Semi-structured Thematic Interviews Research Articles

Understanding the experiences of PHC nurses in caring for older patients in the post-fifth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic: an exploratory qualitative study.

To ensure the best possible care, the perspective of PHC nurse work experience during the COVID-19 pandemic should be considered when developing nursing care protocols for older patients who receive PHC services. This exploratory qualitative study was conducted with 18 nurses working continuously in PHC between the first and fifth waves of the pandemic. Semi-structured thematic interviews were undertaken. Qualitative thematic content analysis was conducted to identify and group the themes that emerged from the discourse. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis. The first topic describes the nurses' experiences of physical and mental suffering in caring for older patients in response to the pandemic. The second topic covers the experience of reorganizing PHC work. The third topic focuses on the difficulties of caring for older patients. The final topic includes issues of support needs for nurses in PHC work. The experience and understanding of PHC nurses in caring for older people during the COVID pandemic should lead to significant changes in the system of nursing care for geriatric patients and in the cooperative role within geriatric care specialist teams. Drawing on the experience of COVID-19, it is necessary to work on the weak points of PHC exposed by the pandemic in order to improve the quality of care and life for geriatric patients.

Nurses' and physicians' perceptions of the impact of eHealth and information systems on the roles of health care professionals: A qualitative descriptive study.

The increased use of eHealth and information systems impacts health care work broadly, including cultural and social aspects of work such as the roles of health care professionals. This qualitative descriptive study examined the perceptions of health care professionals in terms of how eHealth and information systems have changed their roles. The data was collected via 15 semi-structured thematic interviews and analysed using content analysis with an inductive approach. The analysis indicated mainly unconscious changes in the roles of professional groups. The professionals perceived that the role of digitally competent professionals in the working community was important. Moreover, high digital competency was seen to have led to an increase or change in work tasks. Professionals' own working environments and job opportunities were seen to have affected to their roles when using information systems. eHealth was perceived to have created inequalities in work tasks, increased skills gaps and complicated work. However, eHealth made cooperation between professionals easier than before. Organisations should pay more attention to equal opportunities to increase professional's digital competency, even out workloads between professionals, and provide equal access to eHealth and information systems.

Digital twins in product-service lifecycles: a framework proposal for enhancing competitiveness and sustainability in manufacturing business

ABSTRACT Manufacturing companies have shifted their interest toward comprehensive solutions and novel digital technologies. These technologies, such as digital twins (DTs), have enabled new business opportunities for various actors throughout product and service lifecycles, from initial drafts to disposal or reuse. However, the concreteness of these opportunities in terms of competitiveness and sustainable business still requires further study. Thus, this article examines the possibilities of data-based business and DT-enabled solutions in the manufacturing business along all stages of product-service lifecycles. The research method of this study was qualitative; it included semi-structured thematic interviews with manufacturing industry professionals. The study obtained extensive results: DT-based lifecycle solutions can provide competitiveness and sustainable value in several ways by contributing from design to usage optimization and renewal of solutions. The study also helps to understand the potential of the end of a lifecycle, as it encourages companies to assess the value of the data-based business and DT-enabled solutions throughout the entire lifecycle of a product. As a main contribution, the results inspired an updated product – service lifecycle management framework. Manufacturing companies can use this study to evaluate and recognize new business opportunities and to find ways to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of their operations.

To Search or Not to Search? Transnational Adopted Individuals’ Reflexive Accounts on Searching for First Parents

Although ties between an adopted child and their first parents are ruptured, both adopted persons and their first parents are often interested in each other’s lives. This qualitative study explores how transnational adopted persons reflexively deliberate on whether to search for first family members. These reflexive deliberations are conceptualized as internal conversations and explored from the point of view of projective agency. The data consist of 24 semi-structured thematic interviews with adult-age transnational adopted individuals living in Finland. The data was analyzed using deductive thematic analysis which resulted in relational and temporal themes influencing individuals’ decision-making concerning searching. The relational aspects show how adopted persons’ reflexive accounts of searching considered the feelings of all parties of the adoption triad: themselves, adoptive parent(s), and first parent(s). The temporal aspects show that while there might not be a perfect moment to act on one’s outer search project, the current life phase and other temporal limitations are important in making the decision.

