Contextual Factors Research Articles

An Asset-Based Examination of Contextual Factors Influencing Nutrition Security: The Case of Rural Northern New England

Background/Objectives: Rural communities face a disproportionate burden in terms of diet-related health challenges and have been identified as a target for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s nutrition security initiatives. In this paper, we adopt an asset-based approach and use the Community Capitals Framework to examine the characteristics that support nutrition security in rural communities, using rural northern New England as a case study. Methods: We conducted focus groups and interviews with 32 food and nutrition professionals in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont in 2023 and 2024 to explore the contextual factors that influence nutrition security in rural communities. We coded the data for community assets and mapped the identified assets into the seven dimensions of the Community Capitals Framework: built capital, cultural capital, financial capital, human capital, natural capital, political capital, and social capital. Results: The participants described assets in all dimensions of the Community Capitals Framework except built capital. The specific assets discussed were related to local food production (natural and cultural capital), coordination between food system stakeholders and strong social networks (human and social capital), regional political commitments to food security and nutrition (political capital), and the strong seasonal tourist economy present in some communities (financial capital). Conclusions: Rural communities remain under-studied in the literature regarding nutrition, and little is known about how to advance healthful eating in rural contexts. An asset-based approach was helpful for identifying existing resources that enhance rural nutrition security and may provide an opportunity to characterize and disseminate strategies to advance rural health equity.

Teachers’ Collaborative Practices, Innovativeness and Creativity

This study examines the collaborative practices, innovativeness, and creativity of secondary teachers in the Schools Division of Iloilo, Philippines, during the 2023-2024 academic year, in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution’s demands for innovative approaches to teaching and learning. Grounded in Collaborative Learning Theory (Dillenbourg, 2010) and Social Constructivism (Vygotsky, 2010), the study explores how teachers’ profiles—such as educational attainment, length of service, position, school type, and congressional district—influence their collaboration, innovation, and creativity in educational settings. Utilizing a quantitative descriptive-correlational design, data were collected from 283 junior high school teachers through a validated questionnaire. Statistical tools such as chi-square tests were used to determine significant differences among demographic groups, while Pearson correlation was employed to assess relationships between collaborative practices, innovativeness, and creativity. Results indicate that teachers exhibit consistent collaborative practices regardless of their demographic or contextual factors, while significant differences in innovativeness are observed based on educational attainment (p < 0.05). However, creativity levels remain uniform across different classifications (p > 0.05). The findings reveal no significant relationships between collaborative practices and either innovativeness or creativity (p > 0.05). The study concludes that while secondary teachers in Iloilo demonstrate a willingness to collaborate and innovate, targeted professional development is necessary to enhance innovativeness and foster creativity effectively. Recommendations include developing professional development programs, promoting open feedback and collaboration, and providing equitable access to technological resources. Keywords: Teachers’ collaborative practices, innovativeness, creativity, Education 4.0, professional development, quantitative research, Philippines

Maternal characteristics and their relation to early mother-child interaction and cognitive development in toddlers

Early mother-infant interaction is believed to have a significant impact on the social, cognitive, and emotional development of children. These interactions are not only influenced by child and contextual factors but also by the mother’s personality traits and strain. In this study, we investigated the relation between maternal factors such as personality, depressive symptoms, or experiencing of emotions, and (i) children’s early cognitive development and (ii) interaction patterns in a sample of 116 mother-child dyads (mean child age = 18.63 months ± 6.42). Maternal factors were assessed using standardized questionnaires and toddlers’ cognitive development was measured using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development. Interaction patterns were evaluated using the CARE-Index. The study found that children of mothers who scored higher in agreeableness, a personality trait reflecting compassion and cooperation, performed better in cognitive assessments. Additionally, mothers who placed significant importance on their bodily signals to assess their overall well-being had higher scores in the quality of interaction with their child. Statistical trends suggested that mothers with higher levels of conscientiousness, indicative of being organized and responsible, tended to be more responsive in the interaction with their infants, while those with higher levels of neuroticism, characterized by a tendency towards negative emotions, were more likely to have toddlers who inhibit their true negative affect. Finally, there was a trend indicating that maternal depression was associated with increased maternal controlling behavior towards toddlers. Overall, these findings show the intricate relation between maternal behavior and state with dyadic interaction quality. This should underline that optimal infant development is only possible if mothers are well supported especially if in need due to various burdens such as depressive symptoms.

