Project Deliverables Research Articles

Sustainability and Stakeholder Engagement in Building Information Modelling-Enabled Construction: A Review of Critical Success Factors in Design and Planning Phases

This scoping literature review examines critical success factors (CSFs) in the design and planning phases of BIM-enabled construction projects, focusing on integrating sustainability practices across the quadruple bottom line: profit, people, planet, and process. By introducing the novel ‘Process’ pillar, this study aims to bridge critical gaps in sustainability research, emphasising technology-driven practices and mapping 62 CSFs from 31 studies to specific stakeholder roles, and focuses on early project phases in which decisions have the most significant impact on long-term outcomes. The findings highlight how early-phase decisions, guided by the QBL framework, can optimise project outcomes and drive long-term sustainability through effective stakeholder engagement. Despite advancements, the design and planning phases of BIM-enabled construction projects consistently exhibit an underrepresentation of end users and environmental considerations. These omissions highlight inadequacies in stakeholder engagement, which are critical for achieving comprehensive sustainability and aligning project outcomes with user needs and environmental goals. This research maps CSFs to corresponding stakeholders, revealing a complex network with the BIM coordinator/manager playing a pivotal role. This mapping underscores the importance of integrating stakeholder inputs, particularly from end users, early in the project lifecycle to enhance functionality and ensure the long-term viability of construction projects. However, current practices often overlook this, leading to a potential misalignment between project deliverables and user expectations. The construction industry can move towards more sustainable, efficient, and user-focused outcomes by addressing these gaps. This study calls for a paradigm shift in BIM methodologies to adopt a construction environment that is not only efficient but also adaptable to the needs of its users and the environmental imperatives of today's world.

CORRELATION BETWEEN PROJECT INITIATION AND PERFORMANCE OF SLUMS UPGRADING PROJECTS IN NAIROBI CITY COUNTY, KENYA: RESCUING THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL ELEVEN FOR RESILIENT URBAN CITIES

Objective: This paper sought to assess the influence project initiation phase on performance of slums upgrading projects (PSUP) in various slums of Nairobi city County in Kenya following slum upgrading initiatives by government with aim of achieving first target of sustainable development goal eleven. Theoretical Framework: The study was anchored on empowerment theory that postulates that through coalitions at the community level, members are empowered to effectively collaborate for building of social capital that provides solutions to emerging issues. Method: The study was guided by pragmatism whereby both positivism and constructivism were adopted. Correlational research design and descriptive survey research designs were considered appropriate for the former supported inferential statistics while the latter was ideal for collecting quantitative and qualitative data concurrently. By relying on descriptive survey and correlational research designs, 208 study participants are surveyed out of a sample of 266 drawn the target population of 794. Qualitative data was presented in narrative form. Results and Discussion: The results reveal that even though activities within project conceptualization and setting up of project deliverables are still a challenge, project initiation is to a small extent properly executed due to inadequate stakeholder identification and insufficient community needs assessment process. From the regression analysis, project initiation showed a very strong positive linear and significant relationship with PSUP. The null hypothesis was rejected in favour of the alternate hypothesis and thus concluded that project initiation has a significant influence on PSUP. Research Implications: Stakeholders identification and community needs assessment were not largely achieved thus having a negative impact on project initiation phase and activities therein, there is need for a policy framework to guide the initiation process and ensure that project objectives or goals are people centred. In addition, the slum dwellers should be adequately involved in the initiation phase as this will help mitigate frictions and disagreements preceding project planning and execution phases, unnecessary delays and waste of resources. It is important for all the state agencies involved in slum upgrading in Kenya to adhere to critical needs of the project initiation phase for successful implementation of slum upgrading projects.

Capstone design landscape review: Structures and elements

Capstone courses in engineering education represent the culmination of students' learning and serve as a pivotal step in their transition into the industry. The diversity of capstone experiences is nevertheless quite large. This paper provides a starting point for qualifying and quantifying this. It is not a critique of capstone approaches, but rather a survey of possible choices. These include the level of design vs. development work, the nature of supervision and support, the focus on engineering project processes vs. deliverables, the multi- or mono-disciplinarity of the projects, etc. By capturing and describing these, this paper will help schools articulate the purpose of capstones in their specific context(s). Providing the language to describe the current capstone landscape can then also inform future work to compare, evaluate and evolve our capstones to better address the needs of our students, industry and society at large.

