Engagement Of Multiple Stakeholders Research Articles

Managing intellectual capital through a collective intelligence approach

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to provide a new framework for managing intellectual capital (IC) inside a university considering the collective intelligence perspective.Design/methodology/approach– The research method uses the fourth stage of IC research and adopts the collective intelligence approach. The underlying assumption behind the framework is to consider the university as a collective intelligence system in which the tangible and intellectual assets are coordinated towards the achievement of strategic goals.Findings– The conceptual framework for IC management harnesses the power of IC, collectively created by the engagement of multiple stakeholders inside the university network. The main components are the final goal of a university (what); the collective human capital to achieve the goal (who); the processes activated inside the university (how); and finally the motivations behind the achievement of the goal (why).Research limitations/implications– The research is exploratory and the framework offers opportunities for refinement. Future research is needed to verify the application of the framework to other organisations in the public sector intended as collective intelligence systems. A new perspective for managing IC in universities adopting the collective intelligence approach is developed. Contribution to the fourth stage (ecosystem) of IC research is highlighted, expanding the concept of IC value creation beyond the university into wider society.Practical implications– The framework can be used to manage IC strategically in all the systems interpreted as collective intelligence systems in which the role of IC creation from multiple actors is relevant. This makes possible the understanding of how IC helps create value for the society and the region in which the university operates.Originality/value– The originality of the paper is in bringing together issues usually dealt within the literature in separate domains, such as IC management and collective intelligence perspective. The concept of collective intelligence remains an unexplored field in relation to IC management in the public sector. The collective intelligence approach provides a novel contribution to managing IC and is intended to inspire future research.

Bridging Institutional Voids at the Urban Base of the Pyramid

Much of the BoP literature has focused on rural settings, yet urban poverty is rapidly growing in scale and importance. The urban poor in developing countries inhabit informal settlements characterized by significant institutional voids. This paper examines the strategies used to address these voids by companies that operate in such settings, through in-depth comparisons of the approaches used by three companies providing basic services in a major emerging-country metropolis. The paper shows that institutional voids at the urban BoP are characterized by their instability, diversity, and incompleteness. In this context, companies have no choice but to engage in institutional entrepreneurship to bridge the unfilled voids and to bring some stability and uniformity. In Rio de Janeiro, some utilities are attempting to do so through a combination of technology, which offers a stable and uniform basis of operation, and the engagement of multiple stakeholders along the lines of the collaborative governance concept. In order to implement these actions, however, the companies first have to gain a measure of legitimacy at the local level, overcoming the liability associated with their outsider status.

Benefit–risk assessment of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins): a discrete choice experiment

ObjectivesTo conduct the benefit–risk assessment of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl (HMG) coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) using a discrete choice experiment, based on 3 major stakeholders’ perspectives including patients, experts and policymakers in...

Communicating science and technology while engaging the public at the Illinois Basin – Decatur Project

AbstractThe Midwest Geological Sequestration Consortium communication initiative at the Illinois Basin – Decatur Project (IBDP) draws on multiple carbon capture and storage (CCS) best practices, guidelines, and international project experiences to be both proactive and responsive toward the engagement of multiple stakeholders. The IBDP communications strategy was developed early in the project to actively reduce associated risks by creating and implementing a communication plan, training communicators, and providing a structure for the communications team. Formalized approaches to knowledge sharing and capacity building have generated additional opportunities to further outreach and impact from IBDP experiences. The initial challenge for the communications team was to provide easy‐to‐understand, scientifically accurate, and consistent information for stakeholders to carry throughout the project. Consistent, factual information was developed and incorporated into project planning, and provides the basis of public communications through the alignment of goals across communications, risk mitigation, and project management. The refinement of the communication strategy and plan is ongoing due to the changing communication needs that are encountered throughout the lifetime of the project.

Community reintegration of stroke survivors: the effect of a community navigation intervention.

The overall aim of the proposed study is to examine a newly implemented navigation intervention intended to support stroke survivors' community integration during the first year following hospital discharge in four regions of Ontario, Canada. Stroke is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Stroke survivors living in the community require regular, ongoing follow-up to assess recovery, prevent deterioration and maximize health outcomes. Internationally published evidence, often conducted in large urban centres, suggests that community reintegration services are an important component of the continuum of care for stroke survivors. This evidence, however, often does not address the particular challenges inherent in smaller urban and rural contexts. The design of this 2-year mixed-method study will use cohort and focused ethnography. The three stages of this study include: (1) collection of quantitative data to profile the health status, support and extent of community reintegration of stroke survivors; (2) collection of qualitative data from stroke survivors and their care partners about community reintegration and navigation; and following triangulation of findings (3) knowledge translation activities. This study was ethically approved by the academic Research Ethics Board and clinical Research Ethics Board (Sudbury, Ontario) and funded by the Ontario Stroke Network (Canada). Results will describe experiences and outcomes of a community navigation intervention. Engagement of multiple stakeholders has the potential to develop a shared understanding of community reintegration and generate evidence informed recommendations for service enhancement at critical points in stroke recovery to support survivor and community well-being.

