Organization Members Research Articles

Partnership between a consumer-led mental health research network and a large mental health research organisation: an Australian mixed methods case study

AimThis paper presents a case study review of an Australian research partnership between an independent mental health lived experience-led research network and an academic organisation established for the research and treatment of disorders of the brain and mind. The aim of the study was to explore the principles and practical requirements needed for a successful partnership that promotes inclusive research practices and power sharing and provide a framework to improve the operationalization of future similar partnerships.MethodsThis study was led and conducted by lived experience researchers. We used a mixed-method approach to data collection for data triangulation. An environmental scan of peer-reviewed and grey literature on mental health research partnerships was conducted, followed by a three-part data collection with members of both organisations. Data collection comprised an online survey, in-depth interviews, and a roundtable discussion to integrate findings and formulate recommendations.Results and ConclusionThis case study explores and describes a missed opportunity of a consumer led mental health research organisation to work successfully with an established mental health research organisation. Poor communication and unclear processes led to unmet expectations on both sides. Findings suggest the use of reflective practice by team members of both partner organisations may have been helpful in identifying further improvements to inclusive research practice, empowering consumers in inclusive mental health research.

"Come to us first": Centering Community Organizations in Artificial Intelligence for Social Good Partnerships

Artificial Intelligence for Social Good (AI4SG) has emerged as a growing body of research and practice exploring the potential of AI technologies to tackle social issues. This area emphasizes interdisciplinary partnerships with community organizations, such as non-profits and government agencies. However, amidst excitement about new advances in AI and their potential impact, the needs, expectations, and aspirations of these community organizations--and whether they are being met--are not well understood. Understanding these factors is important to ensure that the considerable efforts by AI teams and community organizations can actually achieve the positive social impact they strive for. Drawing on the Data Feminism framework, we explored the perspectives of community organization members on their partnerships with AI teams through 16 semi-structured interviews. Our study highlights the pervasive influence of funding agendas and the optimism surrounding AI's potential. Despite the significant intellectual contributions and labor provided by community organization members, their goals were frequently sidelined in favor of other stakeholders, including AI teams. While many community organization members expected tangible project deployment, only two out of 14 projects we studied reached the deployment stage. However, community organization members sustained their belief in the potential of the projects, still seeing diminished goals as valuable. To enhance the efficacy of future collaborations, our participants shared their aspirations for success, calling for co-leadership starting from the early stages of projects. We propose data co-liberation as a grounding principle for approaching AI4SG moving forward, positing that community organizations' co-leadership is essential for fostering more effective, sustainable, and ethical development of AI.

Life world as a basic concept of the sociology of life

The article reveals new facets of such a recently revived sociological concept as the life world. It briefly describes the history of its emergence in scientific research and its embodiment in real practical activities of people. It reveals also how its individual characteristics and indicators were tested and refined in the process of theoretical and empirical studies. The most successful works describing and analyzing it are discussed, although not all of them used this concept. The author shows what role this concept plays in enriching our understanding of people’s lives in all its combinations. Citing the existing interpretations of the life-world in sociology, the author offers a possible variant of its analysis, when the life-world of a person is considered a) as a citizen, b) as a resident of a certain spatial formation (city, town, village), c) as a member of an industrial organization and finally d) as a participant in relations in the micro-environment, i. e. in the structure of interpersonal relations. In conclusion, the features of the use of the concept of life world in the context of the theoretical concept of the sociology of life are summarized.

Echoes of violence: experiences of Palestinian Arab students in Israeli academia during the violent events of May 2021

AbstractThis paper investigates the challenges faced by Palestinian Arab citizens of Israel (PAI) who are students in Israeli higher education institutions amidst periods of national turbulence and violence, particularly focusing on the violent events of May 2021. Using interviews with students, academics, and members of civil society organisations, the paper puts forth a constructivist grounded theory model that charts the impact of the violent events of May 2021 on PAI students. It reveals that students’ experiences of violence, in various forms, give rise to a host of emotional, social, and political processes that heighten their awareness of the structural violence of the broader Israeli-Palestinian struggle. In response, PAI students withdraw both physically and mentally from their campuses and concurrently mobilise within their communities to address unmet needs neglected by official authorities. The perceptions of PAI students regarding their institutions’ responses to political issues are marked by intense cynicism—a sentiment that is mitigated by individual supportive initiatives by faculty members. Based on the findings, the paper argues that periods of political escalation are not to be viewed as fleeting events that heighten emotions but rather as critical junctures where identities and perceptions are formed, leaving an impact that lasts long after the immediate turbulence subsides.

