Strong Community Research Articles

THE ROLE OF THE COMMUNITY IN PROTECTING AND PROMOTING THE CULTURAL VALUES OF THE SAN DIU ETHNICITY OF SON DUONG DISTRICT TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF TUYEN QUANG PROVINCE

The role of the community in protecting and promoting cultural values has always been studied by managers and scientists. Identifying and properly assessing the role of the community in protecting and promoting ethnic minority values requires an objective and comprehensive view, based on sound scientific arguments. The traditional culture of the San Diu people is the glue that binds the members of the community, creating a strong and united community. However, the socio-economic development in the years of renovation and the process of industrialization and modernization has had a strong impact on the culture of the San Diu people. Cultural changes are taking place in many directions, affecting community life. The current problem with state management agencies and the community in managing, protecting and promoting cultural values of the San Diu people is how to make heritage values permanent and develop. value in contemporary life.

Psychographic segmentation of alcohol quitters in behaviour change maintenance mode: utilisation of the activity interest opinion (AIO) framework

Purpose This study aims to cluster psychographic activities, interests and opinions of alcohol quitters in behaviour change maintenance mode to form segmentation bases for social policy and alcohol policy formulation that sustain the behaviour change. Design/methodology/approach A two-step cluster analysis was used to segment a cross-sectional sample of n = 501 former alcohol consumers based on their activity interest and opinion (AIO) framework through a multiple-response survey design. Findings Five clusters were found across five AIO themes of “people socialised with”, “relationship interest”, “ingredients of a good relationship”, “party activities” and “outing dressing”. The clusters were honesty-based relationship seekers, spiritual- and intellectual-based relationship seekers, attention seekers in a healthy relationship, self-conscious seeking a healthy relationship, and sincere, spiritual and intellectual-based relationship seekers. Practical implications The findings present an opportunity for social policy design that encourages alcohol-free social space creation, strong family ties, community and spiritual growth and incentives for long-term relationships as means of sustaining alcohol quitters’ behaviour. Equally, alcohol policies that match the themes of the clusters can be designed to aid sobriety sustenance. Originality/value This study advances knowledge of behaviour change maintenance and provides lifestyle segments of alcohol quitters as bases for further social and alcohol policy design to sustain gains in behaviour change.

Cancer Epidemiology in Hispanic Populations: Needs and Opportunities.

This report provides a summary of the identified evidence gaps and a general discussion of the next steps to advance cancer epidemiology research in Hispanic/Latino (H/L) populations based partly on the workshop, "Cancer Epidemiology in Hispanic Populations," convened by the NCI in September 2021. The cancer burden among H/L populations varies greatly by nativity and country of origin, yet this variation is not often captured due to systemic challenges in how racial/ethnic data have been collected and often reported in aggregate for this heterogeneous population. Developing culturally relevant assessment tools, increasing the representation of H/L participants, and adopting appropriate methodologic approaches are critical to enhancing cancer research. There is a variety of current funding mechanisms that may be used to address these evidence gaps and priorities, including investigator-initiated mechanisms. Cancer epidemiologic research in H/L populations should leverage existing resources where possible. New and ongoing studies should collect information on nativity status, country of origin, and related measures, use culturally specific assessment tools, engage in collaborative science, and maintain strong community engagement to build studies that will meaningfully address the cancer burden experienced by the growing H/L population.

Mendekatkan Rumput Laut ke Masyarakat: Program Sosialisasi dan Pendidikan untuk Peningkatan Ekonomi Desa Ulidang, Majene

Ulidang Village, part of the Tameroddo Sub-district, has excellent potential in the fisheries and marine sector, although it still faces significant economic challenges. The potential of seaweed as a marine resource that has yet to be fully utilized is the focus of this activity. The main objective is to provide comprehensive counseling on the potential of seaweed, including cultivation methods, nutritional content, and business management aspects. This activity's implementation stage starts with planning, program implementation, and evaluation. The research results showed that socialization efforts, including explanations of seaweed potential, business management, and farming profit simulations, have provided the community with a deep understanding. The pretest and post-test evaluations illustrated the improvement in participants' understanding after the socialization activities. Thus, the development of seaweed farming in Ulidang Village can be a solution to improve community welfare, create jobs, and care for the marine environment. Strategic steps include strong partnerships, community empowerment, and adoption of innovations to ensure the sustainability of seaweed farming at the local and national levels.

