Perceptions Of Key Stakeholders Research Articles

Perceptions of key stakeholders on taxes on tobacco and alcohol products in Nepal

BackgroundNon-communicable diseases (NCDs) are on the rise in Nepal. Consumption of alcohol and tobacco products remains high. Taxes on these products are significantly below the rate recommended by the WHO....

Stakeholders' perceptions of the trends in contraceptive prevalence rate and total fertility rate in Ghana.

Studies in Ghana have reported discrepancies between trends in Total Fertility Rate (TFR) and Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR). Yet, there is limited empirical literature on stakeholders' perceptions on the trends in CPR and TFR in Ghana. We, therefore, examined the perceptions of key stakeholders about the documented trends in CPR and TFR in Ghana. We adopted an exploratory (qualitative) research design with a qualitative approach of data collection from stakeholders in Ghana, focusing on the trends of the TFR and CPR. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Studies (COREQ) checklist provided additional guidance for reporting the study results. We employed the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as a theoretical framework/construct to explain and predict individual changes in health behaviors resulting in trends in CPR and TFR from stakeholders' perspectives and analyzed the data using framework analysis approach. Two main themes emerged from the data: contraceptive prevalence and total fertility ratio, with five sub-themes identified: barriers to contraception, motivations for contraception uptake, unmet need for family planning, induced abortion, and effectiveness of planning programs. Specifically, participants indicated that there is a discrepancy between the trends of CPR and TFR based on the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey, conducted between 1988 and 2014. The high unmet needs for contraceptives were attributed to CRP trends, whilst abstinence, infertility, and high demands for induced abortions were identified to impact the TFR trends significantly. The findings show that an extensive quantitative enquiry into the exact relationships between Ghana's CPR and TFR as well as the contributions of abstinence, infertility, and induced abortion are worth considering.

‘Trees are not all the same’ Assessing the policy and regulatory barriers to the upscaling of Famer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) in Senegal

ABSTRACT Ecosystem restoration remains high on development agendas worldwide. In the Sahel, including Senegal, knowledge gaps remain on how the underlying policy and regulations for rights and ownership influence farmers’ incentives for upscaling land restoration. We contribute to filling these gaps by i) analysing agroforestry related policy and regulations, and ii) assessing key stakeholders (foresters, animators, and farmers) perceptions in Kaffrine, Kaolack and Fatick regions using semi-structured interviews. The results show that tree rights and use procedures are determined by the Forestry Code and vary according to the status and location of the tree. However, the Forestry Code was found to be inappropriate for managing agroforestry systems where farmer managed natural regeneration (FMNR) is practiced, hence creating barriers to its adoption. Contrasting perceptions and potential solutions emerged. While the field animators and farmers find the tree use procedures burdensome and constraining for the practice of FMNR, most foresters find them not burdensome and appropriate for environmental protection. As solutions, animators and foresters suggest farmers’ sensitization, capacity building, and rewards, whereas the farmers call for an easing of tree use procedures and a reduction of taxes and permit fees. These results suggest farmer-centric and inclusive policy reform of tree rights in Senegal.

Views of RNAi approaches for weed management in turfgrass systems

AbstractPublic concern regarding the use of herbicides in urban areas (e.g., golf courses, parks, lawns) is increasing. Thus, there is a need for alternative methods for weed control that are safe for the public, effective against weeds, and yet selective to turfgrass and other desirable species. New molecular tools such as ribonucleic acid interference (RNAi) have the potential to meet all those requirements, but before these technologies can be implemented, it is critical to understand the perceptions of key stakeholders to facilitate adoption as well as regulatory processes. With this in mind, turfgrass system managers, such as golf course superintendents and lawn care providers, were surveyed to gain insight into the perception and potential adoption of RNAi technology for weed management. Based on survey results, turfgrass managers believe that cost of weed management and time spent managing weeds are the main challenges faced in their fields. When considering new weed management tools, survey respondents were most concerned about cost, efficacy, and efficiency of a new product. Survey respondents were also optimistic toward RNAi for weed management and would either use this technology in their own fields or be willing to conduct research to develop RNAi herbicides. Although respondents believed that the general public would have some concerns about this technology, they did not believe this to be the most important factor for them when choosing new weed management tools. The need for new herbicides to balance weed control challenges and public demands is a central factor for turfgrass managers’ willingness to use RNAi-based weed control in turfgrass systems. They believe their clientele will be accepting of RNAi tools, although further research is needed to investigate how a wider range of stakeholders perceive RNAi tools for turfgrass management more broadly.