Unveiling the complexity code: navigating BIM-enabled projects with a project management complexity index

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the complexity factors associated with BIM-enabled projects. BIM has been widely promoted as a potential solution to numerous challenges that hinder productivity in construction projects, owing to its numerous advantages. Nevertheless, it is crucial to acknowledge the heightened complexity it introduces to project workflows, stakeholder coordination and information management.Design/methodology/approachThis study employs the Delphi method to identify and extract complexity factors specific to BIM-enabled projects. A panel of industry and academic experts is engaged to discern and prioritise these factors based on their expertise and knowledge.FindingsThe study reveals a comprehensive list of 34 complexity factors that significantly impact BIM-enabled projects. Among the most influential factors are laws and regulations, variety of procurement methods, technical capabilities of teams, project manager competence, information transfer capacity, range of project deliverables and diversity of project locations. The findings highlight the importance of these factors and emphasise the need for proactive and adaptive management to navigate their impact and achieve positive project outcomes.Originality/valueThis study introduces the DEBACCS framework, a metric-based model designed to understand and evaluate complexity within BIM-enabled projects. DEBACCS stands for seven key dimensions: diversity, emergence, belonging, autonomy, connectivity, context and size. These dimensions represent essential aspects for gauging project complexity. By applying the concept of complexity from project management to BIM, the study offers valuable insights for practitioners and researchers. It provides a unique perspective on the challenges and considerations associated with implementing and managing BIM in construction projects. The findings have practical value for practitioners, enabling them to better understand and address the implications of complexity in BIM-enabled projects, ultimately leading to improved project outcomes.

Concept of a medical and public health cancer genomics platform

Abstract Background This study aims to produce the concept of an open-access medical and public health cancer genomics platform aimed at aggregating and sharing documentation of ongoing initiatives and data resulting from the CAN.HEAL project, available for EU researchers, healthcare professionals, policy makers, citizens and patients. Methods The context (reference sector, stakeholders and research evidences), feasibility (privacy management and data processing), and platform’s end users were analysed; the CAN.HEAL project deliverables were listed and clustered; aspects related to the definition of the overall platform architecture and modules integration were studied. Results The project deliverables were catalogued into 8 categories which could be the platform’s cloud interface main labels: results from events, policy papers, newsletters, mapping results and reports, datasets, recommendations and guidelines, use cases, courses and training activities. To define the overall system architecture, the following key activities should be implemented: content management system choice, hosting configuration and setup of the development domain, content management system installation, development of HTML web pages, data entry, data visualisation and graphic layout, and test and debug. To the modules integration purposes the following items should be addressed: creation of a server analytics account; social network integration; activation of additional system for sending newsletters. Conclusions Cloud-based data platform allows to securely manage, integrate, analyse and share large datasets. Establishing an infrastructure to help researchers access, store and analyse large amounts of biological data is of paramount importance both to enable advances in research and support health policy making processes. The CAN.HEAL platform could help aligning clinical and population-based interventions for integrating the genome of Europe biobanking initiative into public health genomics for cancer. Key messages • Connecting healthcare data can support the challenge of accessing the relevant information needed for the policy and decision making processes to effectively promote population health and wellbeing. • The set-up of a medical and public health cancer genomics platform promotes the effective translation of genome-based knowledge and technologies into public policy and health services.

The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Improving Project Management Processes: An Applied Study on the Information Technology Sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

