International Comparative Study Research Articles

Where has all the knowledge gone? migrations from industrial to knowledge economy in textile firms

ABSTRACT Adopting a comparative international case study approach, we explore the relationship between crafts and knowledge management, focusing specifically on the transformation of knowledge in firms based in declining clusters. By analysing long-standing textile firms based in Veneto and Dundee, we investigate the question “where has all the (craft) knowledge gone” and how knowledge management practices have evolved within firms and in the overall cluster. The thematic analysis of our qualitative data shows a migration of knowledge from the industrial to the contemporary knowledge economy, identifying diverse trajectories, respectively oriented to the past and to the future. The paper proposes a framework of knowledge transformation approaches based on key differences between the clusters analysed. Building on this, we also provide practical suggestions for firms still operating in the sector and broader policy implications.

Decentralized Colorectal Cancer Care: Benefit or Burden in the Pandemic? – An International Comparative Study in two Health Care Systems (DCCC Study)

Abstract Background Beneficial effects of centralization could be shown. During SARS-CoV2 pandemic however, the centralization in the UK healthcare system led to cessation of screening colonoscopies and oncological resections. In the decentralized healthcare system of Switzerland, a high frequency of colonoscopies could be maintained. Aims The aim of this international study is to evaluate if a decentralized health care systems can prevent the threatening unmet needs of colorectal cancer patients under pandemic conditions. Methods This observational trial was performed in the south-east of Scotland and in the extended northwest of Switzerland with a catchment area of 1.5 Mio. inhabitants each. Patients with colorectal cancer diagnosed during January 2019 and December 2022 were included. Results Six thousand six hundred and eighty patients were included in this preliminary analysis (4059 in the NHS group and 2621 in the Swiss group). In Scotland the median number of diagnosed patients per quarter was 258 pre-pandemics, 218 during lockdown and 258 after lockdown (p=0.56). There was no significant alteration of the median diagnosed patients per quarter during different phases in Switzerland (165 pre-pandemic vs. 187 during lockdown vs. 162 post-lockdown, p=0.56). In Scotland the median number of all performed tumor treatments per quarter were lower during lockdown (83 pre-pandemic vs. 75 during lockdown vs. 93 post-lockdown, p<0.01). In Switzerland the median treatment numbers per quarter didn´t differ during different phases (56 pre-pandemic vs. 62 during lockdown vs. 60 post-lockdown, p=0.51). The number of patients diagnosed with a T4 tumor during pandemic was higher in Scotland than in Switzerland (28% vs. 19%, p<0.01). The 30-day mortality under pandemic condition was 7.5% (65 of 859) in Scotland compared to 3.7% (14 of 374) in Switzerland (p=0.01). Conclusion SARS-CoV2 pandemic led to a reduction in performed cancer treatments in Scotland. In Switzerland's decentralized healthcare system, cancer treatments were maintained during pandemic.

Approaches to education for sustainability leadership development in higher education: an international comparative study in the Asia Pacific region

Approaches to education for sustainability leadership development in higher education: an international comparative study in the Asia Pacific region

The Legal and Political Implications of AI Bias: An International Comparative Study

