study is to emphasize the importance of collaboration among diverse stakeholders in enhancing national defense against cyber threats. The methodology involves analyzing existing literature and case studies to understand the impact of collaboration on cybersecurity maturity and national defense strategies. The research findings, derived from SWOT and PESTLE analyses, have highlighted the strengths and weaknesses in collaboration, underscoring the significance of leveraging strengths and addressing weaknesses to establish a robust defense framework. To enhance national defense against cyber threats, a holistic approach is essential, combining political collaboration, economic partnerships, social awareness programs, technological advancements, legal harmonization, and environmental resilience strategies. Key recommendations include fostering regular communication among stakeholders, pooling resources for cybersecurity investments, promoting cybersecurity education, integrating advanced technologies like AI and IoT security solutions, and aligning legal frameworks across jurisdictions.

Identifying Service, Research and Policy priorities for preventing the impacts of family adversity on children’s mental health: An Australian national resource allocation study with professional and lived experience experts

ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to develop Service, Research and Policy priorities to prevent the impact of family adversity on child mental health and determine comparative priorities of diverse stakeholders to those with lived experience of adversity. MethodsValue-weighting approach conducted in a staged process: (i) professionals and experts with lived experience from health, education, justice and social care sectors attended a national symposium to identify priorities for family adversity and mental health and (ii) a subsequent resource allocation survey gathered views from participants and external experts on symposium priorities. ResultsConsensus was reached on priorities. Service priorities included establishing intersectoral hubs for children and families and early childhood nurse home-visiting programs. Research priorities included scaling up evidence-based interventions and evaluating cross-sector, flexible funding models for services addressing childhood adversity. Policy priorities included developing evidence-based policies with evaluation and implementation plans and flexible funding models to support integrated care. ConclusionsOur results provide detailed and actionable clarity on next steps to address family adversities. Implications for Public HealthThe priorities call for a focus on cross-sectoral approaches to preventing or mitigating the effects of family adversity. The current Australian policy environment provides a timely opportunity to action the proposed interventions.

Analysis of Factors Influencing Community Resilience during the (COVID)-19 Pandemic: A Case Study from China

Objectives: In this study, we explore the factors affecting community resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We adopted an extensive case study methodology and employed snowball sampling to select 10 typical interviewees for semi-structured interviews. Data collected were analyzed through reading, coding, thematic analysis, and classification to extract the key variables influencing community resilience implementation. Results: Organizational systems, volunteer engagements, and technological innovations play indispensable roles in enhancing urban community resilience. The organizational system emerges as the foundational framework underpinning the realization of community resilience. Proactive involvement in emergency volunteer services constitutes the actionable cornerstone for community resilience, effectively mitigating personnel shortages in community operations. Digital technologies emerge as pivotal enablers of technological prerequisites for community resilience, fostering seamless information dissemination among diverse stakeholders within the community. Conclusion: This study offers a compelling case study of a Chinese community's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The investigation reveals that 3 pivotal mechanisms – organizational systems, volunteer engagements, and technological innovations –assume indispensable roles in bolstering urban community resilience. The experiential insights gleaned from China's response to major public health emergencies offer invaluable lessons for the advancement of community resilience initiatives worldwide.

Towards a Comprehensive Definition of Pandemics and Strategies for Prevention: A Historical Review and Future Perspectives.