A multi-level perspective of potential transition pathways towards cultured meat: Finnish and German political stakeholder perceptions

Cellular agriculture and its products, such as cultured meat, are suggested to have the potential to advance the sustainability of current food systems. Instead of engaging in current debates concerning the anticipated benefits and challenges of cellular agriculture, it is more useful to identify potential pathways leading to food system transitions. Our study aims to compare Finnish and German political stakeholders' (n = 25) perceptions concerning cultured meat and to analyse its potential transition pathways utilising the multi-level perspective (MLP). Data were collected via semi-structured theme interviews in early 2020. Results show that the participants acknowledge that landscape-level pressures, such as climate change or finite resources, are challenging current food systems. The food regime's position is perceived as somewhat uncertain. The current practices of livestock agriculture, strong food traditions and multiple interest groups' aspirations are anticipated to both hinder and advance a transition to cellular agriculture. On the niche innovation level, cultured meat was perceived as a promising yet technocratic solution. Cultured meat may be an option for continued meat consumption without feelings of guilt but with preconditions such as guaranteed safety, affordable prices and an authentic meat taste similar or better compared with conventionally produced meat. Our article concludes with three potential transition pathways for cellular agriculture. The “technocratic stagnation” pathway is characterised by perceived threats and stakeholder unwillingness to accept cultured meat. The “promising circumstances” pathway is emphasised by positive societal conditions for cultured meat development and stakeholders' incremental adaptation to it as an additional food product on the market. The “rapid advancement” pathway is characterised by technological breakthroughs and high acceptance of cultured meat, which could lead to radical changes in the current food system.

Physiotherapists’ clinical reasoning in examination of clients with low back pain in direct access practice: a theory-driven qualitative content analysis

Aim The aim of this study was to gain deeper understanding of physiotherapists’ clinical reasoning in examination of clients with low back pain (LBP) in direct access (DA) practice. Method Data were collected through individual semi-structured thematic interviews of ten physiotherapists who described their clinical reasoning in one of their LBP clients in direct access practice. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim and then examined using a theory-driven qualitative content analysis. Four clinical reasoning models, hypothetico-deductive, pattern recognition, narrative and systematic, were used as theoretical frameworks to analyse the descriptions of physiotherapists’ clinical reasoning in examination. Results In this study clinical reasoning in examination manifested as a process where physiotherapist proceeds from interview to clinical assessment and decision-making, simultaneously taking into consideration the DA setting and the specific role of the physiotherapist. As described by the physiotherapists working in DA practice clinical reasoning in examination presented by extracting facts from the interview in relation to symptoms or certain diagnosis, identifying and excluding red flags and identifying the factors that were important to consider in acute musculoskeletal pain in relation to individual client’s problem. Physiotherapists described having improved differential diagnostic skills, wider range of physical assessment techniques and more precise assessment. Based on the data, the physiotherapists presented to use either the hypothetico–deductive or the systematic clinical reasoning model when examining an LBP client in DA practice. Conclusions Clinical reasoning in examination with LBP clients in direct access practice started with anamnesis and proceeded by using either the hypothetico–deductive or the systematic clinical reasoning model.

Community-First Criticism: Reviewing Art and Culture in Local Newspapers

ABSTRACT This article explores community-conforming criticism published in local or community newspapers. Currently, professional cultural criticism is largely focused on capital-based and regional newspapers, as well as cultural magazines, implying the specialisation of work and compartmentalisation of content, while local newspapers cover a wide variety of societal issues and dedicate attention to culture in genres other than the review. The article analyses the findings from a three-year development project launched by the Finnish Critics’ Association (2020–2023) that aimed to rethink reviewing in local journalistic settings. An analysis of the stories published until the summer of 2022 (n = 28) and semistructured theme interviews with the involved critics and staff journalists (n = 14) show the potential and challenges for local journalistic cultural criticism. Based on the analysis, I develop a theoretical framework for community-conforming criticism that places the primary focus on social values of art and preferences that rise from within the local community.

