Knowledge Workers Research Articles

Invisible Iterations: How Formal and Informal Organization Shape Knowledge Networks for Coordination

AbstractThis study takes a network approach to investigate coordination among knowledge workers as grounded in both formal and informal organization. We first derive hypotheses regarding patterns of knowledge‐sharing relationships by which workers pass on and exchange tacit and codified knowledge within and across organizational hierarchies to address the challenges that underpin contemporary knowledge work. We use survey data and apply exponential random graph models to test our hypotheses. We then extend the quantitative network analysis with insights from qualitative interviews and demonstrate that the identified knowledge‐sharing patterns are the micro‐foundational traces of collective coordination resulting from two underlying coordination mechanisms which we label ‘invisible iterations’ and ‘bringing in the big guns’. These mechanisms and, by extension, the associated knowledge‐sharing patterns enable knowledge workers to perform in a setting that is characterized by complexity, uncertainty and ambiguity. Our research contributes to theory on the interplay between formal and informal organization for coordination by showing how self‐directed, informal action is supported by the formal organizational hierarchy. In doing so, it also extends understanding of the role that hierarchy plays for knowledge‐intensive work. Finally, it establishes the collective need to coordinate work as a previously overlooked driver of knowledge network relationships and network patterns.

Keeping Analytical Chemistry Training Up-to-Date.

The undergraduate analytical chemistry curriculum serves to equip students with the knowledge and skills for work outside of classroom training. As such, instructors face a challenging task in deciding the breadth and depth of topics for their courses to ensure their syllabi can remain up-to-date with today's needs. We propose that instructors consider covering capillary electrophoresis (CE) and lab-on-a-chip (LOC) technologies in their analytical chemistry courses. Past surveys of the curriculum show a noticeable lack of emphasis on these topics, which we feel is a missed opportunity and one that holds potential for the collective benefit of instructors and students. CE and LOCs are utilized in a diverse array of fields like biochemistry, pharmaceutical production, materials science, and environmental analysis, and their applications are becoming increasingly important amidst the growing movement toward environmentally sustainable practices and green chemistry. They are also more accessible in the analytical chemistry classroom compared with typical benchtop instruments due to the flexibility of their size and cost. This makes them easier to obtain, maintain, and transport for use and demonstration purposes. Additionally, interwoven in these topics are core concepts that are fundamental to analytical chemistry; thus, covering them will inherently reinforce students' understanding of fundamental knowledge. Therefore, we believe increased coverage of CE and LOCs can better prepare undergraduates for modern analytical chemistry work in various industries and fields of research.

Analysis of work environment and culture on service productivity with knowledge management mediation in Serang City Health Centers

The research aims to assess how much influence the work environment, work culture, and knowledge management have on service productivity at the Serang City Health Center. The difference with previous research by other researchers is the addition of other variables, namely the work environment and knowledge management. The quantitative research method used in this research is quantitative research. As many as 431 ASN at the Puskesmas in Serang City constitute the population in this study. The number of samples was determined based on the Slovin method; a total of 95 people participated. Smart PLS was used to analyze the questionnaire data. It can be seen that the work environment has a significant effect on knowledge management as well as work culture. Work culture has a large effect on service productivity, while the work environment has a large effect on knowledge management. There is a substantial relationship between knowledge management and service productivity. Knowledge management shows a significant relationship between the work environment and service productivity. The work environment has a significant impact on service productivity, as does knowledge management.

CHEKG: a collaborative and hybrid methodology for engineering modular and fair domain-specific knowledge graphs