Networks for improving care in patients with acute coronary syndrome: A framework

In recent years, it has become evident that the level of guideline adherence in patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is highly correlated with patient outcomes. Unfortunately, guideline adherence is low in some geographic areas and especially in those patients at high-risk. Regional networks including ambulance systems and hospitals with catheterization laboratories are able to increase guideline adherence and patient outcomes by streamlining the critical pre- and intra-hospital processes as well as improving timely access to invasive procedures and recommended medication. Successful organization of an ACS network requires engagement of multiple stakeholders to create effective solutions for the specific local setting. There is no 'one-size-fits all' strategy to set-up and successfully run an ACS network. We present a framework for how to set up and organize an effective ACS network, delivering guideline-based care to improve patient outcomes.

Road Map to a Patient-Centered Research Agenda at the Intersection of Hospital Medicine and Geriatric Medicine

As the United States ages, the patient population in acute care hospitals is increasingly older and more medically complex. Despite evidence of a high burden of disease, high costs, and often poor outcomes of care, there is limited understanding of the presentation, diagnostic strategies, and management of acute illness in older adults. In this paper, we present a strategy for the development of a research agenda at the intersection of hospital and geriatric medicine. This approach is informed by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) framework for identification and prioritization of research areas, emphasizing input from patients and caregivers. The framework's four components are: 1) Topic generation, 2) Gap Analysis in Systematic Review, 3) Value of information (VOI) analysis, and 4) Peer Review. An inclusive process for topic generation requiring the systematic engagement of multiple stakeholders, especially patients, is emphasized. In subsequent steps, researchers and stakeholders prioritize research topics in order to identify areas that optimize patient-centeredness, population impact, impact on clinical decision making, ease of implementation, and durability. Finally, next steps for dissemination of the research agenda and evaluation of the impact of the patient-centered research prioritization process are described.

Evaluating the Complex: Alternative Models and Measures for Evaluating Collaboration among Substance use Services with Mental Health, Primary Care and other Services and Sectors

Many planners and administrators now look to “collaboration” or “integration” as a solution, or at least a partial solution, to challenges related to access and delivery of substance use and mental health services and health services in general. Among the major constraints in identifying best practices in this area and recommending optimal evaluation strategies are the plethora of terms and concepts used in the literature to describe collaboration or integration as well as the many alternative approaches and outcome expectations. It is helpful, therefore, to follow concrete steps to plan the evaluation, including the engagement of multiple stakeholders in the planning process and subsequent execution of the evaluation. The concrete evaluation strategies employed can follow a traditional, often linear model, of impact and are often categorized under the common typologies of process, outcome or economic evaluations. Each approach examines different domains of interest and can be at the individual/service level or at the level of the overall treatment system. Other less traditional evaluation models and methods based on systems theory, complex adaptive systems and developmental evaluation have much to offer the evaluation of interventions aimed at improving the collaboration and integration of substance use services with other health and social services and sectors. Realist evaluation is a particularly helpful approach that integrates many of the traditional approaches with these other models and methods.

Using concept mapping in the knowledge-to-action process to compare stakeholder opinions on barriers to use of cancer screening among South Asians

BackgroundUsing the knowledge-to-action (KTA) process, this study examined barriers to use of evidence-based interventions to improve early detection of cancer among South Asians from the perspective of multiple stakeholders.MethodsIn 2011, we used concept mapping with South Asian residents, and representatives from health service and community service organizations in the region of Peel Ontario. As part of concept mapping procedures, brainstorming sessions were conducted with stakeholders (n = 53) to identify barriers to cancer screening among South Asians. Participants (n = 46) sorted barriers into groups, and rated barriers from lowest (1) to highest (6) in terms of importance for use of mammograms, Pap tests and fecal occult blood tests, and how feasible it would be to address them. Multi-dimensional scaling, cluster analysis, and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data.ResultsA total of 45 unique barriers to use of mammograms, Pap tests, and fecal occult blood tests among South Asians were classified into seven clusters using concept mapping procedures: patient’s beliefs, fears, lack of social support; health system; limited knowledge among residents; limited knowledge among physicians; health education programs; ethno-cultural discordance with the health system; and cost. Overall, the top three ranked clusters of barriers were ‘limited knowledge among residents,’ ‘ethno-cultural discordance,’ and ‘health education programs’ across surveys. Only residents ranked ‘cost’ second in importance for fecal occult blood testing, and stakeholders from health service organizations ranked ‘limited knowledge among physicians’ third for the feasibility survey. Stakeholders from health services organizations ranked ‘limited knowledge among physicians’ fourth for all other surveys, but this cluster consistently ranked lowest among residents.ConclusionThe limited reach of cancer control programs to racial and ethnic minority groups is a critical implementation issue that requires attention. Opinions of community service and health service organizations on why this deficit in implementation occurs are fundamental to understanding the solutions because these are the settings in which evidence-based interventions are implemented. Using concept mapping within a KTA process can facilitate the engagement of multiple stakeholders in the utilization of study results and in identifying next steps for action.

