Project Team Research Articles

Enhancing chronic care pathways with Health Lean Management: a case study in a Spanish hospital

PurposeFacing the burden of chronic diseases has become a priority for health-care systems’ economic and social sustainability. To this end, this paper aims to focus on adopting Health Lean Management (HLM), a widely used managerial approach, to improve the performance and quality of care provided in chronic care pathways. HLM addresses not only efficiency and timeliness issues but also care effectiveness and integration. Indeed, the lack of continuity and co-ordination of care constitutes a major challenge for chronic pathways. This research provides an innovative contribution, by extending the implementation of HLM to chronic pathways developed across hospital and territorial care. Indeed, HLM scope typically regards hospital units and departments; hence, analysing the interaction between different levels of care represents a novelty from an academic and practical perspective.Design/methodology/approachWith the aim of understanding how to extend the adoption of HLM towards the territory, an action research project has been developed. In particular, an improvement project focused on breast cancer care pathways has been launched in a Spanish hospital. The research investigates which HLM activities, tools and practices need to be accomplished in this kind of project, grasping insights into emerging wastes. To this end, the HLM project followed the Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve and Control (DMAIC) cycle, supporting the project team in effectively conducting a preliminary context analysis, qualitative and quantitative data collection, the current state analysis and the countermeasure proposals.FindingsThe analysis conducted on the breast cancer care pathway highlighted major criticalities in managing the diagnosis of new patients. In particular, waiting times to obtain diagnostic imaging and breast specialist consultations highly impacted the care pathway effectiveness and efficiency. Specific wastes that caused these delays have been investigated, leading to the definition of specific countermeasures that could minimise the inefficiencies: an 85% reduction of the staging process lead time was estimated.Originality/valueThe achieved results contribute to enhancing the quality of care delivered to breast cancer patients. This paper enriches the theoretical knowledge about HLM, extending its typical field of application; provides practical support to health-care providers, managers and leaders with a case demonstrating how to develop HLM projects adopting the DMAIC cycle; and finally, it has valuable social implications, addressing the global threat of chronic disease.

The influence of empowerment on collaboration and knowledge sharing and their influence on project success.

The purpose of this research is to evaluate the effects that empowerment has on the sharing of information and cooperation in an effective project management setting. The purpose of this study is to investigate the direct impacts of empowerment, which will be evaluated based on autonomy and responsibility, on efficiency of cooperation between members of a team, the sharing of information, and the accomplishment of the project. A total of 228 Pakistani project managers were surveyed via the use of questionnaires, and the results were analyzed through the use of SPSS 25.0 and SMART software PLS 4. The findings demonstrated that empowerment has a beneficial impact on the cooperation and information sharing that occurs between team member exchanges and other project teams, which in turn has a favorable influence on the success of the project. While the responsibility of collaborators reflects positively in cooperation and information sharing, the autonomy that is assigned to the exchanges that take place between members of the project team encourages the sharing of knowledge and facilitates the success of the project. Not only do these findings help to the enhancement of theoretical understanding about project management, but they also enhance the practice of project team management. There is an increase in the likelihood of the project being successful as a result of their guidance to project managers on the delegation of autonomy and responsibility to team member exchanges. The research makes a contribution to the cultivation of improved project management techniques and highlights the significance of leadership abilities in the accomplishment of successful project outcomes.

“It’s more than a ride” veteran perceptions of peer specialist qualities and activities that were most valuable for post-incarceration reentry: a qualitative analysis