Growing transnational partnership educational provision via a Learning Development strategy: possibilities and pitfalls

Educational provision within transnational partnerships arrangements has come under increased scrutiny in recent years. This lightning talk focused on the creation of a Professional Development Series (PDS) initiative in the transnational educational partnership work at London Metropolitan University designed to strengthen cooperative, dialogic practice and to embed a strong communities of practice approach (Wenger, 1998) within partnership work. The PDS programme ran in the autumn of 2023 with hourly sessions roughly twice a month. It sought to bring together partnership educators from all backgrounds (including frontline teaching educators, library staff educators and educators in quality and governance) and included education-focused sessions (‘Evaluating the quality of learning and teaching’ and ‘Supporting learners who are struggling with their studies’), research-focused sessions (‘Understanding research ethics’ and ‘Exploring quantitative research’), graduation-focused sessions (‘Embedding employability in HE curricula’), and a session dedicated to partnership work (‘Working successfully in partnerships’). Conroy’s lightning talk outlined the starting points and principles underlying the PDS before discussing how to design and run Learning Development initiatives in transnational education, including points around initial reconnaissance work, pragmatics, tone, and how to foster dialogue and interaction within session spaces. Attention then turned to evaluating what may amplify or diminish the success and impact of such programmes and finally raised discussion points intended to spur debate among conference delegates around the boundaries, parameters, and desirable points of emphasis for Learning Development initiatives in transnational educational provision.

Strategic Digital Marketing Innovations: The Role of Community Engagement in Lululemon’s Market Leadership

In the global sportswear market, Lululemon Athletica has emerged as an industry leader with its unique digital marketing strategy. This study explores how Lululemon has significantly increased brand awareness and customer engagement through an innovative digital strategy that combines search engine optimization (SEO) and search engine marketing (SEM) techniques. Lululemon actively utilizes social media platforms, such as Instagram, to create a strong brand community and enhance consumer loyalty and brand connection through marketing campaigns such as #TheSweatLife. This study analyzes how these strategies have helped Lululemon to gain a strong position in the market and effectively respond to challenges from competitors such as Nike and Adidas. The results show that digital marketing not only drives brand growth, but also creates sustainable customer relationships and improves competitiveness in the market. The findings of this paper provide important insights into the marketing strategies of other brands in the digital era, and despite the lack of comprehensive quantitative data support, Lululemon’s success provides lessons for exploring innovative market engagement models.

Coaching by doing: communities of practice at Swedish sport schools in XC skiing since the 1970s

Since the introduction of a national system for upper-secondary sport schools in Sweden in the 1970s, these institutions have been an important environment for developments in training and coaching. This is particularly true for cross-country skiing, where these schools quickly became an obligatory passage point. Coaches at the sport schools, often formally employed as PE teachers, were among the first professionalized endurance sport coaches in Sweden. This article examines how communities of practice have influenced the professionalization process of XC ski coaches at Swedish sport schools. The results show how being part of this community is conditioned on personal experience of active learning, historically as a skier yourself and currently as a coach who participates in the everyday work. The strong communities of practice have enabled coaches to maintain a high degree of self-­governance and ensured that experiential knowledge remain important in relation to scientific knowledge.

Loneliness in Baltic-Nordic Older Adults Amid COVID-19

Abstract Background The study investigates loneliness among older adults in the Baltic-Nordic region, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. It aims to understand how loneliness varies across cultural and socio-economic contexts in these areas, which is critical for developing public health strategies tailored to the specific needs of older populations. Methods We employed a comprehensive comparative analysis, leveraging data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) and the HL20 study from Iceland, focusing on individuals aged 67 and above. The study encompassed a diverse sample from Sweden, Denmark, Estonia, Lithuania, Finland, Latvia, and Iceland, totaling 5,313 participants. This research is part of a bilateral EEA FM2021/23 initiative to enhance methodological approaches to analyzing older populations by coding and standardizing variables for comparability across different countries. Results Significant regional differences in loneliness were observed. The Baltic regions reported a higher prevalence of loneliness compared to the Nordic countries, which displayed lower levels, attributed to strong social welfare systems and community engagement. Factors such as employment, marital status, and educational attainment varied across regions, affecting loneliness levels. Conclusions The findings highlight the importance of considering regional cultural and social contexts in public health interventions aimed at reducing loneliness among older adults. The study underscores the need for targeted strategies that address the unique social dynamics of the Baltic and Nordic regions. Innovative public health actions, such as community engagement programs and policy development, are recommended to alleviate loneliness in these populations. Key messages • Significant regional differences in loneliness in the Baltic-Nordic region underscore the need for tailored public health interventions. • Employment and social welfare are key factors in mitigating loneliness among older adults, highlighting the importance of socio-economic support systems.