Profile characteristics of selected farmer producer organizations (FPOs) members of Chhattisgarh state

Profile characteristics of selected farmer producer organizations (FPOs) members of Chhattisgarh state

Legislative Purpose — The Unwritten Criterion in Classifying Goods: A Case Study of Israel Law

The International Convention on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (HS Convention) or HS, which seeks to establish uniform rules for the classification of products for customs and indirect tax purposes, is considered a resounding success. Its main objective is to ensure that a given product is classified in the same way in all World Customs Organization (WCO) member countries. The HS Convention does not specify the duty rates on each product, leaving it to the discretion of the member states, nor does it consider the legislative purpose of each country — to tax or exempt a product. This paper examines the issue of legislative purpose and concludes that considering the domestic legislative purpose when classifying leads to a lack of uniformity in the classification method and undermines the principle underlying the HS Convention. The issue has not been widely discussed in the literature; therefore, this paper makes a novel contribution to the literature on this topic.

Legal Basis of External Fiscal and other Payments of an Unrecognized State: Taiwan’s Experience

Fiscal and other payments are divided into internal and external, which are subject to certain legal regulation. External fiscal payments are applied when goods are moved across the customs border of the state (territory).Since the status of a subject of international law depends on the attitude (decision) of other States and territories, it is natural to assume that in the case of an unrecognized state there is some specificity of the legal foundations and composition of external fiscal and other payments.This is true, but in terms of legal regulation, it is obvious that due to the lack of recognition as a subject of international law, some territories have a limited number of individual sources, for example, trade agreements.An unrecognized state may be a member of an international organization. Apparently, being within the global trading system is important for the composition of external fiscal and other payments, but not for the legal framework. In the given article, an attempt to comprehensively consider the legal foundations, as well as the composition of external fiscal and other payments of the Republic of China (Taiwan), with the identification of features accompanying the status of an unrecognized state, is made.

The motto diplomacy respects ho chi Minh's peace and the application of Vietnam's foreign policy

Ho Chi Minh's thought on foreign affairs, methods, style and art of diplomacy is a part of Ho Chi Minh's thought in general on Vietnam's revolutionary line. In the past time, Vietnam has strongly implemented diplomatic work according to Ho Chi Minh's diplomatic thought and achieved great successes: Vietnam's foreign relations expanded and Vietnam's position in the international arena. One of the success factors of Vietnam's diplomacy in recent years is that Vietnam has returned to Ho Chi Minh's diplomatic thought. With the promotion of participation in ASEAN, ASEM, APEC... and especially becoming a member of the World Trade Organization, Vietnam has been integrating wider and deeper into the world and the region. Many new problems arise for Vietnamese land and for Vietnamese diplomacy, both in terms of opportunities and challenges. That situation requires Vietnam to continue to study more deeply about Ho Chi Minh's foreign policy, methods, style and art, find new explanations and especially the application of Ho Chi Minh's thought.

Heedful proactivity: How individual tactical considerations contribute to pre‐screening of innovative ideas in the hierarchy

Purposefully fostering creativity and innovation through stimulating proactivity requires grappling with an apparent trade‐off. On the one hand, organization members need some autonomy to initiate change. On the other hand, managers might want to steer initiatives and retain control over outcomes. The current paper advances recent work on how proactivity is enacted as a compromise between autonomy and control by studying the process through which bottom‐up ideas are shared in highly hierarchical organizations. Based on an abductive analysis of data from informants in 42 organizations, we develop the concept of pre‐screening, which denotes collective action patterns geared towards qualifying individuals' innovative ideas before they are made subject to formal decision making. We explain how proactive individuals' tactical considerations—informed by their holistic prospective thinking, risk hedging, temporal splitting, and a both/and approach to proactivity and hierarchy—influence the actions through which ideas are shared and who are approached first (e.g., supervisors vs. peers). We also exemplify how action patterns accomplishing idea sharing and pre‐screening are entangled with more mundane workplace routines. Overall, the paper sheds new light on ideas' journeys in the context of hierarchy and opens up multiple avenues for future research.