Ontologies constitute the semantic model of Knowledge Graphs (KGs). This structural association indicates the potential existence of methodological analogies in the development of ontologies and KGs. The deployment of fully and well-defined methodologies for KG development based on existing ontology engineering methodologies (OEMs) has been suggested and efficiently applied. However, most of the modern/recent OEMs may not include tasks that (i) empower knowledge workers and domain experts to closely collaborate with ontology engineers and KG specialists for the development and maintenance of KGs, (ii) satisfy special requirements of KG development, such as (a) ensuring modularity and agility of KGs, (b) assessing and mitigating bias at schema and data levels. Toward this aim, the paper presents a methodology for the Collaborative and Hybrid Engineering of Knowledge Graphs (CHEKG), which constitutes a hybrid (schema-centric/top-down and data-driven/bottom-up), collaborative, agile, and iterative approach for developing modular and fair domain-specific KGs. CHEKG contributes to all phases of the KG engineering lifecycle: from the specification of a KG to its exploitation, evaluation, and refinement. The CHEKG methodology is based on the main phases of the extended Human-Centered Collaborative Ontology Engineering Methodology (ext-HCOME), while it adjusts and expands the individual processes and tasks of each phase according to the specialized requirements of KG development. Apart from the presentation of the methodology per se, the paper presents recent work regarding the deployment and evaluation of the CHEKG methodology for the engineering of semantic trajectories as KGs generated from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) data during real cultural heritage documentation scenarios.

Interlinking networking capabilities, knowledge worker productivity, and digital innovation: a critical nexus for sustainable performance in small and medium enterprises

PurposeAs sustainable performance has a central role in the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) performance literature, this study aims to examine the influence of networking capabilities in enhancing sustainable performance through knowledge workers’ productivity and digital innovation. It also examines the sequential mediating role of knowledge workers’ productivity and digital innovation on networking capabilities and SMEs’ sustainable performance relationship.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 308 knowledge workers in the information technology sector and analyzed using the Hayes Process Macro bootstrapping method to test the proposed hypotheses.FindingsResults indicate that knowledge workers’ productivity and digital innovation individually and sequentially mediate the relationship between networking capabilities and SME’s sustainable (economic and environmental) performance, surprisingly, they do not act as a mediator between networking capability and SME’s social performance. SMEs should prioritize investments in the professional development of their knowledge workers through training and skill enhancement programs. This investment equips knowledge workers with the tools to effectively use the knowledge and resources acquired through networking. Thus, knowledge workers may improve performance by using these resources to tackle challenges.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough this research focused on this specific context, it is prudent to acknowledge that additional factors may also exert influence on sustainable performance within SMEs, factors that managers may consider when making decisions. Methodologically, the cross-sectional design of this research poses a potential limitation, as it does not allow for the complete elimination of endogeneity concerns. However, it is worth noting that scholars have endorsed the use of cross-sectional data in cases where management researchers aim to expand beyond well-documented and longitudinal data sets.Practical implicationsThis research offers practical recommendations for SMEs to improve their sustainable performance through networking. SMEs should seek partnerships with complementary knowledge to improve operations and for other performance-oriented benefits.Originality/valueThis study adds significantly to the literature on sustainable SME performance by studying the interdependent effects of networking capabilities. It also represents the individual and sequential mediation mechanism that links networking capabilities to SME success through knowledge worker productivity and digital innovation.

Blood and body fluids exposure (BBFE): knowledge, attitudes, and practices of healthcare workers involved in plastic and reconstructive surgery in Togo