BackgroundReentry veterans experience many barriers to achieving physical and psychological well-being. While peer specialists can provide important support to veterans as they readjust to life post-incarceration, their specific activities and qualities most valued by veterans are not well known. The Post-Incarceration Engagement (PIE) intervention, coordinated with VA’s Health Care for Reentry Veterans (HCRV) program, links reentry veterans with a peer specialist who provides connection to services and social-emotional support during the reentry process. We conducted a qualitative examination of veterans’ perceptions regarding the key qualities and activities of peer specialists that were most valued during their reentry process.MethodsWe interviewed 25 veterans engaged in PIE about their experiences working with a PIE peer specialist. We conducted a thematic analysis. Two project team members independently coded interviews and identified emergent themes that were refined with input from other members.ResultsVeterans found the peer specialist’s physical and emotional availability, shared lived experience, and connection to resources to be invaluable for successful reentry post-incarceration. Veterans emphasized how important it was that the peer was consistently available and provided social, emotional, and logistical support. Secondly, veterans found it valuable to work with another veteran familiar with the VA system and to be able to share lived experiences. It provided an instant connection with the peer specialist. Finally, the personalized connections to VA and community resources equipped the reentry veterans with the essential resources to ensure continued success post-incarceration.ConclusionReentry veterans identified several key qualities and activities of the peer specialist that were vital to their reentry success. Our results may be used to inform other interventions aimed at improving the lives of reentry veterans along with other reentry populations.

Structuring organization architecture: towards a better understanding of distributed projects as an interplay between coordination and agility

The distributed project architecture is based on the coordination process by structuring activities and virtual teams. This architecture approaches the agile organization through sensitivity and organizational sustainability via the Task-Technology fit to construct a virtual product development organization. The design structure matrix is used to model the commitment of teams’ projects under trust for assessing coordination and communication in virtual project teams. An illustrative example from the Huawei project is provided to verify the proposed model. Results indicate that common expertise drives two-way communication among teams, and trust and commitment are the main sources of increasing the window of overlap and so the communication frequency. Task-technology fit is critical to increase the communication among virtual teams to strengthen their coordination. They also demonstrate that organizational agility reflects an efficient approach to encounter the product development project challenges such as geographical dispersion, time zone and cultural differences, project quality and duration.

An Inventory of Leader Behaviours for Nurturing Team Flow in Research & Development Project Teams

An Inventory of Leader Behaviours for Nurturing Team Flow in Research & Development Project Teams

МЕТОД ФОРМУВАННЯ РАЦІОНАЛЬНИХ КОМАНД ПРОЄКТІВ ТВОРЧОЇ СФЕРИ В УМОВАХ НЕВИЗНАЧЕНОСТІ

The article is devoted to the theoretical and methodological aspects of developing a method for forming rational creative project teams under conditions of uncertainty by selecting candidates for the project team based on their riskiness. The relevance and necessity of this development is caused by the need to provide art project managers with effective tools for selecting candidates for the project team. An analysis of project team management models and methods, including the stage of candidate selection and team formation, has shown that the executors of these projects are creatively gifted individuals who have their own psychological aspects that differ from the psychology of rational people. This category requires a different approach. In addition, the creative sphere has its own specifics, which are reflected in the process of implementing art projects. All these factors cause additional risks that significantly reduce the percentage of successfully implemented art projects. Given the importance of art and the creative sector for the socio-economic development of a country, art project managers need models and methods to help them minimise the number of risks and/or their consequences and increase the success rate of projects. The development of this method is based on the concept that a manager should recognise and take into account that risks do not always occur in isolation. Rather, risks can be combined to create new risk situations, and/or one risk can cause or exacerbate the likelihood of occurrence or impact of another risk. This idea is reflected by the author in the conceptual model ‘Palette’, which was the impetus for the development of a mathematical model with an algorithm for calculating the degree of riskiness, taking into account the interconnectedness of risks through their sources of origin. The method of forming rational teams is based on the selection of candidates with the lowest riskiness indicators.

Project Manager's Soft Skills and Project Performance: A Case of Transforming Eastern Province Through Adaptation Project in Bugesera District, Rwanda

