Shared Commitment Research Articles

Collaborative dynamics and shared motivation: exploring tobacco control policy development in Zambia.

In Zambia, efforts to produce a tobacco control policy have stalled for over a decade, and the country is not yet close to developing one. Limited studies have explored the dynamics in this policy process and how they affect the attainment of policy goals and outcomes. This study explored how collaborative dynamics within tobacco control policy development shaped shared motivation among stakeholders in Zambia. The study used a qualitative case study design that adopted a collaborative governance lens, comprising an in-depth exploration of the tobacco control policy working group meetings and their internal collaborative dynamics. The integrative framework for collaborative governance, which identifies mutual trust, mutual understanding, internal legitimacy and shared commitment as key elements of shared motivation, was adapted for this study. Data were collected from 27 key informants and analysed using thematic analysis. Several collaborative dynamics thwarted mutual trust among tobacco control stakeholders, including concerns about associated loyalties, fear of a ban on tobacco production, silo-mentality and lack of comprehensive dialogue. All stakeholders agreed that the limited sharing of information on tobacco control and the lack of reliable local evidence on the tobacco burden hindered mutual understanding. Diverse factors hampered internal legitimacy, including sector representatives' lack of authority and the perceived lack of contextualization of the proposed policy content. Acknowledgement of the need for multisectoral action, lack of political will from other sectors and limited local allocation of funds to the process were some of the factors that shaped shared commitment. To accelerate the development of tobacco control policies in Zambia and elsewhere, policymakers must adopt strategies founded on shared motivation that deliberately create opportunities for open discourse and respectful interactions, promote a cultural shift towards collaborative information sharing and address unequal power relations to enable shaping of appropriate tobacco control actions in respective sectors.

Building Bridges

One of the major challenges faced in learning design is fostering effective collaboration between Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and learning designers (LDs) in the implementation of new pedagogies and learning technologies (Gottler, 2023). This area of Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) practice is still emerging in nature, with an acknowledged need for more examples of effective approaches (Pollard & Kumar, 2022; Tay et al., 2023). The importance of this collaboration is amplified by the fact that both SMEs and LDs share a key stakeholder—the learner. To ensure the learner benefits fully, both parties must work together seamlessly, drawing on their complementary skills to deliver a learning experience that is both meaningful and impactful (Pollard & Kumar, 2022). This presentation serves as a case study, showcasing the processes used by the Institution’s LD team to build positive collaboration with SMEs to integrate new pedagogies and learning technologies in the development of asynchronous mathematics modules. In particular, this project involved the integration of two learning design principles, Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and the Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning (CTML) (CAST, 2024; Mayer, 2024), that were foreign to the SMEs, and learning technology that had not been used previously at the Institution in the form of lightboard video recordings. In the initial stages of this project, the Institution’s LD team encountered many of the issues previously reported in literature regarding working with SMEs, such as ambiguity of roles and tasks, power struggles between SMEs and LDs, and SME resistance to the use of new education technology and pedagogies (Chen & Carliner, 2020; Tay et al., 2023). To overcome these issues and to ensure the success of the project, a new approach was developed that prioritised clarity, communication and the common goal of building an excellent learner experience. The new approach drew on research into the factors that facilitated or hindered the relationship between SMEs and LDs, and included the following core principles: Mutual respect: LDs worked to build an environment where the expertise and time commitments of both SMEs and LDs were acknowledged and valued (Tay et al., 2023). Shared commitment: Processes were introduced to ensure that project goals were well defined and that a shared vision for the learning modules was established to foster a strong investment in the project's success (Chen & Carliner, 2020). In particular, we placed the learner experience at the centre of decisions regarding module design, by setting the student as the core “stakeholder” in design workshops. Common language: Steps were taken to establish a common language between SMEs and LDs by defining terms and processes to facilitate clear communication (Gottler, 2023). Empowering expertise: Both SMEs and LDs were empowered to contribute their unique skills to the project and given autonomy to make decisions during the design and implementation process (Chen & Carliner, 2020). For example, we acknowledged the expertise of our SMEs in classroom teaching and chose to record teaching videos without a formal script, yet based on an agreed scope and examples. This presentation will expand on how these principles were enacted practically to foster a strong partnership between SMEs and LDs characterised by effective communication, positive relationships and a strong sense of ownership of the project. The presentation will conclude by illustrating how this collaborative approach ultimately led to the successful completion of the project within constraints such as competing priorities and firm deadlines.