Introduction: Infectious risk among healthcare workers (HCW) is a major public health issue, especially in developing countries. This study aimed to assess the awareness and frequency of blood and body fluids exposure (BBFE) among HCW involved in plastic surgery care activities at the Sylvanus Olympio Teaching Hospital (SOTH). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among HCW involved in plastic and reconstructive activity in the SOTH from July 1st to September 30th, 2021. The study assessed knowledge, attitude, and practices of HCW in face of BBFE using an anonymous selfadministered questionnaire. Results: A total of 101 participants were included (participation rate 91.8%). There was a male predominance; Male/Female ratio was 3.04. The mean age was 35.5 ± 9.4 years [18-65 years]. More than half of the responders (68.32%) had less than 5 years’ professional experience. Nearly half (48.5%) of the participants already had at least one BBFE. Sting (84.2%), blood splashes (61.4%), or skin cuts (54.5%) were the main mechanisms of occurrence. HIV was the most known hazard mentioned by 99/101 (98%) of the participants followed by hepatitis B (91/101, 90%), hepatitis C (71/101, 70%). No participant mentioned the risk of syphilis, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), or COVID-19 infection. The approach towards the relative measures to be taken including accident declaration were unsatisfactory. Conclusion: The results of this study highlighted the seriousness of BBFE among HCW involved in plastic and reconstructive activities in the SOTH. There is a need for training and information to increase the awareness and knowledge among this specific staff and by extension among all the technical staff in the SOTH. Introduction : Les risques d’infection chez les professionnels de santé constituent un problème de santé publique particulièrement dans les pays en voie de développement. Cette étude a eu pour but d’évaluer les connaissances, attitudes et pratiques par rapport aux accidents avec exposition au sang ou aux produits sanguins (AES) du personnel impliqué dans les activités de chirurgie plastique et reconstructive au Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sylvanus Olympio (CHU SO). Méthode : Une étude transversale a été menée auprès du personnel impliqué dans les activités de chirurgie plastique et reconstructrice du CHU SO dans la période du 1er Juillet au 30 septembre 2021. Les connaissances, attitudes, et pratiques du personnel face aux AES a été évaluées par un questionnaire rempli de façon anonyme. Résultats : Un nombre de 101/110 participants (91,8%) ont répondu au questionnaire et ont été inclus dans l’étude. Il y avait une prédominance masculine avec une sex-ration de 3/1. L’âge moyen des participants était de 35,5 ± 9,4 ans avec des extrêmes de 18 et 65 ans. Plus de la moitié des participants (68,32%) avait une expérience professionnelle de moins de 5 ans. Presque la moitié des participants (48,5%) ont déjà été victime au moins une fois d’accident avec exposition au sang ou aux liquides biologiques. Les piqûres (84,2%), les éclaboussements de sang (61,4%), les lacérations cutanées (54,5%) étaient les mécanismes les plus fréquents. L’infection à HIV était le risque le plus connu mentionné par 99/101 (98%) des participants suivis de l’infection à hépatite B (91/101, 90%), et hépatite C (71/101, 70%). Aucun des participants n’a mentionné le risque de contamination par la syphilis, le Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), ou la COVID-19. Les connaissances des premières mesures à prendre ainsi que la déclaration de l’accident étaient insuffisantes chez la majorité des participants. Conclusion : Les résultats de cette étude montrent un déficit de connaissance d’attitudes et de pratiques du personnel impliqué dans les activités de chirurgie plastique et reconstructrice au CHU SO. Il en sort la nécessité de former ce personnel et par extension tout le personnel du CHU SO sur les AES.

Gender as a Moderator of the Double Bias of Mistakes – Knowledge Culture and Knowledge Sharing Effects

There is no learning without mistakes. The essence of the double bias of mistakes is the contradiction between an often-declared positive attitude towards learning from mistakes, and negative experiences when mistakes occur. Financial and personal consequences, shame, and blame force desperate employees to hide their mistakes. These adverse outcomes are doubled in organizations by the common belief that managers never make mistakes, which makes the contradiction even more harmful. Double bias affected leaders select only easy tasks to secure their positions, and those who want to be promoted hide their mistakes to maintain the image of a “perfect employee”. Avoiding the risk of failure is generally not wrong as long as doing so does not block organizational growth. It has been proven that the double bias of mistakes can present a serious hurdle for organizational learning and collective intelligence building. This study explores whether the double bias of mistakes is gender-related and how it affects tacit and explicit knowledge sharing. To do so, it is based on a sample of 183 Polish knowledge workers affected by the double bias of mistakes. The analysis method was ordinary least squares regression, which was conducted with SPSS PROCESS software. Results show that the double bias of mistakes generally causes more problems for female specialists than male specialists and more for male managers than female managers. Regarding managers, male managers probably tend to focus more on control at work. In contrast, women focus on supporting learning (they accept mistakes as a source of knowledge and share knowledge gained from them). Considering current challenges relating to collective intelligence building, women seem to have the potential to be better mentors and probably also better leaders than men. Such formulated conclusions are based on indirect inferences, so further research is necessary.