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of project manager’s soft skills on performance of Transforming Eastern Province Through Adaptation (TREPA) Project in Bugesera District, in Rwanda. The specific objectives of this study was to assess the effect of project manager’s conflict resolution skills on performance of TREPA Project in Bugesera District; To find out the effect of project manager’s motivation skills on performance of TREPA Project in Bugesera District; To determine the effect of project manager’s leadership skills on performance of TREPA Project in Bugesera District; and to examine the effect of project manager’s communication skills on performance of TREPA Project in Bugesera. The theories that guided this study were Theory of goal setting, Theory of communication, Theory of agency and Theory of decision. The study employed a descriptive and correlational research designs. Target population was 1753 participants including project managers, project team members and beneficiaries. The sample size was 326 respondents selected by using formula proposed by Yamane. Researchers used a random sample sampling to select participants from the entire population, followed by a stratified sampling strategy to divide them into manageable subsets. When collecting data, the researcher used questionnaire, documentary analysis, interview schedule and observation guide. The collected data was analyzed using mixed methods, descriptive statistics, correlational analysis and multiple linear regression analysis with the help of Statistical MS Excel. The data presented, analyzed and interpreted in line with research objectives. The predictors (conflict resolution skills, leadership skills, communication skills and motivation skills) and the performance of TREPA Project in Bugesera District are well correlated (R value of 0.819). There is a 0.341coefficient for conflict resolution skills (t=6.205, p=0.000), a 0.143 coefficient for leadership skills (t=2.641, p=0.009), a 0.182 coefficient for communication skills (t=3.420, p=0.001), and a 0.276 coefficient for motivation skills (t=5.316, p=0.000). This means that Transforming Eastern Province Through Adaptation Project iproves in direct correlation with the level of each of these factors. These coefficients have meaningful statistical significance and major roles in contributing to the performance of TREPA, since their p-values are considerably below the normal significance thresholds of 0.05. Based on these findings, it is recommended that Bugesera District invest in comprehensive training programs focused on developing project managers' conflict resolution and leadership skills. Furthermore, the implementation of regular communication workshops and motivational strategies would be highly beneficial for the TREPA Project.

Сравнение методов управления IT-проектами

With the rapid development of technologies and growing demands on software development, traditional project man-agement methodologies are increasingly giving way to agile and hybrid approaches. The article analyzes modern methods of IT project management and their impact on successful project implementation based on project character-istics, key requirements and team features. The strengths and weaknesses of traditional, agile and hybrid methodolo-gies and project types are considered. Much attention is paid to methodology limitations and their compensation by combining different methods and approaches. The study is relevant due to the widening gap between the ever-increasing requirements for software development and the limited resources and capabilities of development teams. In many situations, the reasons for this discrepancy are not the lack of professional skills of programmers or their low qualifications, but the insufficiently effective organization of work processes within teams. The paper analyses the factors influencing the choice of methodology and in recommendations for their optimal use for various types of projects.

The conflict of innovators and adaptors in the business processes of research and development in a company: the socio-physical approach to resolving contradictions

The article is devoted to studying a social conflict between two groups of employees of a company during the process of development and implementation of innovation – the innovators and the adaptors. The purpose of the study is to justify the opportunity and the potential effects of applying the new approach based on socio-physical analogies to model and manage the conflicts in research and development process in a company. The author suggests a methodology based on contemporary post-non-classical paradigm formed on the principles of global evolutionism, interdisciplinarity, openness and non-linearity; on socio-physical approach to assessing the conflict; on the historical method of studying social phenomena in time and determining the connection between the past, present and future; on criticaldialectical method of analyzing the contradictions between social groups as the source of transformation; on the systematic analysis of the conflict as a complex self-developing in time process and the systematic synthesis for resolving social contractions in the research and development process in a company. The author introduces a method for classifying employees into two groups depending on their attitude to new ideas, solutions and way of behavior in solving creative tasks – the innovators and the adaptors. It is believed that project teams in development and implementation of innovation should consist of employees of both types. However, working in one team with people of antagonistic views can cause conflict situations. It is justified that to model and manage such social conflicts it is possible to apply methods of socio-physics ensuring the representation of conflict as a change in behavioral reactions and aimed at ensuring the cohesion of group members and their depolarization. The significance of the study lies in providing the opportunity to analyze the contradictions of the participants’ interests in the process of their interaction in performing the tasks of development and implementation of innovation on the basis of socio-physical approach. The developed methodology takes into account the revealed peculiarities of the research and development process, complex intra-group and intergroup relations of the confl icting groups, allows working out the requirements to modelling the process of the conflict interaction and forecasting its development scenarios.