The lack of a universally accepted definition of a pandemic hinders a comprehensive understanding of and effective response to these global health crises. Current definitions often lack quantitative criteria, rendering them vague and limiting their utility. Here, we propose a refined definition that considers the likelihood of susceptible individuals contracting an infectious disease that culminates in widespread global transmission, increased morbidity and mortality, and profound societal, economic, and political consequences. Applying this definition retrospectively, we identify 22 pandemics that occurred between 165 and 2024 AD and were caused by a variety of diseases, including smallpox (Antonine and American), plague (Justinian, Black Death, and Third Plague), cholera (seven pandemics), influenza (two Russian, Spanish, Asian, Hong Kong, and swine), AIDS, and coronaviruses (SARS, MERS, and COVID-19). This work presents a comprehensive analysis of past pandemics caused by both emerging and re-emerging pathogens, along with their epidemiological characteristics, societal impact, and evolution of public health responses. We also highlight the need for proactive measures to reduce the risk of future pandemics. These strategies include prioritizing surveillance of emerging zoonotic pathogens, conserving biodiversity to counter wildlife trafficking, and minimizing the potential for zoonotic spillover events. In addition, interventions such as promoting alternative protein sources, enforcing the closure of live animal markets in biodiversity-rich regions, and fostering global collaboration among diverse stakeholders are critical to preventing future pandemics. Crucially, improving wildlife surveillance systems will require the concerted efforts of local, national and international entities, including laboratories, field researchers, wildlife conservationists, government agencies and other stakeholders. By fostering collaborative networks and establishing robust biorepositories, we can strengthen our collective capacity to detect, monitor, and mitigate the emergence and transmission of zoonotic pathogens.

Uncertainty Calculation as a Service: Integrating Cloud-Based Microservices for Enhanced Calibration and DCC Generation.

The calibration industry is renowned for its diverse and sophisticated equipment and complex processes, which necessitate innovative solutions to keep pace with rapidly advancing technology. This paper introduces an enhancement to an existing microservice-based cloud architecture, aimed at effectively managing the inherent complexity within this field. The enhanced architecture seamlessly integrates various equipment types and communication technologies, aligning diverse stakeholder expectations into a unified system that ensures efficient and accurate calibration processes. It highlights the integration of microservices to facilitate various methods of uncertainty calculation and the generation of digital calibration certificates (DCCs). A case study on RF power measurement illustrates the practical application and benefits of the enhanced architecture. Although initially focused on RF power measurement, the flexible architecture allows for future expansions to accommodate new standards and measurement techniques. The enhanced system offers a comprehensive approach to managing data flow from calibration equipment to the final generation of DCCs, utilizing cloud-based services for efficient data processing. As a future direction, this extension sets the groundwork for broader applicability across multiple measurement types, ensuring readiness for upcoming advancements in metrology.

TƯƠNG LAI CỦA GIÁO DỤC ĐẠI HỌC: MÔ HÌNH MỚI CHO THẾ KỶ 21

The 21st century has brought significant challenges to higher education, including rising tuition costs, limited accessibility, and curricula that often fail to prepare graduates for the demands of the modern workforce. This paper investigates these interconnected challenges through a comprehensive review and synthesis of existing literature and research findings. The study examines the financial burdens faced by students, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds, and critiques the limitations of traditional teaching methods and assessment practices. The research proposes a transformative roadmap for higher education, emphasizing affordability, accessibility, and the cultivation of essential skills. It highlights the potential of technology to enhance access and create engaging learning environments that foster active learning. The study also advocates for a curriculum redesign that incorporates interdisciplinary approaches, problem-based learning, simulations, and critical reflection, empowering graduates to navigate a complex and interconnected world. The paper concludes by stressing the importance of collaboration among diverse stakeholders to achieve a comprehensive transformation of higher education, ensuring it remains a powerful force for social mobility, economic advancement, and individual empowerment in the 21st century. Keywords: Active learning; curriculum redesign; higher education; skills development.