This study analyzes the significant role of AI in enhancing project management processes within the IT sector in Saudi Arabia. As the digital landscape continues to grow, the integration of AI technology has emerged as an important aspect in improving efficiency, accuracy, and creativity in project management techniques. The research uses a quantitative approach, using a structured questionnaire conducted on a sample of 135 IT professionals. These individuals were selected to share their insights about their experiences and perspectives on deploying AI in their project management activities. The data obtained from the surveys was subjected to rigorous statistical analysis to measure the impact of AI on several dimensions of project management. The results show that AI plays a significant role in reducing human errors, thereby enhancing the overall quality of project deliverables. By automating repetitive processes and leveraging predictive analytics, AI reduces the chance of errors that may arise from manual procedures, resulting in more reliable project deliverables. By reducing communication channels, AI creates a more unified work environment, enabling teams to respond quickly to obstacles and adapt to changing project needs. This study highlights the revolutionary potential of AI in the IT industry in Saudi Arabia, and its critical role in transforming project management processes. The findings provide important insights for industry practitioners and decision makers, supporting the deployment of AI technology to achieve operational excellence and enhance innovation. By understanding and harnessing the benefits of AI, companies may enhance their project management capabilities, ultimately leading to superior project outcomes and a sustainable competitive advantage in a rapidly changing technology world.

Exploring prescriptive and agile management of university-based living labs

ABSTRACT University-based living labs serve as open innovation platforms that foster collaborative research and experimentation across various disciplines. These labs bring together academics, citizens, community organisations, companies, and other entities to collectively address complex contemporary issues. The labs’ managers are expected to adopt flexible, agile management approaches to support the openness of their lab to stakeholders. Flexible management approaches create various challenges, as the labs are often expected also to comply with traditional project management principles of deadlines, project deliverables, budget restrictions, and quality conditions as set by their project sponsors and host organisation. The combination of prescriptive and agile project management approaches in such open innovation settings has been relatively underexplored in higher education research. Drawing on the theoretical literature on boundary work and project management, we analyse how the managers of a Dutch university-based living lab execute flexible project management styles in a setting that is dominated by prescriptive project management traditions. Based on information from 20 interviews and document analysis we identify five areas of tension between agile and prescriptive project management. Living lab managers, supported by researchers, buffer these tensions through boundary work that shapes the openness of the projects in rather unexpected ways.

Birds, bees and CSR managers: why is biodiversity conservation challenging for companies?

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to learn what kinds of obstacles Indian businesses face when trying to make biodiversity protection a top priority as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts. Interventions are proposed to elevate biodiversity protection to the ranks of CSR priorities among Indian businesses.Design/methodology/approachThis study applies an interpretive phenomenological analysis strategy to glean information from in-depth interviews with leaders and professionals in CSR.FindingsThe findings of the study revealed that the main factors influencing Indian companies’ CSR area choices are existing processes and stakeholder pressures. Companies prioritise engaging with local communities and employees when selecting CSR activities. The major challenge is integrating biodiversity into business plans, with CSR heads struggling to secure investment due to long gestation periods and limited media coverage. Implementing agencies face issues with project deliverables, mainly due to land ownership and lack of local government support. Companies can also encourage employee involvement in pro-environmental behaviours. The study also provides practical solutions for Indian companies to enhance their CSR engagement in biodiversity conservation.Research limitations/implicationsThe research only focuses on the opinions of CSR specialists and leaders, so it may only consider part of the situation’s complexity inside the organisation. The results may only apply to the business climate in India; hence, extra care is warranted when extrapolating them to other countries. Nonetheless, the study provides valuable insights into the interplay between CSR and biodiversity protection that might inform future studies and policy initiatives.Originality/valueThis research fills a gap in the literature by investigating an uncharted territory: the role of CSR in protecting biodiversity in India. Examining obstacles and variables affecting CSR objectives illuminates business involvement in biodiversity conservation. The recommended treatments have real-world consequences for improving CSR involvement in this critical area.

Influence of Communication Strategy on Performance of Project within Non-Governmental Organizations in Mogadishu, Somalia

The main objective of this study was to determine the influence of communication on performance of project within Non-Governmental Organizations in Mogadishu, Somalia. In this research, descriptive research design was used, and the target population was 78 managers and 390 senior employees in the 78 NGOs in Mogadishu. The study adopted a stratified random sampling technique, where a sample size of 216 respondents was selected using Yamane’s (1967) formula. Data was collected using questionnaire, and descriptive and inferential statistics were applied in the data analysis. The findings showed that managers and other higher-level staff are aware of the communication process. There was a written and well-articulated communication process. The managers can communicate effectively with employees. Communication within the NGO has an influence on organizational performance. The intercept between communication and performance of project becomes better by β = 0.821, p<0.01. This meant that when a single unit improves Communication, the project performance also significantly improves by 82.1%. Lastly, the study concluded that communication is very key for any seamless operations within the project deliverables. Further, communication is the key ingredient in effective project management as everything revolves around it from planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation which requires proper feedback mechanisms for a seamless operation. Finally, the study recommends adoption of a communication channel that facilitates proper feedback mechanism in order to prevent information loss on any item, whether it is a big or small ticket item.