Boundaries in Motion? Finnish Political Journalists’ External and Internal Boundary Work in a Time of Change

ABSTRACT This article utilizes Carlson and Lewis’s (2019. “Boundary Work.” In The Handbook of Journalism Studies, 2nd ed., edited by K. Wahl-Jorgensen, and T. Hanitzsch, 123–135. New York: Routledge) typology of journalistic boundary work to investigate Finnish political journalists’ external boundaries (their relations to non-journalistic actors) and internal boundaries (their relations to other journalists) from the mid-2000s to the mid-2010s. The study is motivated by the changes in journalism and politics that have challenged Finnish political journalists’ working ways and position in newsrooms, and the earlier works by Kantola (2013. “From Gardeners to Revolutionaries: The Rise of the Liquid Ethos in Political Journalism.” Journalism 14 (5): 606–626) and Väliverronen (2018. “More of the Same or a Different Breed Altogether? A National Comparison of Role Perceptions and Ethical Stances among Finnish Political Journalists.” Nordicom Review 39 (1): 51–66) that indicate somewhat contrasting results about political journalists’ boundaries. The two works are used for comparison in the analysis, which is based on semi-structured thematic interviews with 27 political journalists. The findings indicate growing uncertainty among Finnish political journalists. Their external boundaries are still negotiated mainly between elected institutional political actors and journalists, and structural dependencies favor attempts to reach mutual understanding. However, there has been more turbulence in their internal boundaries because of the increasing impact of other journalists on political journalism. Amongst political journalists, young reporters stand out: their relations to non-journalistic actors differ from their older colleagues, and their internal position has been affected most by the growing pressures in newsrooms.

Structured communication during emergency response driving: Safety-critical points identified by Finnish emergency response driving experts

BackgroundEmergency response driving (ERD) is a major occupational risk factor in emergency medical services (EMS). Inadequate communication has been acknowledged as a significant contributing cause for major incidents during ERD. Previous evidence shows that structured communication can promote safety in high-risk procedures, but knowledge in ERD context is lacking. The aim of this study was to examine what are the safety-critical points in ERD that should be secured using structured communication. MethodThe nominal group technique (NGT) was used for gathering interview material from ERD experts’ (n = 11) workshop. In addition, semi-structured thematic interviews were conducted with other ERD experts (n = 15) from five different EMS areas in Finland. The interview material was analyzed using inductive content analysis. ResultsUsing NGT, 13 safety-critical points in ERD requiring the use of structured communication were identified. As a result of the interviews, two main categories were found: 1) Factors affecting the adaptation of the appropriate speed for the current situation and 2) Factors affecting orientation in a driving event. ConclusionERD comprises multiple safety-critical points that should be secured using structured communication between ambulance crew members. Pilot and implementation studies exploring the use of structured communication in ERD are needed in the future.

Administrative structures of higher education institutions - connection with the experience of professional agency of teaching staff

ABSTRACT In educational organizations, the teaching staff has traditionally had a lot of influence on the content of their work and the pedagogy. Within the last two decades, changes in educational organizations can be defined as the shift from this administrative loose coupling toward tight, more managerial coupling. This study utilizes a qualitatively driven mixed-method approach and seeks to determine the potential connection between the loosely, tightly, or simultaneously coupled administrative style and the experience of professional agency of teaching staff in Finnish higher education institutions. The data was gathered through semi-structured thematic interviews and a quantitative survey from 21 informants. The findings revealed that all three administrative styles had both benefits and challenges for the interviewee’s experience of professional agency but with the emphasis on challenges from the tightly coupled features. The results highlight the potential connection with the expert organization’s administrative style and the organization’s most valuable asset: a motivated and committed staff.

