Research Spin-offs Research Articles

Se souvenir des soins intensifs : un protocole d’étude mixte prospective sur les perspectives et l’acceptabilité du journal de bord

<p>Introduction: Intensive care units (ICUs) cater for the most critically ill patients. On discharge, these patients may be left with several incapacitating sequelae. This combination of physical, cognitive, and psychological symptoms is known as Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS). Relatives may also suffer from a form of PICS (Post Intensive Care Syndrome – Family [PICS-F]). A diary could help reduce the mental health symptoms of PICS or PICS-F. This document, containing narrative information about the patient’s stay in the ICU, aims to fill in the gaps in the patient’s memory and to contextualize disturbing memories, which are thought to be at the root of psychological suffering. This preventive intervention remains underused or studied in Quebec (Canada).</p><p>Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the acceptability of the ICU diary in 2 Quebec ICUs by patients discharged from the designated ICU, relatives, nurses, and members of the multidisciplinary team. A second objective will be to explore the recommendations of those stakeholders surrounding the modalities of the intervention.</p><p>Methods: This mixed-methods study will take place on 2 ICUs in a tertiary hospital located in Quebec City. Semi-structured interviews will be conducted with 4 groups of 6 to 8 participants representing the stakeholders of the intervention. An acceptability questionnaire will be administered to participants.</p><p>Discussion and Research Spin-offs: This study will guide the application of this intervention and advocates active participant involvement in the development of the tool.</p>

Le rôle infirmier auprès de personnes aînées en milieux d’hébergement depuis la pandémie de COVID-19 : protocole d’une revue de la portée

<p>Introduction: The nursing role in elderly care has received increased attention during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is therefore essential to better understand the enactment of the nursing practice through professional activities carried out in long-term care facilities since the pandemic.</p><p>Objective: To identify and synthesize the activities performed by nurses caring for elderly persons in long-term care facilities since the COVID-19 pandemic through a scoping review of literature from 2020-2023. A framework combining the Nursing Role Effectiveness Model by Irvine et al. (1998) and the Cadre de référence sur l’exercice infirmier auprès des personnes hébergées en centre d’hébergement et de soins de longue durée from the Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec (2018) will allow for the identification of independent, dependent and interdependent nursing activities in these settings.</p><p>Method: The review will follow the scoping review method of the Joanna Briggs Institute (Peters et al., 2020). We will query CINAHL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PsycINFO databases to identify empirical studies published in English and French from 2020 to 2023. The selection of relevant studies will be carried out independently by 2 reviewers. Data on nursing activities will be extracted, categorized, and analyzed in line with the scoping review framework.</p><p>Discussion and Research Spin-offs: This research will identify nursing activities since the COVID-19 pandemic through recent studies that have addressed this topic in the context of long-term care facilities. Recommendations will be made concerning activities that are infrequently or not at all carried out by nurses, as well as factors that influence these activities.</p>

Nurses' and Nursing Students' Perceptions Toward People Living with Obesity: A Scoping Review Protocol

Introduction: There is significant and pervasive weight bias, weight stigma, and weight-based discrimination everywhere today, even in healthcare settings. Studies have shown that health care professionals (HCPs) hold negative perceptions toward people living with obesity (PLO), which results in heightened health risks for patients. Nurses play a central role in health promotion and the health management of PLO. Thus, identifying nurses' and nursing students' perceptions toward PLO within healthcare practice or educational contexts is paramount to consider further exploratory and intervention studies. Objective: We aim to review and map nurses' and nursing students' perceptions toward PLO from available literature. Method: A search of MEDLINE via PubMed, CINAHL Plus with Full Text (EBSCOhost), and PsycINFO (OVID) will be conducted to identify relevant studies in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, or Italian on nurses' and nursing students' weight bias. The period covered will be from January 1, 2005, onward, including those available up until our scheduled search in January 2024. Two independent reviewers will conduct screening, study selection, and data extraction. Data will be charted according to the study design, the research setting, years and regions of publication, concepts, and use of theoretical models. The results will be summarized and reported, identifying implications for nursing research and practice. Discussion and Research Spin-offs: This scoping review will inform nursing research and facilitate the development of educational and clinical tools aimed at preventing and reducing weight bias among nurses to promote nursing and interdisciplinary care that upholds principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Développement de la pratique infirmière avancée dans le système de santé du Bénin : une exploration contextuelle inspirée de l’Ethnonursing de Leininger et guidée par le modèle PEPPA