Using internet-assisted geocoding of 1940 census addresses to reconstruct enumeration districts for use with redlining and longitudinal health datasets

Many historical administrative documents, such as the 1940 census, have been digitized and thus could be merged with geographic data. Merged data could reveal social determinants of health, health and social policy milieu, life course events, and selection effects otherwise masked in longitudinal datasets. However, most exact boundaries of 1940 census enumeration districts have not yet been georeferenced. These exact boundaries could aid in analysis of redlining and other geographic and social contextual factors important for health outcomes today. Our objective is to locate and map a large set of 1940 enumeration districts. We use online resources and algorithmic solutions to locate and georeference unknown 1940 enumeration districts. We geocode addresses using the OpenCage API and construct “virtual” enumeration districts by using a convex hull algorithm on those geocoded addresses. We also merge in Home Owners’ Loan Corporation (HOLC) redlining maps from the 1930s to demonstrate how 1940 enumeration districts could be used in future work to examine the association between historic redlining and current health. We geocode 7,228,656 1940 census addresses from the largest 191 US cities in 1940 that contained 84% of the 1940 US urban population from the Geographic Reference File and construct 34,472 virtual enumeration districts in areas that had HOLC redlining maps. 18,340 virtual enumeration districts were previously unmapped, covering cities containing an additional 40% of the 1940 US urban population. Where virtual enumeration districts match with previously mapped districts, 96.8% of paired districts share HOLC redlining categorization. Researchers can use algorithmic methods to quickly process, geocode, merge, and analyze large scale repositories of historical documents that provide important data on social determinants of health. These 1940 enumeration district maps could be used with studies such as the Health and Retirement Study, Panel Study for Income Dynamics, and Wisconsin Longitudinal Study.

The Case for Public-Private Partnerships in South Africa: Is South Africa Ready?

South Africa’s National Infrastructure Plan 2050 indicates an intention to augment the financial capacity and technical expertise of South Africa’s delivery agencies by engaging in strategic partnerships with the private sector through public-private partnerships (PPPs). The objective of this paper is to identify, measure and critically consider the critical success factors in the South African context necessary for the effective delivery of PPPs. Empirical data collection involved a triangulated case study analysis, a survey to measure contextual factors and in-depth interviews with local infrastructure specialists to review causes and consider solutions. Key findings include a need for PPP capacity building and addressing the lack of political will within the public sector while shifting towards a programmatic procurement and delivery model for infrastructure projects.