Toward a common categorization for valued components: using a review of valued components and indicators in the lower James Bay Region of Ontario and Quebec, Canada, to support cumulative impact science in Canada

ABSTRACT Cumulative impacts and regional assessments (RA) require the integration and analysis of large quantities of interdisciplinary scientific information. Yet, the information available is not often readily accessible nor standardized across impact assessments. We proposed here a categorization of valued components that have been derived from projects in the James Bay Lowlands and that is aligned with the IAAC’s Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines (TISG) template, a key document to support project and regional impact assessment deliverables. We compiled valued components and indicators from previous and ongoing environmental impact assessments in the James Bay Lowlands. We identified trends associated with valued components and indicators and combined these trends with the TISG. We then derived a categorization of valued components nested under seven systems. From the reviewed work, we identified 197 valued components (23% valued components were common for two or more projects) and 313 indicators. Our categorization is composed of seven systems and 34 potential valued components allowing for easy connections between future project-level impact assessments and RAs. Our categorization is a valuable communication tool across all stakeholders and rightsholders involved in impact assessments, including communities, Indigenous leaders, IA practitioners, industry, and government.

INTERNAL TEAMWORK PRACTICES AND PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION IN NON-PROFIT PROJECT IN RWANDA: A CASE OF UPHLS

Background:This research study aimed to assess the influence of internal teamwork practices on project implementation in non-profit organizations operating in Rwanda, with a specific focus on The Umbrella of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities in the Fight Against HIV&AIDS and for Health Promotion (UPHLS). The study was structured around three specific objectives which were: To assess the effect of Team Collaboration on Project Implementation Success within the UPHLS project in Rwanda. To determine the influence of Resource Allocation on the Timeliness of project implementation within the UPHLS project in Rwanda. And finally, to evaluate the influence of Training and Development on the Quality of Deliverables in the UPHLS project in Rwanda. Materials and Methods:In order for the researcher to achieve the objectives of the research, a descriptive and correlation research design were adopted. Data was collected through a combination of both quantitative and qualitative methods, utilizing interview guides and questionnaires. The research population of this research included the broader staff population of 22 at UPHLS headquarters, these individuals were all considered as the sample size through the adoption of the census sampling technique where the entire population is inclusive in the study under investigation due to the small size of this population. Results:From the collected data the findings identified critical factors influencing success. Effective communication (mean=4.23, SD=1.45), clear task allocation (mean=4.27, SD=1.31), appropriate leadership (mean=4.36, SD=1.27), a culture of trust (mean=4.46, SD=1.18), and regular feedback (mean=4.32, SD=1.29) were key contributors to successful project implementation. Resource allocation significantly impacted timeliness, with financial resources (mean=4.68, SD=1.23), human resources (mean=4.89, SD=1.56), material resources (mean=4.45, SD=1.34), procurement practices (mean=4.76, SD=1.45), and budget oversight (mean=4.89, SD=1.23) playing crucial roles. Training and development initiatives positively influenced the quality of project deliverables, with mean scores ranging from 4.39 to 4.58 and corresponding percentages of agreement ranging from 44.46% to 50.87%. Correlation analysis demonstrated a strong positive correlation (r=0.736, p=0.001) between internal teamwork practices and project implementation. The research therefore concluded by emphasizing the significant role of cohesive teamwork in project success. The study went further to mention that these findings underscored the importance of effective communication, resource management, and training initiatives in enhancing project outcomes in the context of non-profit projects, providing actionable insights for organizations aiming to improve their project implementation processes. Conclusions: Based on the studys findings and conclusions, several recommendations were made by the research where the study suggested enhancing internal teamwork practices in non-profit projects, especially UPHLS in Rwanda, by fostering trust, allocating resources, investing in training, and recognizing the strong correlation between teamwork and project success. These recommendations aimed to improve collaboration, efficiency, and project outcomes. Building on the insights from the current study on internal teamwork practices in Rwandan non-profit projects, the study suggested further research, including cross-cultural analysis, longitudinal studies, qualitative leadership styles, external stakeholders, comparative analysis, and global events, to enhance project management and foster social development.