Estimating Adverse Events Associated With Herbal Medicines Using Pharmacovigilance Databases: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Herbal medicines (HMs) are extensively used by consumers/patients worldwide. However, their safety profiles are often poorly reported and characterized. Previous studies have documented adverse events (AEs) associated with HMs, such as hepatotoxicity, renal failure, and allergic reactions. However, the prevalence rate of AEs related to HMs has been reported to be low. To date, no systematic review and meta-analysis has comprehensively analyzed the AEs of HMs using published data acquired from pharmacovigilance (PV) databases. This study aimed to (1) estimate the reporting rate of the AEs of HMs using PV databases and (2) assess the detailed data provided in AE reports. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, MEDLINE/PubMed, SCOPUS, EMBASE, and CINAHL were systematically searched for relevant studies (until December 2023). The DerSimonian-Laird random effects model was used for pooling the data, and subgroup analyses, the meta-regression model, and sensitivity analysis were used to explore the source of heterogeneity. Crombie's checklist was used to evaluate the risk of bias (ROB) of the included studies. In total, 26 studies met the eligibility criteria. The reporting rate of the AEs of HMs ranged considerably, from 0.03% to 29.84%, with a median overall pooled estimate of 1.42% (IQR 1.12%-1.72%). Subgroup analyses combined with the meta-regression model revealed that the reporting rate of the AEs of HMs was associated with the source of the reporter (P=.01). None of the included studies provided full details of suspected herbal products, only the main ingredients were disclosed, and other potentially harmful components were not listed. This systematic review and meta-analysis highlighted risks related to HMs, with a wide range of reporting rates, depending on the source of the reporter. Continuous efforts are necessary to standardize consumer reporting systems in terms of the reporting form, education, and follow-up strategy to improve data quality assurance, aiming to enhance the reliability and utility of PV data for monitoring the safety of HMs. Achieving effective monitoring and reporting of these AEs necessitates collaborative efforts from diverse stakeholders, including patients/consumers, manufacturers, physicians, complementary practitioners, sellers/distributors, and health authorities. PROSPERO (Prospective International Register of Systematic Reviews) CRD42021276492.

Task sharing for increasing access to obstetric ultrasonography: a formative qualitative study of nurse-led scanning with telemedicine review in Kenya

Abstract The informal settlements of Nairobi have higher neonatal and infant mortality rates than the average for Nairobi. Universal access to important diagnostics like ultrasonography is poor and inequitable due to the high cost of devices and limited availability of skilled sonographers. Recent advances of mobile ultrasound probes connected to smartphones, with or without artificial intelligence support, have improved access to devices; but skills to perform and interpret scans continue to be limited. The SonoMobile intervention involved training nurse-midwives to conduct point-of-care obstetric ultrasound scans in antenatal care clinics in urban informal settlements. Scan data and images were shared, using telemedicine technology, with remote sonographers, who reviewed scan images and data, and provided reports. This study of 61 respondents from diverse stakeholder groups describes the acceptability, utility and considerations for sustainability of nurse-led, point-of-care obstetric ultrasonography with telemedicine review. Perceived value of nurse-led obstetric ultrasonography include improving access and affordability of obstetric ultrasonography services, timely identification and referral of high-risk pregnancies, and improving awareness of appropriate antenatal care among underserved populations. The relative affordability of SonoMobile was described as a critical enabler for a business model targeting low- and middle-income segments of the population, and for increasing quality and equity of antenatal care coverage. Areas highlighted for improvement include strengthening supervision of nurse trainees, broadening the scope of nurse training, and development of clear regulatory guidelines for nurse-led obstetric ultrasonography. The study highlights the complex task shifting required to provide universal access to a life-saving technology in an LMIC health system.

Stakeholders’ insights on artificial intelligence education: Perspectives of teachers, students, and policymakers

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) as a subject into K-12 education worldwide is still in its early stages and undoubtedly needs further investigation. There is limited effort on understanding policymakers, teachers and students’ viewpoints on AI learning within the school system. This study gathered the thoughts of key stakeholders, including policymakers, higher education and K-12 teachers, and students in Nigeria, to understand their conceptions, concerns, and dispositions, with the aim of aiding the implementation of AI in schools. We further explored the needs of the diverse stakeholders, how they can be supported and juxtaposed their views to identify their priorities and how their opinions combined could give a holistic approach to the effective implementation of AI education. This research employed a qualitative methodology using semi-structured interviews as the means of data collection. The thematic analysis of the interview data from the 21 participants indicates their conceptions, what they considered the priorities for including AI in the school system, concerns and support needed to implement AI in schools. The findings of this study contribute to the ongoing conversation on how to effectively integrate AI into school curriculum.