Knowledge, understanding and perceptions of key stakeholders on the maternity protection available and accessible to female domestic workers in South Africa.

Maternity protection enables women to combine reproductive and productive roles. Domestic workers are a vulnerable group due to heterogeneous non-standard employment relationships and are unlikely to have access to comprehensive maternity protection. This study aimed to explore the knowledge, understanding and perceptions of key stakeholders in government, trade unions, non-governmental organisations and other relevant organisations of the maternity protection entitlements that should be available and accessible to female domestic workers in South Africa. This qualitative cross-sectional study included in-depth interviews with fifteen stakeholders working in different sectors in South Africa and mainly at a national level involved in maternity protection availability and access. Results show that stakeholders appear to have limited understanding of comprehensive maternity protection. Many challenges related to accessing cash payments while on maternity leave were described and suggestions were provided for how this could be improved. Participants described how certain labour-related characteristics unique to the domestic work sector were barriers in accessing maternity protection. Ensuring greater awareness of all components of maternity protection and improving implementation of existing labour legislation intended to guarantee maternity protection for non-standard workers in South Africa is important to improve access to maternity protection for this vulnerable group. Improved access to maternity protection would contribute to optimal maternal and new-born health and ensure economic security for women around the time of childbirth.

Route Tourism Planning, Local Impacts and Challenges: Stakeholder Perspectives from the Panorama Route, South Africa

The growth of applied route tourism initiatives is a worldwide phenomenon. South Africa is a major focus for route tourism planning which is part of broader place-based development initiatives. This paper examines the perceptions of key route tourism stakeholders concerning the planning, local impacts and challenges of the Panorama Route which is located in South Africa’s Mpumalanga province. The findings are analysed from 63 qualitative interviews undertaken in 2022 concerning stakeholder perceptions about the planning, workings and impacts of this major route tourism initiative. Stakeholders include government and private sector formal as well as informal businesses. Differences as well as common themes were observed across these stakeholder groups. On many issues government (both provincial and local) was viewed as the ‘problem’ rather than the provider of solutions. Major criticism was pointed at inadequacies of service provision – especially water and electricity – and the poor state of road maintenance. The uneven geographical impacts of the Panorama Route were highlighted. Stakeholder perception research discloses the complexities of route tourism planning.

Using key stakeholder interviews to inform implementation of a cancer center collaborative intervention to improve clinical trial accruals.

e18650 Background: Cancer clinical trial (CT) participation rates in the US are low, especially among BIPOC populations. Patient enrollment to CTs is influenced by structural characteristics of the care delivery system, and the nature of individual needs and available resources. We are developing a multi-level intervention across 3 cancer centers in New York City by creating a collaborative pool of, and a referral system for breast, prostate, and liver cancer CTs to increase overall participation, particularly among BIPOC populations. To inform implementation of this intervention, we explored key stakeholder perceptions and attitudes around CT enrollment process across 3 hospitals within one such cancer center. Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 23 key stakeholders to determine the attitudinal and structural factors affecting CT accrual at 1 cancer center and its 2 community hospital affiliates. Stakeholders included oncologists, nurses, informaticists, oncology leadership and research staff, identified using a targeted and snowball sampling approach. Guided by the Behavioral Model of Health Service Use, we identified themes related to enabling, predisposing, and need factors, and coded transcripts until theme saturation in Dedoose. Results: Key approaches to improve CT participation focused on these structural enabling themes: increased availability of CTs, personnel to screen and enroll patients, well-timed and technology-assisted clinician notification of a potential CT match (within or outside home institution), along with an institutional culture encouraging stakeholder engagement, provider outreach, and care coordination. Important predisposing and enabling themes related to stakeholders’ beliefs about patients included: financial access, knowledge and perceptions about CTs, language barriers, motivation, and medical mistrust. Knowledge about open trials, and skepticism or enthusiasm about CTs were important predisposing themes related to clinicians. Need theme affecting implementation was clinician judgment about their patients’ eligibility for CT evaluated based on functional status, comorbidities, age, advanced cancer stage, progression of disease, change in therapy, and drug targets. Conclusions: We identified actionable enabling, predisposing, and need factors that serve as barriers to CT accrual and to successful implementation of our intervention. Major findings were structural and attitudinal, including lack of staffing resources for clinicians, and financial assistance and access for patients. Updated information about open CTs, implementation of e-screening tools for patient enrollment, addressing clinician skepticism for enrollment by increased recognition for their research efforts, as well as delivery of culturally sensitive patient education around CTs may improve CT enrollment.

