Threat Analysis Research Articles

OPTIMAL CENTRAL BANK DIGITAL CURRENCY DESIGN FOR EMERGING ECONOMIES

The growth of digitalisation presents the possibility for Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) to emerge as a secure and efficient payment method. However, despite the benefits, CBDC implementation needs to be adapted to the capabilities and needs of each country. This study uses meta-strength, weakness, opportunity, and threat (meta-SWOT) analysis to assess the internal strengths and weaknesses, as well as the external opportunities and threats, to determine the most optimal CBDC design for emerging economies. In analysing internal aspects, CBDC allows for an efficient payment system, followed by a more effective monetary policy. Furthermore, the technology creates the possibility to boost financial inclusion and trace many illicit activities. However, to achieve that, high investment costs and privacy issues must be accommodated, followed by technological risks such as the digital divide and electrical outages. Turning to external aspects, growing technology, the network effect, enthusiasm for CBDC, and the impracticality of cash usage have become catalysts for CBDC development. Despite these opportunities, central banks should be wary of the threat of cyberattacks, quickening bank disintermediation, legal issues within their respective countries, and competition with private crypto companies. Altogether, the most optimal CBDC design in emerging economies is retail and wholesale coverage, interest-bearing (wholesale) and noninterest-bearing (retail) remuneration, account-based and token-based paymentsystems, a traceable degree of anonymity, hybrid architecture, a Decentralised Ledger Technology (DLT) ledger system, and domestic and cross-border scope. These results are supported by rigorous examination of global CBDC research and development.

An assessment of agroforestry as a climate‐smart practice: Evidences from farmers of northwestern region of Bangladesh

AbstractAgroforestry systems have grown significantly in popularity in Bangladesh during recent years due to their favorable effects on the environment and human health. These systems are essential for supporting sustainable agriculture because they increase diversity, improve food security, and provide revenue. This study's main objective is to show how agroforestry is a widely used ecological and climate‐resilient practice in Bangladesh. The research explores investment analysis, adoption‐influencing factors, and a strength, weakness, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis of agroforestry practices. A total of 340 respondents were chosen for this extensive study using a multistage random selection technique. The results showed a discrepancy in practice, with farmers exhibiting a high degree of awareness but limited application. Financial analysis employing metrics such as benefit‐cost ratio, net present value, and internal rate of return favored agroforestry, indicating its economic viability and potential benefits for adopters. Additionally, the adoption of agroforestry was found to be significantly influenced by a binary logistic regression model that highlighted several important features, including larger farm sizes, younger age groups, greater education levels, training experiences, frequent extension visits, and enhanced market access. The study also identified barriers to adoption, such as a lack of trained labor, poor technical assistance, and education. This thorough analysis clarifies the opportunities and constraints for agroforestry implementation in Bangladesh. It suggests broad adoption by means of focused training initiatives that empower farmers, provide observable advantages, and promote nationwide acceptance.

Global astrotourism initiatives and the applicability of their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to astrotourism in South African National Parks

South African National Parks (SANParks) must generate operational income through innovative resource development. Astrotourism was identified as a potentially suitable income-generating activity. Various astrotourism initiatives are operational globally. However, their applicability within the South African context is unknown. The research evaluated successful global astrotourism initiatives to determine how these examples can be applicable to SANParks. Sixty-two global astrotourism initiatives were evaluated and 42 in-depth stakeholder interviews were conducted. Thematical data analysis was followed by a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis. The research makes a meaningful contribution by highlighting important concepts for consideration in support of viable astrotourism development in SANParks. Elements requiring consideration to provide tourists with quality experiences include appropriate locations for astrotourism activities, mitigation of light pollution, climate, seasonality, need for community engagement, well-trained presenters, carefully planned programmes and development of suitable management policies to protect dark skies, allowing for variation within each park's unique situation.

Advancements in Intelligent Video Surveillance for Public Safety: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract: Intelligent video surveillance systems have emerged as invaluable tools for ensuring public safety in a variety of settings, from essential infrastructure to urban environments. These systems, which are driven by state-of-the-art technology like computer vision, machine learning, and artificial intelligence, provide unmatched real-time threat detection, analysis, and response capabilities. This study provides an in-depth analysis of the most recent developments in intelligent video surveillance for public safety, covering key technology, useful uses, enduring difficulties, and potential directions. This paper aims to provide a thorough knowledge of the significant implications and emerging opportunities of intelligent video surveillance in protecting public places from potential dangers through an examination of recent research insights and industry advancements. This article seeks to offer a guide for researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and stakeholders navigating the ever-changing field of intelligent video surveillance for public safety by exploring the evolving trends, emerging technologies, and practical applications.