Devising a method for building an educational project team based on the analysis of competency matrix

The object of this study is the processes to form teams for educational projects. The issue addressed is the distribution of lecturers based on educational components, taking into account the complex set of functional requirements for the executors of specific educational projects. To successfully implement educational projects, it is proposed to build a reserve of personnel and form effective teams of performers who have the necessary competencies and experience in implementing international projects. A method for determining the individual competencies of executors of educational projects at institutions of higher education has been formalized. It is proposed to evaluate lecturers on the basis of their effectiveness in teaching educational components, which is measured by testing the level of assimilation of program results by students. As a result, a matrix of competences was constructed, containing the evaluations of performers, which helps the management of the institution to make decisions about the extension or termination of contracts with lecturers, as well as possible bonuses. A method for analyzing the matrix of competencies for the formation of an educational project team is to identify lecturers who have the necessary competencies to provide educational components. As a result of applying the method, a project team is formed, which is able to provide all the necessary competencies, taking into account the qualification requirements. The method helps determine the shortage of qualified personnel and the need for their development. The method was verified using an example of an educational project in Kazakhstan to form a team of lecturers that meets the qualification requirements of the educational program. The results show that even a minimum team of three people can provide all 16 competencies at an appropriate level, and the involvement of additional performers expands the possibilities of flexible distribution of responsibilities between them

Implications of Remote Working for Employees in the IT Services Sector: Experience of Polish Employees and Managers

Objective: Analysis of long-term implications of remote working for employees in the IT services sector from the perspective of Polish managers and employees. The aim of the research undertaken in this article is to identify various threats that result from the implementation of remote work in organisations. Research Design & Methods: The theoretical part presents the issue of remote working, taking into account the challenges of its implementation, at different levels and in different dimensions (organisational, managerial, social). The empirical part presents the findings of the research carried out on a group of employees in the IT services sector and on a group of managers responsible for recruitment and management of work within IT project teams. Findings: The findings show a number of negative consequences in terms of efficiency, effectiveness of task performance, trust building and, above all, exchange of knowledge and broadly understood learning among employees, which will lead to the worsening of problems with recruiting new IT staff in Poland in the long term. Implications / Recommendations: Remote work will generate many new problems in the IT services sector. Contribution: The article fills a gap in the literature regarding remote working in the IT services sector, which is the youngest, but at the same time the most rapidly developing sector in Poland, showing a tendency for further intensive growth.

The International Bathymetric Chart of the Arctic Ocean Version 5.0

Knowledge about seafloor depth, or bathymetry, is crucial for various marine activities, including scientific research, offshore industry, safety of navigation, and ocean exploration. Mapping the central Arctic Ocean is challenging due to the presence of perennial sea ice, which limits data collection to icebreakers, submarines, and drifting ice stations. The International Bathymetric Chart of the Arctic Ocean (IBCAO) was initiated in 1997 with the goal of updating the Arctic Ocean bathymetric portrayal. The project team has since released four versions, each improving resolution and accuracy. Here, we present IBCAO Version 5.0, which offers a resolution four times as high as Version 4.0, with 100 × 100 m grid cells compared to 200 × 200 m. Over 25% of the Arctic Ocean is now mapped with individual depth soundings, based on a criterion that considers water depth. Version 5.0 also represents significant advancements in data compilation and computing techniques. Despite these improvements, challenges such as sea-ice cover and political dynamics still hinder comprehensive mapping.

