Global Consultation Research Articles

Diabetic Retinopathy Screening - The Rise of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare

Artificial Intelligence (AI) based applications have already made inroads into many aspects of our lives. The global consultancy firm PwC estimates that AI will contribute $15.7 trillion USD to the global economy by 2030.

Voluntary flexible working arrangements and their effects on managers and employees

This paper explores the effects of flexible working arrangements on employees and their managers in a service sector. Analyzing a case study of a global management consultancy, the study concerns the impact of flexible working arrangements on job satisfaction, commitment and performance as well as well-being. While it is generally accepted that flexible working arrangements have a positive impact on employees, there has been only limited theorizing and research explaining how and why such impact is generated and which contextual organizational factors might be significant in shaping the outcome. The study provides mixed evidence for benefits from flexible working arrangements where potential for increased employee performance, well-being and job satisfaction is offset by work intensification, blurred work/home boundaries, professional isolation and perceived organizational injustice. Practical implications of the study results have been intensified by accelerated organizational transition into flexible working arrangements caused by restrictions imposed as a result of Covid-19 pandemic.

Scaling is Like Making Sourdough: Finding Sourdough Starters to Help Your Research Scale

Customer ethnography and user research continues to move higher up the priority list of Fortune 500 corporations. As a design researcher at a global consultancy, my clients often consist of new or aspiring consumer research groups eager to scale quickly. Excited at first, these groups or individuals are ready to dive in but get discouraged by the size and price tag of “big leap user research projects” then end up never pursuing ethnography at all. Watching this pattern unfold client after client, it started to remind of making sourdough. Because novice bakers start out trying to make sourdough from scratch, expecting heaps of picturesque loaf of bread right off the bat. But that's not how sourdough is made. The first step is finding a “starter”. Sourdough starters are small pieces of fermented dough that one can really only get from an experienced baker. You need to integrate it into your ingredients and to make the sourdough rise, scale, and bubble. The same is true of starting and scaling internal user research groups and initiatives. So what's the equivalent to a sourdough starter? What are some “scaling starters”?

Open Science for a Global Transformation: CODATA-coordinated submission to the UNESCO Open Science Consultation

Abstract UNESCO is preparing a Recommendation on Open Science to be adopted by Member States in 2021. To contribute to this process, UNESCO launched a global consultation gathering inputs from all regions and all interested stakeholders, through online consultations, regional and thematic meetings and numerous debates on implications, benefits and challenges of Open Science across the globe. Following exchanges on the CODATA International Discussion list, CODATA agreed to coordinate a joint response from a number of data and information organisations. That document—Open Science for a Global Transformation—was submitted to UNESCO on 15 June and, following minor editorial adjustments: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3935461

Some Approaches To The Assessment of Over tourism in Mature Tourist Destinations

The purpose of the article is to analyze approaches to assessing this phenomenon in mature tourist destinations. The article gives a detailed analysis of some publications. The authors focus on five types of problems associated with it: alienated local residents, a degraded tourist experience, overloaded infrastructure, damage to nature, and threat to culture and heritage. Diagnostics was developed which allows determining the level of risk of overcrowding by tourists in destinations. Some shortcomings of this methodology were pointed out in a study conducted by a number of authors (Peeters et al., 2018) for the European Parliament Committee on Transport and Tourism. The study focuses on the main indicators of overtourism. For regions or destinations wishing to assess the risk of overtourism, a checklist has been proposed to evaluate it. The authors of the joint study by the Austrian Hotelier Association (ÖHV) and the Roland Berger global consultancy firm (2018) divided measures to combat overtourism into proactive measures (when destinations plan their activities) and reactive measures (when cities are already experiencing problems with overtourism). In addition, a four-step sustainable tourism development plan has been developed. All authors agree that the lack of reliable statistics makes it difficult to effectively identify the state of overtourism in destinations. Nevertheless, the planning and vigorous activity of all interested parties (business, government, society) will allow weakening the social, economic and environmental consequences of overtourism for mature tourist destinations.