Financial resource scheduling and road construction projects performance in Nairobi Metropolitan, Kenya

Kenya has seen a boom in road building during the last couple of years as a result of the government's significant investments in the construction industry to upgrade infrastructure, such as road networks. Road network construction is one of the key pillar of the country long term vision 2030. However, the performance of the road projects has experienced various challenges leaving some roads uncompleted, others poorly done after huge investment of public resources. This study sought to evaluate the influence of financial resources scheduling on the performance of road construction projects in Nairobi Metropolitan, Kenya. The research was based on resource dependence theory. A descriptive design as well as the cross-sectional survey was used. The population of interest for this study consisted of 39 road construction projects being implemented by Kenya Urban Roads Authority and Kenya National Highway Authority within the Nairobi metropolitan area. A semi structured questionnaire was utilized to collect primary data. The quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study results revealed projects resource scheduling had a positive and significant effect on project performance of road construction projects in Nairobi Metropolitan, Kenya. The study concludes that effective financial resource scheduling enables that organization to manage risk that may occur from changes in the project’s outcome. Financial resource scheduling starts from developing the project budget which is a process for allocating administered and departmental funds necessary to build a financial foundation for producing stated project deliverables.

Exploring causes of ineffective material management and impact on successful project deliverables in civil engineering construction projects in Sri Lanka

Purpose Construction material management plays a significant role in achieving successful project delivery of a construction project. However, ineffective material management is a critical issue in the construction industry, especially in developing economies, of which Sri Lanka is not an exception. Therefore, this study aims to focus on exploring the causes of ineffective material management practices in civil engineering construction projects in Sri Lanka and their impact on successful project delivery. Design/methodology/approach Furthermore, the literature findings were validated through the preliminary survey. Subsequently, a quantitative research approach was adopted to pursue the research aim. Questionnaire responses were obtained from 215 construction professionals in civil engineering projects who were selected using the judgemental and snowball sampling techniques. Collected data were analysed through Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) V26 and Microsoft Excel 2016. Findings Moreover, the study revealed that material price fluctuation, shortage of material in the market, delay in material procurement, inadequate planning and delays in material delivery are the most frequent causes of ineffective material management in civil engineering projects. In addition, it was evidenced that most ineffective material management practices cause both time and cost overruns in civil engineering construction projects. Most respondents emphasized inadequate planning, inadequate qualified and experienced staff, lack of supervision and lack of leadership as the causes for both time and cost overruns. Originality/value The study was concluded by proposing strategies for effective material management. Education/training/enlightenment of staff in charge of materials management, use of software like Microsoft Project, Primavera and similar software to eliminate manual errors in material management, and providing clear specifications to suppliers were the most agreed strategies for effective material management in civil engineering construction projects.

Covert Subversive Agents and Consensus Disruption on Large Projects

Is it possible to dramatically affect and influence military and other projects through social engineering of the consensus processes? In this paper we explore the impact that subversive agents can have on the ability of projects to move forward by disrupting the social cohesion and decision-making abilities of the processes designed to reach consensus. A consensus simulator is used to model group social cohesion behaviour in the context of project deliverables and show what the effect can be on the effort to reach consensus (number of meetings) as well as the time to reach consensus (calendar time) when subversive agents attempt to influence the groups making up the project team in such a way that it delays the ability of the team to reach consensus on key decisions. Many military options are available to delay enemy projects, including the assassination of enemy scientists, sanctions aimed at denying key project components, or even direct military action such as bombing the enemy facilities. However, this paper focusses on aspects of soft-force projection through covert disruption of project timelines. A social simulator was constructed that models individual agent’s beliefs about various key topics within the context of a project. The effect that a small number of subversive agents can have on the time- and effort of a project is shown. In their covert actions, these subversive agents need to stay hidden, and thus their covert actions are limited, yet they can exert significant damage to the project in terms of delays. In this paper we present results showing the effects that such a small group can have, as well as pointing out that there seem to be a critical group size over which the subversive agents can not only have significant impact on project-delays but can also steer and direct certain key decisions.

