Participatory Network Research Articles

Task and Participant Scheduling of Trading Platforms in Vehicular Participatory Sensing Networks.

The vehicular participatory sensing network (VPSN) is now becoming more and more prevalent, and additionally has shown its great potential in various applications. A general VPSN consists of many tasks from task, publishers, trading platforms and a crowd of participants. Some literature treats publishers and the trading platform as a whole, which is impractical since they are two independent economic entities with respective purposes. For a trading platform in markets, its purpose is to maximize the profit by selecting tasks and recruiting participants who satisfy the requirements of accepted tasks, rather than to improve the quality of each task. This scheduling problem for a trading platform consists of two parts: which tasks should be selected and which participants to be recruited? In this paper, we investigate the scheduling problem in vehicular participatory sensing with the predictable mobility of each vehicle. A genetic-based trading scheduling algorithm (GTSA) is proposed to solve the scheduling problem. Experiments with a realistic dataset of taxi trajectories demonstrate that GTSA algorithm is efficient for trading platforms to gain considerable profit in VPSN.

Understanding farmers' influence on land-use change using a participatory Bayesian network approach in a pre-Alpine region in Switzerland

Land-use models can be used to assess the importance of different drivers of land-use change. Local actors make land-use decisions on the basis of both biophysical and policy aspects, but they can also be considered as autonomous drivers as their attitudes and beliefs influence land-use substantially. We use a Bayesian network-based Land-use Modeling Approach (BLUMAP) to analyze influences of local actor characteristics on land-use change in a spatially explicit manner. Our analysis shows that local actor characteristics have a greater influence on land-use change than changes in agricultural policy schemes. Furthermore, focusing on the probabilities of land-use occurrence under different scenarios facilitates the quantification of influences of local actor characteristics on land-use changes and aids in the detection of where land-use changes are more likely to occur. We demonstrate that local actor characteristics could override land-use policy trends; thus, greater consideration should be paid to actors in land-use development processes.

On-farm examination of main-crop potato varieties in Hungary

Characterisation of potato varieties in Hungary is based on conventional breeding and examination processes. Therefore organic growers need experimental data about the performance of new multi-resistant potato varieties under organic conditions. In order to provide sufficient information in 2012 we initiated a participatory-research program for testing resistant potato varieties under local organic conditions. 2012-2014 ten main-crop varieties were tested by participating organic farmers. Among the varieties Bettina, Desiree, Demon, Hopehely, Katica and Tiamo reached the highest yields. In the qualitative assessment the Streptomyces infection appeared to be most frequent. Among red-peel varieties Demon, among yellow-peel varieties Hopehely showed highest resistance to examined infections. The on-farm program is still running, in 2014 participant farmers’ number grew to 22. Achievements and results underline the importance of on-farm participatory research networks. Keywords: potato, resistant varieties, on-farm examination, participatory research, Streptomyces

Governance of Public Service Media in Poland: The Role of the Public

This paper analyzes the role of the public in governance processes in public service media (PSM) in Poland in the post mass-media era, characterized by participatory culture and network practices. Referencing the findings of the “Democratization of media policy in the digital ecosystems” (2014–2015) research project, the study aims to map the effectiveness of existing tools, practices and attitudes toward opening-up Polish public media enterprises to the public. Examination of media regulation, grey literature (corporate documentation, strategies, reports) and civil society initiatives are likely to indicate the ways and extent to which members of the public might currently participate in the decision-making and control. On the basis of hypotheses that public media enterprises in Poland are not fully prepared for the multi-stakeholder and advanced model of PSM, the study takes into account potential systemic/regulatory, organizational and social barriers for change. The salient questions to be addressed are: What are the strategies and practices through which members of civil society might get involved? At what stages are the publics able to engage? How can PSM take advantage of the development of online tools offering space for interaction and collaboration? How is it possible to make the public more active and interested in governance and participation?