Experiences and Challenges of Foreign Agricultural Workers in Finland

HighlightsBetter control of musculoskeletal workload remains a key factor in improving working conditions on Finnish farms.Orientation and training of workers should be carefully prepared with attention to content, method, and timing.Continued training is needed, especially for foremen and the increasing number of long-term foreign workers.Abstract. Foreign workers have become an important part of the workforce on horticulture and livestock farms in Finland. The aim of this study was to investigate the experiences of foreign workers regarding their working and living conditions. We conducted semi-structured theme interviews during two time periods: in 2008-2009 (n = 40 workers on eight farms) and again in 2018-2019 (n = 9 workers on four farms). We found variations in expectations and goals among workers when they take a job abroad. Compelling factors in the origin country included unemployment, low wages, and low standards of living, and enticing factors in the destination country included social relationships and expectations of better income. Personal networks had a strong role in the recruiting processes. Work on farms is physically demanding, and being a foreign worker affects social life in many ways, such as being separated from family and facing pressures from the home community to arrange jobs for others. New communication technologies have improved possibilities to stay in contact. Employers could contribute to better working and living conditions for foreign workers by improving work organization, ergonomics at work, orientation of new workers, and continued training of supervisors. Worker orientation and training should be carefully planned, taking into consideration the limited language skills, work competence requirements, and possibilities for career advancement of the workers. Keywords: Descriptive study, Foreign farm workers, Horticulture, Occupational safety.

Which factors are related to Finnish home care workers\u2019 job satisfaction, stress, psychological distress and perceived quality of care? - a mixed method study

BackgroundThe desire to increase the role of home care in Finland has created problems in home care work. Working conditions have deteriorated, the quality of care experienced is low, and staff members suffer from time pressure and stress, amongst other things. The aim of this article is to explore the challenges, stressors, teamwork and management factors that are associated with home care staff members’ well-being, job satisfaction and experienced care quality, and further, how staff members experience their work.MethodsA survey was sent to home care workers in two case organizations that participated in the study. In addition, semi-structured theme interviews with home care workers were conducted. The data from the survey was analysed using analysis of covariance, and interview data was analysed using the Grounded Theory-based method from Gioia et al.ResultsRespondents of the survey and the interview participants were mainly female practical nurses. The results from the survey showed, for example, that time pressure was associated with higher stress and psychological distress, and interruptions were associated with lower job satisfaction and higher stress. In addition, variables related to teamwork, such as participative safety, were shown to explain the variation in quality of care. The analysis of the interview data further brought up dissatisfaction with management practices, which seems to have led to a decrease in job satisfaction. Exhaustion and strain were present among staff members, which originated from an insufficient number of carers.ConclusionsCurrent working conditions and work practices in Finnish home care are experienced stressful. The results from this study indicate that having more autonomy at work was associated with job satisfaction, according to both analyses. Team climate and idea implementation were related to quality of care. Therefore, increasing self-organizing team practices might be a possible development method for improving working conditions and staff members’ well-being. Implementing self-organizing team practices could possibly also attract employees to work in home care and prevent turnover.

Preparedness for Mass Gatherings: Factors to Consider According to the Rescue Authorities.

Background: Mass gatherings cause a need for multi-authority preparedness in order to ensure the safety of the event participants and to minimize delays in response for emergencies. Rescue authorities are key players in the pre-planning phase; however, their own point of view regarding all aspects of preparedness for mass gatherings is not well known. The aim of this study was to investigate what factors, according to the rescue authorities, need to be considered when preparing for mass gatherings. Method: Semi-structured thematic interviews were carried out with the rescue authorities involved in the mass gathering planning process (n = 15). The transcribed material was analyzed using inductive content analysis. Results: Three main categories emerged from the interviews: (1) co-operation in the pre-planning phase, (2) factors to be noted in the emergency plan, and (3) actions during the event. These categories were divided into 11 generic categories, which were further divided into 42 sub-categories. Conclusion: Rescue authorities recognized various factors considering preparedness for mass gatherings. Knowledge considering the dispersion of operative workload during the event needs further investigation in order to facilitate the effective use of limited operative resources.