AI-Powered Reminders for Collaborative Tasks: Experiences and Futures

Email continues to serve as a central medium for managing collaborations. While unstructured email messaging is lightweight and conducive to coordination, it is easy to overlook commitments and requests for collaborations that are embedded in the text of free-flowing communications. Twenty-one years ago, Bellotti et al. proposed TaskMaster with the goal of redesigning the email interface to have explicit task management capabilities. Recently, AI-based task recognition and reminder services have been introduced in major email systems as one approach to managing asynchronous collaborations. While these services have been provided to millions of people around the world, there is little understanding of how people interact with and benefit from them. We explore knowledge workers' experiences with Microsoft's Viva Daily Briefing Email to better understand how AI-powered reminders can support asynchronous collaborations. Through semi-structured interviews and surveys, we shed light on how AI-powered reminders are incorporated into workflows to support asynchronous collaborations. We identify what knowledge workers prefer AI-powered reminders to remind them about and how they would like to interact with these reminders. Using mixed methods and a self-assessment methodology, we investigate the relationship between information workers' work styles and the perceived value of the Viva Daily Briefing Email to identify users who are more likely to benefit from AI-powered reminders for asynchronous collaborations. We conclude by discussing the experiences and futures of AI-powered reminders for collaborative tasks and asynchronous collaborations.

The Vicious Worm education tool improves the knowledge of community health workers on Taenia solium cysticercosis in Rwanda.

The pork tapeworm Taenia solium causes human taeniasis and cysticercosis when ingested as viable cysts and eggs, respectively. Despite its high health burden in low-income countries, knowledge of the parasite in endemic areas such as Rwanda is often limited. Here, we assess whether The Vicious Worm education software can increase knowledge in endemic areas of Rwanda. A cross-sectional mixed-methods study was conducted to evaluate knowledge about T. solium among community health workers trained using the Vicious Worm education software. Knowledge was assessed before, immediately after, and four weeks after the training. The health workers perceptions of the software were analysed thematically. A total of 207 community health workers were recruited from Nyamagabe district in Southern Province, Rwanda. Participants were composed of males (33.5%) and females (66.5%), aged between 22 and 68 years, and most (71%) had only completed primary education. Knowledge of cysticercosis at baseline was low, particularly knowledge of human cysticercosis and neurocysticercosis. The overall knowledge score increased significantly after training and was maintained four weeks after the training. Overall, insufficient knowledge was associated with neurocysticercosis-related questions, which after the training, remained relatively lower compared to questions of other categories. Participants reported the software to be user-friendly and educational. Digital illiteracy and the lack of smartphones were among the critical challenges highlighted in responses. This study has shown gaps in knowledge regarding T. solium infections within rural Rwanda, particularly neurocysticercosis. Health education using the Vicious Worm education software should be considered in integrated control programs.

Vaccine storage and stock management practices in Vihiga County, Kenya.

Effective vaccine management is crucial to maintain vaccine potency. To achieve this, elements, such as temperature management, stock management, infrastructure, cold chain equipment and waste management, need to be properly implemented. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the vaccine storage and stock management practices in public health facilities within Vihiga County. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used. Eighty-six public health facilities were selected and one staff involved in handling vaccines from each facility participated in the study. The study utilised survey questionnaires and observational checklists to collect data. All facilities visited use standard vaccine requisition forms for ordering and receiving vaccines and physical stock counts are done in all facilities. The majority of immunising healthcare workers knew how to condition icepacks 88.4%; however, 57.0% did not know all the heat-, cold- and light-sensitive vaccines. Status of vaccine equipment, knowledge of healthcare workers and stock management practices were positively associated with vaccine cold chain management at 52.8%. Knowledge of vaccine handlers and stock management practices should be improved to enhance effective vaccine management. Besides, there is a need for the County Government of Vihiga to purchase sufficient WHO-recommended refrigerators.

Urinary catheterisation among nurses in Sweden: A survey on routines and guideline adherence