Seeing the forest and the trees: Facilitating participatory network planning in environmental governance

Governance processes to address environmental change involve many different actors from multiple spatial, temporal and socio-political scales, not all of whom are connected by hierarchy and whose actions cannot always be mandated. In the environmental governance literature, Social Network Analysis (SNA) has been found useful in understanding complex governance arrangements. In this paper we present and reflect on our experience with the Net-Map tool for participatory network mapping. The Net-Map tool was applied in three transdisciplinary case studies for three different purposes: (a) to contribute to an improved understanding of biodiversity knowledge flows in Europe, (b) to explore the interplay between actors with influence on water, agriculture, and energy developments at the Blue Nile in Ethiopia, and (c) to understand the challenges facing stakeholders engaged in conservation and economic development in a Southeast Asian mountain range. The case studies explore how network maps can serve as boundary objects to engage stakeholders of diverse points of view and jointly design strategies to address governance challenges. More specifically they show how network maps are used to gain a better understanding of governance situations, to help stakeholders identify strategies for navigation of the complex networks in which they are embedded and to support transdisciplinary research processes. We close with some reflections on the potential and limitations of the Net-Map tool in facilitating multi-stakeholder processes and disentangling complex governance arrangements.

Participatory and prospective value network analysis: supporting transition towards biofuels in Finnish road transport

If the European energy and transport sectors are to meet the 2050 energy and climate policy targets, major socio-technical change (transition) is necessary. Along with new technologies, changes are required also in other societal functions such as business models and consumer habits. The transition will require cooperation between public and private actors. This paper discusses the socio-technical change towards a 2050 road transport system based on renewable energy. More precisely, it proposes a novel, participatory foresight approach in the context of biofuels in Finland. The participatory and prospective value network analysis outlined in the paper combines elements from the fields of foresight, socio-technical change on multiple levels and value network analysis. It presents a novel, policy and business-relevant application with a set of practical tools to support development of implementation strategies, but also to boost new business opportunities in the fields of energy and transport.

Addressing global economic inequalities in local ways in Senegal's artisanal workshops

AbstractCentral Senegal was once a thriving agricultural area, but over the past century, it has struggled with repeated droughts, rising temperatures, and land mismanagement. In addition, global inequalities, including colonialism, unequal energy use, and international trade inequities, have escalated both climate change and economic insecurities worldwide. These inequalities in turn have affected local environments and economies. Throughout these long‐term crises, in central Senegal, communities have relied on religious networks. Leaders of local economic development projects also work through these networks to rebuild their communities. This article focuses on the extent to which residents of two towns have used these participatory networks to address environmental and economic challenges. Their varied experiences show the importance of using a region's social foundations in communities' work toward financial viability. This article argues that local development projects that use these existing strengths as organizing principles are able to adapt to persistent challenges more successfully than those that do not. Existing networks that strengthen communities also strengthen their efforts to become sustainable.

친환경 녹색건축 인증지원체계에 관한 연구 - 리드(LEED) 및 케이스비(CASBEE) 인증평가항목을 중심으로 -

Enhancing the design, construction and operation of green buildings, the potential environmental issues which consist of major categories such as sustainable site, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, material and resources and environmental quality can be estimated on the criteria collaborated by professional accreditation. This study on design manual for green and low-carbon emission architecture addresses the innovative design platform corresponding to the global challenges of environmental issues such as sustainability and intelligent ecosystem. With the participation of professional communities and academia, the interactive meta-manual constitutes the development of a architectural society of leading research and industry to study the opportunities and challenges arising from economic development of design development, construction documentation, and facility management in terms of the fundamentals of the socio-physical hemisphere, such as climate change, green architecture, and environmental reform. The discourse springs from an integrated approach of decision-making, planning and implementation, empowered by information technology, that enables the mixing of economic considerations, effective management and enforcement strategies towards the exploration of promising sustainable environment with the due emphasis on community design and participation. The research envisions the united design code to encourage the use of participatory networks identifying the main constraints, opportunities and concerns covering the policy, planning and implementation of sustainable development for architectural design.