Dynamics in District–University Partnerships Focused on Leadership for Equity

This paper discusses the development of district–university partnerships at the onset of a multi-year grant-funded initiative focused on leadership for equity. Using three illustrative partnership cases, we investigated district–university collaboration through the lens of mutualism, or the mutually beneficial nature of the relationship. Our data analysis revealed the following dynamics as important for the development of mutualism: shared commitment, shared ownership, new collaborative structures, reciprocal benefits, and boundary spanners. We approached partnerships as learning processes, and used a typology of interorganizational learning to understand better how these dynamics sustained the partnerships. Our study contributes to the field’s knowledge of the development of formal partnerships in general as well as of partnerships explicitly focused on equity specifically.

Collective vision-making practice: A long-run dynamic process model for geothermal market transitioning

Michael Porter’s work on competition highlights how firms can become stagnant or ‘stuck.’ This study extends that concept to markets or fields of institutional activity, examining what occurs when an entire market becomes 'stuck.' Focusing on the geothermal energy market, the research investigates achieving long-term collective action by cultivating a shared vision and mutual understanding among stakeholders with diverse interests. The study employs a longitudinal ethnographic approach, presenting a long-run dynamic process model of collective vision-making practice. This model consists of six first-order dimensions and twelve second-order interactive behavioural practice, illustrating how stakeholders can collaboratively construct and enfold a long-term collective vision. The findings demonstrate the institutional capacity to engage stakeholders and strategically consider whole market possibilities, enabling the creation of a broadly defined collective vision. The research advances a dynamic process model that emphasises sustained institutional interactional practice. The study’s implications are to motivate thought leaders and policymakers, prompting two strategic questions: First, “How can market actors collaborate to unlock value co-creation and shape the future of a ‘stuck’ market?” This involves engaging diverse stakeholder perspectives and exploring future market-making opportunities. Second, “How can all market actors pivot in harmony with a collective vision, fostering long-term shared understandings and commitments in pursuit of market-making efforts?”, This alignment is important for progressing from research and development to the successful implementation of pilot projects and the realisation of sustainable market opportunities.

Reframing covenant for nursing: From individual commitments to covenant with society.

Today's constrained healthcare environment can make it very difficult for nurses to provide compassionate, competent, and ethical care, and yet their continued commitment to care is viewed as requisite. Nurses' commitment to care of patients, enmeshed with professional identity, may be understood as heroic. A few nursing scholars have advanced the concept of a nurse-patient covenant to explain or inspire nurses' commitment to care. Covenant describes an enduring relationship characterised by mutual promises and generous responsiveness. However, recent critique has revealed a general misunderstanding and misuse of the term covenant in much of the nursing literature whereby individual nurses are improperly and impossibly idealised as holding sole responsibility in the commitment to care. Such an interpretation obscures society's responsibilities in caring for both patients and nurses and contributes to the idealisation of nurses' commitment to extend themselves to fill in healthcare system gaps. Yet, the concept of a covenant relationship, when reframed as occurring between society and the profession of nursing, may lead us toward solutions to the very problems the originally misused concept sustained. Evidence within healthcare systems globally suggests that nurses' commitments are fragile or fragmented under duress due to increasing pressure, demands, and even risks. A reframing of covenant has the common good for society and nursing at its core and, we argue, may lead to a more sustainable nursing identity. We present the results of an exploratory project, undertaken to examine the utility and suitability of covenant as a relational framework for nursing. We explore a reframing of a covenant of care as a relationship between nursing and society, which may provide a fruitful path toward a sustainable, shared commitment for healthcare. This covenant of care re-centres shared work-a joint responsibility between society and nursing-as necessary for the common good.