AbstractIntroduction and ObjectivesBladder catheterisation is a common and invasive procedure with guidelines that can prevent or minimize associated complications. However, healthcare workers often do not follow these guidelines. Healthcare systems' strategies, policies and practices which support quality of care could affect the level of guideline adherence. This could be explored by studying adherence in a high‐performing healthcare system with extensive monitoring of health outcomes, such as Sweden. Moreover, there is a lack of relevant literature about the knowledge, attitudes and practices of healthcare workers regarding CAUTI. This study therefore aims to investigate how nurses in Sweden perform bladder catheterisation and identify potential ways to improve adherence to guidelines in order to decrease complications.Materials and MethodsA cross‐sectional survey was performed between the 21st and 29th of May 2020. A survey including questions on supervision during bladder catheterisation, maintenance of sterility, accidental urine spillage, and potential advantages of a urinary catheter with an integrated valve was distributed through social media channels to Swedish nurses. Participants were anonymous and no personal data was collected. The data was tabulated and analysed using descriptive statistics (Microsoft Excel).ResultsA total of 910 nurses responded to the survey. Respondents worked across several settings, and 76.1% worked within surgical, internal medicine, prehospital, geriatrics or primary care clinics. Respondents had various levels of experience in placing catheters, with 40.3% having inserted less than 50 catheters, and 31.5% having inserted more than 100.54.9% reported that someone had checked that they followed guidelines during catheter insertion. A majority (66.5%) either often or sometimes received assistance during insertion, with only 9.3% always receiving help. Only 9.9% reported always being able to maintain sterility during insertion.58.6% reported inadvertently spilling urine on the material (protective sheet, diaper) 1–5 times during their last 10 catheter insertions, 24.8% reported spilling on the bed or linen, and 15.7% on themselves, the patient or other healthcare staff.When asked about the potential advantages of a urinary catheter with an integrated valve, the most significant advantage cited was the reduced risk of urine leakage (63%), followed by the absence of stress from not having to connect a urine bag or plug (52.1%). 96% of respondents see at least one advantage in such a device.ConclusionsNearly half of nurses have not been audited concerning guideline adherence during bladder catheterisation. Only 10% are able to always maintain sterility, and it is common to spill urine during the catheterization process. Virtually all nurses see at least one advantage in a urinary catheter with an integrated valve.

Assessment of knowledge of accredited social health activists regarding antenatal & neonatal care in a block of Haryana

Improving maternal & child health has been an essential tool for achieving health for all. The discourse on the Accredited Social Health Activist’s (ASHA’s) role centers around three typologies -as an activist, as a link worker or facilitator, and as a community level health care provider.To assess knowledge of ASHA workers regarding antenatal and neonatal care in a block of Haryana. The present cross-sectional, community-based study was conducted in block Barwala, district Hisar of Haryana. Universal sampling technique was used. A predesigned, pretested, semi-structured schedule was used to collect the information, which included details of socio-demographic profile of ASHA workers and questions about knowledge of antenatal & postnatal care. Appropriate statistical tests like frequencies and percentages test were applied to analyze the collected data.Only 6.9% ASHA workers told about benefits of early registration of pregnancy. Majority of ASHA workers had inadequate knowledge about identification of danger signs during pregnancy and infancy, duration of trimester. Majority of ASHA workers had adequate knowledge about breast-feeding practices however about half of ASHA workers had inadequate knowledge about duration of colostrum. Only about one third ASHA workers had adequate knowledge regarding weighing machine & colour zone used for identify malnutrition.: It is important to reorient ASHA workers at field level and supportive supervision also plays an important role.

Exploring Relationship of High-performance Work System with Knowledge Workers' Work engagement through Indirect and Indirect Effects

This research work was undertaken to examine how the implementation of a high-performance work system (HPWS) affected the level of work engagement in Indian knowledge workers by observing the both direct and indirect effects. Research was carried out involving 202 knowledge workers from India. The study employed an online survey to gather information from the participants, and the data was obtained through a structured questionnaire. According to the study's findings, Indian knowledge workers recognized and valued the advantages of an HPWS (High Performance Work System) that embraced employees’ participation in important decisions, receive ongoing training and development, access pertinent information and knowledge, and have access to a well-structured performance evaluation system. Furthermore, the study demonstrated that Indian knowledge workers also acknowledged their level of engagement in their work, indicating a willingness to take on challenges, voluntarily assist colleagues and supervisors, and fully engage with their tasks. In general, HPWS reported for 35 per cent of the variability in job engagement and exhibited a positive connection with work assignment. The study's findings also showed that HPWS reported for 31 per cent of the alteration in psychological contract fulfillment, 22 per cent of the variance in workers' perceived organizational support in terms of resources, and 33 per cent of the variance in organizational identity among Indian knowledge workers. Notably, constructs like ‘psychological contract fulfillment,’ ‘organizational identity’ and ‘perception of job resources’ influenced the Indian knowledge workers’ ‘work engagement.’ Also, findings showed that in the context of Indian knowledge workers, factors such as the ‘psychological contract fulfillment,’ ‘perception of job resources,’ and ‘organizational identity’ played a role as partial mediators between High-Performance Work Systems (HPWS) and knowledge workers’ ‘work engagement.’ Moreover, 'job satisfaction' acted as a perfect intermediary or mediator between 'fulfillment of psychological contract' and 'work engagement'.