Museums and the Post-Digital: Revisiting Challenges in the Digital Transformation of Museums

This paper considers the digital transformation of museums and, particularly, the challenges museum professionals face today in the implementation of digital practices. The exploration of the challenges that museum professionals need to address, and the values associated with the “digital” are critical in the context of current and rapid sociocultural and technological changes. This paper reviews a diverse typology of resources—including project reports and deliverables, qualitative and quantitative surveys, academic articles, edited volumes, and chapters—relevant to the implementation of digital practices in the “backstage of museums.” This essay will show that, although digital technologies have acquired a normative presence, organisational and technical challenges in the “backstage” of museums pose systemic problems in their digital transformation. These are systemic problems related to skills and knowledge, and human and financial resource deficits, which result in museum professionals exerting constant effort to keep up with the rapid changes in digital technologies with limited resources at hand and the risks of technological obsolescence and abandonment always present. Situated within the emerging literature advocating for a holistic, ethical, and sustainable digital transformation of museums, this paper draws attention to the implications of the digitalisation of museums in the transition to a responsible and sustainable digital future in a European context. It argues that a relational understanding of sustainability and ethics can be a pivotal first step towards the formation of a digitally purposeful museum in the post-digital era.

Recruitment, Retention, and Training of Citizen Scientists in Translational Medicine Research: A Citizen Science Initiative on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Citizen science is a participatory science approach in which members of the public (citizens) collaborate with scientists and professional researchers and become involved in research and innovation activities, resulting in the co-creation of scientific knowledge and innovation. Citizen science has been widely applied in research, particularly in the social sciences, environmental sciences, information and communication technologies, and public health. However, the application of this approach inclinical sciences, particularly in translational medicine research, is still nascent. This exploratory study involved members of the public (citizen scientists) in a translational medicineexperiment on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease that incorporated a lifestyle and weight-loss intervention. The aim of this paper is to report successful methods and approaches for the recruitment, retention, and training of citizen scientists. For the citizen scientists' recruitment, online calls placed on the websites of our research project and biomedical research centerand targeted emails were the most helpful. Of the 14 members of the public who expressed interest in our study, six were recruited as citizen scientists. Citizen scientists were mostly female (n = 5, 83%), white (n = 3, 50%), over 50 years of age (n = 4, 67%), educated to postgraduate level (n = 5, 83%), and either retired or not in employment (n = 5, 83%). The retention rate was 83% (n = 5), and the dropout rate was 17% (n = 1). We arranged instructor-led interactive online training sessions (an hour-long one-on-one session and two-hour group sessions). Research skills training covered ethics in research and qualitative and quantitative data analysis. Citizen scientists were given several incentives, such as reimbursement of travel and care costs, selection as citizen scientists of the month, publications of their blogs and perspective articles, and co-authorship and acknowledgement in papers and project deliverables. To conclude, members of the public (particularly middle-aged white women with postgraduate education) are interested in becoming citizen scientists in translational medicine research. Their retention rate is higher, and they can contribute to different research activities. However, they need training to develop their research skills and expertise. The training should be simple, comprehensive, and flexible to accommodate the schedules of individual citizen scientists. They deserve incentives as they work on a voluntary basis.

Evaluation of End Users’ Participation in the Design and Delivery of Public Building Projects in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Building projects are expensive, complicated, and frequently involve several parties with various demands. Since users are the ones who will ultimately use, maintain, and benefit from the projects, successful construction projects are planned, developed, and equipped to meet their needs. The purpose of this study was to assess end users’ involvement in the planning and execution of public building projects in Ekiti State, Nigeria, in order to improve project performance. Information on the extent of end users’ participation in the design and implementation of public projects was gathered through the use of questionnaires with professionals in the ministry of works, directors in the ministry of education, state universal basic education board, contractors and direct users of public building projects. A total of 138 of 143 copies of questionnaires that were distributed were recovered to achieve a rate of 96.5%. Findings revealed that end users were not involved in the planning, execution, or quality control of public building projects when it came to examining the ongoing work or the process of quality assurance. The study concluded that end users are typically satisfied with the outcomes when they are closely involved in the project’s management and participate often. The study therefore recommended that, prior to the project being closed and turned over, end users should be involved in the quality control process to ensure that the project deliverables and outcomes satisfy needs and requirements.