Gonococcal vaccines: Public health value and preferred product characteristics; report of a WHO global stakeholder consultation, January 2019

Renewed interest in developing vaccines against Neisseria gonorrhoeae has been sparked by the increasing threat of gonococcal antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and growing optimism that gonococcal vaccines are biologically feasible. Evidence suggests serogroup B Neisseria meningitidis vaccines might provide some cross-protection against N. gonorrhoeae, and new gonococcal vaccine candidates based on several approaches are currently in preclinical development. To further stimulate investment and accelerate development of gonococcal vaccines, greater understanding is needed regarding the overall value that gonococcal vaccines might have in addressing public health and societal goals in low-, middle-, and high-income country contexts and how future gonococcal vaccines might be accepted and used, if available. In January 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) convened a multidisciplinary international group of experts to lay the groundwork for understanding the potential health, economic, and societal value of gonococcal vaccines and their likely acceptance and use, and for developing gonococcal vaccine preferred product characteristics (PPCs). WHO PPCs describe preferences for vaccine attributes that would help optimize vaccine value and use in meeting the global public health need. This paper describes the main discussion points and conclusions from the January 2019 meeting of experts. Participants emphasized the need for vaccines to control N. gonorrhoeae infections with the ultimate goals of preventing adverse sexual and reproductive health outcomes (e.g., infertility) and reducing the impact of gonococcal AMR. Meeting participants also discussed important PPC considerations (e.g., vaccine indications, target populations, and potential immunization strategies) and highlighted crucial research and data needs for guiding the value assessment and PPCs for gonococcal vaccines and advancing gonococcal vaccine development.

Ensuring global access to COVID-19 vaccines

Ensuring global access to COVID-19 vaccines

Evaluating provider communication in pediatric chronic kidney disease care using a global coding system

ObjectiveAmong adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with chronic illness, effective provider communication is essential for patient-centered care during a sensitive developmental period. However, communication in chronic illness care for AYAs is not well studied. Our objectives were to describe the provider communication skills in pediatric chronic kidney disease (CKD) care visits; and determine if communication skills differ by AYA characteristics. MethodsWe adapted a global consultation rating system for pediatric subspecialty care using audiotaped clinic encounters of 18 pediatric nephrologists with 99 AYAs (age M(SD) = 14.9(2.6)) with CKD stages 1–5 and 96 caregivers. We hypothesized that provider communication skills would differ by AYA characteristics (age, gender, and race). ResultsThe strongest provider skills included initiating the session and developing rapport; lowest rated skills were asking patient’s perspective and checking understanding. Communication scores did not consistently differ by AYA age or race, but were rated higher with female AYAs in several domains (ps<0.05). ConclusionsPediatric providers generally had adequate or good communication scores with AYAs, but improvement in certain skills, particularly with male AYAs, may further support patient-centered care. Practice implicationsTo achieve consistent, patient-centered communication with AYAs, an observation-based global assessment may identify areas for provider improvement.

MEETING THE GREATEST CHALLENGES FOR LEADERS OF THE FUTURE

AbstractThis article examines my research on the future of leadership. I interviewed over 140 CEOs at companies across industries and worldwide, including Mastercard, Unilever, Oracle, Verizon, Itaú, and Unibanco. Most interviews were done either in person or via 45–60‐minute calls. These CEOs represent over 7 million people, 35 industries, and 20 countries. All of the CEOs were asked 12 questions, such as: What trends will impact the future of leadership? What skills do you think the leader of the future will need to possess and why? What will be some of the greatest challenges for the leader of the future? I also teamed with LinkedIn to survey almost 14,000 of their global members who self‐identified as full‐time employees to compare their perceptions with what CEOs were saying. I interviewed academics, researchers, and coaches and combed through hundreds of case studies, books, articles, and reports on leadership and the future of leadership. In particular, I focus on two categories of challenges, which I call futurize and humanize. Executives quoted include Barri Rafferty, CEO of Ketchum, a global communications consultancy; and Lynn Jurich is the CEO of Sunrun, the United States' leading home solar and energy services company.