Clinical mentors' experiences of their intercultural communication competence in mentoring culturally and linguistically diverse nursing students: A qualitative study

BackgroundIntercultural communication has become increasingly important in nursing due to the cross-border mobility of patients, health professionals and students. Development of cultural competence continues to be a challenge, particularly among professionals such as educators or healthcare providers who work in professions requiring communication across cultural boundaries. Despite challenges in nursing education related to cultural diversity, competence in intercultural communication has been proven to empower students and to help them grow professionally. ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to describe clinical mentors' experiences of their intercultural communication competence in mentoring culturally and linguistically diverse nursing students during completion of their clinical practice. DesignQualitative study design. ParticipantsThe participants were 12 nurses who had previously mentored at least two culturally and linguistically diverse nursing students. MethodsData were collected during spring 2016 using semi-structured interviews of 12 mentors working in specialized nursing care at one hospital located in central Finland. Data were analyzed using deductive-inductive content analysis. The main concepts of the Integrated Model of Intercultural Communication Competence were used during the semi-structured theme interviews and during analysis. These concepts include empathy, motivation, global attitude, intercultural experience and interaction involvement. ResultsMentors stated that empathy motivates them in the development of intercultural communication. Mentors experienced a lack of resources and support from their superiors, which caused psychological and ethical strain and reduced mentors' motivation. Mentors openly admitted that they had experienced fear towards unknown cultures, but that this fear was reduced through positive mentoring experiences and cultural encounters. ConclusionsContinuous education on intercultural communication competence could succeed to further develop clinical mentors' mentoring expertise, which could have the potential to greatly benefit students, patients and staff. Such education could be designed, implemented and measured for its effect in collaboration between health care organizations and higher educational institutions.

The Role of Developmental Networks in Building a Managerial Career

The purpose of this study is to examine the role of developmental networks in a managerial career. We argue that the 21st-century managerial career is constructed in interaction with developmental networks. The people around one and the prevailing situation can either promote or restrict a person’s career. We search for answers to the questions of (1) what kinds of developmental networks exist and (2) how developmental networks affect managerial careers. We interviewed 16 managers, both male and female, in semistructured thematic interviews. We discovered six core narratives of developmental networks: enticers, recognizers, supporters, challengers, blockers, and demotivators. Our results highlight the importance of support and developmental networks in managerial careers.

Proizvodstvo etnichnosti: narrativy o svoey natsionalnoy kukhne u azerbaydzhantsev, armyan i gruzin

This paper is devoted to the analysis of one of the practices of reproducing ethnicity: conversations about national cuisine. Descriptions of national cuisines help articulate a person’s belonging to a certain ethnic group and serve to attribute various cultural characteristics to their “own” group and those of the “other” peoples. This article explores the ways Azerbaijanis, Armenians and Georgians living in St Petersburg think about their national cuisine. The focus of the study is on а comparison of these views as presented in semi-structured thematic interviews conducted by the author. Respondents who identify themselves with the same ethnic group from the South Caucasus generally think about their national cuisine in a way shared by the whole group, while the selection of main dishes differs significantly among the groups of different ethnic origin. It was observed that the general principles for organizing narratives about national cuisine were the same among the different ethnic groups. This includes the basic motifs, rhetorical turns, arguments and presuppositions (among them, ideas that there is a correspondence between ethnicity and eating practices, that national cuisine should be exclusive, family meals are national, etc.). At the same time, while ethnic food is a subject of national pride for Georgians and Azerbaijanis, Armenians do not seem to appreciate their cuisine in the same way.

Presence of financial information in local politicians’ speech

PurposeThe highest decision-making body in a municipality is the council, whose members are elected every fourth year. Therefore, local politicians are in the key position in using financial information in decision making. The purpose of this paper is to study Finnish local politicians’ use of financial information.Design/methodology/approachThis paper studies the speech of local politicians as they describe financial operations and financial position of the municipalities they represent. Here, the words of local politicians are considered an expression of their use of financial information. The use of financial information includes its impact on decision making. The focus is on the impact of different individual characteristics of financial information use in speech about financial operations and financial position. The paper employs qualitative empirical data collected through semi-structured thematic interviews with members of the Finnish local government. Data are analyzed with descriptive statistical methods.FindingsLocal politicians use financial information when they talk about financial operations and financial position of their municipality. Individual characteristics, such as political experience, affect the use of financial information. Experienced local politicians are familiar with financial information and use it more systematically than inexperienced politicians. Contrasted to expectations, financial expertise has a negative impact on financial information use. Moreover, in general, the ideology of politicians does not affect their use of financial information.Originality/valueThe paper sheds light on the value of individual characteristics of financial information use. It develops and tests hypotheses based on previous research on the impact of individual attributes of local politicians in the Finnish local government.