Service innovation and coopetitive dynamics: the case of insurance distribution

Coopetition is a complex dynamic in which competing companies cooperate to achieve a common goal. The relationships between these organizations are not linear, and have an impact on their various activities and processes, particularly innovation. Drawing on the theoretical fields of service innovation and coopetition, this unique-case study, based on a 2-year observant participation and semi-directive interviews, highlights the difficulties raised by this informal coopetition. Our findings characterize the areas of cooperation and competition between the general agent and the insurance company. They also highlight an impact on the processes and deliverables of innovation projects, which do not enable the players to reap the full benefits of coopetition. As a result, forms of service innovation constituting a competitive advantage exacerbate competitive behavior, while forms of organizational innovation benefit from cooperative behavior. Highlighting these specificities contributes to a better understanding of coopetitive dynamics between actors in service innovation, and underlines the need to formalize them in a rapidly transforming sector where innovation meets high stakes.

INTERVZP - Interprofessional collaboration in Advance Care Planning: examining support needs across disciplines and settings

Background: Although advance care planning (ACP) can improve goal-oriented and goal-concordant care, it requires substantial interprofessional collaboration to ensure up-to-date information from patients and families is passed along across the care trajectory of the patient. The often-complex care trajectories of patients who would benefit most from ACP, as well as our fragmented care systems is hindering this.
 Aim: We aimed to explore how to better support a variety of professionals across care levels to improve advance care planning in their settings by exploring barriers related to ACP specifically, their support needs as well as potential strategies for improvement.
 Methods: We have carried out a targeted literature review in PubMed searching academic literature on advance care planning, chronic care or palliative care and interprofessional/multidisciplinary collaboration (and education); expert interviews with educators and trainers in interprofessional collaboration in healthcare (ie medicine, nursing, social work, obstetrics); and 3 semi-structured stakeholder workshops with a variety of professionals working in nursing homes, hospitals, and the home setting. Project progress and deliverables were safeguarded by an advisory group comprising users and stakeholders from various professional, policy, and umbrella organizations.
 Results: Fifteen published studies were included; 12 experts and 20 professionals participated. Various factors were found to hinder interprofessional collaboration in ACP: personal factors (eg. discipline: support staff, as opposed to registered nursing staff report higher, needs related to integration on the interdisciplinary team), interprofessional (eg. lack of clarity and appreciation of other’s roles), organizational (eg. no one taking the lead), interorganizational (eg. team fluidity/temporary teams) and system factors (eg. no unified electronic system). We formulated potential learning objectives that were triangulated with and complementary to existing general frameworks in interprofessional education (ie. IPEC, 5 bouwstenen IPSIG, Canmeds, EIPEN). We have visualized the patient journey of three case studies (in a hospital, nursing home and home setting) to graphically demonstrate how integrated care transitions between professionals, organizations and care levels can be improved and how (comprising tips and trigger questions that might stimulate professionals to share and receive the relevant information with and from others). 
 Next steps: Learning objectives can be easily integrated into existing education for health and social care professionals and is informative for subsequent interprofessional training development. Tools are currently being developed to support educators in doing this.

Improving IT Project Outcomes With the Deming Management Method

Introducing technological change into an organization is a difficult undertaking, so it is not unexpected that firms struggle in their pursuit to achieve the desired level of quality for IT project outcomes. The purpose of this research is to examine the Deming management method to determine if its theories about quality management can be applied to IT projects. Survey data was collected from 168 IT professionals and analyzed. The results provide strong empirical support for the application of the Deming management method to address this persistent problem. In particular, the results support all hypothesized relationships among the quality management concepts comprising the Deming model, while at the same time the Deming model provides strong predictive ability for both customer satisfaction with IT project deliverables and meeting project performance goals of budget, schedule, and system functionality.