Socio Economic Conditions of Sugarcane Juice Vendor and Domestic Workers in Private Hospital, Madurai

Technology developments are growing in a fast way in all business. With small amount capital as seed many business are started and after facing challenges with can be nature few of them are withstand in the market with greater achievement and more profit. In the same way, unorganized sectors also developed and created milestone in each field. But the earning capacity of the workers, family style of the family, basic needs of them is not yet met. Main reason for that it, their works is recognized by their own organization and family members too even though with the support of them only they running their business and leading happy life. at world level Sustainable Development Goals were framed and many countries try their best to implement in their own style. So a researcher, present study was taken to found the Socio-economic conditions of unorganised workers especially Hospital Domestic workers and Sugarcane Juice Vendors. Keywords: Hospital Domestic Workers, Sugarcane Juice Vendors Sustainable Development Goals, Unorganised workers

SELF-EFFICACY TO VOICE BEHAVIOR: THE ROLE OF CULTURAL INTELLIGENCE AND ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE

The primary objective of this study is to examine the correlation between self-efficacy and voice behavior among student organization members. This investigation holds significant implications for comprehending the intricacies of student organizations within the context of Sanata Dharma University. The present study utilized a sample size of 250 to gather data, and data analysis was conducted with the Partial Least Squares (PLS) Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) technique utilizing the Smart PLS 3 software. The findings of the study indicate that self-efficacy exerted a favorable and statistically significant direct impact on voice behavior. In addition, it is noteworthy to mention another key conclusion, which suggests that cultural intelligence and cultural organization serve as crucial and constructive mediators in the association between self-efficacy and voice behavior. This study offers a comprehensive analysis of the interplay of self-efficacy, cultural intelligence, and cultural organization in influencing the voice behavior of members within student groups. By examining these elements, this research contributes to a more profound comprehension of the underlying dynamics that define these organizations

Strengthening health systems during non-pandemic period: Toward universal health coverage in the pandemic agreement.

Reflecting the experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic, the global response was reviewed by the Independent Review Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response. Based on the panel reports, the World Health Organization (WHO) member states decided to establish the intergovernmental negotiating body for drafting a WHO convention, agreement or other international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, aiming for approval at the 77th World Health Assembly in 2024 (May 27- June 1). Amidst this process, the National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Japan (NCGM), as a global health organization focusing on health system strengthening in low- and middle-income countries, from the perspective of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), provided technical inputs to the representatives of the Japanese government. This paper summarizes crucial aspects of the NCGM inputs, including maintaining essential health services delivery during a pandemic, responding to evolving demand of health workforce, and ensuring the equitable distribution of pandemic products. These aspects can contribute to not only strengthening health crisis response and preparedness, but also achieving UHC. Therefore, the concerted efforts focusing on UHC and health crisis could yield synergistic effects. In addition, another aspect stresses the importance of social protection systems beyond health sector to reach vulnerable populations experiencing hardships during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the whole-of-government approach including social policies is covered in the draft pandemic agreement, it is hoped that the upcoming pandemic agreement will trigger each member state to expand the scope of health crisis management beyond the health sector.

A conceptual learning analysis of paired after action and intra action reviews for health emergencies.

Processes of self-reflection and the learning they allow are crucial before, during, and after acute emergencies, including infectious disease outbreaks. Tools-such as Action Reviews-offer World Health Organization (WHO) member states a platform to enhance learning. We sought to better understand the value of these tools and how they may be further refined and better used. We searched the publicly available WHO Strategic Partnership for Health Security website for paired reports of Action Reviews, that is, reports with a comparable follow-up report. We complemented the paired action reviews, with a literature search, including the gray literature. The paired action reviews were analyzed using the "Learning Health Systems" framework. We identified three paired action reviews: Lassa Fever After Action Reviews (AARs) in Nigeria (2017 and 2018), COVID-19 Intra-Action Reviews (IARs) in Botswana (2020 and 2021), and COVID-19 IARs in South Sudan (2020 and 2021). Action Reviews allowed for surfacing relevant knowledge and, by engaging the right (in different contexts) actors, asking "are we doing things right?" (single loop learning) was evident in all the reports. Single loop learning is often embedded within examples of double loop learning ("are we doing the right things?"), providing a more transformative basis for policy change. Triple loop learning ("are we learning right"?) was evident in AARs, and less in IARs. The range of participants involved, the level of concentrated focus on specific issues, the duration available for follow through, and the pressures on the health system to respond influenced the type (i.e., loop) and the effectiveness of learning. Action Reviews, by design, surface knowledge. With favorable contextual conditions, this knowledge can then be applied and lead to corrective and innovative actions to improve health system performance, and in exceptional cases, continuous learning.