Cultural Responsiveness in Academic Physical Therapy: An Administrative Case Report.

This paper describes how the administrative leadership of 1 physical therapy department curated, implemented, and evaluated a culturally responsive administrative support strategy to foster a positive working environment. Participants' perceptions of culturally responsive practices were explored using climate survey data. This case occurred in the physical therapy and rehabilitation science department at an academic medical center in the United States. The department administers 5 educational programs, 3 faculty practices, a community clinic, and a robust research enterprise and employs over 100 employees. After a historic sociocultural event, administrators implemented a series of actions to understand the needs of department employees and to respond in a culturally responsive manner. Interventions included supportive activities, educational opportunities, and community-building events. The department administered an annual climate survey to assess the employees' perceptions of the working climate, perceived impacts of the culturally responsive interventions, and suggestions for improving department climate. Survey analysis included frequency statistics and thematic content analysis with sensitizing concepts from a culturally responsive practice framework previously applied in primary and secondary school settings. A total of 131 employees participated in the annual climate survey from 2020 to 2022. Employees' confidence to identify and address microaggressions in working environments showed trends of overall improvement, and overall self-reported experiences with racial discrimination decreased. Participants reported positive trends in addressing discrimination among colleagues but also reported addressing offensive behaviors perpetrated by patients. Findings suggest that culturally responsive interventions are associated with positive trends in employee climate. Interventions tailored to the audience and curated to deepen cultural knowledge, enhance self-awareness, and validate others fostered a shared commitment to cultural equity. Administrative leaders have a role in fostering an inclusive climate by capitalizing on culturally significant teachable moments with sound culturally responsive strategy, bidirectional culturally sensitive communication, individual development, and collective action.

Institutional Development of Village-Owned Enterprises in Managing Water Resources and Tourism Villages Through a Stakeholder Collaboration Approach

This study aims to analyze the development of Village-Owned Enterprises (VOE) in managing water resources and tourism villages through a stakeholder collaboration approach. VOE strategically optimizes local potential, including sustainable water resource management and tourism village development to boost the local economy. This research uses a qualitative method with a case study approach in villages with abundant tourism potential and water resources. We collected data through in-depth interviews with key stakeholders, such as village government officials, VOEs managers, and local community members involved in tourism village development. The results show that collaboration among stakeholders, involving the village government, VOEs, and the community, creates an effective synergy in managing water resources and developing tourism villages. VOEs serve as the main drivers coordinating various interests and resources, while active community participation is critical to maintaining the sustainability of the programs. Additionally, policy support from the village government and partnership patterns help overcome the technical and financial challenges VOEs face. This study concludes that a collaborative approach among stakeholders is an effective strategy for developing VOEs to manage water resources and tourism villages. Successful implementation requires a shared commitment, transparency, and good communication among all parties.

Matrilineal heritage and interpersonal relationship among the indigenous people of Kampung Pulo

Background: The cultural practice of inheritance through the female lineage, known as matrilineal relationship, is built on the belief in inheritance values that women are more appropriate to be heirs. However, belief alone is not enough to build a shared commitment to maintain the cultural relationship of the matrilineal system. Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the process of matrilineal cultural relations in the interpersonal relationships of the indigenous people of Kampung Pulo, Garut. Methods: It employed a phenomenological study with a qualitative approach. Data was collected through observation and interviews. The participants were selected purposively with a total of 10 informants consisting of the customary head, deputy customary head, and indigenous people of Kampung Pulo, the original descendants of Embah Dalem Arief Muhammad. Result: This study shows women in the indigenous people of Kampung Pulo play a crucial role in cultural inheritance, especially in preserving heirloom property. Some aspects of interpersonal relationships strengthen matrilineal relationships among the indigenous people of Kampung Pulo. Matrilineal cultural relationships are maintained because they are believed to have values, such as togetherness, harmony, mutual respect, nurturing, and cooperation. Conclusion: The family of the indigenous people of Kampung Pulo is more harmonious with the matrilineal cultural relationship system. The culture is preserved if the members can establish good interpersonal relationships. Implication: The study results are expected to contribute to the cultural preservation in Kampung Pulo, Garut. Besides, it might be worth referring to those who research the matrilineal system, either further research related to its relationship with interpersonal relationships or other fields.

