Terms Of Active Participation Research Articles

The meaning and practice of inclusion AMIDST gender diversity on boards of public sector organizations in Uganda

Purpose- Despite progress in achieving gender diversity on corporate boards, there is a growing recognition that mere representation of women does not guarantee their inclusion in terms of active participation and influencing board decisions. This research paper aimed at generating a substantive grounded theory that gives the meaning of inclusion in the boardroom and what should be the ideal practice of inclusion on boards of public sector organizations in Uganda Methodology- A qualitative study was carried out applying a constructivist grounded theory approach. This approach acknowledges the researchers' introspection and involves interpretation of data. A purposive sampling method and snowball technique were used to obtain a sample of 16 female directors serving on boards of public sector organizations in Uganda. Semi-structured interviews were used to obtain data. The collection of data and analysis were done concurrently using the coding method to analyze data and to enable a thematic analysis of the themes that define inclusion and the ideal practice of inclusion within boards. Findings- Findings indicate that inclusion means diversity, gender sensitivity, equal opportunity, exploiting potential, and adopting a board charter. On the other hand, the developed ideal practice of inclusion model had some themes similar to the meaning of inclusion. The themes included; Gender Sensitivity, Diverse competencies, Necessary skills, Inclusive behavior, Exploiting potential, and board charter. Conclusion- The original value of this paper lies in its exploration of the complementary relationship between gender diversity and inclusion on boards. Highlighting the importance of inclusion efforts to reap the benefits of gender diversity on boards. Additionally, by applying the constructivist grounded theory approach this paper provides practical guidance for organizations that strive to achieve gender diversity and inclusion on boards Keywords: Female directors, board of directors, ınclusion, gender diversity, public sector organizations. JEL Codes: J16, G34, M14

Experiences of Active Everyday Life Among Persons with Prodromal Alzheimer's Disease: A Qualitative Study.

IntroductionIdentifying strategies to prevent or delay cognitive decline among the rising numbers of elderly is acknowledged as a global public health priority. Research suggests that an active lifestyle in terms of participation in activities has the potential to reduce the risk of later-life cognitive decline. The concept of “active everyday life”, however, needs to be further explored.AimThe study aimed to explore and describe the active everyday lives of persons with prodromal Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in terms of quality of participation in activities and perceived restrictions.MethodsThis qualitative study was part of a larger project, the MIND-ADMINI trial. Nine in-depth interviews were conducted with seven participants (2 males, 5 females; mean age of 72.3) at baseline before the intervention. The data were collected from January to October 2018 and analyzed using the grounded theory approach.ResultsFour categories emerged from the analysis: (i) active body and mind; (ii) doing desired meaningful activities to feel engaged, contented, and satisfied; (iii) doing in the context of being connected to others; (iv) ability in making decisions and taking actions. From these categories, which presented the key elements of an active everyday life, a core category was identified: Living a complete life in flow.ConclusionThe findings suggest key elements of participation quality that contribute to an active life. The identified elements are important to be considered in rehabilitation to provide opportunities and possibilities for participation to enable and improve the quality of participation among persons with cognitive impairments.

Patients' and GPs' duties and responsibilities in long-term care after myocardial infarction: a qualitative study of patients' perspectives.

Cardiovascular disease is one of the main causes of death in Europe and around the world. Effective and individualized long-term treatment of patients with chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and myocardial infarction reduces mortality and the risk of recurrence and prevents secondary disease. However, there is little data on patients' views. To examine patients' perspectives on long-term care after myocardial infarction. A qualitative interview study with patients after myocardial infarction in Berlin and Brandenburg, Germany. Fifteen episodic interviews were conducted, transcribed, coded, and analyzed using framework analysis. Participants consistently emphasized major functions fulfilled by general practitioners: monitoring, advice, diagnosis, referral, coordination. Furthermore, other functions such as empathy and feeling emotionally valued. Major patient roles emerged such as information sharing, lifestyle change, and coping. Responsibility toward doctors was expressed in terms of active participation in describing their symptoms, following the doctor's directions, and sharing in decision-making. Self-responsibility in participants showed 2 contrasting approaches. On the one hand, a passive attitude (acceptance, helplessness), and on the other, active resistance and taking action. The study underlines the importance of communication and awareness of the patient's perspective. General practitioners must address patients' aims and fears, encourage their initiative, and focus on empathy and education.

