Key Informant Perceptions Research Articles

Implementation Of New Mexico's 'No Behavioral Health Cost Sharing' Law: A Qualitative Study.

Out-of-pocket spending is a long-standing challenge for privately insured people. New Mexico passed the first US law prohibiting private insurers from applying cost sharing to behavioral health treatment, effective January1, 2022. We examined the perceptions of key informants, including clinicians, insurers, and state officials, about implementing the No Behavioral Health Cost Sharing law to explore how it might affect downstream outcomes such as spending and access. The law was viewed favorably and implemented without much difficulty. Clinicians noted widespread positive impacts, particularly for those needing intensive treatment. However, they worried about workforce capacity and the exclusion of people covered under self-insured employer plans, which are exempt from state regulation under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) of 1974. Insurers found the law to be in alignment with their organizational goals, but they expressed concern about the administrative burden caused by increased reviews of claims, and some were monitoring for unintended consequences (for example, waste and fraud) that could lead to increased premiums. Engagement strategies were needed to inform eligible members and facilitate enrollment in eligible plans. The law provides a potential model for states to improve access to behavioral health care, but impacts may be limited by factors such as workforce, awareness, and federal ERISA constraints.

Participatory Risk Governance for Seoul, South Korea’s Flood Risk Management

Risk governance is a widely used framework in natural and societal risk management research. Risks from natural hazards in urban areas call for the establishment of rigorous and participatory urban risk governance. In this study, we examined participatory risk governance (PRG) of flood risk management (FRM) in Seoul, South Korea. We conducted key informant interviews and implemented a survey with citizens, to explore perceptions of flood risks and risk management, and to examine prospects for improving PRG in Seoul. We found a gap between the perceptions of key informants and citizens. Key informants believed that citizens’ low awareness of flood risks hinders PRG. Yet our research found that citizens’ risk awareness was not low, and risk awareness may not be the main barrier to participation in PRG. Instead, we found that citizens lacked knowledge of FRM actions, and they assigned government bodies a high level of responsibility for FRM, compared to the level of responsibility that citizens assigned to themselves. Moreover, the actors involved in FRM tended not to trust each other, which implies a lack of mutual understanding. To increase the effectiveness of PRG, we suggest a polycentric governance structure anchored by a leading actor group, and active promotion of the participation of actors at multiple levels of governance. Communication between government and citizen participants, designed to foster improved understanding and recognition of one another’s roles and contributions to FRM, will enhance trust and improve the implementation of PRG in Seoul.

A PHENOMENOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE ON QUALITY OF WORK LIFE AND EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER

This study aims to get a clear picture of the application of the Quality of Work Life (QWL) at Community Health Center/Puskesmas Banjarmasin Indah. This study seek to explore the phenomenon of Quality of Work Life (QWL) and to find out and analyze whether the application of Quality of Work Life (QWL) has an effect on employee performance for Community Health Center/Puskesmas Banjarmasin Indah. Data for this study was collected from 30 key informants whose willingness was based on snowball sampling and by observing as passive participants, semi-structured interviews, and with the help of open and closed question instruments. This research prioritized the emic perspective - with full attention to key informant perceptions. Miles and Huberman's phenomenological approach was used in this study. It was found that Quality of Work Life (QWL) has an effect on employee performance for Community Health Center/Puskesmas Banjarmasin Indah.

TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP STYLE ON WORK MOTIVATION OF SOLDIERS AT KOREM 101/ANTASARI

This study aims to get a clear picture of the application of the transformational leadership style at Korem Antasari. Ths study seek to explore the phenomenon of transformational leadership style and to find out and analyze whether the application of transformational leadership style has an effect on the work motivation of TNI AD soldiers at Korem 101/Antasari.Data for this study was collected from100 key informants whose willingness was based on snowball sampling and by observing as passive participants, semi-structured interviews, and with the help of open and closed question instruments. This research prioritized the emic perspective - with full attention to key informant perceptions. Miles and Huberman's phenomenological approach was used in this study. It was found that transformational leadership style has an effect on the work motivation of TNI AD soldiers at Makorem 101/Antasari.