Challenges in Fintech Adoption among Members of Farmer Producer Organisations – An Analysis

Aim: The purpose of this study is to determine the personal, technological, and trust-related barriers that prevent farmers in Tamil Nadu from adopting fintech. The research aims to provide insights for enhancing the utilization of fintech in the agricultural sector by analyzing these obstacles. Study Design: The limitations that limit farmers' use of fintech were investigated using an ex-post facto research design. Place and Duration of Study: From March to July 2023, the research was carried out in the Tiruvallur district of Tamil Nadu, India. Due to its high concentration of banking establishments, this area was chosen for fintech adoption research. Methodology: From four Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) affiliated with Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Tiruvallur, 120 farmers, 86 men and 34 women, aged 18 to 75, were chosen at random. A structured interview schedule was used to collect the data, which were divided into personal, technological, and trust-related constraints. The farmers' perspectives were used to evaluate the severity of these constraints using the Garrett ranking method. Results: Personal constraints, such as risk aversion (average score = 65.14) and a preference for cash transactions (average score = 56.68), were found to be the most significant obstacles to the adoption of fintech. Usage was further hampered by technological issues such as restricted access to technical support (64.79) and complicated user interfaces (52.95). Concerns about trust, particularly concerns about scams and fraud (65.83), were the most significant obstacles, highlighting the need for robust security measures. Conclusion: The results emphasize the need for targeted interventions to remove the major obstacles to the adoption of fintech, particularly by improving user-friendly designs, technical support, and security measures.

Integrating facets of information technology governance at a professional council in South Africa

Purpose The purpose of the study is to explore the integration of facets of information technology (IT) governance at a professional council in South Africa with the view to develop a framework. Design/methodology/approach This critical emancipatory study used the Information Governance Initiative pinwheel to explore the architecture facet of information governance at the professional council, with a view to developing a framework for entrenching a culture of good corporate governance. Qualitative data was collected through interviews and document analysis. The study was a participatory action research project that involved collaboration between the researcher and study participants in defining and solving the problem through a needs assessment exercise. Findings The key findings report on the processes taken by a professional council in identifying and implementing the facets of information governance, that is, records management, IT, content management, data governance, information security, data privacy, risk management, regulatory compliance, long-term digital preservation and, even, business intelligence. Research limitations/implications The study was a participatory action research project that involved collaboration between the researcher and study participants in defining and solving the problem through a needs assessment exercise. Practical implications The study’s findings suggest that, with the right information governance policy in place, adopting the facets of information governance can be used to address concerns related to information integrity in the short and medium terms. As a long-term option for retaining data and information, it would have various drawbacks and would not, however, ensure the initial dependability of the information. Originality/value A framework for information governance to ensure that the professional organisation and board members adopt a tailored governance system is suggested.

Critical Feminist Epidemiology in Action: Reflections from a Multidisciplinary Partnership Between Mujeres Unidas y Activas and Academic Researchers.

Critical feminist research addresses social inequities, encourages equitable partnerships between researchers and participants, and acknowledges that research can be inherently political. Building upon critical feminist research practices, community-based participatory research, and social and structural epidemiology, we propose the approach of critical feminist epidemiology. A critical feminist epidemiology approach can study community and population health inequities with an eye towards identifying interventions that reduce inequities, through research processes that center the lived experiences of people from minoritized genders. We describe how our interdisciplinary, community-led team used a critical feminist epidemiology approach for an applied public health research project. Mujeres Unidas y Activas, a community organizing non-profit led by and for Latina and Indigenous immigrant women, partnered with academic researchers to conduct community-led research around how their approach to building community power affected the health and wellbeing of organization members and their families. Critical feminist epidemiology is a promising approach for conducting research that is grounded in and relevant to the lives of women and gender expansive people. Building upon social epidemiology and community-based participatory research, critical feminist epidemiology can be a useful research approach to generate novel evidence to inform action towards health equity for communities and populations.

Starting conversations about mental health and wellbeing in Australian culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

Australia is a multicultural nation with nearly 30% of the population born overseas. Migrants' mental health can be impacted by discrimination, racism and experiences relating to asylum and immigration. These can be compounded by low help-seeking caused by stigmatized beliefs and poor mental health literacy. My Mind, My Voice (MMMV) is a co-designed program aiming to promote awareness of mental health and wellbeing for people with a culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) background. This research project explored the perceived impacts and value of MMMV and processes leading to those impacts. A mixture of internal quantitative and qualitative evaluation surveys (n = 32) and researcher-conducted semi-structured interviews (n = 9) were conducted with CALD organization and community members who attended training workshops, presented MMMV events or attended an event. Data were analysed using a reflexive thematic analysis approach. Five themes were developed: culturally relevant and respectful, cross-cultural connections, the importance of language, increasing confidence and literacy and the potential to change attitudes. Being involved with a co-produced program that was culturally relevant and respectful was a positive experience that enhanced people's confidence and literacy. Feeling respected, valued and validated helped participants feel empowered to develop and deliver mental health and wellbeing education in their community. Open, honest conversations are an important way to break down stigma and start conversations about mental health and wellbeing in CALD communities. Evaluation outcomes demonstrate the success of MMMV's collaborative approach, which can inform the development and evaluation of CALD mental health promotion interventions.