Toward a more general theory of marketing ethics

Purpose Ethical issues surround and permanently reside in the discipline of marketing and have been examined within multiple schools of thought. However, despite the prevalence of the topic and significant scholarly attention and theoretical development since the 1980s, the Hunt–Vitell general model has not been subject to a substantial revision in decades. This paper aims to undertake the significant task of augmenting and advancing the general theoretical framework of marketing ethics through a number of revisions. Design/methodology/approach This paper synthesizes the conceptual and empirical work on marketing ethics to date to extend the seminal Hunt and Vitell (1986, 2006) model of marketing ethics. Findings The revised model expands upon the Hunt–Vitell model by incorporating additional factors that influence ethical decision-making in marketing. Key additions include cultural orientation, socialization, individual characteristics (relativism, demographics, goals, position), means, contracts, consumer sovereignty, self-respect, respect from others and context. These additions create a more comprehensive framework for understanding ethical behavior in marketing, enhancing the model’s validity and applicability. Research limitations/implications The paper offers numerous research avenues, including: 1. Examining how marketers and entrepreneurs make decisions, focusing on the alignment of their processes with ethical principles. 2. Revisiting research on gender and ethics, exploring the interplay of various social identities in ethical decision-making. 3. Developing new measures for personality traits like idealism and relativism within marketing and entrepreneurship contexts. 4. Investigating the impact of information availability and different types of information on consumer perceptions and ethical behavior. 5. Exploring the disconnect between ethical orientations of marketing managers and consumers. 6. Examining the influence of socialization processes on ethical orientations. 7. Incorporating psychological constructs like self-respect and desire for respect into models of ethical decision-making. 8. Conducting context-specific research to understand the relationship between ethical judgment and action. 9. Empirical testing using both vignettes and structural equation modeling to validate the model and explore its implications for both marketers and consumers, especially in the context of brand activism and public relations crises. Practical implications Practitioners should be mindful of how their actions and intentions influence ethical judgments. They should integrate ethical considerations into all aspects of business, including CSR initiatives and training. Promoting diversity and transparency fosters ethical decision-making and builds trust with consumers. Entrepreneurs should model ethical behavior, create an ethical culture and provide clear information about their practices. Social implications The revised model highlights the significant social implications of ethical decision-making in marketing and entrepreneurship. By considering not only the outcomes but also the means used to achieve them, businesses can avoid negative impacts on society. This includes prioritizing transparency, fairness and responsible practices. Understanding the influence of cultural, individual and contextual factors on ethical behavior can lead to more ethical business practices, ultimately contributing to a more just and sustainable society. Originality/value The revised model constitutes a meaningful improvement to the seminal Hunt–Vitell general model of marketing ethics. Seven new research propositions, a simplified measurement model, research and practitioner implications and an Appendix that offers an overview of four decades of marketing ethics research are also provided.

Plans, Progression and Post-Compulsory Education: Measuring the Success of a School–University Widening Participation Programme in Ireland

It is widely recognised that addressing inequality in tertiary education is a complex and multifaceted issue. Studies involving students from lower socio-economic backgrounds consistently show that educational disparities exist at the post-secondary education level, with these students’ encountering obstacles in both accessing and completing tertiary education compared to their wealthier counterparts. Understanding how widening participation interventions may influence young people’s post-compulsory education is an important part of addressing the participation gap. This paper investigates longitudinal data from 227 students in Dublin, Ireland, who were attending post-primary schools located in areas that have low progression to tertiary education. The paper examines the extent to which students’ post-secondary plans, formulated in their final year of secondary school, are realised six months after graduation. The paper continues to examine the influence of external interventions provided by an Irish university’s widening participation (WP) programme on secondary school students’ progression to post-compulsory education. Taking into account contextual factors (e.g., gender, ethnicity, school type, parental education, parental support), this paper examines how WP programmes in secondary school impact post-school progression. Programme engagement (guidance outreach activities) was associated with 4.91-greater odds of post-secondary education once other contextual factors had been controlled for. Participating in mentoring programmes did not have a significant influence on post-secondary progression. Findings in relation to these are discussed, and recommendations for how practitioners and policy makers can approach widening participation outreach programmes with secondary school students are highlighted.

An Investigation of Factors Influencing Construction Project Planning in South Sudan’s Public Road Projects

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors influencing project planning in public road projects in South Sudan. It aims to identify key challenges and opportunities, contributing to the development of more effective planning practices to enhance infrastructure development and support economic growth. Materials and Methods: A descriptive research design was employed, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Primary data were collected through structured questionnaires targeting professionals in public road projects across South Sudan. Secondary data were gathered from existing literature and official reports. Data analysis utilized the Relative Importance Index (RII) to rank factors influencing project planning. Findings: The study identifies intergovernmental factors, resource availability, technological infrastructure, and project-specific characteristics as critical determinants of project planning adequacy. It reveals significant gaps in defining project objectives, realistic scheduling, cost estimation, and risk management. The findings underscore the need for enhanced intergovernmental coordination, investment in skilled labor, and adoption of advanced project management tools to address planning deficiencies. Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: The research builds on institutional and contingency theories, highlighting the interplay of environmental, organizational, and contextual factors in planning outcomes. For practitioners, it provides actionable insights to improve project planning practices. For policymakers, the study recommends strengthening governance frameworks, standardizing processes, and fostering transparency in planning and implementation.