Random forest and path diagram taxonomies of risks influencing higher education construction projects

While risk factors are sine qua non for construction projects’ non-performance, the research efforts are directed toward the likelihood of risks at the detriment of their level of influence on higher education building projects. This study assessed the perceptions of construction key stakeholders about the influence of risk factors on higher education building projects using machine learning-based random forest classification. A questionnaire survey was administered to four hundred and sixty-five (465) respondents comprising clients’ representatives, consultants, and contractors across five (5) higher education institutions in Nigeria. Of 465 questionnaires, 295 retrieved were suitable for the analysis implying a 63.44% response rate. The Random Forest (RF) classification used 295 samples, out of which 189 (64%) formed the training dataset, while the validation and testing data sets are 47 (16%) and 59 (20%), respectively. The RF model accuracy conducted shows the optimized model with the test accuracy and out-of-bag accuracy (OOB). The study clustered 58 risk factors into four comprising (i) security, access, health, and safety risks, (ii) construction dispute resolution risks, (iii) construction planning and contract documentation risks, and (iv) construction cost and management risks. Further, the proposed recommendations could help enhance the performance of higher education building projects.

Key Stakeholder Perceptions of Standard vs. Total Cost of Ownership: A Procurement Analysis for Orthopaedic-Powered Instruments.

This study compares standard procurement methodology (SPM) with total cost of ownership (TCO) methodology for the procurement of orthopaedic-powered instruments. The authors conducted semi-structured standardized interviews with key hospital procurement stakeholders following consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research. Of the 33 hospital procurement stakeholders interviewed, all (100%) reported that SPM would be easier to use than TCO. However, only six (18%) preferred SPM over TCO. Barriers to the adoption of TCO emerged as a theme. Creating TCO frameworks can help to simplify the process for procurement agents and facilitate its adoption in the healthcare sector.

Industrial Transitions in Michigan: Stakeholder Perspectives on Water Resources Restoration and Community Vibrancy

Surrounded by four of the five Great Lakes, Michigan is characterized by water. Historically, much of the state’s industry was situated along the water, often preventing public access to waterfronts and negatively impacting the quality of water resources. Economic shifts, paired with a growing interest in revitalizing waterfronts, have led many Michigan communities to invest in water-based restoration projects. This paper investigates the experiences and perceptions of key stakeholders in four waterfront towns where water restoration projects have been implemented as communities shift toward recreation and tourism-based economies. Twenty interviews were conducted with key stakeholders to explore the factors that lead to successful implementation of water restoration and in turn, how these projects impact community vibrancy. Results suggest that community vibrancy related to water restoration can be characterized by a series of reinforcing feedback loops between local leadership, access to water resources, socio-economic and environmental opportunities, and relationships with water.

Determinants of Food Waste in Cluj-Napoca (Romania): A Community-Based System Dynamics Approach.