Modelling for Taenia solium control strategies beyond 2020

The cestode Taenia solium is responsible for a considerable cross-sectoral health and economic burden due to human neurocysticercosis and porcine cysticercosis. The 2012 World Health Organization (WHO) roadmap for neglected tropical diseases called for the development of a validated strategy for control of T. solium; however, such a strategy is not yet available. In 2019, WHO launched a global consultation aimed at refining the post-2020 targets for control of T. solium for a new roadmap for neglected tropical diseases. In response, two groups working on taeniasis and cysticercosis mathematical models (cystiSim and EPICYST models), together with a range of other stakeholders organized a workshop to provide technical input to the WHO consultation and develop a research plan to support efforts to achieve the post-2020 targets. The workshop led to the formation of a collaboration, CystiTeam, which aims to tackle the population biology, transmission dynamics, epidemiology and control of T. solium through mathematical modelling approaches. In this paper, we outline developments in T. solium control and in particular the use of modelling to help achieve post-2020 targets for control of T. solium. We discuss the steps involved in improving confidence in the predictive capacities of existing mathematical and computational models on T. solium transmission, including model comparison, refinement, calibration and validation. Expanding the CystiTeam partnership to other research groups and stakeholders, particularly those operating in different geographical and endemic areas, will enhance the prospects of improving the applicability of T. solium transmission models to inform taeniasis and cysticercosis control strategies.

Consultation skills of final year medical students in Sweden: video-recorded real-patient consultations in primary health care assessed by Calgary-Cambridge Global Consultation Rating Scale, a pilot study.

This article was migrated. The article was marked as recommended. Introduction: Doctor-patient consultation is an essential element of high quality health care. Education and training of medical students in consultation skills is important. The aim of this study was to investigate the medical students' consultation skills before graduation by assessment of the students' video recordings of consultations with real patients at primary health care centres. Methods: All students had to make a video recording of a meeting with a real patient for formative examination. 26 students participated in the study and delivered a video recording and a self-assessment. Four general practitioners assessed the video recordings by Calgary-Cambridge Global Consultation Rating Scale (CC-GCRS). Statistical testing included comparisons between groups of students and assessors using non-parametric methods. Results: The average CC-GCRS-rating was higher for female students. The students' strengths were related to relation and problem exploration. Their limitations were related to patient's perspective, providing structure and providing information. The students assessed their consultation skills higher than the assessors did, while the relative levels were similar. The distribution of rating scores across the assessors was small. Conclusion:Consultation skills were acceptable for most medical students, although there was room for improvement regarding patient centeredness skills. CC-GCRS was feasible and might be a valuable instrument to assess consultation skills for medical students at the end of their medical education.

Coaching culturally different members of international business teams – the role of cultural intelligence

This article aims to provide insights into the vital role of cultural sensitivity when coaching international teams. The objectives of the article are to: i) share research findings on international team-member perspectives of Team Coaching (TC) ii) demonstrate the value to team coaches of greater awareness of cultural difference and working with cultural sensitivity during International Team Coaching (ITC); iii) suggest areas for further consideration by team coaches who wish to develop greater cultural sensitivity. The findings reported here are based on the perspectives of 22 participants, who are senior leaders, working as members of international teams, for a single global business consultancy. The participants are based in Czechia, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, Singapore, South Africa and the United States, so provide a wide geographic scope for the research. The study shares their varied perspectives on coaching, working in teams and how to approach cultural difference.