Factors affecting the sustainability of open educational resource initiatives in higher education: A systematic review

AbstractThis systematic review aims to examine the factors that impact the sustainability of open educational resources (OER) initiatives. A total of 226 articles from the Web of Science, ERIC and SCOPUS databases were subjected to content analysis to identify factors that influence the sustainability of OER initiatives based on the 3M (macro, meso and micro) framework. Our findings reveal that OER sustainability is influenced by different factors in different contexts, such as platform, content creator, learner, learning material and institutional setting. Within the institutional context, institutional policies categorised as a macro and meso factor, were identified as the most frequently mentioned factor affecting OER sustainability. The factors of providing institutional support and incentives were identified as meso factors. For faculty and learners, meso and micro factors such as attitude, motivation, awareness of OER, time, ICT needs and digital literacy were frequently mentioned. Access emerged as a prominent meso factor within the OER platforms dimension. Quality was identified as a critical macro and meso factor for the sustainability of OER. After the quality factor, material‐related factors such as licensing, interactivity and free access emerged. Finally, an OER sustainability framework is proposed along with recommendations for researchers, practitioners and administrators to promote sustainable OER practices.

Career Aspirations of Arab Minority College Students in Israel: A Longitudinal Study

This study examined the stability and change in career aspirations throughout the college-to-work transition among ethnic minority Arab students in Israel and tested the contributions of contextual and personal factors to career aspirations before and after this transition. At Time 1, 957 Arab students in Israel participated at the end of their senior year; of these, 362 also participated at Time 2, one year after graduation. Results indicated relatively low one-year stability in career aspirations ( r = .43) and a decline in career aspirations throughout the college-to-work transition. Career aspirations at the end of college were predicted by exposure to role models ( β = .16), career proactivity ( β = .26), and occupational self-efficacy ( β = .38). One year after graduation, only occupational self-efficacy predicted career aspirations ( β = .17). These findings suggest theoretical and practical implications for the career aspirations of Arab minority college students in Israel.

Building Resilience in Rural STEM Teachers Through a Noyce Professional Learning Community

Addressing the critical STEM teachers’ shortage in the rural United States requires not only recruiting new teachers but also improving retention and teacher resiliency. This study explores contextual protective factors through the Early Career Teacher Resilience (ECTR) framework. The major objective of this study was to evaluate the impacts of the NSF Noyce Professional Learning Community (PLC) on rural STEM teacher resilience. Key components of the Noyce PLC included scholarship support, pre-service mentoring, attendance at local and regional educational events, active engagement in the program’s annual summer conference, and participation in a closed Facebook group. We developed an ECTR framework-based online instrument with 28 questions and sent it to 311 university alumni, including 44 Noyce alumni. The results suggest that the Noyce PLC has excelled in fostering collaborative learning environments, providing resources that enhance teaching and learning, accommodating new and different ways of thinking, and supporting teachers’ professional growth beyond graduation. The findings underscore the importance of integrating theoretical and practical knowledge, supporting ongoing professional learning, and building strong professional relationships. Several aspects of the Noyce PLC could be replicated in other STEM teacher preparation programs to enhance teacher resilience, effectiveness, and career development.