Development and alpha-testing of a patient decision aid for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia regarding dose reduction

BackgroundDose reduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) is an option for some chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients to minimize side effects while maintaining efficacy. Shared decision-making (SDM) and patient decision aids (PDAs) are advocated to make informed choices such as reducing the dose of TKIs. This paper describes the development and alpha-testing of a PDA for patients with CML receiving TKI dose reduction.MethodsThe PDA was iteratively developed following IPDAS guidelines. First, a needs assessment with semi-structured interviews was conducted to understand the needs and preferences of patients and healthcare providers. Second, through feedback cycles with the project team and steering group the scope, content, and format were defined. Third, three rounds of alpha-testing were performed via individual “think aloud” sessions with patients (round 1) and healthcare providers (round 2) to qualitatively assess the comprehensibility, acceptability, and desirability of the PDA. Round 3 included quantitative evaluation via an acceptability and usability questionnaire. Qualitative data were categorized, and quantitative data were descriptively analyzed.ResultsThe majority valued the development of the PDA during the needs assessment (n = 30). The PDA included disease and treatment information, information about dose reduction, knowledge questions, and a value clarification section. During alpha-testing, the PDA was considered clear, balanced, and helpful for decision-making. A total of 76% of the patients (n = 17) and 100% of the healthcare providers (n = 9) recommended it with overall mean scores of 7.4 and 7.8, respectively. The above average usability score was 68.1.ConclusionA well-accepted online PDA for chronic phase CML patients to consider TKI dose reduction was developed.

Individual and Team Work and its Effectiveness in Engineering Design Courses

This paper seeks to correlate project grades and students survey responses with the efficiency and effectiveness of collaborative efforts, providing insights into how enhanced team dynamics translates to improved project outcomes. Through this preliminary exploration, valuable insights are obtained regarding the nuanced landscape of teamwork in engineering education, shedding light on the intricate interplay between team dynamics, individual learning, and project success. This study represents the first results of an ongoing project.

Developing a National eLearning Clinical Induction Programme (EPICCNZ): Critical Factors for Successful Implementation

Recognition of under-provision in critical care beds across Aotearoa New Zealand resulted in substantial three-year government funding to increase bed numbers by 2024. This required significant staff recruitment and onboarding. To support this, a 15 month nurse-led project to develop a national eLearning induction programme for Critical Care was funded by Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora. A core project team of critical care nurses and learning designers based at Wellington Regional Hospital developed the programme. An extensive communication strategy was used to engage with critical care units nationally, consulting with cultural and equity experts and service users. 102 orientation documents from critical care areas across the country informed development of the modules. Six week sprint cycles (three weeks writing content, three weeks module build) were used to develop each module. Modules were designed using a multi-media approach and built using Articulate Rise 360© and Storyline©. Three national stakeholder events were held together with monthly e-drop in sessions for feedback on module content. The Elearning Programme (Induction) in Critical Care New Zealand (EPICCNZ) was launched on 22 April 2024. Nine modules were made available to staff through the three national Learning Management Systems. In the first month, there were 1193 module enrolments with positive feedback from module users. Key to the success of EPICCNZ was central funding for dedicated project resource, strong yet flexible project management and design, informed training software selection and motivated, supportive stakeholder engagement. ##Te Reo Māori Translation #Te whakawhanake kōkiri ā-motu ā-ipurangi mō ngā akoranga tuatahi mō te kaimahi hou (EPICCNZ): ētahi ritenga taketake mō te eke o te whakatinana ki te taumata Ngā Ariā Matua Nā te mārama kua kore e whakaritea te rahi e tika ana o ngā moenga tiakinga mate taumaha puta noa i Aotearoa, i hua ake ai ētahi pūtea kāwanatanga rahi hei whakapiki i te maha o aua moenga i te takanga o te tau 2024. I hiahiatia ētahi rapunga kaimahi, whakangungutanga kaimahi nui mō tēnei mahi. Hei tautoko i tēnei āhua, i whāngaia tētahi kōkiri whakangungu kaimahi hou ā-motu ā-ipurangi 15 marama te roa, ki ngā pūtea e tika ana e Te Whatu Ora. Nā tētahi tira tapuhi tiaki tūroro kōkiri mātāmua i Te Hōhipera ā-Rohe o Te Whanga-nui-a-Tara i hautū te kōkiri. I whakamahia tētahi rautaki whakawhiti kōrero hei whakapā atu ki ngā wāhanga taurima tautiaki mate taumaha puta noa i te motu, me te kōrero tahi ki ētahi mātanga ahurea, mātanga tautika hoki, me ētahi kaiwhakamahi ratonga. Nā ētahi tuhinga arataki kaimahi hou 102 mai i ētahi wāhi tautiaki mate taumaha puta noa i te motu i āwhina te tāreinga o ngā kōwae. I whakamahia ētahi hurihanga whakaterenga e ono wiki te roa (e toru ngā wiki ki te tuhi i ngā akoranga, e toru wiki ki te hanga i te kōwae) hei hanga i ia kōwae. I hoahoatia ngā kōwae mā te whakamahi ara rongorau, ā, i hangaia mā te whakamahi i Articulate Rise 360© me Storyline©. E toru ngā rā nunui mō ngā kaipupuru pānga ā-motu i whakatūria, me ētahi wātū peka mai ā-marama mō te tuku urupare mō ngā kai o ngā kōwae. I whakarewaina te Elearning Programme (Induction) in Critical Care New Zealand (EPICCNZ) i te 22 Āperira 2024. E iwa ngā kōwae i whakawāteatia ki ngā kaimahi mā ētahi Pūnaha Akoranga ā-Motu e toru. I te marama tuatahi, 1193 ngā tomokanga kōwae, me te hokinga mai o ngā kupu whakapai a ngā kaiwhakamahi kōwae. Ko tētahi take matua o te ekenga taumata o EPICCNZ ko te whāinga pūtea matua mō te rawa kaupapa takitahi, he whakahaere pakari, tāwariwari hoki, te kōwhiri pūmanawa whakangungu i runga i te mārama, me te tuituinga o ngā kaipupuru pānga kaha ki te tautoko. Ngā Kupu Matua Tiaki mate taumaha, akoranga tuatahi mō te whakangungu kaimahi hou, me te arataki kaimahi hou, te akoranga tuihono, te whakawhanake kāhui kaimahi, akoranga tapuhi