Methods for managing the food value chain

The paper aims to develop the methods for managing the food value chain at the level of a region and business entities. Methodologically, the study rests on the concept of value chains that takes into account the interests of governing bodies and is focused on creating maximum product value for consumers. The research methods are the following: in terms of management purposes at regional level – administrative, economic, dynamic and statistical methods; at the level of business entities – a process approach, integration-based, system-analytical and integrated methods. The authors propose a model of a system for food value chain management that covers the meso- and micro-levels of management united by a common goal, i.e. the creation of maximum value added. The article substantiates the elements of the methods for managing the food value chain, taking into account the ranking of widespread management tools developed by the global management consultancy Bain & Company. The authors identify the effective methods and tools for managing commodities, as well as production and distribution units of the value chain. We suggest a mechanism for forming a governing body, i.e. a subject of food value chain management using the case study of Orenburg oblast. The research results can be useful for federal and regional authorities, as well as companies’ top management engaged in all the units of the food value chain with different industry affiliations.

Under-Utilized Capacity of Resources, Rising Unemployment and Low House Hold Savings: Bottleneck to South Asia’s Growth

Nine major world economies and few South Asian economies are slowing. South-east Asia is vulnerable to economic downturn than it was during the global financial crisis one decade ago, according to analysts at global management consultancy Bain & Co. Greater exposure to a slowing China - and other structural economic shifts - have left most ASEAN markets in a perilous position than before, according to a report released in September 2019. Bain partner Thomas Olsen, who co-authored the report, told The Business Times over the phone that the next downturn will likely be broad-based and not limited to an acute financial crash, as it is set to be more typical economic correction at the end of a cycle. Heather Long argues that many of the countries slowing down or in recession have a common problem, that they are heavily dependent on selling goods overseas. And this is not a good time to have an export-driven economy. India’s GDP growth in first quarter in fiscal 2019-20 was reported 5%, lowest in past six years. This paper attempts to investigate the most critical factors that impede the growth. We noticed that under-utilization of resources is very common in emerging economies.The objective is to suggest emerging South Asian economies the most pressing policy measures that can boost economy by optimum utilization of resources.

Airline CEOs: Who are they, and what background and skill set are most commonly chosen to run the world's largest airlines?

PurposeThis paper aims to narrow the knowledge gap for airlines preparing for CEO succession by testing whether CEOs with a finance background are more prevalent as leaders of the largest airlines. This paper focused on three themes: functional background, succession planning, and insider versus outsider. Design/methodology/approachThe study combined primary and secondary data, including a unique compilation of CEO profiles from the world's largest 100 airlines. This information highlighted the choices that company boards had made in selecting their leaders. Data was collected through the use of semi-structured interviews and emailed responses with twelve interviewees, consisting of CEOs, non-executive directors (NEDs), and executives and global airline consultants, all with experience from the top 100 airlines. FindingsThe results indicate that the larger the airline, the more likely it is to have a finance CEO (50% of the top 10 airlines). However, operations CEOs dominate the top 100 airlines, with 24%. Succession planning has strong support, with 72% of CEOs being insiders. NEDs prefer insiders, whereas other interviewees were more open to outsiders. Sixteen per cent of CEOs had no previous airline experience. In 2016, 24% of the top 100 airlines changed their CEO, suggesting that boards may have to give more consideration to outsiders. Originality/valueNo previous empirical research has been found that discusses the functional backgrounds of airline CEOs or any research that compares the profiles of airline CEOs. This study offers useful and practical guidance for airlines and their boards to improve how they prepare for and select their next CEO.

Time to stop polishing the brass on the Titanic: moving beyond ‘quick-and-dirty’ teacher education for inclusion, towards sustainable theories of change

ABSTRACTInterest in inclusive education in the global south has grown significantly since the adoption of the Salamanca Statement in 1994. Increasingly, those who fund and provide education want to be seen taking action on inclusion generally and disability inclusion specifically. However, the much-welcomed enthusiasm to respond to global commitments is not always matched with the necessary expertise and commitment to longer-term action and change. The growth in inclusive education policies and pilot projects in the last decade is hard to miss, but changes resulting from these interventions are often less apparent. Why is that? Drawing on the Enabling Education Network’s 22 years of experience as a global inclusive education network and consultancy provider, we present alternative pathways for change in teacher education for inclusion. We stress that change in teaching practice remains limited not because inclusive education is a fundamentally flawed concept, but because too much focus is given to ‘quick-and-dirty’ trainings that quickly yield donor-pleasing statistics and publicity-attracting case studies, but fail to elicit sufficiently extensive and sustainable change to education systems and cultures.