A Phenomenological Perspective on Transformational Leadership Style and Work Motivation of Soldiers at Korem 101/Antasari

This study aims to get a clear picture of the application of the transformational leadership style at Korem Antasari. This study seeks to explore the phenomenon of transformational leadership style and to find out and analyze whether the application of transformational leadership style has an effect on the work motivation of TNI AD soldiers at Korem 101/Antasari. Data for this study was collected from100 key informants whose willingness was based on snowball sampling and by observing as passive participants, semi-structured interviews, and with the help of open and closed question instruments. This research prioritized the emic perspective - with full attention to key informant perceptions. Miles and Huberman's phenomenological approach was used in this study. It was found that transformational leadership style has an effect on the work motivation of TNI AD soldiers at Makorem 101/Antasari.

Exploring the Impact of Mining on Community Health and Health Service Delivery: Perceptions of Key Informants Involved in Gold Mining Communities in Burkina Faso.

Sub-Saharan Africa is rich in natural resources but also faces widespread poverty. The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals brought increased attention to resource extraction projects, emphasizing their development potential in extraction regions. While mining companies are required to conduct environmental impact assessments, their effect on the project-affected communities' health mostly lacks systematic management, and their consideration of community perspectives is insufficient. Between March and May 2019, qualitative research was conducted at three industrial gold mines in Burkina Faso. Thirty-six participants, including community leaders, healthcare providers, and mining officials, were interviewed through key informant interviews about their perceptions on the impacts of mining operations on health, health determinants, and health service delivery. Disparities in perceptions were a key focus of the analysis. Mining officials reported mainly positive effects, while healthcare providers and community leaders described enhancing and adverse health impacts without clear trends observed regarding the extent of the impacts on health determinants. The perception of predominantly positive health impacts by mining officials represents a potential risk for insufficient acknowledgement of stakeholders' concerns and mining-related effects on community health in affected populations. Overall, this study enhances comprehension of the complex interplay between mining operations and health, emphasizing the need for comprehensive assessments, stakeholder involvement, and sustainable practices to mitigate negative impacts and promote the well-being of mining communities.

Looking at the darker side of the mirror: the impact of CEO's narcissism on corporate social irresponsibility

PurposeThe aim of this article is to highlight the major part played by executives in the escalation of corporate social irresponsibility (CSI). Based on the upper echelons theory, the authors developed a model which shows the essential role of CEOs in explaining CSI. The authors proposed that the key personality traits of CEOs—narcissism—, as well as their power, could explain the degree of CSI.Design/methodology/approachDue to the significant methodological challenges when investigating CSI, the authors explored a novel method for measuring CSI in order to assess the degree of irresponsible behaviors. The authors build a CSI scale based on the perceptions of key informants, i.e. experts with diverse professional backgrounds. The authors apply CSI scale in a sample of 84 Spanish companies that were involved in CSI.FindingsThe results of the authors’ empirical study show the positive and significant influence of CEO narcissism and CEO power on the degree of CSI.Research limitations/implicationsOn the one hand, corporate irresponsibility scandals have relevant social consequences and practical implications. On the other hand, narcissism is a natural feature of managers in top positions that is increasing in societies.Practical implicationsThe authors’ findings may help CEOs, TMTs and corporate boards to acknowledge potential sources of CSI decreasing its likelihood through counterbalancing CEO's power and considering the dark side of narcissism.Social implicationsOn the one hand, corporate scandals have relevant social and practical implications. On the other hand, narcissism is a natural feature of managers in top positions that is increasing in societies.Originality/valueIn this paper, the authors highlight the role of CEOs characteristics and their firms as the key actors for explaining and understanding the degree of CSI.

Accessible Education for Muslim Learners with Disabilities: Insights from Two Case Studies

This qualitative research studied the perceptions of Muslim Learners with Disabilities (MLWD) and key informants regarding access to education utilizing case studies and thematic coding. MLWDs strongly identified with their faith as an important feature of identity. Participants were framing disability using the Islamic and the bio-medical perspectives which affirmed the synchronization of Islam with science as well as the affirmation model of disability which viewed persons with disabilities as active participants who constructed their own definitions of disability. Important elements in gaining greater access to education are: having a firm identity, parental attitudes, involvement in the child’s education, having sufficient funds, and providing a nurturing home and community. However, having grit can offset a low parental level of education, low socio-economic status, and low home and community support so that MLWDs can have greater access to education.