The French experiential knowledge resource center: strengthening and extending its scope of action

Abstract Issue The national committee for experiential knowledge in health promotion (EKHP) aims to promote EKHP and improve professional practices. Since 2017, the committee has created methods and toolkits formalizing the capitalization of EKHP. The levers to put the method into practice are in place, now comes the time to find the best means to foster promotion and appropriation of EKHP works. Description of the problem The national EKHP resource center has been launched in May 2022, online: www.capitalisationsante.fr. It acts as a database where HP practitioners can read, download and upload EKHP capitalization works (∼12-page documents detailing one HP intervention each) and cross-analyses reports. It is driven by three main objectives: 1/ promoting and disseminating HP practitioners’ experiential knowledge, 2/ building a community of practice to improve capitalization practices and 3/ making a useful and transferable data available to practitioners. Results The now two-year-old website has been visited by 32 000+ individuals. More than 120 works, 12 cross-analyses are published. They were submitted by trained HP practitioners and reviewed by an editorial board before publication. The national EKHP resource center offers insight on how HP interventions work from practitioners themselves who share knowledge on their implementation. Compared to best-practices portals, it offers an innovative bottom-up approach to knowledge transfer. The community of practice (CoP) now supports a network of 200+ trained practitioners. This CoP aims to improve knowledge management and ensure the quality of the works produced. Surveys and feedback show that both building up and accessing EKHP meet a high level of interest. Lessons The innovative bottom-up approach and the focus on knowledge management can serve as a model for other settings/countries. In 2024, levers of appropriation will be investigated and collaboration with other HP resource centers will be better identified. Key messages • The now two-year-old national NEKHPRC enhances EK’s part in the HP field by making otherwise unknown data available to the French-speaking HP community. • Building of a strong community of practice ensures the high quality of the bottom-up approach to the uploading of the works.

Promoting ownership in local community health promotion interventions

Abstract Background A prerequisite for successful and sustainable implementation of local community health interventions is strong community ownership. Ownership is related to the level of perceived control of an intervention and its program components. Facilitation of community ownership involves engagement of the stakeholders within the community, e.g. in deciding what the problem is to whom and how to solve it. Much is known about methods to facilitate community engagement at a continuum between informing the community and community control. However, less is known about how different methods for community engagement work to foster and sustain ownership among local stakeholders. Aim To generate knowledge about how ownership is fostered or hindered among stakeholders across three different communities in a local community intervention with whole-of-community characteristics implemented to reduce overweight among children. The study also explores how synergies of ownership between various types of stakeholders at different organizational levels influence overall ownership and implementation of the intervention. Methods The study is designed as a multiple case study based on Robert K. Yin’s principles for case study evaluation. The study takes place in three different Danish Municipalities with different local contextual conditions. Various data sources are collected including sources of qualitative data comprising document analysis, observations, and interviews with key stakeholders. Preliminary results An influential contextual factor on local ownership is that implementation of the intervention and commitment to this in 10 years is a top-down decision at the policy level. Local stakeholders find the goals of the intervention meaningful to their day-to-day practices. However, they also experience a shortage of resources for participating and lack trust in higher management stakeholders to take shared leadership when the implementation phase ends. Key messages • Ownership is influenced by the degree of engagement. • Ownership is influence by the synergy of ownership between different stakeholders.

Opportunities and challenges in utilizing community assets to extend chronic care management in podoconiosis endemic areas: Evidence from Northwestern Ethiopia.