The Opioid Epidemic and Faith-Based Responses in Southern Appalachia, USA: An Exploration of Factors for Successful Cross-Sector Collaboration.

This study aimed to identify factors for successful cross-sector collaboration with faith-based responses to the opioid epidemic in southern Appalachia. In-depth interviews were conducted with representatives from organizations responding to the opioid epidemic (N = 25) and persons who have experienced opioid dependency (N = 11). Stakeholders perceived that collaboration is hindered by stigma, poor communication, and conflicting medical and spiritual approaches to opioid dependency. Collaborations are facilitated by cultivating compassion and trust, sharing information along relational lines, and discerning shared commitments while respecting different approaches. The study concludes with theoretical and practical implications for both religious leaders and potential cross-sector collaborators.

Integration of primary care and palliative care services to improve equality and equity at the end-of-life: Findings from realist stakeholder workshops

Background: Inequalities in access to palliative and end of life care are longstanding. Integration of primary and palliative care has the potential to improve equity in the community. Evidence to inform integration is scarce as research that considers integration of primary care and palliative care services is rare. Aim: To address the questions: ‘how can inequalities in access to community palliative and end of life care be improved through the integration of primary and palliative care, and what are the benefits?’ Design: A theory-driven realist inquiry with two stakeholder workshops to explore how, when and why inequalities can be improved through integration. Realist analysis leading to explanatory context(c)-mechanism(m)-outcome(o) configurations(c) (CMOCs). Findings: A total of 27 participants attended online workshops (July and September 2022): patient and public members (n = 6), commissioners (n = 2), primary care (n = 5) and specialist palliative care professionals (n = 14). Most were White British (n = 22), other ethnicities were Asian (n = 3), Black African (n = 1) and British mixed race (n = 1). Power imbalances and racism hinder people from ethnic minority backgrounds accessing current services. Shared commitment to addressing these across palliative care and primary care is required in integrated partnerships. Partnership functioning depends on trusted relationships and effective communication, enabled by co-location and record sharing. Positive patient experiences provide affirmation for the multi-disciplinary team, grow confidence and drive improvements. Conclusions: Integration to address inequalities needs recognition of current barriers. Integration grounded in trust, faith and confidence can lead to a cycle of positive patient, carer and professional experience. Prioritising inequalities as whole system concern is required for future service delivery and research.

Peningkatan Kesadaran Nilai Bhinneka Tunggal Ika untuk Mencegah Rasisme yang Terjadi di Indonesia

“Bhinneka Tunggal Ika” is the official motto of Indonesia, meaning “Different but still one.” It emphasizes unity in diversity, highlighting the importance of unity amidst Indonesia’s ethnic, religious, racial and cultural diversity. Efforts such as multicultural education, social campaigns, and public policies will be highlighted as strategic measures to address the problem of racism in Indonesia. The method used in this research is a quantitative approach with data collection techniques through distributing Google Form links through each member’s social media account. This research aims to increase the awareness of the Indonesian people of the values of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika as the foundation of the unity of diversity in Indonesia, so that behaviors that can affect the emergence of racism can be avoided. The results of this study found that some people are aware of racist behavior that still occurs around them, while others are not. It is hoped that this research can be a useful guide for efforts to prevent and overcome racism in Indonesia, as well as strengthen a shared commitment to creating an inclusive, tolerant and respectful society.