Exploring governance challenges in coastal communities through key informant perceptions in Campeche, Mexico

Campeche's coastal environment and its natural protected areas (NPA) possess great biodiversity. However, anthropogenic activities, excessive resource use and coastal ecosystems' depletion have taken their toll on ecological settings and altered communities' livelihoods. This paper describes how key informants perceive local governance's role in coastal ecosystem health. We applied semi-structured interviews (n = 17) to key informants from artisanal fisheries, community tourism projects, and natural resources conservation programs in three socio-ecological systems (SES). Most stakeholders belong cooperative societies (76.5%). While family members comprise both Isla Arena-RCBR SES 1 and Isla Aguada-LTFFPA SES 3, Campeche PBR SES 2 does not follow this pattern. Cooperatives generally pursue two economic activities (52.9%): conservation and tourism, or fisheries and tourism. In SES 1 and SES 3 most cooperatives grant information to members for decision-making and apply norms in a transparent way. Those key users have skillful knowledge of natural resources conservation, and can identify or participate in ecosystem conservation projects, such as mangrove restoration. The most consistent attributes between them are: accountability and transparency in decision making, and knowing how to perceive, locate, and sustainably use high environmental value areas. However, long-term conservation goals for many SES actors remain key objectives to achieve. While all three SES acknowledge environmental change through time, such as decreased fishery capture indices and coastal erosion, plastic and glass containers pollution levels pose the most severe risk in ecosystems health. All SES key users worry about environmental changes due to excessive fishing, and this factor remains a priority in order to balance local demand. Because this is an extremely complex, multi-causal problem, coastal communities, local government, and the academic sector must work together to achieve sustainable goals.

Using the social ecological model to identify challenges facing Latino immigrants.

New Latino immigrant populations face challenges and barriers when arriving in new immigrant destinations. To better understand the challenges faced by Latino immigrants in a new immigrant destination by using the Social Ecological Model. This study solicited the perceptions of key informants and Latino immigrant participants through qualitative data collection methods to understand how to address and decrease barriers to healthcare services and community resources. Researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with two groups of respondents: 13 key informants and 30 Latino immigrants. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis and categorized based on the Social Ecological Model. Themes identified at the individual and interpersonal levels of the Social Ecological Model include fear of deportation and stress. Themes at the community level include cultural differences, discrimination, and a lack of exposure of the majority community to Latino immigrants. At the system level, researchers identified language barriers, the cost of healthcare, and housing. At the policy level, researchers identified legal status and occupational exploitation as challenges for this community. Understanding the challenges faced by Latino immigrants requires multi-level interventions to address barriers that prevent new immigrants from accessing community resources.

Key informant perceptions of challenges and facilitators to implementing passive remote monitoring technology for home care clients

Key informant perceptions of challenges and facilitators to implementing passive remote monitoring technology for home care clients

Learning from the past to guide the future: a SWOT-AHP analysis of tree-based land restoration endeavours in the Northern Sahel region of Cameroon

This paper analyses restoration efforts in the Northern Sahel region of Cameroon using a combination of SWOT analysis and the Analytical Hierarchical Process approach. Based on the perception of key informants from three stakeholder groups – representatives of the administration, representatives of communities, representatives of local NGOs, the results show that the positive attributes of restoration efforts overshadow the negative aspects. Moreover, source of additional income for families from restoration received the overall highest factor score ranking for strength. Tenure insecurity is the weakness with the highest score and the overall priority score for weaknesses was highest for key informants from local NGOs. On the other hand, improving livelihoods and natural resource base of communities received the highest overall factor for opportunities, while inadequate supply of quality inputs for restoration was perceived as the most critical threat to land restoration efforts in the northern Sahel region of Cameroon.