Purpose: "The Legal and Political Implications of AI Bias: An International Comparative Study" extensively navigates the intricate terrain of AI governance, with a specific focus on the ethical challenges arising from bias in AI systems. The purpose of this study is to underscore the urgent need for robust regulatory frameworks to address issues of bias, discrimination, and fairness within the realm of AI technologies.
 Materials and Methods: The research methodology involved a comprehensive analysis of international perspectives on AI bias. This entailed examining existing literature, legal frameworks, and political dynamics surrounding AI governance in various countries. Comparative analysis was conducted to elucidate the diverse approaches adopted by different nations to tackle AI bias and unravel the corresponding legal and political consequences.
 Findings: The study highlighted the inherent risks associated with biased algorithms and stressed the paramount importance of proactively detecting and mitigating bias to prevent discrimination and promote fairness in AI systems. Additionally, it advocated for comprehensive measures such as risk management strategies, conformity assessments for high-risk AI applications, and the careful handling of sensitive data to identify and rectify biases that could lead to discriminatory outcomes.
 Implication to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study was informed by theories of ethical governance and legal frameworks in AI development and deployment. It was validated through the comparative analysis of international perspectives, which provided insights into the effectiveness of different regulatory approaches in addressing AI bias. Recommendations to practitioners include implementing risk management strategies, conducting conformity assessments for high-risk AI applications, and ensuring the careful handling of sensitive data to identify and rectify biases. Practitioners are urged to prioritize ethical considerations and advocate for responsible deployment practices to mitigate AI bias effectively. Recommendations to policymakers emphasize the need to prioritize ethical considerations and advocate for responsible deployment practices in AI governance. Policymakers are urged to develop robust regulatory frameworks that promote transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in AI development and deployment to build a more equitable and trustworthy AI ecosystem.
 In essence, the study provides crucial insights into the complex interplay between legal frameworks, political dynamics, and ethical considerations in addressing AI bias on a global scale. It paves the way for the establishment of fair and unbiased AI systems that benefit society as a whole.

The Impact of External Pressure on Companies’ Responses to Sanctions – an International Comparative Study

AbstractWhat explains the strategies firms adopt in response to economic sanctions? Our study argues that different types of external pressure, such as public shaming, the nature of companies’ business relationships, and national-level legal-regulatory environments affects how firms respond to the sanctions imposed against Russia after its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. We develop a suite of hypotheses about how external pressure affects firms’ compliance behaviors and whether firms adopt reactive and/or proactive strategic responses. We test our hypotheses by analyzing results from a survey of 610 medium-sized companies operating in Germany, Poland, and the United States. Using structural equation modeling (SEM), we find that external pressure is associated with higher levels of compliance and overcompliance with sanctions but is also associated with undercompliant behavior. We also find that compliance with sanctions is associated with a high degree of proactive response, which suggests compliant firms may often seek out legal means of circumventing sanctions. We further observed variation in the effects of external pressure, compliance behavior, and strategic responses on US firms compared to those in European Union members Germany and Poland.

International comparative study of motivation: a commentary

AbstractIn this commentary, I focus on an international, collaborative, longitudinal study of the development of elementary school students’ math motivation and performance across six countries: Norway, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Portugal, and Serbia. The investigators designed motivational questionnaires to assess student motivational beliefs defined quite broadly, teacher and student questionnaires to assess teacher beliefs and practices, and family questionnaires to assess parents’ beliefs and practices as well as perceptions of their children and then tested to reliability and validity of these measures across all six countries so that they could investigate both development within countries and generalizability across countries. I focus my comparative comments on the following themes that cut across the various studies: the gender, national and SES differences, the impact of teacher beliefs and practices, the impact of parents, and the testing hypotheses derived from various social cognitive motivational systems.

Journalistic Role Performance in Australia During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Events, Media Systems and Journalistic Practice

ABSTRACT This study analyses data gathered as part of an international comparative study of journalistic role performance during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. We situate role performance at the intersection between anterior factors that shape journalistic decision-making and practice, and the contingent events and issues journalists are tasked with communicating. Based on this, we ground our analysis by considering (a) how news is shaped by media systems, and how Australia’s media system may be characterised; (b) studies of journalists’ work during previous health crises; and (c) analyses of media coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our analysis focuses, firstly, on whether role performance in Australia’s 2020 news coverage was discernibly “consensus-based”; and, secondly, on whether there were any indicators of Australian coverage being “polarised” during this period. Our findings suggest role performance in 2020 was broadly reflective of a relative political consensus and that evidence of polarisation was limited. We find, nevertheless, that there were notable differences between different mediums and outlets, and reflect on factors that may have contributed to such differences. In light of this, we emphasise the importance of taking account of the relationship between local contexts and historical contingency in considering how role performances are produced.

COVID-19 fatality and DALYs, and associated metabolic disorders and ambient air pollutants in pre-Omicron era of the pandemic: an international comparative study.