Distinction within the ‘global north’? A Bourdieusian approach for analysing development discourse: The case of U.S. and E.U. relations with the Colombian state (2016–2022): A comparative analysis

The paper conducts a comparative analysis of EU (91 texts) and US (93 texts) discourses concerning post-peace accord Colombia (late 2016 to mid-2022). Employing a Bourdieu-influenced methodology, our proposal aims to reconcile Post-Development theories with International Relations research. This innovative and multidimensional approach illuminates both discursive continuities within Global North while concurrently providing a framework that allows to identify and interpret internal political divergences. Our findings highlight a shared commitment to a liberal conception of peacebuilding, alongside internal distinction strategies employed to legitimize respective policies towards Colombia.

Interaction Effect of Management Communication and Workplace Formalization on Shared Goals and Commitment of Employees During Post-Merger and Acquisition Integration

This research analyzes the effect of management communication on shared goals and organizational commitment of employees during post-merger and acquisition integration. In addition, we examine whether a work policy in terms of formalization could moderate the effect of management communication on shared goals of employees. Survey data were collected from 209 employees at a company in the power and energy sector in Thailand which was acquired by another company. We implemented multisource data collection to prevent common method variance issues in cross-sectional surveys. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was then used to analyze the data. Based on the findings, we discovered supporting evidence confirming the positive association between management communication and shared goals. Shared goals also mediate the effect of management communication on organizational commitment. Moreover, moderating effect analysis showed that the degree to which management communication affects shared goals is stronger among employees in the work units that have high levels of formalization than those in work units that have low levels of formalization. In essence, our study provides new evidence showing that workplace formalization could be the factor that intensifies the degree to which management communication encourages employees to develop shared goals. Our research also provides some implications for human capital development and policy recommendations during organizational change.

Unveiling The Nexus: Exploring the Impact of Behavioral Finance on Green Finance Initiatives

This research paper delves into the dynamic landscape of global climate finance during the fiscal years of 2021/2022, examining the collaborative efforts of public and private actors in addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change. The equitable distribution of financial resources reflects a shared commitment to transformative action, with a focus on critical sectors such as energy, transport, and buildings and infrastructure. Both sectors emphasize the transition to renewable energy, sustainable transportation, and climate-resilient urban development. Public finance plays a pivotal role by directing support to relatively underserved sectors, including Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land Use (AFOLU), water and wastewater management, and industry. This targeted intervention ensures inclusivity in climate action and contributes to broader sustainable development goals. The financial commitments not only reduce carbon footprints but also foster innovation, job creation, and economic resilience. The collaborative model of climate finance observed during this period sets a precedent for future endeavors, emphasizing a holistic and inclusive approach. The research suggests potential avenues for future studies, such as assessing the long-term impact of climate finance, evaluating evolving patterns in public-private collaboration, and exploring the integration of climate finance within global policy frameworks. Ultimately, this research contributes to the ongoing discourse on climate resilience, offering insights into the interconnectedness of financial commitments, sustainable development, and the global fight against climate change.

Can Leadership Improve Interorganizational Collaboration? Field-Experimental Evidence From a Team-Based Leadership Training Intervention

The delivery of coherent public services often depends on collaboration across organizations and organizational units, which is challenging and necessitates effective leadership. This article advances our knowledge about the value of leadership training for interorganizational collaboration. In a field experiment, 122 public healthcare managers from 68 organizational units were randomly assigned to a treatment or a control group. The treatment included a 10-month interorganizational team-based leadership training program, which focuses on establishing and sustaining shared direction, alignment, and commitment across organizational boundaries. The results from our analytic approach—including survey responses from the participating managers and more than 3,000 of their subordinates (frontline managers and employees) and 32 interviews before and after training—show that training has positive effects on relational coordination, structural coordination mechanisms, and overall collaborative quality as assessed by the participating managers and their frontline managers. We do not find significant effects among the frontline employees. We discuss our findings in relation to the literature on leadership training, nuances to existing theory, and implications for practice.