Social technologies in public libraries: exploring best practice

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to report on a research project that explored social media best practice in the public library sector. Design/methodology/approach – The primary research approach for the project was case study. Two organisations participated in case studies that involved interviews, document analysis, and social media observation. Findings – The two case study organisations use social media effectively to facilitate participatory networks, however, there have been challenges surrounding its implementation in both organisations. Challenges include negotiating requirements of governing bodies and broader organisational environments, and managing staff reluctance around the implementations. As social media use continues to grow and libraries continue to take up new platforms, social media must be considered to be another service point of the virtual branch, and indeed, for the library service as a whole. This acceptance of social media as being core business is critical to the successful implementation of social media based activities. Practical implications – The article provides an empirically grounded discussion of best practice and the conditions that support it. The findings are relevant for information organisations across all sectors and could inform the development of policy and practice in other organisations. This paper contributes to the broader dialogue around best practice in participatory service delivery and social media use in library and information organisations. Originality/value – Research around social media has focused on the usage of tools rather than the conditions that allow staff to use social media to reach users effectively. This research fills the gap by exploring the organisational culture that allows staff to use social media in order to develop a participatory library service.

An Educational Management of Alternative Schools in Northeastern Thailand: Multi-cases Study

The aim of this research is to study situations thus propose guidelines of educational management of alternative schools in Northeastern Thailand. Research samples included two alternative schools as a multi-cases study. Instruments comprised of a semi-structured interview questions, observation note and participatory and non-participatory observation record. Triangulation technique is used for reliability verification and validity of data before analyzing it by content analysis method. Finally, data is summarized by applying descriptive approach. The results revealed that the situations of educational management as such: (i) the policies and goals are determined to focus on the vision of moral, ethic, knowledge and life skills, right and freedom of education, being happy, forming a justice community, loving a local community. Instructional management emphasized on an integrated and flexible curriculum, student-centered instruction, helping students to solve their problems, participation of community and multi-disciplinary sectors and developing the potential of teachers and administrators using contemplative concept; (ii) policies and goals are driven by focusing on participatory networks of parents and multi-disciplinary sectors in order to provide lifelong education management and student development; (iii) learning management activity pattern are focusing on contemplative concept application, informal education, critical thinking activities with parent and community and psychological and life skills development program. In addition, the proposed guidelines are schools are encouraged to accept fully qualified students, alternative education should be managed concurrently with the regular system and all the related sectors should participate in management.

Optimized Reputable Sensing Participants Extraction for Participatory Sensor Networks

By collecting data via sensors embedded personal smart devices, sensing participants play a key role in participatory sensor networks. Using information provided by reputable sensing participants ensures the reliability of participatory sensing data. Setting a threshold for the reputation, and those whose reputations are bigger than this value are regarded as reputable. The bigger the threshold value is, the more reliable the extracted reputable sensing participant is. However, if the threshold value is too big, only very limited participatory sensing data can be involved. This may cause unexpected bias in information collection. Existing works did not consider the relationship between the reliability of extracted reputable sensing participants and the ratio of usable participatory sensing data. In this work, we propose a criterion for optimized reputable sensing participant extraction in participatory sensor networks. This is achieved based on the mathematical analysis on the ratio of available participatory sensing data and the reliability of extracted reputable sensing participants. Our suggested threshold value for reputable sensing participant extraction is only related to the power of sensing participant’s reputation distribution. It is easy to be applied in real applications. Simulation results tested on real application data further verified the effectiveness of our proposed method.

Comparison of Data Screening Methods for Evaluating School-Level Fitness Patterns in Youth: Findings from the NFL PLAY 60 FITNESSGRAM Partnership Project

Background: There has been a great interest in tracking health-related fitness across the United States. The NFL PLAY 60 FITNESSGRAM Partnership Project (NFL P60FGPP) is a large participatory research network that involves the surveillance of fitness among more than 1000 schools spread throughout the country. Fitness data are collected by school staff and therefore these data can vary in quality and representativeness. Therefore, careful screening procedures are needed to ensure that the data can reflect actual patterns in the schools. This study examined the impact of different data screening procedures on outcomes of aerobic fitness (AF) collected from the NFL P60FGPP. Methods: Data were compiled from 149,101 youth from 504 schools and were processed using the established age- and gender-specific AF FITNESSGRAM health-related standards. Data were subjected to three different screening procedures (based on grade size and boy-to-girl ratio per grade). Linear models were computed to obtain unadjusted and adjusted (for age, BMI-Z, and socio-economic status) estimates of % youth in the Healthy Fitness Zone (HFZ) in order to determine if, 1) there were differences in % in the HFZ and 2) if differences could be explained by changes in the representativeness of the sample due to the different data screening procedures. Results: Depending on the screening procedure used, the final sample ranged from 96,999 (no screening) to 46,572 youth (most stringent criteria). The proportion of youth achieving appropriate levels of AF ranged from 56% to 61% with unscreened data resulting in consistently lower percentages of youth achieving the standard (P < 0.05). Overall, these differences were not explained by possible changes in demographic characteristics as the result of applying different screening criteria. Conclusions: The findings demonstrate the importance of establishing appropriate screening procedures that maximize sample size while also ensuring generalizability of the findings.