How to find the optimal time for contractor involvement in infrastructure projects?

PurposeThere is a general assumption that the early involvement of the contractor contributes to value in construction projects. While early contractor involvement (ECI) may improve the value, some studies identify challenges with ECI. This paper aims to identify the main parameters that can be used to determine the optimal time for contractor involvement and examine how these parameters can be used by clients to develop a systematic method for finding the optimal timing for involvement.Design/methodology/approachLiterature studies, interviews, workshops and focus-group meetings identified six main parameters essential for developing a method to determine the ideal timing for ECI.FindingsThe six identified parameters are activity, complexity, criticality, technical competencies, relational competencies and uncertainty. These parameters can be used to identify the gap between the available competency in the project team and the needed competency to perform an activity.Originality/valueAlthough clients have ways to identify the optimal time for contractor involvement, these ways are mainly subjective and based on in-house practice. By evaluating these six parameters, a more systematic and objective method for early involvement can be developed.

Extending the Calgary Audit and Feedback Framework into the virtual environment: a process evaluation and empiric evidence

BackgroundThe Calgary Audit and Feedback Framework (CAFF) is a pragmatic, evidence-based approach for the design and implementation of in-person social learning interventions using Audit and Group Feedback (AGF). This report describes extension of CAFF into the virtual environment as part of a multifaceted intervention bundle to reduce redundant daily laboratory testing in hospitals. We evaluate the process of extending CAFF in the virtual environment and share resulting evidence of participant engagement with planning for practice change.MethodsWe describe an innovative virtually facilitated AGF intervention based on the CAFF. The AGF intervention was part of an intervention bundle which included individual physician laboratory test utilization reports and educational tools to reduce redundant daily laboratory testing in hospitals. We used data from recorded and transcribed virtual AGF sessions, post AGF session surveys and detailed field notes maintained by project team members. We used simple descriptive statistics for quantitative data and analyzed qualitative data according to the elements of CAFF.ResultsEighty-three physicians participated over twelve virtual AGF sessions conducted across four tertiary care hospitals during the study period. We demonstrate that all prerequisite activities for CAFF (relationship building, question choice and data representation) were present in every virtual AGF session. Virtual facilitation was effective in supporting the transition of participants through different steps of CAFF in each session to lead to change talk and planning. All participants contributed to discussion during the AGF sessions. The post AGF session surveys were filled by 66% of participants (55/83), with over 90% of respondents reporting that the session helped them improve practice. 46% of participants (38/83) completed personal commitment to change forms at the end of the sessions.ConclusionsVirtual AGF sessions, developed and implemented with fidelity to the CAFF approach, successfully engaged physicians in a group learning environment that led to change planning. Further studies are needed to determine the generalizability of our findings and to add to the literature on evidence-based virtual facilitation techniques.