Exploring tourism trends: a comparative analysis between global trends and higher education programs in Colombia

Background Following the signing of the “Final Agreement for the Termination of the Conflict” in Colombia, an unprecedented boost for tourism is observed, promoting rural development and environmental protection. In the academic realm, Colombian universities offer tourism training programs to develop professionals with skills in management, sustainability, and technology. Methods Information is gathered from the Scopus database on tourism trends and from the National Information System for Higher Education (SNIES) on academic programs in tourism in Colombia until 2022. Geographical maps are employed to visualize the global scope of publications in Scopus and the locations of programs in Colombia. Text mining is used on Scopus abstracts and profiles of Colombian programs, generating word density graphs, frequency tables, and word clustering graphs. Results 707 articles from Scopus originating from 86 countries are selected, and 46 profiles of Colombian universities with tourism programs in 19 regions are compiled. Maps and tables demonstrate the geographical location of article density globally and of universities in Colombia. Word clouds, frequency tables, and dendrograms are generated using the abstracts and profiles. Conclusions Text mining analysis reveals similarities and differences between research and education in tourism in Colombia. There is convergence in management and development, reflecting aligned interests in both datasets. Words like ethics and sustainability indicate a shared commitment to a responsible perspective in the sector. Scopus emphasizes research, while Colombian universities prioritize practical training, especially in tourism management. This difference raises questions about the impact on graduates’ preparedness and their contribution to tourism development in Colombia. The geographical location of programs in Colombia shows a clear connection between academia and the tourism sector, facilitating synergies and continuous improvements.

Pengaruh Green Marketing terhadap Green Buying Behavior Melalui Environmental Knowledge: Studi pada Unilever Indonesia

In resolving the issues looked by the world and the sustainability of life, including climate change, a shared commitment has been formulated in the form of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). One of the companies in Indonesia contributing to the SDGs is Unilever. Unilever has been focused on launching the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan (USLP) since 2010. The reason for this study is to decide the impact of Green Promotion on Green Purchasing Behavior through Ecological Information on Unilever products in Indonesia. Eco-Labeling, Green Advertising, and Green Branding are the three dimensions used in Ali's previous research (2021) to describe environmentally friendly marketing strategies. Eco-Marking is an external confirmation carried out by an organization, taking actions to preserve the climate, and is also included in the eco-label category. Environmental-friendly promotion intends to urge shoppers to utilize harmless to the ecosystem items fully intent on working on ecological security. In the concept of the green marketing, labeling becomes the core of the advertising system in the contemporary business world. This exploration employs a quantitative strategy through various tests, such as legitimacy tests, dependency tests, model fairness tests, speculation tests with intervention factors, and descriptive tests. Based on the results of the mediation analysis, the environmental knowledge variable doesn't intercede the connection between the eco-labeling variable and green buying behavior. The environmental knowledge variable completely intercede the connection between the green advertising variable and green buying behavior. The environmental knowledge variable completely intercede the connection between the green branding variable and green buying behavior.

Pengembangan Kapasitas Kelembagaan Pemerintah Daerah Dalam Meningkatkan Kualitas Pelayanan Perizinan Terpadu Tahun 2022 (Studi Pada Dinas Penanaman Modal Dan Pelayanan Terpadu Satu Pintu Kab. Sumbawa)