Collective action and the governance of multistakeholder initiatives: a case study of Bonsucro

Abstract Sustainability is an interesting case of a ‘wicked problem’ that requires multiple stakeholder engagement to be managed. Multistakeholder initiatives (MSIs) have emerged as an alternative governance mechanism to address this problem. This paper addresses the issue of overcoming collective action hurdles and governance design in MSIs. We focus our analysis on Bonsucro, an MSI that recently developed a standard and certification scheme for sustainable sugarcane products. We describe the internal organization and governance of Bonsucro and the process it followed to develop and implement the scheme. We then apply collective action and governance theories to analyze Bonsucro’s case and make observations as to how MSIs and alternative governance structures might be organized to address sustainability in global agrifood chains.

Through-Life NEC Scenario Development

Scenarios are an important planning tool used by individuals, businesses and governments (especially in the military domain), but many of the currently used approaches focus solely on acute probabilistic timeframes and specific metricated instances of possible future states. Using a mixed method research methodology, we develop a scenario approach in which multiple timeframes are accommodated by fitting vignettes within each other to represent different time levels. This has the advantage of presenting the end-to-end process of capability development and instantiation. We describe the methodology employed to generate such a scenario as a demonstration aid for a large, multidisciplinary research program in systems of systems engineering. The process of scenario generation was an effective integration tool within this program (that included twelve distributed research groups). The resultant scenario enabled engagement of multiple stakeholders in an integrated demonstration of systems related research outputs. We recommend a new class of scenario (a “research scenario”) for incorporation within the standard classifications of scenario types.

A Patient Advocate’s Perspective On Patient-Centered Comparative Effectiveness Research

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act created a new phrase and concept: patient-centered outcomes research. The author of this commentary, who served as a member of the US House of Representatives from California, is also a patient with epilepsy and a patient advocate. He consulted with lawmakers in the passage of the health reform law. Here he draws on his varied experiences to provide perspective on how the law will provide the necessary policy framework for patient-centered comparative effectiveness research. Elements of that framework include the meaningful engagement of multiple stakeholders, most especially patients; acknowledgment of individual differences among patients and the importance of advancing personalized medicine; transparency and opportunities to participate; a broad, clinically focused research agenda; and the need to communicate results appropriately.

Exploring evidence-policy linkages in health research plans: a case study from six countries.

The complex evidence-policy interface in low and middle income country settings is receiving increasing attention. Future Health Systems (FHS): Innovations for Equity, is a research consortium conducting health systems explorations in six Asian and African countries: Bangladesh, India, China, Afghanistan, Uganda, and Nigeria. The cross-country research consortium provides a unique opportunity to explore the research-policy interface. Three key activities were undertaken during the initial phase of this five-year project. First, key considerations in strengthening evidence-policy linkages in health system research were developed by FHS researchers through workshops and electronic communications. Four key considerations in strengthening evidence-policy linkages are postulated: development context; research characteristics; decision-making processes; and stakeholder engagement. Second, these four considerations were applied to research proposals in each of the six countries to highlight features in the research plans that potentially strengthen the research-policy interface and opportunities for improvement. Finally, the utility of the approach for setting research priorities in health policy and systems research was reflected upon. These three activities yielded interesting findings. First, developmental consideration with four dimensions – poverty, vulnerabilities, capabilities, and health shocks – provides an entry point in examining research-policy interfaces in the six settings. Second, research plans focused upon on the ground realities in specific countries strengthens the interface. Third, focusing on research prioritized by decision-makers, within a politicized health arena, enhances chances of research influencing action. Lastly, early and continued engagement of multiple stakeholders, from local to national levels, is conducive to enhanced communication at the interface. The approach described has four main utilities: first, systematic analyses of research proposals using key considerations ensure such issues are incorporated into research proposals; second, the exact meaning, significance, and inter-relatedness of these considerations can be explored within the research itself; third, cross-country learning can be enhanced; and finally, translation of evidence into action may be facilitated. Health systems research proposals in low and middle income countries should include reflection on transferring research findings into policy. Such deliberations may be informed by employing the four key considerations suggested in this paper in analyzing research proposals.