ONLINE CONSUMPTION HABITS OF OLDER PEOPLE IN HUNGARY

People's lives have been significantly affected by COVID-19, including the elderly, who have sought to limit personal contact, especially during quarantine periods. Their shopping habits, and their daily lives changed, too. The basis of my research was a longitudinal study conducted by the Department of Gerontology of the University of Debrecen, Faculty of Health Sciences. I conducted a two-region study in the summer of 2021, using the interview technique. I was looking for answers to the question how and to what extent the COVID-19 epidemic has affected the lives of members of older people's organisations, and how and in what ways their habits have changed, such as the use of digital devices and consumption in general. The results show that during the pandemic, in 2020, telephone contact was the main mode of communication between members of organisations, while in the following year, 2021, there were almost equal numbers of people who preferred online contact and those who preferred traditional telephone contact. Older people have presumably become more open to the online world, which is why internet use and online contact have become more common. During the period under review, older people's willingness to use digital tools increased and this also broadened their opportunities, such as by developing their skills, which was often a necessity. This is also true for online purchases. Online consumption has also increased among older age groups, as well as among all age groups of domestic consumers. For older people in particular, this is influenced by their opportunities for digitalisation. The main advantage of digitalisation for older people is that they can keep in touch with each other and with their family members living further away much more easily, but the disadvantage is the financial cost, as not all older people can afford to have the right technical conditions, internet access and skills.

Negotiations on food security at the WTO: a never-ending story?

PurposeThe purpose is to chart the negotiations on the issue of food security which was identified as a non-trade concern by the Agreement on Agriculture (AOA) and how developing Members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) suggested that that concern should be addressed.Design/methodology/approachThe history of negotiations at the WTO is examined through the lens of official documents submitted during various phases of negotiations since 1996 beginning with the Analysis and Information Exchange process to the Doha Round up to the latest Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi in February 2024.FindingsThe negotiations have yet to complete despite beginning over 20 years ago. The focus moved since 2008 to look at specific issues which were addressed at a number of Ministerial Conferences but the latest of these indicate that an answer can only be found in the re-negotiation of the AOA as a whole.Research limitations/implicationsBy focusing on official documents, the rich literature on food security has not been addressed.Practical implicationsThe piece concludes by looking at issues which need to be resolved ahead of agreement on overall reform and suggests solutions for example in the area of safeguards and public stockholding for food security purposes.Originality/valueThe focus almost exclusively on official (and public) documents during the discussion is noteworthy. It also confirms that the WTO is not really that different from its predecessor - the GATT - which took nearly 50 years to reach AOA.

Global resurgence of measles in the vaccination era and influencing factors

ObjectivesRecent years have seen increased cases of measles despite widespread vaccination. We examined the potential drivers behind the resurgence of measles. MethodsWe analyzed the trends in measles incidence and vaccine coverage from 2010 to 2019 across World Health Organization member countries using country-level linear regression models. We computed the Spearman rank correlation coefficient (ρ) between measles incidence and socioeconomic and vaccination-related variables using published data from the World Health Organization member countries to identify the key factors influencing measles incidence. ResultsBetween 2010 and 2019, global measles cases fluctuated, with a notable rise in 2019 (measles cases per million in 2019 was about 140% higher than in 2010), alongside a declining vaccination coverage in many countries (59 of 194 countries). Among 10 socioeconomic factors examined, per-capita national gross income, population literacy, urban residences, and political stability were significantly associated with measles incidence (ρ <0, and P <0.05 for all these variables). These factors likely reflect the quality of public health infrastructure (e.g. access to vaccines), particularly, in low- and middle-income countries. In addition, a stratified analysis suggests vaccine hesitancy likely contributed to measles case increases in high- and upper middle–income countries. ConclusionsThe socioeconomic determinants of measles transmission are interconnected and region-specific. The availability of public health resources and political stability significantly influence measles burdens in low- and middle-income countries, whereas vaccine hesitancy presents a unique challenge to measles elimination in high- and upper middle–income countries.