Identifying changes in the support networks of end-of-life carers using social network analysis

End-of-life caring is often associated with reduced social networks for both the dying person and for the carer. However, those adopting a community participation and development approach, see the potential...

Participatory networks for place safety and livability: organisational success factors

This theory-building paper focuses on a specific type of ICT-enabled participatory network, where citizens actively cooperate with an organisation (typically but not necessarily a public administration) to enhance the livability of their urban or rural environment. We have called these systems ‘citizens to problem-solving organisation (C2PSO) networks’ and argue that they are set to play a role of growing importance in some of the emerging urban and rural livability challenges. The authors present three different explorative case studies that focus on health, safety, independent living for the elderly, and mobility as indicators of place livability. The recurrent organisational factors identified in the case studies translate into key elements of success, the analysis of which highlighted three novel constructs as possible antecedents of improved livability in the living settings of C2PSO networks. The proposed constructs describe the organisational effectiveness of the network and the sustainability of the cooperative processes involved, and, in the authors’ opinion, are a useful complement to the extant literature. For each novel construct, a quantitative measurement scale for survey questionnaires is developed and then discussed with experts for face validity. The paper closes with the description and discussion of a testable cause-effect model before presenting the authors’ conclusions.

Towards Future Internet services through crowdsourcing-based sensor platforms

Crowdsourcing initiatives accommodate the trend to transition from mere resource pooling, which has been successfully applied in technical domains such as grid computing and cognitive radio networks, to human resource pooling, with people contributing to a common purpose. Future Internet emerges as a paradigm that will incorporate crowdsourcing in many forms, with participatory mobile sensor networks being a prominent representative. In such networks, citizens carry small portable devices that provide sensor readings on demand, for example, for air quality monitoring. Whereas a multiplicity of research and industrial efforts has tackled the issue of connecting sensors and producing meaningful data over a plethora of deployed sensors, few initiatives have progressed beyond field-testing, partially due to underestimating the importance of service engineering aspects. This note aims at highlighting the objectives to be fulfilled and the necessary capabilities of sensor platforms towards the provision of Future Internet services built on top of crowdsourcing facilities.

Spring tree phenology in the Alps: effects of air temperature, altitude and local topography

A participatory network was set up to study tree phenology in the Western Alps. We used data collected in 2006 and 2007 on birch, ash, hazel, spruce and larch to assess how local air temperature, altitude and other topographic variables influenced dates of budburst and leaf unfolding. Altitude was, as expected, a main predictor variable of budburst and leafing dates with delays ranging from 2.4 to 3.4 days per 100 m. Ash was the only species with strong evidence of a year difference in the altitudinal gradient with the warm year (2007) characterized by a weaker altitudinal gradient. We found a latitudinal gradient in the appearance of budburst for one coniferous species (larch) and curvature affected leafing in ash. Thermal sum (sum of Degree-Days above 0 °C) was increasing with altitude for budburst (birch, ash and larch) and leafing (birch and ash). Understanding of altitude and topography effects in addition to temperature in phenological models should improve projections of future changes in mountain regions.

Acceptability of participatory social network analysis for problem-solving in Australian Aboriginal health service partnerships.