What are individual‐level nature amends? Rescaling biodiversity offsetting from the community members' perspective

AbstractEffective solutions to biodiversity loss are multidimensional, requiring engagement from diverse stakeholders across various sectors and commitment levels. In this context, voluntary actions from community members emerge as a valuable addition to the large‐scale nature conservation activities conducted by states and municipalities. Such actions complement biodiversity protection measures and legal requirements aimed at companies. This article delves into the rescaling of biodiversity offsetting to the community members level and explores it from the perspective of community members. Through workshops organized in four Finnish municipalities, participants were prompted to reflect on biodiversity offsetting in their daily lives. The results show community members' limited resources to conduct pro‐biodiversity actions and highlight their diverse interpretations of the topic. Beyond direct biodiversity‐enhancing action, like maintaining rural biotopes, eradicating alien species, or protecting forests, workshop participants called for indirect actions. These included education, eco‐taxes, and the development of sharing economies. Thus, rather than solely focusing on biodiversity offsetting or the mitigation hierarchy, these suggestions underscore the need for diverse pro‐biodiversity actions at the community member's level. Furthermore, the results highlight the need for support that enables community members and communities' work for biodiversity. Introducing the concept of nature amends addresses this need, enhancing the mitigation hierarchy's capacity to incorporate community members in nature conservation endeavors.

Leveraging Natural Ecosystems to Reoptimize Education and Training for Great Power Competition in the Air Force Medical Service.

Organizations today are complex, hyperdimensional, and continuously changing in response to the environment. Over the past decade, the Military Health System has seen continuous organizational change to transform healthcare delivery, and the Air Force Medical Service (AFMS) is currently transitioning to an Air Force Medical Command (AFMEDCOM) structure to best prepare for Great Power Competition and other challenges ahead. The current state of the enterprise involves decision making, resourcing, and execution of education and training that is largely decentralized in nature. To support these efforts, in February 2024, a team of diverse AFMS stakeholders gathered in Washington, D.C. to examine the future of medical education and training for the U.S. Air Force in a new way: through systems theory and ecosystem mapping. This ecosystem approach enables development of an organizational structure and process for change that considers how all stakeholders relate, what external factors threaten the desired transformation, and how the resulting enterprise could become more resilient with future uncertainty and change. This paper discusses the theory behind the ecosystem approach and how it was used to develop a transformed model for the AFMS to organize its education and training. Additionally, a dialogue is presented on how this unique methodology to understanding stakeholder relationships can be leveraged in the re-optimization efforts for Great Power Competition.

Balancing Institutional, Social and Cognitive Factors: Human Resources Professionals’ Involvement in Executive Remuneration Governance

This paper investigates qualitatively the involvement of Human Resources (HR) professionals in executive remuneration governance within large UK public companies and similar organisations, considering the complex interplay of institutional, social and cognitive factors that influence executive pay decisions. Through interviews with senior HR professionals and focus groups involving mid-ranking HR professionals, the study identifies key themes, challenges and opportunities faced by HR in navigating the executive remuneration landscape. The study contributes to a more nuanced understanding of the sociological and psychological dimensions of executive pay governance. The findings highlight the practical implications for HR professionals, emphasising the need for active engagement with diverse stakeholder groups, fostering a culture of openness and transparency to ensure that executive pay practices and associated processes align with organisational values and societal expectations, while underscoring the value of learning from diverse perspectives and practices.

Unlocking the Power of Real-World Data: A Framework for Sustainable Healthcare.