Air pollution and a number of metabolic disorders have been reported to increase the risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes. This study explored the association between severe COVID-19 outcomes, metabolic disorders and environmental air pollutants, at regional level, across 38 countries. We conducted an ecological study using COVID-19 data related to countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), with an estimated population of 1.4 billion. They were divided into 3 regions: 1. Europe & Middle east; 2. Americas (north, central & south America); 3. East-Asia & West Pacific. The outcome variables were: COVID-19 case-fatality rate (CFR) and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) at regional level. Freely accessible datasets related to regional DALYs, demographics and other environmental pollutants were obtained from OECD, WHO and the World in Data websites. Generalized linear model (GLM) was performed to determine the regional determinants of COVID-19 CFR and DALYs using the aggregate epidemiologic data (Dec. 2019-Dec. 2021). Overall cumulative deaths were 65,000 per million, for mean CFR and DALYs of 1.31 (1.2)% and 17.35 (2.3) years, respectively. Globally, GLM analysis with adjustment for elderly population rate, showed that COVID-19 CFR was positively associated with atmospheric PM2.5 level (beta = 0.64(0.0), 95%CI: 0.06-1.35; p < 0.05), diabetes prevalence (beta = 0.26(0.1), 95%CI: 0.12-0.41; p < 0.001). For COVID-19 DALYs, positive associations were observed with atmospheric NOx level (beta = 0.06(0.0), 95%CI: 0.02-0.82; p < 0.05) and diabetes prevalence (beta = 0.32(0.2), 95%CI: 0.04-0.69; p < 0.05). At regional level, adjusted GLM analysis showed that COVID-19 CFR was associated with atmospheric PM2.5 level in the Americas and East-Asia & Western Pacific region; it was associated with diabetes prevalence for countries of Europe & Middle east and East-Asia & Western Pacific region. Furthermore, COVID-19 DALYs were positively associated with atmospheric PM2.5 and diabetes prevalence for countries of the Americas only. These findings confirm that diabetes and air pollution increase the risk of disability and fatality due to COVID-19, with disparities in terms of their impact. They suggest that efficient preventive and management programs for diabetes and air pollution countermeasures would have curtailed severe COVID-19 outcome rates.

ОСВІТНІ ІНДИКАТОРИ РІВНЯ ЗАБЕЗПЕЧЕНОСТІ ВЧИТЕЛЯМИ ОСВІТНЬОЇ ГАЛУЗІ ПІД ЧАС ТРАНСФОРМАЦІЙНИХ ПРОЦЕСІВ: МІЖНАРОДНИЙ І ВІТЧИЗНЯНИЙ КОНТЕКСТИ

The article analyses the ongoing transformation processes in the education sector, both internationally and domestically, within the context of the European educational space. It has been determined that these processes are based on the key competencies that teachers should develop in their students. These competencies include literacy, multilingualism, scientific and engineering skills, digital and technological competencies, interpersonal skills, the ability to acquire new knowledge, active citizenship, entrepreneurship, and cultural awareness. The sources of educational indicators are considered, including PISA studies, Eurostat, OECD educational indicators, and national educational indicator systems. This article examines the implementation of the New Ukrainian School (NUS) reform in relation to teacher provision. It discusses the PISA study, which provides data on the quality of education by assessing pupils' ability to apply the knowledge, competencies, and skills acquired in educational institutions in everyday life. The results of this international comparative study can inform governments' educational policies and management decisions based on evidence-based statistics. The authors analysed the implementation of the NUS reform in the educational sector, focusing on domestic transformations. The aim of the reform is to provide teachers with the necessary tools to improve their professional level, self-motivation, and develop new competences. The study compared OECD indicators with national education indicators, including teachers leaving the profession, pupil-teacher ratio, and class size.