Impact of Compensation Packages on Employees Job Satisfaction: Moderating Role of Environmental Uncertainty in Banking Institutions of Kabul

This study investigates the impact of compensation on employees' job satisfaction in private banks located in Kabul, Afghanistan. Additionally, it explores the moderating role of environmental uncertainty in this relationship. The study aims to determine the extent to which compensation packages, affects employee job satisfaction, while considering the influence of environmental uncertainty as a moderating variable. Cross-sectional quantitative data is collected through an adopted self-administered survey questionnaire from employees (N=660) of private banks in Kabul. Statistical analyses, including descriptive analysis, reliability analysis, correlation analysis, ANOVA, and regression analysis were conducted using the SPSS. The findings of this study indicate that compensation packages have a significant impact on employee job satisfaction. It reveals that employees' perception of their compensation, including salary, benefits, and incentives, plays a crucial role in determining their level of job satisfaction. Higher levels of compensation are positively associated with increased job satisfaction among employees in private banks. Furthermore, the study highlights the moderating role of environmental uncertainty in the relationship between compensation packages and job satisfaction. Environmental uncertainty refers to the volatility, complexity, and unpredictability of the external business environment. The findings suggest that organizations should carefully design and implement compensation packages that align with employees' needs and expectations, considering the contextual factors of the business environment.

How and when workplace bullying detriments job performance: roles of affect-based trust and moral disengagement

Purpose The study aims to explore the negative relationship between workplace bullying and job performance by considering the mediating role of affect-based trust and the moderating role of moral disengagement, drawing on the attribution theory and social cognitive theory. Design/methodology/approach A data set of 196 samples was collected from office workers who witnessed workplace bullying in Vietnamese enterprises by administering a structured questionnaire. The collected data was analyzed using partial least square-structural equation modeling analysis and the process module generated by SmartPLS4 to test the conditional indirect effect. Findings The findings confirm the negative relationship between workplace bullying and job performance, and this negative relationship is partially mediated by employees’ perceived affect-based trust. In addition, moral disengagement moderates the indirect effect of workplace bullying on job performance through affect-based trust in such a way that the negative indirect effect is weaker when moral disengagement is lower. Research limitations/implications The research has limitations because of the small sample size, cross-sectional design and omission of cultural factors. Practical implications The research findings provide valuable insights into establishing workplace bullying prevention policies and practical implementations to increase job performance by enhancing employees’ trust in organizations. The paper also suggests practices to promote employees’ awareness of moral values and introduce interventions or training to reduce the tendency to disengage morally. Originality/value This study is part of a limited number of research efforts delving into the underlying mechanism and contextual factors surrounding the detrimental effects of workplace bullying on job performance in a developing country. The findings have confirmed the conditional indirect effect, demonstrating that the influence of workplace bullying on job performance through affect-based trust hinges on the degree of moral disengagement present.

Emotion recognition deficits in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: a comprehensive meta-analysis of accuracy and response time

BackgroundAutism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by persistent challenges in social communication and restricted, repetitive behaviors. Emotion recognition deficits are a core feature of ASD, impairing social functioning and quality of life. This meta-analysis evaluates emotion recognition accuracy and response time in individuals with autism spectrum disorder compared to neurotypical individuals and those with other neurodevelopmental disorders.MethodsThis systematic review with a meta-analysis was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive literature search across PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science identified 13 studies published between 2006 and 2024. Data on emotion recognition accuracy and response times were synthesized using standardized mean differences in random-effects models. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic, and sensitivity analyses were performed to ensure robustness.ResultsIndividuals with ASD exhibited significantly lower overall emotion recognition accuracy compared to TD individuals (SMD = −1.29, 95% CI: −2.20 to −0.39, p < 0.01) and NDDs (SMD = −0.89, 95% CI: −1.23 to −0.55, p = 0.02). Response times were significantly prolonged in ASD compared to TD individuals (SMD = 0.50, 95% CI: 0.36–0.63, p < 0.01) but not when compared to NDDs. Emotion-specific analyses did not consistently reveal significant differences across emotions (fear, anger, happiness, sadness, disgust, surprise), with substantial heterogeneity observed across studies (I2 > 50%).ConclusionsThis systematic review with a meta-analysis highlights significant impairments in emotion recognition accuracy and processing speed among individuals with autism spectrum disorder, particularly compared to neurotypical individuals. These findings underscore the importance of developing targeted interventions to address these deficits, which are foundational to improving social cognition and quality of life in autism spectrum disorder. Future research should prioritize standardized methodologies and explore cultural and contextual factors influencing emotion recognition abilities.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=627339, PROSPERO (CRD42024627339).