A Model of Two-Group Conflict in R&D Processes at the Enterprise

The purpose of the study is to substantiate the possibility and potential effects of using a new approach and class of models based on sociophysical analogies for modeling and managing conflicts in the business processes of research and development of an organization. A research methodology is proposed, based on the modern post-non-classical paradigm (synthetic picture of the world), formed on the principles of global evolutionism, interdisciplinarity, openness and nonlinearity; sociophysical approach for studying social conflicts and their modeling; historical method of study­ing social phenomena in time and determining the connection between past, present and future, critical-dialectical method of analyzing contradictions of social groups as a source of change, methods of system analysis of conflict as a complex process self-developing over time and system synthesis to resolve social contradictions in the process of development and implementation innovation of the organization. It is shown that employees of an organization can be divided into two groups depending on their attitude to new ideas, technologies and style of behavior when solving new creative problems — innovators and adapters. When developing and implementing innovations, project teams should include workers of both types. The presence of workers in the same team with antagonistic positions can lead to conflict situations. It is substantiated that for the modeling and management of such social conflicts, methods and models of sociophysics can be applied, providing a representation of the conflict as a change in behavioral reactions, and aimed at ensuring the cohesion of group members and their depolarization. The significance of the study is the ability to analyze the contradictions of interests of participants in the process of their interactions when implementing the tasks of developing and implementing innovations based on a sociophysical approach. The developed methodology takes into account the identified features of research and development processes, as well as complex intra-group and inter-group connections of conflicting groups, and allows us to develop requirements for modeling processes of conflict interaction and forecasting the options and nature of its development.

Future‐Making Power: A Study of Competing Imagined Futures in Healthcare

AbstractThis paper presents a conceptual model of strategies of power in future‐making, informed by a case study in the healthcare sector. In zooming out from investigating the future‐making activities of an organizational innovation project team and tracing competing imagined futures enacted by medical professionals and strategic management, this study explains how and why the project struggled to realize its mandate. In this case, we identify three strategies of power, namely mobilization, discipline and discretion, and discuss their potential controversies and combinations. Moreover, we contribute to theories on discretionary power, demonstrating how it is produced by combining interdiscursivity with management control and nondecision. Strategies of discretion are productive in the realm of future‐making, particularly in exploiting forces of discipline and mobilization to enable parallel imagined futures to be created and maintained over time. On the downside, this may keep competing imagined futures hostage, potentially serving non‐transparent agendas.

Guitars, Rocketry, and Robotics: Increasing Rural Student Attitudes Toward STEM Technical Education and Careers

ABSTRACT The goal of the Guitars, Robotics, and Rocketry Advanced Technological Education (GRRATE) project was to increase the number of rural STEM technicians in the form of self-efficacy building experiences with awareness of STEM technician career options available to them. The project team anticipated that an experience in STEM projects would create a sense of ownership, motivation and enhance self-esteem in students performing interdisciplinary tasks. We addressed this by offering Guitar Building, Rocketry and Robotics at three educational centers in the form of a 15-week project-based course. The centers are located in rural areas between 25 and 40 miles from the main campus at Santa Fe College. An S-STEM survey was administered to measure STEM attitudes, changes in attitudes, and efficacy in program participants. Semi-structured interviews were conducted regarding changes in attitudes/perceptions of STEM skills and interest in STEM-related careers. A parallel converged mixed-method provided evidence that students participating in the course experienced an increase in attitudes toward STEM competencies and STEM-related careers.