INTERGENERATIONAL JUSTICE AS INTERGENERATIONAL INCLUSION: new challenges for welfare systems

The principle of intergenerational justice is much more common in the environmental sector, but it is becoming less unusual to consider it in a social and political context. The last economic crisis has significantly increased inequality among and across generations. In several EU countries, the number of NEETs raised dramatically after the recession. Moving from the Italian case, the paper focuses on the policies recently implemented to tackle the problem. Evidence shows that solutions exclusively focused on the labour market are not sufficient to activate a full social inclusion. Hence, the authors suggest considering intergenerational justice as intergenerational inclusion and in terms of active participation and empowerment in people’s local communities. The analysis takes into account theoretical issues and practical implications of such a viewpoint, referring in particular to welfare systems and their effectiveness in facing this kind of challenge.

Implementation of an interactive organ donation education program for Dutch lower-educated students: a process evaluation

BackgroundAs organ donation registration rates remain low, especially among lower-educated people, it is important to support this group in making their registration decision. To prepare lower-educated students in the Netherlands for making a well-informed decision, an interactive educational program was developed. We aim to understand both the (quality of) implementation as well as to contextualize the effects of this program in a lower-educated school setting.MethodsThe process evaluation was part of a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial, in which 11 schools for Intermediate Vocational Education throughout the Netherlands participated. Teachers who taught a course on Citizenship delivered three intervention elements (i.e. video fragments and discussion, quizzes with tailored feedback and an exercise filling out a registration form) to their students. Implementation was assessed by interviews with teachers, questionnaires from students, logbooks from teachers and user data from Google Analytics.ResultsThe program was well received and implemented, but on-the-spot adaptations were made by teachers to fit their students better. Within the lower-educated target group, differences between students are high in terms of active participation, reading abilities, knowledge and attention span. The program fit well within their regular teaching activities, but the topic of organ donation is not always prioritized by teachers.ConclusionsWe see opportunities to disseminate the program on a larger scale and reach a group that has been neglected in organ donation education before. Within the program, there are possibilities to increase the effectiveness of the program, such as alternative delivery methods for the elements with a lot of text, the addition of booster sessions and guidelines for teachers to adapt the program to students of different levels within Intermediate Vocational Education. Moreover, in order to have an impact on a national level, strategies need to be employed to reach high numbers of students and, therefore, support on a higher level is needed (both within schools and at policy level).Trial registrationDutch Trial Register, NTR6771. Prospectively registered on 24 October 2017.

Students’ Perception towards Literature Integration in the English Language Departments at Duhok and Zakho Universities

This study investigates the students’ perceptions towards literature integration in language learning in the English Language Departments (henceforth ELD) at Duhok and Zakho universities. Knowledge about students’ perceptions will influence their interest and language learning development. Literature is an important part of the syllabus at most ELDs in the Kurdish universities. Although studies have shown the importance of the learners’ perception, no studies have examined the students’ perceptions towards their literature modules in the ELDs at the Kurdish universities. The study is based on the responses of 268 undergraduate students to a questionnaire consisting of close-ended, multiple choices (quantitative data) and open-ended questions (qualitative data). The quantitative data is analyzed using the statistical analysis software (SPSS) and the qualitative using thematic analysis. The majority of the students have positive perceptions towards literature integration in their study program. They show that it contributes to the their language development in general and their vocabulary, speaking and reading skills in particular and novel is selected as the most beneficial literary genre for language development. Additionally, literature contributes to develop the learners’ cultural awareness in general and helps to identify the similarities and differences between the English culture and the learners’ own culture. The study also shows the contribution of literature to the learners’ personal growth in terms of active participation in class activities, increasing their critical thinking and analytical skills and helps them to understand theirs and other people’s experiences. The students are satisfied with the selected literary texts and topics and to some extent with the teaching methods which are mostly teacher led, but they suggest more students’ involvement. However, students face some difficulties, mostly language difficulty, that need to be taken into consideration. Thus, it is recommended that literature should be kept in the ELDs curriculum and teachers and administrators should make students aware of the value of the literature, understand the students needs and work to overcome the problems they encounter in literature study. Generally, knowing the students’ perceptions towards literature classes will be helpful for the researchers, educational policy makers and the language teachers to determine English language learners’ genuine needs, motivation or challenges and issues in relation to the use of literary texts as teaching materials and to develop a suitable teaching approach to use the literary texts.