Pre‐service teacher knowledge of children's literature and attitudes to Reading for Pleasure: an international comparative study

AbstractReading for Pleasure (RfP) acknowledges the importance of reader engagement and the role of the teacher as a reader of children's literature. The foundational work of the Teachers as Readers (TARs) programme successfully illustrated the impact of RfP activities on student learning. Previous studies of teachers' reader identities have shown a strong need for professional learning to boost teachers' confidence with children's literature. However, less emphasis has been placed on the adoption of RfP pedagogy within initial teacher education (ITE) to develop pre‐service teachers' (PST) knowledge of children's literature, as well as their understanding of teachers as reading role models for future students. This paper analyses data from research into RfP undertaken in two ITE programmes for primary teachers informed by contrasting policies in Scotland and Australia. Though both countries aim to improve school student literacy success, the curriculum mandates differ, shaping the potential pathways available in ITE courses. It is within this context that we report on 3 years of data on PST reader knowledge collected from 300 students using survey tools adopted from the original TARs study. Emerging findings provide evidence that teacher educators need to act as circuit breakers to alter PST attitudes to reading.

Relationship between employment and quality of life and self-perceived health in people with spinal cord injury: an international comparative study based on the InSCI Community Survey.

Cross-sectional study. Work-related disability is common in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). The aims of this study are to examine the associations of employment with self-perceived health (SPH) and quality of life (QoL) across 22 countries and to explore the covariates around employment and SPH and QoL. Community. We analyzed 9494 community-dwelling persons with SCI aged 18-65. We performed an adjusted regression and path analysis. The independent variable was 'employment' and the dependent variables were two single items: QoL (very poor to very good) and SPH (excellent to poor). Covariates included the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), education, time since SCI, age, gender, years of employment after SCI, SCI level (paraplegia, tetraplegia), and completeness of SCI. Participants' mean age was 47, 74% were male, and 63% had paraplegia. We found an association between employment and QoL and SPH. While the magnitude of the effect of employment on QoL did not differ across GDP quartiles, its perceived effect on QoL was found to be significant in the highest GDP quartile. Employment was predictive of good SPH in two GDP quartiles (Q1 and Q4), but significant across all quartiles when predicting poor perceptions, with the magnitude of effect varying significantly. Employment is closely related to QoL and SPH depending on the GDP. We may positively influence the QoL and SPH in the SCI population to promote better employment outcomes by considering the infrastructure and economy.

Importance, Popularity and Elements of Educational Platforms – A Study of the Opinions of Students from Poland, Ukraine and Kazakhstan

This article presents a comparative international research study analyzing the opinions of students from Poland, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan regarding the importance, popularity, and elements of educational platforms in the field of computer science. The study employed the Kruskal-Wallis test for statistical analysis. The research questions addressed are as follows: RQ1: What are educational platforms in general, and which specific platforms are most popular among students from Poland, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan? RQ2: Which topics are most frequently searched for on educational platforms, and what motivates students from these countries to engage in learning through educational platforms? RQ3: How do students from Poland, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan evaluate the usefulness of different types of content posted on educational platforms, and do they use various platforms to share their code? Two hypotheses are proposed: firstly, that the country of origin of the student does not significantly affect the frequency of use of educational platforms, and secondly, that the country of origin does influence the choice of courses students are interested in on educational platforms. The most popular topics on these platforms are programming and computer networks, with students from Kazakhstan also displaying a keen interest in subjects related to artificial intelligence and computer graphics. Additionally, this study analyzes the conditions of learning and teaching in specialized modules at each university, including teacher requirements, curriculums, and the potential for practical implementation of new knowledge by students. Furthermore, the study examines course elements that are most essential to students, such as video recordings of lectures, tutorials/instructional videos, practical tasks, and solutions to tasks. The article concludes with a discussion and summary of the findings.

Acute pancreatitis in childhood - a comparative international study and tale of two cities.