Real-world data (RWD) has the potential to revolutionize healthcare by offering valuable insights into patient outcomes and treatment efficacy. However, leveraging RWD effectively presents challenges, including its inherent limitations, diverse stakeholders, and insufficient data management pipelines. A proposed framework advocates three essential elements: adherence to FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable), stakeholder engagement and education, and highlighting the need for inclusive, pragmatic federated hybrid pipelines. By employing these strategies, healthcare organizations can overcome obstacles to RWD utilization and foster sustainable progress in patient care.

Impacts of soil de-sealing practices on urban land-uses, soil functions and ecosystem services in French cities

Soil sealing has been recognised as one of the main causes of urban soil degradation in Europe. To tackle this issue, de-sealing measures have recently been promoted in cities to increase the sustainability of soil ecosystem services. To our knowledge, very few evaluations of de-sealing projects have as yet been done to assess the current framework of these urban planning practices. Therefore, we conducted an online survey to collect and analyse soil de-sealing projects throughout mainland France. A 60-question survey was run over a 4-month-period, and data about 57 projects were collected. The answers covered a diversity of projects, structures and stakeholders and included data such as the location / objectives / costs and benefits of the projects implemented in cities of various sizes. A typology of urban land-uses before and after de-sealing was defined. Among the diverse objectives of de-sealing, rainwater management, reducing urban heat, and greening were most frequent. More than half of the respondents (64%) indicated that ecosystem services were used to drive their de-sealing project. The methods usually required excavation of the sealing cover and road layers being replaced by newly imported fertile materials. Recent de-sealing projects have reused derelict materials from the site (soil-material inventory) and/or local urban waste for soil construction, which can help minimise both the economic and environmental costs of urban greening projects. The results of this study provide quite an exhaustive view of current French de-sealing practices and could provide guidelines for improving soil functions by applying soil engineering processes to construct sustainable fertile soils for urban greening.

Translating Between Standardization and Local Fit in Health Information Technology.

The design of health information technology (HIT) requires balancing standardization and local adjustment. Preliminary study findings show that interactions between stakeholder shared attention and HIT translational 'boundary object' features ensure that HIT serves diverse stakeholders' purposes and needs. This can support subsequent implementation and patient safety.

UNICOM Test Lab: Implementation of ISO's IDMP Standards Across the EU.

The UNICOM Test Lab enhances patient safety and healthcare efficiency by implementing ISO's IDMP standards across the EU. Funded by the EU's HORIZON Programme, this initiative unites diverse stakeholders to enable the seamless exchange of medicinal product information. This paper details the interoperability challenges and methodologies employed, highlighting the UNICOM Test Lab's role in validating and testing tools for IDMP standards implementation, aiming for semantic interoperability and a safe pharmaceutical supply chain within the EU.

European ports transition to carbon-neutral energy: A multiple regression analysis

This paper focuses on sustainable initiatives in the maritime industry, specifically energy transition in EU ports. Our research aims to apply the stakeholder theory in port contexts, to examine the influence of different actors on the adoption of carbon–neutral energy generation technologies, from a port-employee perspective. To that aim, the proposed conceptual model is empirically tested through a survey among port employees, following the identification of applicable technologies via a literature review. Specifically, six types of energy generation technologies that advance the goal of carbon neutrality are identified, and likewise, following the stakeholder theory approach, we identified six categories of relevant stakeholders, perceived as external or internal. By means of a multiple regression analysis, we assess the influence of stakeholders identified regarding the carbon–neutral generation technologies. The results corroborate the suitability of the stakeholder approach for assessing port environments. The findings suggest the existence of different perceptions among port employees regarding the various technologies, while stakeholder influence can be either positive or negative depending on the type of technology. Among the stakeholders involved, customers and competitors appear as most influential. The main contribution of our results derive of tackling the differences in perception of carbon neutrality within the European Ports, and the carbon–neutral technologies in ports contributing towards carbon neutrality. By providing a more thorough understanding regarding the influence of diverse stakeholders in promoting carbon neutral energy generation technologies, this study can serve as a guideline for future research and be of value for practitioners in the field.