Faktor-Faktor yang Mempengaruhi Collaborative Governance dalam Penanganan Pekerja Migran Bermasalah di Kota Tanjungpinang

Tanjungpinang is one of the areas that became the entry point for the shelter and repatriation of Deprived Migrant Workers (PMB) deported from Malaysia. The high number of PMBs deported from Malaysia through Tanjungpinang City, made the Tanjungpinang City Government overwhelmed in overcoming these problems. Therefore, to overcome this, the Tanjungpinang City Government collaborated and coordinated with various stakeholders to be able to resolve the situation. This study aims to analyze what factors influence collaborative governance by regional governments in handling PMB in Tanjungpinang. The method used is a qualitative method with a descriptive approach, data collection techniques using interview techniques, observation and documentation relating to handling PMB. Meanwhile data processing uses reduction techniques. The results of the study found that the factors that influence collaborative governance in handling PMB in Tanjungpinang City can be seen from the factors of social, cultural and government interests. From the analysis of these three factors, the factors of social and cultural structure do not significantly influence the course of collaboration. However, the government interest factor is a factor that causes the failure of a collaboration, including in terms of active participation from stakeholders in decision making.

Children in Disaster Risk Reduction in Portugal: Policies, Education, and (Non) Participation

International agencies and scientific research have been calling for the inclusion of children in disaster preparedness and risk reduction, to hear their voices in order to address their specific needs and vulnerabilities and harness their capabilities in terms of building community resilience. This article assesses the roles ascribed to children in policy and education for disaster risk reduction in Portugal. The approach is based on a scoping methodology that encompasses document analysis and interviews with national and local stakeholders and policymakers in the disaster risk reduction field. The research is carried out within the scope of a European funded project, CUIDAR Cultures of Disaster Resilience among Children and Young People. More specifically, the article provides an overview of the discourses on the roles ascribed to children in urban disaster risk reduction (DRR). The authors maintain that although children are often taken as a target group in urban disaster prevention and management, they are seldom considered in terms of active participation in disaster risk reduction programs in the Portuguese context. Nevertheless, our analysis shows that there is a growing awareness of the relevance of active participation by children in order to create successful DRR.

Measuring Activity and Participation Outcomes for Children and Youth with Acquired Brain Injury: An Occupational Therapy Perspective

Introduction: Intervention outcomes for children and youth with acquired brain injuries should be measured in terms of participation in activities. The aim of this study was to explore the occupational therapy outcome measures used with this group. Method: One cycle of an action research study, which focused specifically on occupational therapists, is reported. Ten occupational therapists working with children and youth with acquired brain injuries collated the outcome measures they used and mapped their frequently used measures onto the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health — Children and Youth, using established linking rules. Findings: Forty-two outcome measures and assessments were identified. Of these, 19 were used frequently and 15 were used as outcome measures. All activity and participation domains were represented, with learning and applying knowledge, mobility, communication and self-care (except looking after one's health) particularly well covered. Conclusion: Occupational therapists are using measures that reflect the domains of activity and participation, unlike those previously identified which were linked predominantly to body functions. The importance of occupational therapists working in rehabilitation teams is reiterated in that some of the domains that are not covered by occupational therapists impact on participation, for example, pain.

The Level of Student Engagement and Search for its Predictors: An Exploratory Study of MBA Students

The main objectives of the study on which this paper is based are to explore the status and the predictors of student engagement, a topic not so far studied in India. The term student engagement stands for cognitive, affective and behavioural involvement of students in educationally purposeful activities. Studies conducted outside India have shown that level of student engagement is a useful “proxy” for determining the effectiveness of learning. The sample for the study was drawn from a management institute located in the National Capital Region (NCR) and consisted of 171 second-year students of the two-year MBA programme. The results of the study show that the students are most engaged in terms of active participation in the learning process, only moderately engaged in terms of dedication and vigour, and least engaged in terms of commitment to the institution where they are pursuing their studies. Search for the “drivers” of engagement revealed that both situational factors and personality traits are the critical predictors of student engagement. Neither demographic factors nor family background was found to influence student engagement.