Community-based chronic care intervention is important in the control and prevention of lifelong conditions such as podoconiosis and similar 'intensive disease management' neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Despite a call for such interventions, few efforts have been made to identify opportunities and challenges related to their implementation. Employing a qualitative approach, this study explored the possibility of engaging community actors, physical places and networks to promote chronic care management in rural Ethiopia. We gathered data from affected individuals, community members, local leaders, health professionals and community health workers between April and May 2022. The study revealed that affected individuals, family members, religious leaders, traditional leaders, and health professionals have the potential to extend chronic care management in rural areas. Houses, churches, schools, and healthcare facilities are suitable venues at which to perform interventions. Strong community solidarity and political will are vital to chronic care interventions, while lack of understanding about chronic conditions, financial constraints, and limited resources at healthcare facilities could pose challenges. Using community assets has great promise for expanding chronic care management with minimal costs and efforts in under resourced areas. Achieving this will require a successful plan to coordinate the collaboration among the agents and settings.

A little less structuration, a little more action: Examining entrepreneurial agency in two marginal ecosystems

Entrepreneurs form and grow businesses in relation to the localised context around them (structure) and also through their own choices and actions (agency). In this way, structure and agency intersect in the lived experiences of entrepreneurs. The purpose of this work is to explore entrepreneurial agency in two ecosystems that, as structures, constrain entrepreneurship within them: Newcastle Upon Tyne (UK) and Perth (Australia). We add to extant analysis that empirically looks at the active agency entrepreneurs participate in, as they attempt to overcome the structural level constraints they encounter. Methodologically, we draw on phenomenological data, arriving at a highly detailed insight, drawing attention to the strong local entrepreneurial communities and distinctive cognitive mindsets that entrepreneurs in the ecosystems we study have agentically developed and cultivated. We suggest how future analysis of entrepreneurial agency may unfold and consider the implications of our insight from a policy implementation perspective.

The Impact of Deployment of National Police Reservists on the Overall Security Incidents in Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya

The use of police reservists has been recognized as a key strategy in enhancing security, especially in conflict-prone regions like Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya. Their unique advantage lies in their proximity to the local community, quick response capabilities, and familiarity with both the terrain and the people they serve. These traits, combined with their role in community policing, have proven vital in addressing resource-based conflicts and cattle rustling. Despite challenges such as limited personnel and the presence of firearms, reservists have significantly contributed to reducing violence and fostering better relations between law enforcement and local communities. The data used in this paper was part of a study that examined the relationship between the deployment of National Police Reservists and security incidents in Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya. Through a cross-sectional survey, data was collected from community members through a questionnaire (n = 362), interviews (the County Commander, Subcounty Commanders, Officer Commanding Police Stations and administrative Chiefs; n = 7) and FGDs (n = 7 police reservists). The Friedman Test was conducted to evaluate whether the deployment of NPRs led to reduction in the frequency of security incidents. Qualitative data, was analysed thematically. The study established that the deployment of National Police Reservists (NPRs) had a significant impact on crime reduction (χ²(4) = 11.800, p = .019). The community considered the police reservists as effective in maintaining peace and security, with residents reporting increased safety and expressing strong trust in their abilities. There was a high level of trust in the reservists' ability to protect the community. The potential challenges in the deployment of National Police Reservists include logistical constraints, inadequate communication infrastructure, limited training and resource shortages. The study recommends the continued deployment of NPRs while monitoring and evaluating their impact regularly. In addition, there is need to build on the strong community trust in NPRs by enhancing community engagement and communication. There is need to invest to increase resource allocation to the NPRs as well as address the logistical constraints faced by reservists.

Rajabhat University Concept for Local Development: Strategies, Implementation, and Community Impact

Background and Aims: The Rajabhat University concept for local development is critical because it tailors educational and research efforts to meet specific regional needs, promoting targeted growth and innovation. These universities benefit local communities in both the short and long term by incorporating community engagement and sustainable practices. The purpose of this paper is to investigate Rajabhat University's contribution to community development. Methodology: This paper conducts a comprehensive literature review to assess Rajabhat University's role in regional development, focusing on academic research and case studies to highlight effective strategies and outcomes. This methodological approach yields a thorough understanding of universities' impact and best practices for promoting local development. Results: The finding found that Rajabhat Universities contribute to local development by providing tailored educational programs, conducting targeted research, and forming strong community partnerships. Their comprehensive approach not only addresses immediate regional needs, but also encourages long-term economic, social, and cultural growth. By incorporating sustainable practices and adapting to emerging trends, these universities ensure that their initiatives have a long-term and significant impact on the communities they serve. Conclusion: The findings show that Rajabhat Universities effectively promote local development through tailored education, targeted research, and strong community collaboration. Their strategies not only address current regional needs, but also promote long-term economic, social, and cultural development, ensuring a long-term impact on the communities they serve.