Critical success criteria for construction projects: a systematic literature evaluation

PurposeEvaluating project success within the construction industry presents challenges due to the unique characteristics of the sector, the complexity of projects, and the involvement of diverse stakeholders. Conducting a bibliometric analysis, this paper aims to unravel the major research themes and methodologies utilised by researchers in studying the critical success criteria for construction projects, as well as extracting these success criteria.Design/methodology/approachThe researchers systematically searched and screened 95 papers from Scopus and Web of Science (WoS) databases. This study conducted research focus parallelship network (RFPN) analysis and keywords co-occurrence network (KCON) analysis using BibExcel and Gephi to cluster the papers, illuminate the relationships among keywords within each cluster, and identify the primary research directions.FindingsUsing the RFPN analysis, this study classified the papers into three distinct clusters: infrastructure and public projects success, risk and knowledge management, and contractors and procurement management. Statistical techniques such as structural equation modelling (SEM) and multi-criteria decision-making methods such as analytic hierarchy process (AHP) have been used to analyse project success in the construction industry.Research limitations/implicationsConsidering the intensified demand for streamlined digital interactions and the increasing emphasis on sustainability and safety performance, construction companies are recommended to allocate greater investments toward the automation and digitisation of their products and processes. Prioritising modular construction and embracing transformative technologies alongside data science is crucial for enabling well-informed decision-making, and enhancing project success.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by conducting a quantitative and systematic evaluation of the literature on project success criteria in the construction industry and uncovering key research areas. It addresses the pressing need to understand the complexities of construction projects amidst evolving industry dynamics and emerging disruptions. Moreover, by highlighting the implications of digital innovations and modular construction, this study urges deeper exploration into their impact on project performance and stakeholder satisfaction. This research sets a comprehensive framework for investigating the interplay between project complexity, technological advancements, and sustainable practices in the construction sector, paving the way for strategic advancements in the field.

Applied qualitative methods for social life cycle assessment: a case study of Canadian beef

PurposeThis paper presents a transparent and rigorous methodological approach to conducting a case study of social performance (SP) within the conventional life cycle of Canadian beef. The objective was to explore the potential benefits and risks (or hotspots) of practices on Canadian beef farm businesses (BFBs) and slaughter operations (BSOs) to establish valid benchmarks and a social sustainability roadmap for decision-makers to improve SP.MethodsThis study undertook a novel and participatory approach to social life cycle assessment (S-LCA). Respondents from both within and at-arms-length to the beef value chain were engaged to identify SP practices and perceptions and develop the life cycle inventory. The goal and scope, inventory, assessment, and interpretation were conducted in a three-phased approach: (i) scoping; (ii) practice-based assessment; and (iii) deep-dive assessment. Data collected through mixed methods, including Q method, interviews, surveys, and literature review, were assessed using a type I (reference scale) approach and interpreted through critical interpretive synthesis. Organizational SP was explored at BFBs and BSOs, considering the following stakeholders: value chain actors, farmers, employees, and cattle.Results and discussionOutcomes from the applied approach explore the interrelations between organizations and stakeholders along the value chain. Impact categories concerning labour management, people’s health and safety, and animal care were prioritized for deep-dive assessment. Subcategories included novel topics, like recruitment and retention and access to mental health resources. A range of potential benefits and areas for improving SP were identified at BFBs and BSOs. Potential risks from SP were identified for stakeholders from working hours, communication and dispute resolution, animal transport, and personal protective equipment practice areas. Results informed strategic activities for the National Beef Sustainability Strategy.ConclusionThis study contributes to the social sustainability discourse in livestock systems by demonstrating a qualitative approach to S-LCA that can be replicated by practitioners to explore valid and locally specific social dimensions of sustainability. Practitioners may consider the approach and results in future studies to better capture and manage the complex and dynamic nature of livestock systems, leading to more effective social sustainability decisions that incorporate diverse stakeholder perspectives.