This study identifies the most relevant causes of food waste according to the perceptions of key stakeholders in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Community-Based System Dynamics (CBSD), a qualitative approach, was used to reveal the determinants of food waste. CBSD was intended to encourage the system thinking of participants in the field of food waste. Consequently, CBSD helped us map and visualize the role of each identified cause in the system and the nature of their interactions. For the present study, four categories of stakeholders were involved: consumers, public administration, food waste business, and the NGO sector involved in food waste reduction. The result of each modeling session was a loop diagram of the main food waste determinants. A common perception reflected within each stakeholder group was that food waste could be minimized through upstream actions. The participants highlighted pro-environmental knowledge, awareness, and values as the prerequisites for fighting food waste. It was found that the lack of education and awareness of food waste directly impacted food waste generation. In addition, the role of education was underlined by participants as a contributor to changing individual and household practices, such as overbuying. The lack of connection between consumers and the food production process, coupled with consumerist practices and the rejection of 'ugly food', contributed to the decrease in the overall value people attributed to food. Governmental intervention, through legislation, was indicated by the CBSD participants as being key to increasing societal awareness and shaping the behavior of food chain actors. We concluded that food waste is a 'wicked problem' and the interlocking of the economic, social, political, and environmental spheres and the multitude of stakeholders' interests, values, and perceptions should be considered in designing sustainable solutions to combat food waste. Finally, this research testifies to the importance of engaging with diverse panels of stakeholders who, through the multitude of opinions and perspectives on the causes of food waste, can further create knowledge about the most appropriate ways to combat the food waste phenomenon.

SUSTAINABLE MARKETING IN HIGHER EDUCATION

SUSTAINABLE MARKETING IN HIGHER EDUCATION

Dominating Factors of Road Failures: Perceptions of Key Stakeholders in the Small Island Developing State of Trinidad and Tobago

Accelerated global population increase, socioeconomic and environmental changes have resulted in spiralling maintenance costs for pavements. Current understanding of pavement deterioration fails to address this longstanding issue, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are not immune to the recurring expense incurred from pavement degradation. Existing academic debates on design and construction inadequacies in pavement longevity do not address regular maintenance challenges. This research examines the reasons for frequent pavement failures and explains how they affect Trinidad and Tobago’s future maintenance and economic development. A questionnaire was completed by 120 contractors, consultants, and state agency experts specialising in road construction and maintenance. The findings revealed from an assessment of the Relative Importance Index (RII) that utility cuts by the Water and Sewerage Authority were the most important (0.904), followed by maintenance culture (0.898), quality of work (workmanship) (0.888), poor drainage facilities, and overloaded vehicles (0.854). Climate change (temperature) was the lowest-ranked cause overall (0.568). The findings also show that economic growth and development are directly and indirectly affected, resulting in high vehicle running costs, longer travel times, and higher prices for fundamental products and services. Recommendations are made to aid engineers and policymakers in identifying critical causes and reducing the adverse consequences of frequent pavement failure. Keywords: Maintenance, Pavement deterioration, Perceptions, Road failures, Trinidad and Tobago

GENDER (IN)EQUALITY AND WORK-LIFE (IM)BALANCE IN TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY LABOUR: PERSPECTIVES OF TOURISM ORGANISATIONS IN PORTUGAL

Purpose – This research note explores the perceptions of key stakeholders in tourism organisations regarding gender equality and work-life balance in the Portuguese tourism and hospitality industry. Methodology/Design/Approach – Eleven key stakeholders representing tourism organisations in Portugal were interviewed to obtain qualitative data. A content analysis was then conducted to uncover themes and sub-themes. Findings – The results show two main themes, including sub-themes: Gender inequality (partial gender equality, lack of gender salary equality, lack of women in higher positions, and gender inequality in career advancement) and work-life balance (the difficulty of balancing work and personal/family life and the need for better conditions for women accompanying children). Originality of the research – his study highlights gender equality and work-life balance in the tourism and hospitality industry from the perspective of managers of the leading tourism organisations in Portugal. The study also provides critical implications and future directions based on the findings.