Analisis Efektivitas Bantuan Langsung Tunai dalam Mencegah Angka Kemiskinan

This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of Direct Cash Assistance (BLT) in preventing poverty in the village of Sungai Jering. The background of this research problem is the high poverty rate, which is a major challenge for local governments in improving community welfare. The BLT program is expected to provide direct economic support to poor and vulnerable families. The theoretical concepts underlying this research include transparency, community participation, supervision, justice, and social security. The research method used is qualitative, allowing researchers to understand phenomena holistically and deeply. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, observations, and document analysis involving BLT beneficiaries and other related parties. The results of the study show that the BLT program in Sungai Jering has succeeded in increasing the purchasing power of the community and providing economic stability for recipient families. This success is marked by active community participation in the monitoring and implementation of the program, as well as high transparency in the distribution of assistance. However, to improve the program's effectiveness, support in the form of long-term sustainable economic empowerment programs is needed. In conclusion, BLT can be an effective tool in poverty alleviation strategies if implemented well, with high accountability and strong community involvement. With the right policies, this program is expected to become a model for other villages in managing social assistance effectively.

Systematic scoping review of ageing in place strategies in Japan, Singapore and Thailand: A comparative analysis.

Given the differing cultural contexts and service needs of older persons in the west and the east, programs or policies should be thoughtfully redesigned to accommodate these diverse societies. This paper presents a systematic scoping review of ageing in place (AIP) strategies in Japan, Singapore and Thailand, emphasising how they are tailored to address the unique challenges of ageing populations in Asia. A systematic literature search was conducted through seven databases. Empirical, peer-reviewed studies in English that discussed AIP-related programs or policies involving aged populations in the target countries were included. Themes were identified using the policy triangle framework, allowing for a comprehensive comparison of AIP across the countries. Three key components of AIP, place, support network and workforce, were identified from 44 included studies. Each country exhibits distinctive approaches to implementing these components. Japan has extensive AIP systems with comprehensive services and strong community and family support. Singapore offers innovative aged care with significant government involvement, though on a smaller scale. Thailand's localised initiatives focus on community health care and age-friendly city assessments, with a less developed AIP infrastructure. The study proposes a comprehensive framework for developing ageing policies in Asia, emphasising the need for a person-centred approach in developing AIP strategies that cater to the diverse needs of ageing populations, and underscores the importance of integrating health-care services, community support and home environment modifications. The three AIP elements advocate for a person-centred approach, providing valuable insights for policymakers to effectively manage challenges of rapidly ageing populations.

Social Support as a Catalyst for Environmental Awareness in Indonesia

General Background: Environmental awareness is crucial for communities to preserve ecosystems and prevent environmental degradation. Social support can play a significant role in fostering this awareness. Specific Background: In rural communities like Tutur village, Pasuruan regency, environmental awareness and social support are often interconnected. However, the extent to which social support influences environmental awareness remains underexplored. Knowledge Gap: While studies have examined environmental education and awareness, few have investigated the role of social support as a driving factor in increasing environmental responsibility in village settings. Aims: This study aims to examine the influence of social support on environmental awareness among the residents of Tutur village, focusing on the relationship between these variables using quantitative methods. Results: The findings from simple linear regression analysis reveal that social support has a significant effect on environmental awareness, indicating that residents with stronger social ties exhibit higher levels of concern and action toward environmental preservation. Novelty: This study offers a novel insight by quantitatively demonstrating the direct relationship between social support and environmental awareness in rural communities, highlighting social dynamics as a key factor in environmental education. Implications: The results suggest that enhancing social support networks through community-driven initiatives can significantly improve environmental consciousness and foster sustainable tourism development, particularly in rural areas like Tutur village. This study provides a basis for future research on integrating social support frameworks into environmental sustainability strategies, particularly in regions with strong communal ties. Highlights: Social support boosts environmental awareness in community residents. Strong community ties enhance responsibility for environmental preservation. Findings promote initiatives to improve environmental consciousness and tourism. Keywords: environmental awareness, social support, Tutur village, quantitative research, sustainability