BackgroundWhile participatory social network analysis can help health service partnerships to solve problems, little is known about its acceptability in cross-cultural settings. We conducted two case studies of chronic illness service partnerships in 2007 and 2008 to determine whether participatory research incorporating social network analysis is acceptable for problem-solving in Australian Aboriginal health service delivery.MethodsLocal research groups comprising 13–19 partnership staff, policy officers and community members were established at each of two sites to guide the research and to reflect and act on the findings. Network and work practice surveys were conducted with 42 staff, and the results were fed back to the research groups. At the end of the project, 19 informants at the two sites were interviewed, and the researchers conducted critical reflection. The effectiveness and acceptability of the participatory social network method were determined quantitatively and qualitatively.ResultsParticipants in both local research groups considered that the network survey had accurately described the links between workers related to the exchange of clinical and cultural information, team care relationships, involvement in service management and planning and involvement in policy development. This revealed the function of the teams and the roles of workers in each partnership. Aboriginal workers had a high number of direct links in the exchange of cultural information, illustrating their role as the cultural resource, whereas they had fewer direct links with other network members on clinical information exchange and team care. The problem of their current and future roles was discussed inside and outside the local research groups. According to the interview informants the participatory network analysis had opened the way for problem-solving by “putting issues on the table”. While there were confronting and ethically challenging aspects, these informants considered that with flexibility of data collection to account for the preferences of Aboriginal members, then the method was appropriate in cross-cultural contexts for the difficult discussions that are needed to improve partnerships.ConclusionCritical reflection showed that the preconditions for difficult discussions are, first, that partners have the capacity to engage in such discussions, second, that partners assess whether the effort required for these discussions is balanced by the benefits they gain from the partnership, and, third, that “boundary spanning” staff can facilitate commitment to partnership goals.

Participatory networks for large-scale monitoring of large carnivores: pumas and jaguars of the Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest

AbstractMost large carnivores are secretive and threatened, and these characteristics pose problems for research on, and monitoring of, these species across extensive areas. Participatory monitoring, however, can be a useful tool for obtaining long-term data across large areas. Pumas Puma concolor and jaguars Panthera onca are the largest predators in the threatened Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest. To survey the presence of these two species we established a participatory network of volunteers and a partnership with researchers in the three countries that share the Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest (Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay). We trained participants in simple methods of collecting faeces and track imprints of large felids. Between 2002 and 2008 &gt; 100 volunteers helped with monitoring, obtaining 1,633 records identified as pumas or jaguars across c. 92,890 km2. We confirmed jaguar presence in a large section of the Misiones Green Corridor in Argentina and in the largest protected areas of Brazil and Paraguay. Pumas exhibited a wider distribution, being recorded throughout Misiones province in Argentina and in some areas of Brazil and Paraguay where jaguars were not detected. Both species, and especially jaguars, were detected mainly in the few remaining medium and large forest fragments in this Forest. Although these carnivores are often in conflict with local people, their charisma and cultural significance makes them flagship species that motivated the participation of volunteers and institutions. Participatory monitoring allowed coverage of a vast area at relatively low cost whilst enhancing collaborative management policies among people and institutions from three countries.

Deliberative Democracy Online: Bridging Networks With Digital Technologies

This article applies a network metaphor to an examination of the mediated public sphere. The analysis focuses on the deliberative spaces afforded by traditional and alternative media technologies, concluding that participatory digital technologies best support interactive and adaptable networks for deliberation. These networks sustain enclave and shared nodes where multiple publics can engage in deliberation within and across public boundaries. This argument informs decisions regarding broadband policy by focusing attention on values of openness, access, and freedom.

Building participatory HIS networks: A case study from Kerala, India

This paper addresses the challenge of developing participatory networks to support the design, development and implementation of Health Information Systems (HIS) in the context of public health in Kerala, India. It is argued given the nature and complexity of HIS, there is the need to bring together our understanding of participation from two streams of development theory and IS design and development. While development theory provides interesting insights on how to enable participatory processes, they tend to not consider technology. Further, traditional participatory design in Information Systems research has its origins in Western workplaces, often quite divorced from the context of public health in developing countries. In trying to combine these two streams of learning, we propose and develop the concept of participatory networks. Drawing upon an ongoing empirical analysis of an action research effort to introduce, scale and sustain Health Information Systems in Kerala, this paper elaborates on the nature of participatory networks that come into play, and the various mechanisms and purposes of participation with the different network partners. In the discussion section, four areas of re-conceptualization of participation in the context of HIS in developing countries are identified: (1) creation of participatory networks; (2) increased context sensitivity; (3) focus on outputs of participation, not just inputs and techniques; and, (4) focus on structural aspects of participation, not just behavioral issues.