To compare factor(s) contributing to aetiology, management and clinical outcome(s) of paediatric patients acquiring acute pancreatitis (AP) at two major university paediatric surgical centres in Liverpool and Bangkok. All patients (<18 years) with an index diagnosis of AP (ICD 10 coding) during 2006-2016 were studied. 121 patients included n = 79 (65.3%) in Thailand versus n = 42 (34.7%) in the UK centre with no difference(s) in age at diagnosis at 10.4 ± 4.5 and 11.7 ± 6 years. (P = 0.12). Major AP aetiology(s) in Thailand were medications (39.2%) and choledochal cysts (8.9%). In the UK-gallstone disease (21.4%), and medications (16.7%) were leading factors (P < 0.01). Ultrasonography was deployed more frequently in the UK versus Thai centre (74.3% vs. 49.1%; P < 0.01). Pancreatitis was confirmed by imaging in 67.9% (Thai) and 62.9% (UK) patients (P = 0.47). Most patients at both centres had a mild-grade pancreatitis illness (95% Thai vs. 90.5% UK; P = 0.28) while 12.7% of Thai and 19% of UK children developed pancreatitis-related complication (P = 0.37). Overall mortality rate (%) was significantly higher in the Thai versus UK centre (27.8% vs. 9.5%; P = 0.02). Aetiology of acute pancreatitis appears to vary between UK and Thailand children. Timely early diagnosis and healthcare pathways may be driven by local patient-related factor(s). The higher mortality (%) observed in Thailand versus UK in this comparative study was linked to underlying co-existent chronic medical condition(s) in vulnerable patient cohorts.

Математическая грамотность младшего школьника и уровни её достижения

In the article, based on the characteristics of mathematical literacy of a junior schoolchild as a set of universal and subject components, the author identifies three levels of their achievement: subject, general subject, universal. All components are characterized within the content of education and the requirements for preparing a primary school graduate. Scientific and methodological approaches that can help improve the mathematical literacy of primary schoolchildren are described. The work uses data from the implementation of individual tasks of regional monitoring in recent years, the international comparative study TIMSS (Trends in Mathematics and Science Study), as well as experimental work at the experimental sites of the Institute for Educational Development Strategy.

Pre-college piano teaching practice in China and the United States: An international comparative study from the piano teachers’ perspectives

In an increasingly interconnected world, it is crucial that music educators understand pedagogical practices across national boundaries. While China and the United States are representatives of different social norms, they do share common ground in the field of piano teaching practices. The purpose of this study is two-fold: (1) to promote a greater understanding of the current state of pre-college piano teaching practices in China and the United States and (2) to identify the similarities and differences between pre-college piano education in these two countries from the teachers’ perspectives. The researchers examined the research questions through a self-reporting survey. Data was collected in 2021 from piano teachers in China ( n = 40) and the United States ( n = 25), who completed a 22-item questionnaire. A summary of pre-college piano instructors’ demographics, studio settings, pedagogical practices, and their students’ study environments were presented, and comparisons between the two countries were explored. Results indicated that there were statistical differences between the two countries regarding many aspects of pre-college piano teaching practice such as teaching materials, approaches, and student performance activities. Similarities were found in the teachers’ most frequent teaching activity in piano lessons and the students’ study environment.

International Comparative Study on Talent Cultivation for Intelligent Social Governance

This paper explores the theoretical and practical issues of talent cultivation for intelligent social governance through a comparative study of international cases, and provides reference and inspiration for China’s talent cultivation for intelligent social governance. This paper first outlines the concept, characteristics and significance of talent cultivation for intelligent social governance, then analyzes the features and advantages of talent cultivation for intelligent social governance in three countries or regions: the United States, the European Union and Japan, and finally puts forward some countermeasures and suggestions for China’s talent cultivation for intelligent social governance. The innovation of this paper lies in that it systematically sorts out the theoretical framework of talent cultivation for intelligent social governance from the perspective of intelligent social governance, comprehensively analyzes the international status and experience of talent cultivation for intelligent social governance, and proposes targeted suggestions and measures for talent cultivation for intelligent social governance.

Global impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on sexual and reproductive health services: An international comparative study on primary care from the INTRePID Consortium.