Infrastructure Performance and Irrigation Water Governance in Genadendal, Western Cape, South Africa

Disasters such as the 2015–2018 drought in South Africa usually negatively impact agricultural water, especially in smallholder farming systems. This study assessed the availability of irrigation water, performance of irrigation infrastructure, and water governance systems in Genadendal, Western Cape, with a focus on smallholder farmers. Data for streamflow, dam levels, and rainfall were acquired from water institutions and analysed using Microsoft Excel. The performance of the infrastructure and water governance were assessed based on the perceptions of smallholder farmers and key informants. A questionnaire was administered to eight smallholder farmers, followed by a focus group discussion with fifteen smallholder farmers. Interviews were conducted with eight key informants who worked in water-related institutions. Qualitative data from the interviews were analysed using thematic content analysis. The study showed adequate agricultural water resources during the 2015–2018 drought period for the smallholder farmers who relied on water from dams. However, smallholder farmers who relied on the Riviersonderend River experienced severe water shortages during the same period. The findings showed poor performance of irrigation water infrastructure due to inadequate maintenance. Lack of coordination among institutions, insufficient funding, political interference, fragmentation of roles and responsibilities, lack of human resources, and farmers’ lack of participation and commitment in water resource management all contributed to the dysfunctionality of irrigation water governance systems, leading to water insecurity. This study concludes that while agricultural water resources in Genadendal are sufficient, water governance systems need improvement in order to strengthen the water security status for smallholder farmers. This study recommends adequate funding for the operation and maintenance of infrastructure. Furthermore, water institutions need to support smallholder farmers with training skills in agricultural water management and infrastructure maintenance. Further studies are recommended to quantify the amount of water lost due to the poor performance of water infrastructure and to develop effective water governance in Genadendal. In addition, issues relating to crop varieties and changes in cropping intensity during drought periods need to be considered in future studies.

Key Informant Perceptions of Flooding and Landslides in Western North Carolina Following 2018 Floods and Landslides

Key Informant Perceptions of Flooding and Landslides in Western North Carolina Following 2018 Floods and Landslides

Perception of Substance Use among In-School Adolescents and Key Informants in Gombe State, Nigeria

Background: Substance use has gradually become a global problem resulting in negative effect on the physical, mental and social wellbeing of individuals. This study aimed to determine the perception of adolescents and key informants on substance and illicit drug use in order to control this menace.Methods: A cross-sectional study design employing qualitative method of data collection. Focused Group Discussions (FGDs) and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) were conducted. All data generated were collated and analysed using content analysis. Results: The key informants reported that peer influence, male sex and having broken homes were factors that were responsible for substance use. Adolescents also reported that easy access to these substances, the zeal to perform better in school, ability to have more fruitful relationships and ability to confront their parents were some of the reasons they engaged in substance use. Conclusion: This study has therefore implied that adolescents in school have easy access to and engage in substances despite being aware of the complications as it is mostly done to address their social needs.Recommendation: It is therefore recommended that periodic mental health screening should be conducted for adolescents with the support of their parents and guardians in line with school health services in order to identify and manage those with mental problems that could predispose them to use of substances.

Key informant perceptions on wildlife hunting during the first COVID-19 lockdown in India

Key informant perceptions on wildlife hunting during the first COVID-19 lockdown in India

Hotel housekeepers and occupational health: experiences and perceived risks

Hotel housekeepers are one of the most important occupational group within tourism hotel sector; various health problems related to their job have been described, above all musculoskeletal disorders. The objective of this study is to understand the experiences and perceptions of hotel housekeepers and key informants from the Balearic Islands (Spain) regarding occupational health conditions and the strategies employed to mitigate them. A qualitative study was carried out. Six focus groups with hotel housekeepers and 10 semi-structured interviews with key informants were conducted. Next, we carried out a content analysis. Hotel housekeepers reported musculoskeletal disorders, anxiety and stress as main occupational health problems; health professionals underscored the physical problems. Hotel housekeepers perceived that their work (physically demanding and with repetitive movements) caused their health conditions. To solve health issues, they used medication (anti-inflammatory agents, painkillers, sedatives and anxiolytics), which allowed them to continue working; health public services, generally rated as satisfactory; individual protective equipment; ergonomics (with difficulties due to high work pace and hotel facilities) and physical activity. Two contrasting attitudes were identified regarding sick leave: HHs who refused to accept a doctor-prescribed sick leave (due to fear of being fired, sense of responsibility, ...), and those who accepted it (because they could not continue working, they prioritised health before work). Our results might contribute to plan improvement strategies and programs to address health problems among hotel housekeepers. These programs should include interventions, such as coping strategies for the work-related risk factors (i.e., stress) and strategies to reduce medicine consumption. Additionally, hotel facilities should adopt policies focused on making workplaces more ergonomic (i.e., furniture) and to diminish the work pace.