Staff training for business process improvement

PurposeThe paper aims to explore staff's experience with role‐plays using the example of training bank employees in Six Sigma as a major methodology for business process improvement.Design/methodology/approachThe research is based on a case study. A role‐play, KreditSim, is used to simulate a loan approval process that has to be improved by the participants. KreditSim has been conducted many times with various groups in both academic and professional environments. The authors used five role‐play sessions to conduct a survey among the participants and questioned seven facilitators experienced in KreditSim to generate empirical evidence for the effectiveness of such role‐plays.FindingsRole‐play based simulations complement training programs in terms of active participation and first‐hand experience. Not only methodological learning is achieved but social and communicative as well as affective learning are supported, too. The employed role‐play highlights the relevance and applicability of the Six Sigma methodology to staff's day‐to‐day responsibilities. Besides boosting awareness for process thinking, the role‐play also helps to engage staff members in process improvement efforts.Research limitations/implicationsA limitation to the results might be the small number of facilitators that supervised the role‐play sessions so far. Thus, results may not be representative in a statistical sense. Moreover, the design of KreditSim could be modified in different ways for future seminars. Using software to automate certain activities is one possible modification. Ongoing research investigates in how far such modifications influence the effectiveness and the participant's perception of the role‐play.Practical implicationsThe present study reveals that role‐plays can be effectively used for staff training. The results show that staff are strongly receptive to role‐plays in the context of business process improvement. Furthermore, several objectives such as methodological or social learning can be pursued and combined by this type of training instrument.Originality/valueThis article contributes to existing research in analyzing the effectiveness of role‐plays in a workplace setting. The paper is based on a number of professional role‐play sessions within the financial services sector. The survey comprises multiple dimensions of learning and supports that staff appreciate the usage of role‐play based simulation in a workplace environment.

Effect of oriental medicine music therapy on idiopathic chronic fatigue: A case study

IntroductionChronic fatigue is a “persistent and recurrent fatigue” that lowers an individual's quality of life. The cause and treatment of idiopathic chronic fatigue (ICF) have not been clearly established. Oriental medicine music therapy (OMMT), which is one of the alternative therapies applied to many chronic diseases, is distinct from conventional music therapies in terms of active participation and being originated from the theory of traditional oriental medicine. Many studies have shown that patients with chronic fatigue are related to hypocortisolism. Based on salivary cortisol concentration, a validated fatigue severity scale (FSS) and visual analog scale (VAS) of overall fatigue, we identified a patient who recovered from ICF with the aid of OMMT. Materials and methodsAn outpatient with ICF was treated with OMMT for 40min (1 session) 3 times a week. The treatment included listening to selected music and playing a musical instrument under the direction of an oriental music therapist. Twelve sessions of treatment were conducted, with salivary cortisol concentration measured before each session. The FSS and VAS were checked each week. ResultsAfter treatment with OMMT, the values of the FSS and VAS were significantly decreased. In contrast, the salivary cortisol concentration increased, which generally could indicate a recovery from chronic fatigue. ConclusionsThis case suggests that OMMT may be an alternative treatment for ICF.

Utilizing Wiki-Systems in higher education classes: a chance for universal access?

Wikis are a website technology for mass collaborative authoring. Today, wikis are increasingly used for educational purposes. Basically, the most important asset of wikis is free and easy access for end users: everybody can contribute, comment and edit—following the principles of Universal access. Consequently, wikis are ideally suited for collaborative learning and a number of studies reported a great success of wikis in terms of active participation, collaboration, and a rapidly growing content. However, the wikis success in education was often linked either to direct incentives or even pressure. This paper strongly argues that this contradicts the original intentions of wikis and, furthermore, weakens the psycho-pedagogical impact. A study is presented which focuses on investigating the success of wikis in higher education, when students are neither enforced to contribute nor directly rewarded similar to the principles of Wikipedia. Amazingly, the results show that, in total, none of the N = 287 students created new articles or edited existing ones during a whole semester. It is concluded that the use of Wiki-Systems in educational settings is much more complicated, and it needs more time to develop a kind of “give-and-take” generation.