Between control and participation: The politics of algorithmic management

AbstractUnderstanding the role of human management is crucial for the debate over algorithmic management—to date limited to studies on the platform economy. This qualitative case study in logistics reconstructs the actor constellations (managers, engineers, data scientists and workers) and negotiation processes in different phases of algorithmic management. It offers two major contributions to the literature: (1) a process model distinguishing three phases: goal formation, data production and data analysis, which is used to analyse (2) the politics of algorithmic management in conventional workplaces, which differ significantly from platform companies. The article goes beyond surveillance to elucidate the role of the regulatory framework, various actors' knowledge contributions to the algorithmic management system, and the power relations resulting therefrom. While the managerial goals in the examined case were not oriented towards a surveillance regime, the outcome was nevertheless a centralisation of knowledge and disempowerment of workers.

The Ethnogeomorphological Vision of Artisan Fishermen from the Guriú Community, Camocim-Ceará

Ethnogeomorphology, which is the understanding of relief through the knowledge of traditional communities, has been increasingly required within geographic science when the approach takes into account man's dialectical action on his environment. In the search for an understanding of coastal ethnogeomorphology, we chose to research the coast of Ceará which, among its morphological features, contains river mouths, fixed and mobile dunes, cliffs, lake environments, fluviomarine plains and all interconnected inan interaction of landscape dynamics. All the compartmentalizations expressed in the relief make the coastal landscape a space of great natural expressiveness within the space of Ceará. Added to these is anthropic action, forming geographic space, the object of study in Geography, which is formed by the dialectical interaction between man and the space that surrounds him. The present work is the result of qualitative research carried out on Guriú beach located in the municipality of Camocim-Ceará. This work aims to survey the traditional knowledge of artisanal fishing workers in the Guriú district about the local relief and the way they interact with the environment.

Developing an alternative care pathway for emergency ambulance responses for adults with epilepsy: A Discrete Choice Experiment to understand which configuration service users prefer. Part of the COLLABORATE project

IntroductionTo identify service users’ preferences for an alternative care pathway for adults with epilepsy presenting to the ambulance service. MethodsExtensive formative work (qualitative, survey and knowledge exchange) informed the design of a stated preference discrete choice experiment (DCE). This hypothetical survey was hosted online and consisted of 12 binary choices of alternative care pathways described in terms of: the paramedic's access to medical records/ ‘care plan’, what happens next (described in terms of conveyance), time, availability of epilepsy specialists today, general practitioner (GP) notification and future contact with epilepsy specialists. DCE scenarios were described as: (i) typical seizure at home. (ii) typical seizure in public, (iii) atypical seizure. Respondents were recruited by a regional English ambulance service and by national public adverts. Participants were randomised to complete 2 of the 3 DCEs. ResultsPeople with epilepsy (PWE; n = 427) and friends/family (n = 167) who completed the survey were representative of the target population. PWE preferred paramedics to have access to medical records, non-conveyance, to avoid lengthy episodes of care, availability of epilepsy specialists today, GP notification, and contact with epilepsy specialists within 2–3 weeks. Significant others (close family members or friends) preferred PWE experiencing an atypical seizure to be conveyed to an Urgent Treatment Centre and preferred shorter times. Optimal configuration of services from service users’ perspective far out ranked current practice (rank 230/288 possible configurations). DiscussionPreferences differ to current practice but have minimal variation by seizure type or stakeholder. Further work on feasibility of these pathways in England, and potentially beyond, is required.