Enabler of Madrasah Education: The Case of LGU-Supported Traditional Madrasah in General Santos City

This study explored the enablers of Madrasah education programs, focusing on locally-led efforts of the Local Government Unit of General Santos to support the traditional Madrasahs in the city, recognizing the vital role of traditional madrasah education in promoting religious and cultural identity as well as social cohesion. This research analyzed the key factors contributing to these educational initiatives' effective implementation and sustainability. A case study method approach was utilized, including surveys and interviews. The findings revealed several critical enablers, such as active community involvement, government assistance, and capacity building. This paper underscores the significance of the all-of-the-community approach in creating an inclusive educational environment that meets the needs of Muslim learners. Hence, the analysis concluded that contextual factors such as social, economic, environmental, and political dimensions affect the implementation of the traditional Madrasah in General Santos City. The study recommends the standardization of the traditional Madrasah Curriculum, considering the nuances of Muslim communities in General Santos.

Factors Associated with the Timing of Initial Visit to Healthcare Providers for Injured Workers with Low Back Pain Claims: A Multijurisdiction Retrospective Cohort.

Evidence shows that patient outcomes following musculoskeletal injury have been associated with the timing of care. Despite the increasing number of injured workers presenting with low back pain (LBP) in primary care, little is known about the factors that are associated with the timing of initial healthcare provider visits. This study investigated factors that are associated with the timing of initial workers' compensation (WC)-funded care provider visits for LBP claims. We used a retrospective cohort design. A standardised multi-jurisdiction database of LBP claims with injury dates from July 2011 to June 2015 was analysed. Determinants of the time to initial general practitioner (GPs) and or musculoskeletal (MSK) therapists were investigated using an accelerated failure time model, with a time ratio (TR) > 1 indicating a longer time to initial healthcare provider visit. 9088 LBP claims were included. The median time to first healthcare provider visit was 3days (interquartile range (IQR) 1-9). Compared to General practitioners (GPs) (median 3days, IQR 1-8), the timing of initial consultation was longer if the first healthcare providers were MSK therapists (median 5days, IQR 2-14) (p < 0.001). Female workers had a shorter time to first healthcare provider visit [TR = 0.87; 95% CI (0.78, 0.97)] compared to males. It took twice as long to see MSK therapists first as it did to see GPs for injured workers [TR = 2.12; 95% CI (1.88, 2.40)]. Professional workers and those from remote areas also experienced delayed initial healthcare provider visits. The time to initial healthcare provider visit for compensable LBP varied significantly by certain occupational and contextual factors. Further research is needed to investigate the impact of the timing of initial visits to healthcare providers on claim outcomes.

Honesty threshold affects individuals’ resistance to monetary temptations

This study investigated whether honesty is a stable trait or varies depending on situational factors. Using a coin flip guessing paradigm with monetary rewards, 33 participants completed trials with rewards ranging from 0.01 to 3 yuan. Modeling of behavioral data showed individuals have varying “honesty thresholds” where they switch from honest to dishonest behavior. EEG analysis revealed increased P300 amplitude when resisting greater monetary temptation, and individuals with higher honesty thresholds had lower P300 amplitudes for the same rewards. A late positive component indicated greater cognitive conflict when the reward amount neared an individual’s honesty threshold. These findings challenge the conception of honesty as a stable trait, instead demonstrating it varies based on contextual factors like reward size. Computational modeling and EEG provide insight into the cognitive processes underlying contextual shifts in honest behavior.