Shadow Representation: Making Claims to Represent Better Than the Official Representative

ABSTRACT This article advances knowledge on the diverse ways contemporary political representation is being performed. It identifies a particular kind of claim-making, shadow representation, whereby an individual or group makes claims to represent better than the officially authorised spokesperson or group. Shadow representation is enacted outside or alongside authorised spaces of representation by diverse actors such as civil society groups, lobbyists, political challengers, and former incumbents. The article conceptualises shadow representation in broad terms, and then examines its enactment in the electoral realm. The empirical analysis centres on two Australian cases in which defeated electoral candidates continue to make representative claims post-election. In both instances the shadow representatives construct a neglected constituency, and make claims to rectify representative deficiencies in the elected official. Their claim-making occurs between elections, and draws legitimacy from their strong community and voter support – two features that set them apart from the traditional political challenger focused on ousting an incumbent in an election. The article reflects on the democratic implications of shadow representation in electoral democracy: it potentially boosts the public scrutiny and accountability of elected officials, but it can also be used to destabilise the legitimacy of electoral procedures and their outcomes.

Náš český Millet? Joža Uprka, lidové a české umění

In April 2022, the Albín Polášek Museum in Florida closed a large exhibition of paintings by Joža Uprka from the private collection of a collector living near Chicago. This exhibit was to be later shown at the Czech embassies in Washington and Paris. In the USA, the work of Joža Uprka is still popular, alongside expressions of folk culture, which take many forms. They range from collected items to observing folk traditions by the diaspora of many generations. The town of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for example, has always had a strong Czech community, and today it houses the National Czech and Slovak Museum, which regularly exhibits folk art and works of art closely associated with folk culture of the homeland. The diaspora has preserved a specific Czechness, Slovakness and even a Czechoslovak character of folk art, as seen in the practices of folk culture or captured in the paintings by artists such as Uprka. The text examines understanding of folk art as Czech and national, while I focus mainly on the territory outside of today’s Czech Republic. Why has the Czech and Slovak diaspora, even in large urban agglomerations, associated folk art so intimately with the nation and national art? Who has been promoting these associations? Have they been accepted universally, or were there any alternatives of national art?

Aerosol Components Derived from Global AERONET Measurements by GRASP: A New Value-Added Aerosol Component Global Dataset and Its Application

Abstract Aerosols affect Earth’s climate both directly and indirectly, which is the largest uncertainty in the assessment of radiative forcings affecting anthropogenic climate change. The standard Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) aerosol products have been widely used for more than 30 years. Currently, there is strong community interest in the possibility of determining aerosol composition directly from remote sensing observations. This work presents the results of applying such a recently developed approach by Li et al. to extended datasets of the directional sky radiances and spectral aerosol optical depth (AOD) measured by AERONET for the retrievals of aerosol components. First, the validation of aerosol optical properties retrieved by this component approach with AERONET standard products shows good agreement. Then, spatiotemporal variations of the obtained aerosol component concentration are characterized globally, especially the absorbing aerosol species (black carbon, brown carbon, and iron oxides) and scattering aerosol species (organic carbon, quartz, and inorganic salts). Finally, we compared the black carbon (BC) and dust column concentration retrievals to the Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications, version 2 (MERRA-2), products in several regions of interest (Amazon zone, Indo-China Peninsula, North India, southern Africa, sub-Sahel, Gobi Desert, Middle East, Sahara Desert, and Taklamakan Desert) for new insights on the quantitative assessment of MERRA-2 aerosol composition products (R = 0.60–0.85 for BC; R = 0.75–0.90 for dust). The new value-added and long-term aerosol composition product globally is available online (https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.25415239.v1), which provides important measurements for the improvement and optimization of aerosol modeling to enhance estimation of the aerosol radiative forcing.