Exploring key-stakeholder perceptions on non-communicable disease care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya.

over one third of total Disability-Adjusted-Life-Years lost in Kenya are due to non-communicable diseases (NCD). In response, the Government declared significant commitment towards improving NCD care. The COVID-19 pandemic increased the burden on the already overstretched health systems in Kenya. The aims of this study are to assess whether health care providers perceived NCD care to be optimal during the pandemic and explore how to improve responses to future emergencies. this cross-sectional online survey included healthcare personnel with non-clinical roles (public health workers and policy-makers) and those delivering health care (doctors and nurses). Respondents were recruited between May and September 2021 by random sampling, completed by snowball sampling. among 236 participants (42% in clinical, 58% in non-clinical roles) there was an overall consensus between respondents on NCD care being disrupted and compromised during the pandemic in Kenya. Detracted supplies, funding, and technical resources affected the continuity of NCDs' response, despite government efforts. Respondents agreed that the enhanced personnel capacity and competencies to manage COVID-19 patients were positive, but noted a lack of guidance for redirecting care for chronic diseases, and advocated for digital innovation as a solution. this paper explores the perceptions of key stakeholders involved in the management of NCDs in Kenya to improve planning for future emergency responses. Gaps were identified in health system response and preparedness capacity during the pandemic including the perceived need to strengthen NCD services, with solutions offered to guide resilience efforts to protect the health system from disruption.

Music Mentor Preparation and Professional Development: A Program Review of the NAfME Music Mentorship Program Facilitator and Mentor Support Project (MMSP)

The purpose of this program review was to provide an in-depth analysis of the National Association for Music Education Music Mentorship Program Facilitator and Mentor Support Project, led by members of Society for Music Teacher Education’s Supporting Beginning Music Teachers Area of Strategic Planning and Action. We used an illuminative evaluation process (Patton, 2015) to present (a) a rich description of the project, (b) perceptions of key stakeholders (organizers, session leaders, participating mentors/mentorship program facilitators), and (c) findings pertinent to developing new music teacher mentor programs. Along with a description of the program, the findings are organized into successes, opportunities, weaknesses, and challenges as outlined by a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Challenges analysis (Even Zahav & Hazzan, 2017). Within these areas, the unique design, workshop calendar and pace, as well as transferable content to state music education association (MEA) programs are presented. The review presents the program design as well as recommendations for making clearer connections to the needs of state-level MEA-sponsored mentoring programs.

Stakeholder insights into implementing a systems-based suicide prevention program in regional and rural Tasmanian communities

PurposeWith emerging evidence indicating that systems-based approaches help optimise suicide prevention efforts, the National Suicide Prevention Trial sought to gather evidence on the appropriateness of these approaches to prevent suicide among at-risk populations, in regional and rural communities throughout Australia. The Tasmanian component of the Trial implemented the LifeSpan systems framework across three distinct rural areas with priority populations of men aged 40–64 and people 65 and over. The University of Tasmania’s Centre for Rural Health undertook a local-level evaluation of the Trial.AimsTo explore key stakeholder perceptions of implementing a systems-based suicide prevention program in regional and rural communities in Tasmania, Australia.MethodThis study utilised qualitative methods to explore in depth, stakeholder perspectives. Focus groups and interviews were conducted with 46 participants, comprising Trial Site Working Group members (n = 25), Tasmania’s Primary Health Network employees (n = 7), and other key stakeholders (n = 14). Approximately half of participants had a lived experience of suicide. Data were thematically analysed using NVivo.ResultsKey themes centred on factors impacting implementation of the Trial. These included how the Trial was established in Tasmania; Working Group governance structures and processes; communication and engagement processes; reaching priority population groups; the LifeSpan model and activity development; and the effectiveness, reach and sustainability of activities.DiscussionCommunities were acutely aware of the need to address suicide in their communities, with the Trial providing resources and coordination needed for community engagement and action. Strict adherence to the Lifespan model was challenging at the community level, with planning and time needed to focus on strategies influencing whole or multiple systems, for example health system changes, means restriction. Perceived limitations around implementation concerned varied community buy-in and stakeholder engagement and involvement, with lack of role clarity cited as a barrier to implementation within Working Groups. Barriers delivering activities to priority population groups centred around socio-cultural and technological factors, literacy, and levels of public awareness. Working Groups preferred activities which build on available capital and resources and which meet the perceived needs within the whole community. Approaches sought to increase awareness of suicide and its prevention, relationships and partnerships, and the lived experience capacity in Working Groups and communities.ConclusionStakeholder insights of implementing the National Suicide Prevention Trial in regional and rural Tasmanian from this study can help guide future community-based suicide prevention efforts, in similar geographic areas and with high-risk groups.