Social Work Journals and the Disciplinary Production of Alternative Knowledge(s)

ABSTRACT Disciplinary knowledge is reflected, legitimated, and replicated in academic journals, social work knowledge reproducing mainly Western knowledge(s). Hence, there has been an increase in the calls for a stronger articulation and inclusion of critical alternatives. Using a critical social work lens, we explored whether and how social work journals reproduce alternative knowledges. We developed a novel global list of all 272 social work journals and invited journal editors to respond to a virtual, exploratory qualitative survey. Through our reflexive thematic analysis, we identified two core themes in the 31 responses – the journal editors’ attachment to dominant, white, western social work knowledge and values, and their rhetorical inclusion of alternative knowledges. Alternative knowledges were seldom constructed as subjugated voices, but rather as innovation, gaps, or international perspectives. Despite agreeing that social work journals should include of a variety of knowledges, few journals created intentional space for subordinated knowledges. A disciplining mechanism that excludes/minimizes the alternative voices, and invalidates their experience was used to avoid attention to marginalized and silenced perspectives. Such processes impoverish social work knowledge. To enrich social work knowledge, journal editors should act intentionally, collectively, and critically to identify critical alternative knowledges and facilitate their inclusion in the social work canon.

Dans quelles conditions la flexibilité cognitive contribue-t-elle plus à la performance adaptative ?

<p>Adaptive performance (AP) represents the worker's ability to adapt their behaviours to changing job circumstances. An antecedent of AP would be the cognitive flexibility (CF) of employees. However, the strength of the relationship between these variables fluctuates empirically, suggesting the involvement of moderators such as knowledge work (KW). This study tested whether CF contributes more to AP in the presence of high versus low KW perceived demands. The results (n = 674) indicate that CF is related to AP and that, contrary to our hypothesis, KW does not moderate this relationship. However, an exploratory analysis of objective occupational job requirements reveals a more complex pattern of results: the relation between CF and AP depends on the interaction between the requirements of knowledge and the requirements of autonomy. Further, we found that CF contributes less to AP in jobs with higher social demands.</p>

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Jamaican healthcare workers on nosocomial infection control

Objectives The emergence of deadly infections such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and COVID-19 ( SARS-CoV-2) highlights the need for effective infection control (IC) procedures in healthcare facilities. The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of healthcare workers (HCWs) on IC procedures. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among HCWs in western Jamaica from May to August 2015. A questionnaire based on the Jamaican Health Facilities Infection and Control Policies and Procedures Manual was used to collect data on staff training in IC, and their KAP of IC. Summary statistics, ANOVA, and multiple linear regression were applied for data analyses. Results Among 227 participants, the mean knowledge scores were statistically higher among the younger HCWs, Physicians/Nurses, and those in clinical units. Older HCWs, non-physicians/nurses, non-clinical unit workers, HCWs at Western Regional Hospital A, and those who received ongoing IC training scored higher on attitude. The practice scores were significantly correlated with the attitude scores but not the knowledge scores. The attitude score was a significant predictor for IC practices. Conclusions Six knowledge and three attitude variables were significant predictors of IC practices that the Western Regional Health Authority Officials can use to implement measures to improve IC practices among HCWs.

Can university-enterprise cooperative innovation promote total factor productivity? – Evidence from Chinese-listed firms

ABSTRACT Based on the patent data of university-enterprise cooperative innovation (UECI) from CNIPA and the financial data of Chinese listed companies from 2010 to 2022, we find that UECI can promote the total factor productivity (TFP) of enterprises and that the average application value of each UECI patent is 29.07 million yuan, and confirm the robustness of our conclusions using the instrumental variables method, system GMM and the Heckman two-step method. The results of the mediation analysis show that UECI promotes the TFP of enterprises through three channels: alleviating financing constraints, attracting more knowledge workers and increasing the innovation efficiency of the enterprise. UECI can build alumni linkages between universities and enterprises, expand financing channels and attract more university students to join the company after cooperation, thus increasing their workers’ overall education level. UECI can also enable the firm to emulate academics how to innovate more effectively. Heterogeneity analysis shows that UECI can lead to a higher TFP improvement for enterprises in the leasing and business service industry and scientific research and technology service industry, which are 97 and 3 times higher than the baseline regression, respectively.