Developing a programme theory for the Systemic Practice Model in children's social care: Key informants' perspectives

AbstractVague programme descriptions are known to impede implementation and evaluation. Yet social work change programmes often fail to describe in detail how they aim to provide better outcomes for children and families. This study focused on the Systemic Practice Model (SPM), which is a Finnish adaptation of Reclaiming Social Work, a practice model developed in England. The SPM aims to deliver systemic practice in children's social care and has recently been widely disseminated across Finland. However, research has found both considerable variation in its delivery and a lack of clarity about what it is. This study, applying realist evaluation, aimed to formulate a programme theory based on the perceptions of key informants (n = 12) involved in the national development and dissemination of the SPM during the period 2017–2019. The analysis yielded three core components (a systemic team, systemic weekly meetings, and systemic practice) and two context‐mechanism‐outcome (CMO) configurations, which represent causal chains of the SPM. The findings should enable its quality implementation and meaningful outcome and process evaluation. The findings will also aid organizations and practitioners both to identify changes required in their service provision and prevent adverse effects. This programme theory should be tested and refined with empirical data.

Sustainable Environmental Practices in Malawian Hotels

This paper discusses the governance practices in the Malawi tourism and hospitality sector and their impact on the sustainability of natural resources. The focus of this paper is the National Tourism Policy (NTP) for Malawi and how central and local government structures enforce it to promote environmental sustainability practices in hotels. The paper uses a Case Study approach whereby the Sogecoa Golden Peacock Hotel and the Sunbird Mount Soche Hotel are used to explore how the NTP has ensured sustainable environmental practices are followed. A qualitative research method was used through semi-structured interviews to secure the perceptions of key informants. Through a Grounded Theory analysis, the findings revealed that the NTP does not facilitate the enforcement of sustainable environmental practices. Furthermore, because of this shortfall in the NTP, hotels do not have an environmental management policy to promote sustainable environmental practices. This paper, therefore, recommends an urgent need to revise the NTP and introduce sustainable environmental management guidelines in order for the hotel sector to emulate. It is further recommended that hotel managers should have a thorough understanding of environmental sustainability to ensure that the industry addresses negative environmental impacts.

Policy and institutional enablers of public–private partnerships in the electricity sector in Uganda: a multi-level and path dependence perspective

PurposeThis paper explains the evident disproportionality in the levels of adoption of the modality of public–private partnerships (PPPs) in Uganda by tracing the peculiar preconditions and enablers of the model's relative high adoption in the electricity sector.Design/methodology/approachKey conceptual suggestions from historical institutionalism (HI), critical juncture and path dependence are used to orient the data collection and analysis. The direct experiences and perceptions of key informants involved in policy, regulation and operations in the electricity sector are thematically analyzed.FindingsThe primacy of specific policy, institutional decisions and actions sequentially undertaken at the international, national and sectorial levels in shaping the conceivability and possibility of PPP modality is foregrounded. In particular, international advisory for the changed role of the state and the government's subsequent decision to enact and reenact specific institutional frameworks at the national and sectorial levels created important disruptions to the status quo and paved a new and relatively stable institutional path conducive for private sector participation.Research limitations/implicationsTheoretically, the paper demonstrates the ability and power of HI to support the exploration and framing of multilevel and path-dependent explanations of institutional development and policy adoption. Practically, suggestions in terms of policy, legal and regulatory enablers for the adoption of PPP are made to shape practitioners' decision-makingPractical implicationsPractically, suggestions in terms of policy, legal and regulatory enablers for the adoption of PPP are made to shape practitioners' decision-making.Originality/valueThe importance of considering factor combinations and sequences in explaining the emergence, adoption and proliferation of public policy instruments and phenomena is underscored. In addition, the discourse on PPPs is moved beyond rationalization on how to even out their adoption (and subsequently the associated benefits) across sectors.