AI in talent acquisition: a review of AI-applications used in recruitment and selection

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore the current use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the recruitment and selection of candidates. More specifically, this research investigates the level, rate and potential adoption areas for AI-tools across the hiring process. Design/methodology/approach To fulfill that purpose, a two-step approach was adopted. First, the literature was extensively reviewed to identify potential AI-application areas supporting the recruitment and selection (R&S) process. Second, primary research was carried out in the form of semi-structured thematic interviews with different types of R&S specialists including HR managers, consultants and academics to evaluate how much of the AI-applications areas identified in the literature review are being used in practice. Findings This study presents a multitude of findings. First, it identifies 11 areas across the R&S Process where AI-applications can be applied. However, practitioners currently seem to rely mostly on three: chatbots, screening software and task automation tools. Second, most companies adopting these AI-tools tend to be larger, tech-focussed and/or innovative firms. Finally, despite the exponential rate of AI-adoption, companies have yet to reach an inflection point as they currently show reluctance to invest in that technology for R&S. Research limitations/implications Due to the qualitative and exploratory nature behind the research, this study displays a significant amount of subjectivity, and therefore, lacks generalisability. Despite this limitation, this study opens the door to many opportunities for academic research, both qualitative and quantitative. Originality/value This paper addresses the huge research gap surrounding AI in R&S, pertaining specifically to the scarcity and poor quality of the current academic literature. Furthermore, this research provides a comprehensive overview of the state of AI in R&S, which will be helpful for academics and practitioners looking to rapidly gain a holistic understanding of AI in R&S.

Customer centricity in mobile banking: a customer experience perspective

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to increase understanding about how to improve customer value and to make mobile banking services a profitable business for banks and other financial actors. The study explores the user experiences and related value of a new mobile banking service.Design/methodology/approachThe study is implemented as a case study that is phenomenological in nature and linked to an interpretive consumer study. Empirical data were collected through 14 semi-structured theme interviews and a diary method. The data were analysed by using a content analysis method.FindingsThe findings illustrate the importance of customer centricity in the mobile banking context by identifying customer experience and related value in a new mobile banking service. The study extends current understanding of customer experience as a complex and multifaceted phenomenon by including value related to process, the use situation and the outcome, and it identifies temporality as influencing and connecting all these aspects. The study identifies several aspects that help us to understand what creates value for the customer while using mobile banking services.Research limitations/implicationsAs one limitation, this study was conducted in a developed country and the findings could be different in an emerging market context. Another limitation relates to the data, as the interviewees’ age range is quite limited, ranging between 20 and 40 years. However, they represent the consumers who normally use mobile services well and thus provide reliable data about their use experiences.Practical implicationsAs the banking industry is currently experiencing rapid and widespread changes and customers become more demanding, it is crucial for banks and other mobile service providers to understand the everyday lives of their customers and to integrate their future services into the customers’ value creation processes as smoothly and inseparably as possible. The findings of this study will help banks and other financial institutions to develop their strategies and operations in regard to customer-oriented thinking, which will further help them to create long-term, profitable customer relationships and improve future viability.Originality/valueThe study contributes to bank marketing research and extends previous research on customer-centred service marketing by providing a framework that identifies the value related to customer experience in a new mobile banking service. It explores the experiences of actual mobile banking service customers’ and the related value, and thus provides original implications for both theory and practice.

Where does positive engagement come from? Employee perceptions of success at work in Nokia

Global business environment, characterised by rapid changes and uncertainty, brings new requirements to individuals and organisations to understand various factors behind the success; they are meaningful for companies' competitiveness and employee's engagement. This study concentrated on employees who have been selected in the High Potential and International Graduate Trainee programs in Nokia. First, research participants (N = 15) wrote empathy-based stories (EMBS), which was followed by semi-structured theme interviews (SSI) for selected employees (N = 6). Positive attitudes and engagement were prerequisites for success. Likewise, having the ability to lead own development and learning were seen essential. It is crucial for organisations to understand factors connected to positive work engagement and the role of positive emotions at work. This study strengthened the understanding that engaged employees perceive their work positively and are proactive and motivated to continuously look for new challenges.