Consultation skills of last semester medical students in Sweden: video-recorded real-patient consultations in primary health care assessed by Calgary-Cambridge Global Consultation Rating Scale, a pilot study

This article was migrated. The article was marked as recommended. Introduction: Doctor-patient consultation is an essential element of high quality health care. Education and training of medical students in consultation skills is important. The aim of this study was to investigate the medical students' consultation skills before graduation by assessment of the students' video recordings of consultations with real patients at primary health care centres. Methods: All students had to make a video recording of a meeting with a real patient for formative examination. 26 students participated in the study and delivered a video recording and a self-assessment. Four general practitioners assessed the video recordings by Calgary-Cambridge Global Consultation Rating Scale (CC-GCRS). Statistical testing included comparisons between groups of students and assessors using non-parametric methods. Results: The average CC-GCRS-rating was higher for female students. The students' strengths were related to relation and problem exploration. Their limitations were related to patient's perspective, providing structure and providing information. The students assessed their consultation skills higher than the assessors did, while the relative levels were similar. The distribution of rating scores across the assessors was small. Conclusion:Consultation skills were acceptable for most medical students, although there was room for improvement regarding patient centeredness skills. CC-GCRS was feasible and might be a valuable instrument to assess consultation skills for medical students at the end of their medical education.

Third WHO Global Consultation on Regulatory Requirements for Xenotransplantation Clinical Trials, Changsha, Hunan, China December 12-14, 2018: "The 2018 Changsha Communiqué" The 10-Year Anniversary of The International Consultation on Xenotransplantation.

Third WHO Global Consultation on Regulatory Requirements for Xenotransplantation Clinical Trials, Changsha, Hunan, China December 12-14, 2018: "The 2018 Changsha Communiqué" The 10-Year Anniversary of The International Consultation on Xenotransplantation.

Research evidence on strategies enabling integration of electronic health records in the health care systems of low- and middle-income countries: A literature review.

Integration of electronic health records (EHRs) in the national health care systems of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is vital for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all people of all ages. National EHR systems are increasing, but mostly in developed countries. Besides, there is limited research evidence on successful strategies for ensuring integration of national EHRs in the health care systems of LMICs. To fill this evidence gap, a comprehensive survey of literature was conducted using scientific electronic databases-PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and Global Health-and consultations with international experts. The review highlights the lack of evidence on strategies for integrating EHR systems, although there was ample evidence on implementation challenges and relevance of EHRs to vertical disease programs such as HIV. The findings describe the narrow focus of EHR implementation, the prominence of vertical disease programs in EHR adoption, testing of theoretical and conceptual models for EHR implementation and success, and strategies for EHR implementation. The review findings are further amplified through examples of EHR implementation in Sierra Leone, Malawi, and India. Unless evidence-based strategies are identified and applied, integration of national EHRs in the health care systems of LMICs is difficult.

Celebrating Women, Addressing the Wounds

AbstractA consultation commemorating the 20th anniversary of the culmination of the Ecumenical Decade of the Churches in Solidarity with Women took place in Kingston, Jamaica, in October 2018 to reflect on the achievements and challenges in building a just community of all people in church and society, and to strengthen ecumenical collaboration in reading the signs of the times. The Decade was launched in 1988, following a decision of the central committee of the World Council of Churches (WCC). It was “addressed to churches and to women at the local level to empower women to challenge structures and to respond to the issues in the society around them” and focused on “the situation of women in the churches as well as the churches’ participation in improving the conditions for women in society.” It concluded in December 1998 with a festival held in Harare, Zimbabwe, immediately before the WCC’s 8th Assembly. The global consultation in October 2018, hosted by the Jamaica Council of Churches, gathered intergenerational women and men from WCC member churches and their theological institutions and ecumenical partners. Below we document several of the contributions at the Jamaica consultation as well as the report of the event.