Introduction : La réforme du système de formation en sciences infirmières et obstétricales (SIO) au Bénin a permis de former des infirmiers de niveau maitrise académique dans le profil infirmière en pratique avancée (IPA). Cependant, malgré la reconnaissance de cette nouvelle formation sur le plan académique, le rôle de l’IPA dans le système de santé où ces infirmiers sont appelés à exercer dans une équipe multidisciplinaire au cœur d’une culture et de pratiques médicales et infirmières très diversifiées n’est pas encore clarifié. Objectifs : 1- Identifier les domaines d’intervention, les périmètres d’action, les rôles, les mandats et les activités possibles de l’IPA, ainsi que les facteurs favorables et défavorables au développement de la pratique infirmière avancée (PIA) dans le système de santé du Bénin; 2- Déterminer les éléments constitutifs d’un cadre formel et réglementaire d’exercice de la PIA au Bénin. Méthodes : Cette recherche qualitative basée sur la théorie de l’universalité et de la diversité des soins de Leininger (1991) s’appuiera sur le modèle PEPPA (Participatory, Evidence-Based, Patient-Focused Process for Advanced Practice Nursing) proposé par Bryant-Lukosius et Dicenso (2004) pour la séquence des étapes de développement, d’implantation et d’évaluation d’un nouveau rôle d’IPA. Des entrevues individuelles semi-dirigées et groupes focalisés auprès des infirmiers et sages-femmes de nationalité béninoise titulaires d’une maitrise en SIO seront réalisés. Des questionnaires auto-administrés et un recueil de textes permettront de collecter des données auprès du personnel de santé et des responsables des structures et services de soins cliniques. Discussion et retombées anticipées : Cette étude permettra d’identifier les balises qui soutiendront l’implantation du rôle de l’IPA dans le système de santé du Bénin, clarifiant ses domaines d’intervention, ses périmètres d’action, ses mandats et activités possibles, ainsi que le contexte nécessaire pour son implantation.

Giving a Voice to Nurse Managers and Staff Nurses: A Two-Centres Multi-Method Research Protocol to Optimize Nurses’ Actual Scope of Practice

Introduction: Numerous studies have revealed that a limited time is devoted to value-added care activities that are part of nurses’ professional role (Déry et al., 2022). This has an impact on the performance of healthcare systems in terms of overall costs. The COVID-19 pandemic has put more pressure on healthcare organizations, on its nurse managers (NMs) and staff nurses. Objective: To mobilize key players in care units to propose effective and realistic strategies to facilitate the optimal deployment of nursing practice. Methods: This international research program encompasses 3 consecutive cross-sectional studies involving 2 healthcare centres: 1 in Canada and 1 in Switzerland. Study 1’s qualitative design will include focus groups with NMs. Study 2’s quantitative correlational design will survey staff nurses. Study 3 will include multiple meetings with NMs, staff nurses, clinical nurse specialists and educators (key players) to develop a logic model of intervention to propose effective and realistic strategies to facilitate the full deployment of nurses’ scope of practice. Discussion and Research Spin-offs: Study 1 will help describe the innovative management practices of NMs since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and identify their support and educational needs. Study 2 will explore the perceptions of staff nurses regarding the work psychological climate and work recognition, their actual scope of practice, their professional satisfaction at work and their perception of the quality of care. Study 3 will take advantage of this new data and mobilize key players in the identification of improvement strategies adapted to their own reality.