Assessing barriers to access and equity for COVID-19 vaccination in the US

BackgroundHistorical vaccination coverage in economically disadvantaged, ethnic minority, non-affluent white and agricultural populations in the US has lagged coverage in more affluent urban and suburban white populations due to a variety of social and economic factors. In the current COVID-19 pandemic, sociocultural and economic challenges continue to present significant obstacles to achieving equitable uptake of COVID-19 vaccines. The goal of this study was to qualitatively assess perceptions of key US healthcare stakeholders of the most significant barriers to COVID-19 vaccine access and equity to better characterize their expected impact on US communities.MethodsAfter conducting a targeted literature review (TLR), we hypothesized 20 high-impact barriers which included structural and logistical barriers, capturing systemic challenges to vaccine accessibility, and attitudinal and informational barriers, affecting patient willingness to pursue vaccination. We developed a qualitative discussion guide, which included both open-ended and closed-ended questions, and interview stimulus material to conduct one-on-one in-depth interviews to assess the expected prevalence, severity, and persistence of these 20 high-impact barriers, which were hypothesized based on TLR. As a part of this qualitative study, we conducted one-on-one in-depth interviews with a diverse set of 15 US healthcare stakeholders who were involved in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in states with relatively disparate vaccination rates by ethnicity. These stakeholders were selected to reflect an array of roles in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, including infectious disease specialists, pharmacists, community advocacy representatives, and partners of local governments involved in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout and community education.ResultsRespondents identified limited vaccination sites in rural settings and technology-related barriers as the most prevalent and severe structural and logistical barriers in US communities. Respondents assessed COVID-19 vaccine safety concerns and politically motivated skepticism to be the most prevalent and severe attitudinal and informational barriers. Respondents cited proliferation of mobile vaccination clinics and local community messaging to endorse vaccines as the most effective solutions to these top structural and attitudinal barriers. Respondents expected politically motivated skepticism to be the most significant and persistent barrier to broader vaccine uptake in the US.ConclusionsOur study suggests that attitudinal barriers, particularly politically motivated skepticism, are likely to remain the most persistent challenges to widespread vaccination against COVID-19 in the US.

Audit quality and independence concerns after major audit reforms within a developing country: stakeholder perceptions from Vietnam

PurposeThe purpose of this exploratory study is to investigate the perceptions of key stakeholders in Vietnam on the impact on audit quality and independence after major reforms to audit.Design/methodology/approachUsing new institutional sociology, this study seeks to explain how Vietnamese external auditors and accountants have responded to audit reforms and provides perceptions on how audit quality and independence may have been impacted. This study draws on semi-structured interviews conducted with 33 highly experienced participants, representing various stakeholder groups in Vietnam.FindingsThe findings indicate that after almost a decade since the full implementation of the Law of Independent Audit (2011) in Vietnam, the audit and assurance market in Vietnam is characterised by low quality audits, a lack of compliance with standards and auditor independence concerns, specifically amongst the smaller audit practitioners. Participants indicated that competition for new audit clients or retaining existing clients is a priority over improving audit quality and independence.Originality/valueBy examining a combination of different factors relating to audit quality and independence, the authors further demonstrate the impact of these factors in Vietnam, helping audit professionals and regulators to have a better and more meaningful understanding of that state of the audit profession. This study also considers audit concerns or issues arising because of the COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam.

Munich’s developer obligations as a legal transplant to the Czech institutional context

Well-established developer-obligation models are embedded in many countries. Policy transfers might seem appropriate for adopting such schemes elsewhere. This study brings in-depth insight into the perceptions of key stakeholders on developer obligations from countries with and without such an instrument and demonstrates the barriers hindering policy transfer. We utilise the currently contemplated policy transfer of the Munich model of developer obligations (Germany) into the Czech institutional context as a case study. Our results show that an instrument successful in one institutional arrangement may be perceived as an unattainable dream elsewhere. Surprisingly, developers, instead of hindering the adoption of developer obligations, support them. They praise them for knowing all liabilities in advance, and for being partners for the public sector instead of enemies. On the other hand, differences in institutional context constitute barriers that might result in having an empty legal shell out of the transplant.