Establishing trust through home visits during pregnancy: a realist evaluation of a Danish breastfeeding support intervention

BackgroundBreastfeeding has numerous health benefits but social inequality in breastfeeding is documented in many high-income countries. The evidence for improving breastfeeding support through prenatal encounters is conflicting, but points towards a mechanism activated through a positive relationship between the families and their health care providers. A Danish intervention included a home visit by a health visitor during pregnancy to prolong breastfeeding and reduce social inequality in its rates. The purpose of this study was to investigate how this home visit affected breastfeeding support across socioeconomic groups with attention to how, and for whom, it activated a mechanism of improved relationship and trust between the health visitor and the family.MethodsOur study used a realist evaluation approach and was embedded in a cluster randomized trial carried out in 20 municipalities. In the intervention arm, we observed 35 home visits delivered by the health visitors, interviewed 16 mothers and conducted 6 focus groups with a total of 34 health visitors to examine the intervention mechanisms and contextual factors that influence the generation of outcomes. The analysis applied Luhmann’s, and Brown and Meyers’ concepts of trust as middle-range theories.ResultsThe pregnancy home visit helped early establishment of trust which enhanced the subsequent breastfeeding support postpartum in numerous ways. In realist terms, our central mechanism of change, the establishment of trust, had optimal conditions for success in the contextual setting of the pregnancy home visit where there was time, peace, undisturbed conversations, mental capacity to reflection, and a perceived more even power balance between the family and the health visitor which resulted in a range of positive outcomes. The mechanism resulted in improved tailored breastfeeding support postpartum, families reaching out to the health visitor sooner when experiencing breastfeeding difficulties, and families expressing a more positive experience of breastfeeding. The mechanism was activated across the different socioeconomic groups.ConclusionsThe circumstances of the pregnancy home visit helped to establish trust between the health visitor and the family. Especially for families in vulnerable positions, the pregnancy home visit seems to be a potent driver for enhancing the gains from breastfeeding support.

Innovation as a market domination strategy in Canadian nanotech firms

This article proposes to understand the concept of “innovation” as an eclectic concept whose different meaning vary according to contextual and organizational factors. The definition of “innovation” is studied from websites of 22 Canadian nanotechnological enterprises. The adopted epistemological position is qualitative interpretative, and the reasoning method is inductive which allowed the emergence of new dimension of the concept of innovation. In that way, the results presented in this research contribute to the extension of existing knowledge on strategy and innovation. The interpretative analysis reveals four meanings of innovation: innovation as market domination strategy, innovation as a creative process and innovation as a value of commitment. Additionally, we suggest that Canadian nanotechnology enterprises focus on innovation strategies based on the development of nanomaterials more than on the development of finished products. Our discussion is built around the multidimensional nature of the concept of innovation and the challenges regarding the transferability of this results on other sectors.

The Everyday Commoning Practices in Urbanising Localities

Negotiating Rights to Inhabit Common Lands for Housing in Two Cities of South India This paper presents a framework for understanding the everyday political dynamics of commoning initiated by residents to secure their claims to ‘common land’ in urbanising localities. This paper puts forward the proposition that a spatialised approach would serve to reveal the extent to which unique socio-political and geographical factors exert an influence upon the dynamics of collective actions (commoning). It examines the experience of households in two squatter settlements on the outskirts of two South Indian cities: Villupuram, a medium-sized town in the state of Tamil Nadu, and Bangalore, a large metropolis in the state of Karnataka. It demonstrates how common land could serve as a foundation for the inclusion of poor communities within the city. The two cases presented in this paper reflect a trend observed in Indian cities since the mid-1990s, whereby rural common lands in urbanised localities, previously allocated to poor households for housing, have been targeted for more profitable development, eventually justified by environmental arguments. Consequently, those in poverty are compelled to compete with more powerful actors in order to assert their right to the common land they occupy for the purpose of housing. The two case studies demonstrate the capacity of such communities to unite and engage in practical political actions to regularise their settlements and dwellings. We describe their engagement with multiple government institutions across the rural and urban continuum and illustrate the influence of contextual factors, including geographical and temporal factors, in shaping the unique and diverse trajectories of commoning.