Nurses and Unlicensed Assistive Personnel's Practices in Caring for Patients With Delirium in Acute Care Settings: Protocol for the PRACTICE Study

Introduction: Few studies have investigated nursing practice in relation to delirium in acute care settings, and no studies have investigated the care of unlicensed assistive personnel (UAPs) in this context. As a result, it becomes challenging to support the delivery of optimal care and thereby improve delirium-related patient outcomes. Objective: This manuscript reports on the development of two survey tools and a study protocol that aims to (1) describe the current practices of nurses and UAPs in the context of nursing care in delirium and to (2) highlight the barriers and facilitators to the delivery of optimal delirium care. Methods: This multi-method study aims to recruit nurses and UAPs. During an initial quantitative phase, participants will answer two survey tools designed respectively for nurses and UAPs. These tools were developed using a modified Delphi technique and a guide based on Burns et al. (2008) and Eysenbach (2004). They examine delirium knowledge, practice, collaboration, confidence, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on practice relatively to delirium. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses will be performed on this data. The qualitative phase will include focus groups and interviews with nurses and UAPs to explore topics from the survey tools more in-depth. Thematic analysis will be performed on the transcripts. Data from both phases will answer the two study aims. Discussion and Research Spin-offs: This study will be the first to report on the delirium care offered by UAPs. The survey tools developed can identify nurses’ and UAPs’ practices, and the barriers and facilitators to optimum nursing care for people with delirium.

Banking relationship and research spin-offs’ life cycle: The Italian experience

Research Spin-Offs (RSOs) are special firms created within universities or research institutes that require significant financial resources to transfer their innovative technologies to the market. This work studies an important driver of RSOs’ success, i.e. the local banking environment in which such firms operate. Empirical results highlight that the local development of the banking sector does not affect RSO performance at the time of incubation, when the main source of funding comes from public contributions. Conversely, there is a significant positive and growing influence of local banking relationships when the RSO enters the market and becomes independent of public resources. The findings suggest that governments and banking institutions should develop new financial instruments to support RSOs, especially during the early stages of their life cycle. RSOs should consider bank debt as a complementary source of funding that allows them to encounter the vital growth opportunities emerging during the incubation phase.

Diverged Evolutionary Pathways of Two Public Research Institutes in Taiwan and Korea: Shared Missions and Varied Organizational Dynamics in ITRI and KIST

Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) of Taiwan and Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) of Korea are among the most acknowledged public research institutes in East Asia. This paper applies the evolutionary perspective for a comparative case study, emphasizing the path dependence with the innovation system context. Also, this paper elucidates the factors that configured the dynamics of ITRI and KIST in populating spin-offs and advancing biotechnology, respectively. It sheds new light on what particular organizational structures and routines would posit functionality in propagating certain activities and outcomes. The case of ITRI implies a strong mechanistic push in its organization to expedite its research activities and spin-offs. Meanwhile, KIST is endowed with patient capital and instituted service seniority in its career ladder, thus enabling it to develop science-based technologies and to evolve into a university-like institute. The structures and routines of the two PRIs are profound and productive in advancing their respective desired research agendas. However, their instituted routines might limit their pursuit of other kinds of growth ventures. This paper shows a depiction of organizational career ladders and spin-off mechanisms, which provides a useful guide for a government aspiring to construct similar structures and routines for certain outcomes.

The impact of market orientation on university spin-off business performance

Extant literature on the antecedents of university spin-off (USO) business performance has developed with the aim of highlighting those drivers that could foster the performance of such firms, focusing on a variety of factors. Less interest has been devoted to the market orientation–performance relationship, despite the positive link frequently found in the marketing literature. The aim of the present paper is therefore to fill this gap and investigate the relationship between market orientation (MO) and USO performance using the Netval database of Italian research spin-offs. To measure MO, we adopted an ad hoc questionnaire, and after testing its validity with a factor analysis, we performed a regression model. The results show that MO, particularly some of its components (customer intelligence generation, intelligence dissemination, integration and inter-functional coordination), has an impact on business performance. This contribution presents some valuable research implications useful for academics, but professionals from new high-tech ventures and technology transfer offices may also benefit from this knowledge.