To understand how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted sexual and reproductive health (SRH) visits. An ecological study comparing SRH services volume in different countries before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Seven countries from the INTernational ConsoRtium of Primary Care BIg Data Researchers (INTRePID) across four continents. Over 3.8 million SRH visits to primary care physicians in Australia, China, Canada, Norway, Singapore, Sweden and the USA. Difference in average SRH monthly visits before and during the pandemic, with negative binomial regression modelling to compare predicted and observed number of visits during the pandemic for SRH visits. Monthly number of visits to primary care physicians from 2018 to 2021. During the pandemic, the average volume of monthly SRH visits increased in Canada (15.6%, 99% CI 8.1-23.0%) where virtual care was pronounced. China, Singapore, Sweden and the USA experienced a decline (-56.5%, 99% CI -74.5 to -38.5%; -22.7%, 99% CI -38.8 to -6.5%; -19.4%, 99% CI -28.3 to -10.6%; and -22.7%, 99% CI -38.8 to -6.5%, respectively); while Australia and Norway showed insignificant changes (6.5%, 99% CI -0.7 to -13.8% and 1.7%, 99% CI -6.4 to -9.8%). The countries that maintained (Australia, Norway) or surpassed (Canada) pre-pandemic visit rates had the greatest use of virtual care. In-person SRH visits to primary care decreased during the pandemic. Virtual care seemed to counterbalance that decline. Although cervical cancer screening appeared insensitive to virtual care, strategies such as incorporating self-collected samples for HPV testing may provide a solution in a future pandemic.

EP01.01-24 Median Age at Lung Cancer Diagnosis in 60 Countries: An International Comparative Study

EP01.01-24 Median Age at Lung Cancer Diagnosis in 60 Countries: An International Comparative Study

Changes in work tasks and organization of general practice in Norway during the COVID-19 pandemic: results from a comparative international study

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic led to huge and rapid changes in general practice in Norway as in the rest of Europe. This paper aims to explore to what extent the COVID-19 pandemic changed the work tasks and organization of Norwegian general practice.Material and methodWe analysed data from the Norwegian part of the international, cross-sectional PRICOV-19 study, collecting data from general practice via an online self-reported questionnaire. We included 130 Norwegian general practices, representing an estimated 520 Norwegian general practitioners (GPs). All Norwegian GPs were invited to participate. In the analyses, we focused on items related to the use of alternatives to face-to-face consultations, changes in the workload, tasks and delegated responsibilities of both the GPs and other personnel in the GP offices, adaptations in routines related to hygiene measures, triage of patients, and how the official rules and recommendations affected the practices.ResultsThere was a large and significant increase in the use of all forms of alternative consultation forms (digital text-based, video- and telephone consultations). The use of several different infection prevention measures were significantly increased, and the provision of hand sanitizer to patients increased from 29.6% pre-pandemic to 95.1% since the pandemic. More than half of the GPs (59.5%) reported that their responsibilities in the practice had increased, and 41% were happy with the task shift. 27% felt that they received adequate support from the government; however, 20% reported that guidelines from the government posed a threat to the well-being of the practice staff. We found no associations with the rurality of the practice location or size of the municipalities.ConclusionNorwegian GPs adapted well to the need for increased use of alternatives to face-to-face consultations, and reported a high acceptance of their increased responsibilities. However, only one in four received adequate support from the government, which is an important learning point for similar situations in the future.

International comparative study of learning trajectories based on TIMSS 2019 G4 data on cognitive diagnostic models.

Learning trajectory describes the student's learning progress or steps in one area through which teaching and learning can be linked. The cognitive diagnostic model (CDM) is an emerging evaluation theory in education measures. Researchers can determine students' mastery of fine-grained knowledge points by describing the learning trajectory based on CDM. The present study is based on the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 2019, particularly, 21 mathematical items in the fourth grade. It analyzes the response data of 2,854 students from 17 countries from 10 attributes based on CDM. This study explores students' different learning trajectories in the content field by analyzing the relationships between knowledge states and attribute patterns. The study found that the 17 countries differ in learning trajectories but have commonalities. The learning starting points of 17 countries can be roughly divided into two categories and geometry attribute and fractions and decimals attribute are the last two attributes to master.