Institutional capacity development plays an important role in various aspects of existence, one of which is in the realm of government institutions. Capacity building is very important to increase the efficiency and efficacy of officers in carrying out their responsibilities as civil servants. In addition, government policy regulations and deregulation have the potential to hamper the operational performance of organizations in providing their public services. Capacity Development is an activity carried out to develop various strategies to increase the usefulness, effectiveness, quality of services and responsiveness to government performance, as well as increasing individual capabilities and resources to achieve the desired goals and responses, namely how to synchronize needs and abilities for this purpose. The aim of this research is to analyze what factors influence the development of institutional capacity at the Sumbawa Regency Investment and One-Stop Integrated Services Service in improving the quality of licensing services. This research uses a qualitative descriptive method which describes a situation, an object or an event without drawing a general conclusion. Data collection techniques through observation, interviews and documentation. The research results show that there are 2 factors that influence the development of institutional capacity at DPMPTSP Kab. Sumbawa, namely first, supporting factors. First, supporting factors in developing institutional capacity in DPMPTSP Sumbawa Regency are Leadership and Shared Commitment. Second, the inhibiting factors in developing institutional capacity in the Sumbawa Regency DPMPTSP are Budget Capacity and inconsistent regulations.

Engaging stakeholders to level up COPD care in LMICs: lessons learned from the “Breathe Well” programme in Brazil, China, Georgia, and North Macedonia

BackgroundEffective stakeholder engagement in health research is increasingly being recognised and promoted as an important pathway to closing the gap between knowledge production and its use in health systems. However, little is known about its process and impacts, particularly in low-and middle-income countries. This opinion piece draws on the stakeholder engagement experiences from a global health research programme on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) led by clinician researchers in Brazil, China, Georgia and North Macedonia, and presents the process, outcomes and lessons learned.Main bodyEach country team was supported with an overarching engagement protocol and mentored to develop a tailored plan. Patient involvement in research was previously limited in all countries, requiring intensive efforts through personal communication, meetings, advisory groups and social media. Accredited training programmes were effective incentives for participation from healthcare providers; and aligning research findings with competing policy priorities enabled interest and dialogue with decision-makers. The COVID-19 pandemic severely limited possibilities for planned engagement, although remote methods were used where possible. Planned and persistent engagement contributed to shared knowledge and commitment to change, including raised patient and public awareness about COPD, improved skills and practice of healthcare providers, increased interest and support from clinical leaders, and dialogue for integrating COPD services into national policy and practice.ConclusionStakeholder engagement enabled relevant local actors to produce and utilise knowledge for small wins such as improving day-to-day practice and for long-term goals of equitable access to COPD care. For it to be successful and sustained, stakeholder engagement needs to be valued and integrated throughout the research and knowledge generation process, complete with dedicated resources, contextualised and flexible planning, and commitment.

Romanian Surgery between Tradition and Innovation: The Priorities of the 2024-2028 Mandate at the Romanian Society of Surgery.

img src="/images/viorel_scripcariu.jpg" alt="Viorel Scripcariu" style="float: right;max-width: 30%;"/ Assuming the leadership of the Romanian Society of Surgery for the next four years is for me a moment of deep significance and responsibility. With a tradition of almost 130 years, this organization is at the foundation of the Romanian surgeon community, and my role is to continue this legacy and open new paths for the future of Romanian surgery. I would like to share the priorities I have set for this mandate, given our shared commitment to promote excellence in surgical practice and to respond to contemporary challenges. An essential aspect of my mandate is to respect the rich tradition and history of Romanian surgery. The Romanian Society of Surgery was founded at the end of the 19th century in Bucharest, with the surgeon Constantin Severeanu at its head. At the meeting on January 27, 1899, the society constituted its first board, with Thoma Ionescu as president, together with other founding members such as Dr. Leonte, Dr. Racoviceanu-Pitesti, Dr. Duma and Dr. Staicovici. Over the years, numerous meetings were organized at the Institute of Topographic Anatomy in Bucharest, where clinical cases, new surgical methods and lectures by medical personalities from abroad were presented. Over the years, the society has continued to promote international collaboration, organizing congresses and inviting renowned surgeons from abroad to lecture and perform innovative surgery in Romania. This rich history and respect for traditional values are fundamental to preserving and enhancing the standards of excellence we have inherited. We will continue our efforts to honor our mentors and their achievements, ensuring that their legacy will continue to inspire and guide new generations of Romanian surgeons. [ a href="https://revistachirurgia.ro/pdfs/2024-4-357.pdf" read more /a ].