Entrepreneurial Drivers for the Development of the Circular Business Model: The Role of Academic Spin-Off

Circular Economy represents today a new economic paradigm based on the environment and on the recovery of material. The pursuit of this change can be implemented through different policies with a top-down or bottom-up approach. Following the latter approach Spin-Offs, typically defined as “Science Based” companies, represent an alternative tool to promote technology transfer. In other words, they represent a bridge between the research and the production system. This part of the study is part of a larger and more complex project whose objective is to verify whether the development of research Spin-Offs and in particular academics, operating in the environment sector, or more generally sustainable, facilitate the transition from the classic model of linear economics to the innovative model of circular economics. The aim of the paper is to investigate how spin off enterprises can be a driver for the development of a Circular Business Model and to facilitate the transition from the classical model of linear economy to the new model of Circular Economy. At the methodological level, a multiple compared analysis was made between a sample of firms located in Lazio Region- Italy, that operates in the area of green economy Smart Specialization Strategy (S3). The analysis shows a rapid succession of variables that lead to the identification of four scenarios, deriving from the interconnection of the outcome: “closed loop”, “open loop” and the presence or absence of Circular Economy practices. The result confirms that the Academic Spin-Offs can be a driver of Circular economy, as long as that fall within the IV scenario, characterized by the interconnection of an open loop system that works in a circular approach. The “High valorization of waste” represents the discriminant in this scenario, which allows to activate a cascade system in a multi-stakeholder perspective.

Academic entrepreneurship and public research organisations: a conceptual study of the drivers and obstacles of research spin-off creation

In the modern society, universities and research centres are directly involved in the process of country economic growth by spurring product development, by creating new industries, and by contributing to employment and wealth creation. Research based spin offs are often the best way to reach these goals. For this reason, the number of research based firms spurred by Public Research Organisations is remarkably increased in the last years both in United States and in European Countries. On the other hand, this growth is not homogeneously distributed among different countries. According to these considerations, the aim of this paper is to understand which characteristics of public research institutions can influence positively or negatively the rise of research spin offs and which policies the research organisations can adopt to favour the generation of research-based spin-offs.

Determinants of growth in research spin-offs: a resource-based perspective

Il existe de fortes attentes en ce qui concerne les entreprises spin-off de la recherche, mais il existe encore peu d’évidence empirique sur les déterminants de la croissance de ces entreprises. L’objectif de cet article est de contribuer au débat sur la croissance -ou la non-croissance- des entreprises spin-off de la recherche en mettant l’accent sur l’Italie. Une perspective basée sur les ressources est adoptée pour identifier les déterminants cruciaux de l’avantage concurrentiel de ces entreprises, et une analyse de régression OLS est effectuée pour évaluer l’impact des ressources initiales sur la croissance des revenus et des employés. Notre analyse met en évidence des résultats inattendus concernant la participation de partenaires industriels, de capital-risqueurs, la taille du portefeuille de DPI à la fondation et l’expérience antérieure des partenaires de promotion.

On-park and off-park research spin-offs: some insights from an empirical investigation on Italy

Research spin-offs (RSOs) are recognised as an important opportunity for universities, and for enhancing entrepreneurship and growth. Several empirical investigations have been published in this field, and the debate on the relationship between RSOs and science parks/incubators is still open. This paper aims at contributing to this debate through an investigation of the role played by these structures for the growth and development of RSOs. The empirical analysis - descriptive statistics and econometric estimation - focuses on 155 respondents in a questionnaire investigation. It shows that on-park RSOs are smaller than off-park firms, they have an international attitude, and are specialised in the biopharmaceutical sector. The analysis reveals that RSOs are less prone to develop patents compared to off-park ones, and seem to be high value-added and innovative. RSOs require huge investments in equipment and laboratories in order to grow, facilities offered by structures like science parks and incubators.

The role of European R&D projects for SMEs’ resource development: an IMP perspective

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a contribution on the role of European R&D projects (ERDPs) on small and medium enterprises’ (SMEs) resource development.Design/methodology/approachThis paper adopts a qualitative methodology based on a longitudinal case study. The case analysis concerns Gamma, a small high-tech firm based in Italy, active in nanotechnologies since 2005 as a research spin-off and since its establishment active in ERDPs. The analysis is developed along three main phases of development where the company participated to different ERDPs.FindingsThe empirical analysis highlights that since its establishment, Gamma has been able to increasingly exploit participation in ERDPs, in order to gain access to financial and technological resources. Such active and continuous participation fostered the development of both advanced technological and organizational resources, which then allowed the company to survive and play a growing role as a well-known technology partner in the nanotechnology field in Italy and Europe.Originality/valueAdopting an IMP perspective, the paper provides a contribution on the managerial dimension of SMEs’ participation in ERDPs – which represents a neglected topic in the existing literature – on two distinct grounds: resource development process and networking processes. With respect to resource development processes in ERDPs, this case study underscores the relevance of ERDPs for developing both technological and organizational resources, highlighting the relevance of project management-related knowledge. In terms of networking processes, this paper highlights the need to fully understand the interplay of ERDP networks and business networks.

Twelve tips for crossborder curriculum partnerships in medical education

Crossborder curriculum partnerships are a relatively new and fast-growing form of internationalization in which the curriculum that has been developed by one institution (the home institution) crosses borders and is implemented in another institution (the host institution). These partnerships aim to provide comparable learning experiences to the students in both institutions and are driven by a variety of motives, such as strengthening international networks, increasing financial gains, and stimulating research spinoffs. Although popular, crossborder curriculum partnerships are also criticized for their potentially low educational quality, failing to address fundamental differences in teaching and learning between the home and host institutions, and not addressing the educational needs of the host country’s health care system. Our aim is to provide guidance to those considering or engaged in designing, developing, managing, and reviewing a crossborder curriculum partnership or other forms of international educational partnerships in medical education. Drawing from research, personal, and institutional experiences in this area, we listed twelve tips categorized into four themes, which contribute to the establishment of sustainable partnerships that can withstand the aforementioned criticism.

Alliances and the innovation performance of corporate and public research spin-off firms

We explore the innovation performance benefits of alliances for spin-off firms, in particular spin-offs either from other firms or from public research organizations. During the early years of the emerging combinatorial chemistry industry, the industry on which our empirical analysis focuses, spin-offs engaged in alliances with large and established partners, partners of similar type and size, and with public research organizations, often for different reasons. We seek to understand to what extent alliances of spin-offs with other firms (either large- or small- and medium-sized firms) affected their innovation performance and also how this performance may have been affected by their corporate or public research background. We find evidence that in general alliances of spin-offs with other firms, in particular alliances with large firms, increased their innovation performance. Corporate spin-offs that formed alliances with other firms outperformed public research spin-offs with such alliances. This suggests that, in terms of their innovation performance, corporate spin-offs that engaged in alliances with other firms seemed to have benefitted from their prior corporate background. Interestingly, it turns out that the negative impact of alliances on the innovation performance of public research spin-offs was largely affected by their alliances with small- and medium-sized firms.

Support for public research spin-offs by the parent organizations and the speed of commercialization

We empirically analyze whether support by the parent organization in the early (nascent and seed) stage speeds up the process of commercialization and helps spin-offs from public research organizations generate first revenues sooner. To identify the impact of support by the parent organization, we apply multivariate regression techniques as well as an instrumental variable approach. Our results show that support in the early stage by the parent organization can speed up commercialization. Moreover, we identify two distinct channels—the help in developing a business plan and in acquiring external capital—through which support by the parent organization can enable spin-offs to generate first revenues sooner.

A beam of hope for heavy ion radiotherapy: Promising clinical results and better designs are adding new momentum to the push for more proton and carbon ion radiotherapy centers.

A beam of hope for heavy ion radiotherapy: Promising clinical results and better designs are adding new momentum to the push for more proton and carbon ion radiotherapy centers.

Research spin-off firms: does the university involvement really matter?

Research spin-offs (RSOs) are considered as potential key opportunities for universities. This paper aims to contribute to the debate on RSOs through an examination of the relationship between these firms and their parent institute: the goal is to understand in which extent the university involvement could make the difference or not. Original empirical evidence on the Italian RSOs is provided by means of a questionnaire investigation, with a focus on companies that aroused more interest from their university and those that did not. Descriptive statistics is followed by a cluster and a factor analysis. Two main groups of RSOs are identified:open-orientedandautonomous-oriented. It seems that the strength of university interest towards a RSO has consequences on company orientation.

Are public research spin-offs more innovative?

The main purpose of this paper is to analyse whether research spin-offs, that is, spinoffsfrom either public research institutes or universities, have greater innovation capabilitiesthan comparable ...