The Evaluation of Sustainable Development Projects in Marginal Areas: An A’WOT Approach

The increasing urbanization trend, projected to reach 70% of the global population residing in cities by 2050, underscores the pivotal role of cities in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (UN, 2015) and combating climate change. Nonetheless, the 2023 report by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN Habitat) reveals an alarming gap in achieving SDG 11 “Sustainable cities and communities” by 2030. This gap highlights the urgent need for transformative shifts in urban policies and investments to prevent cities from becoming centers of global disparities, including socio-economic inequalities, digital divide, and spatial fragmentation, particularly in marginal areas. Marginal areas suffer indeed from conditions of sub-optimality in planning capacity, valuable decision-making, and project implementation. The inadequate planning, management, and governance of marginal areas, coupled with suboptimal investments, can severely compromise their socioeconomic condition. Planning efforts frequently fall short in achieving long-term sustainability goals due to localized and short-sighted decision-making processes, particularly evident in marginal areas. It is crucial, though, to support their public administrations in the achievement of the SDG 11 targets and in their responsive participation in the calls for the allocation of public funding. In this paper, we provide a theoretical and methodological approach to evaluate urban regeneration projects in marginal areas. In detail, we develop an A’WOT approach, which combines a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis to the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), to rank alternative urban development projects.

Unlocking sustainable resource management: A comprehensive SWOT and thematic analysis of FinTech with a focus on mineral management

The mining sector faces growing demands for sustainable and responsible mineral management practices in light of the changing global economy and growing environmental concerns. This sector plays a role in economic growth in both developed and developing nations, which in turn contributes to the nation's overall social and economic well-being. The goal of sustainable mineral management is to achieve a balance between the need to reduce harmful effects on ecosystems and communities and the economic benefits of mineral resources. The integration of Financial Technology (FinTech) into organizations' workflow has gained attention in the field of sustainability and environmental protection. In order to acquire the requisite knowledge for informing strategic planning, decision-making processes, and strategy development, a comprehensive review of pertinent literature is imperative. This study aims to address this issue by conducting a thematic analysis of the literature in the context of sustainability and Fintech. Following that, an in-depth Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis of FinTech in sustainable mineral management is deployed. The study investigates FinTech's integration into sustainable mineral management to advance responsible resource extraction practices and sheds light on effective FinTech utilization while highlighting implementation challenges.

Tool or Tyrant: Guiding and Guarding Generative Artificial Intelligence Use in Nursing Education.

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to evolve rapidly, its integration into nursing education is inevitable. This article presents a narrative exploring the implementation of generative AI in nursing education and offers a guide for its strategic use. The exploration begins with an examination of the broader societal impact and uses of artificial intelligence, recognizing its pervasive presence and the potential it holds. Thematic analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats collected from nurse educators across the southeastern United States in this case-based descriptive study used four codes: time, innovation, critical thinking, and routine tasks. Findings from the qualitative analysis revealed the overarching themes that AI can serve as both a tool and a tyrant, offering opportunities for efficiency and innovation while posing challenges of transparency, ethical use, and AI literacy. By establishing ethical guidelines, fostering AI literacy, and promoting responsible implementation in nursing education with a clear articulation of expectations, nurse educators can guide and guard the use of generative AI. Despite the concerns, the transformative potential of generative AI to enhance teaching methodologies and prepare students for the interprofessional health-care workforce provides a multitude of innovative opportunities for teaching and learning.

Cyber Threat Analysis (CTA) in Current Conflicts

Cyber Threat Analysis (CTA) in current conflicts focuses on identifying, monitoring, and assessing potential cyber threats. The main objective is to understand how the parties to the conflict use information and network technologies to conduct warfare, espionage, disinformation, or attacks on digital infrastructure. This analysis includes the identification of actors involved in conflicts and their targets in cyberspace, as well as the analysis of techniques and tools used in cyber activities. The aim of the article is to identify the role of cyber threat analysis in the context of two current conflicts - the war in Ukraine and the Hamas attack on Israel. The article describes the essence of cyber threat analysis. The research problem focuses on identifying and understanding the role of cyber threat analysis in these conflicts and their potential consequences for international security and regional stability. Through the analysis of reports, online sources, and scientific literature, the article aims to familiarize readers with the role of cyber threat analysis in the context of these conflicts and to propose possible strategies for cyber risk management in the face of contemporary armed conflicts. The results of the analysis of cyber threats (CTA) in current conflicts include the identification of specific actors operating in cyberspace, their modus operandi, their objectives, and the techniques and tools used. In addition, the analysis can reveal existing vulnerabilities in digital security and areas that are particularly vulnerable to attacks. To sum up, it is necessary to create recommendations and directions for changes regarding the strengthening of digital security measures, such as software updates, implementation of network security, and increasing staff awareness of cyber threats. In addition, the CTA may suggest the need for better international cooperation to combat cyber threats and the need to develop strategies to prevent and respond to cyber-attacks.

Cybersecurity Challenges in Indonesia: Threat and Responses Analysis

Abstract The purpose of this research is to know the cyberthreat faced by Indonesian society and understand how the government responds towards this threat. This study employs two types of data. The first came from the literature for building the theoretical linkage, and the second came from an online survey of 328 respondents about cyberthreats that they experience, as well as the respondents’ perception regarding the government’s response. The results were then analyzed systematically along with the literature review analysis. The results show that 64 percent of Indonesian respondents have modest knowledge in terms of cyberthreats and regulations made for it. There are three main arguments for this condition. First, low level of knowledge in cyberthreat within the society. Second, Indonesian people unprepared to face the cyberthreat surrounding their daily life. Third, an inadequate Indonesian government response to prevent and tackle the cyberthreat.

Race(ism), Power, Intimidation, & Domestic Terrorism: A Critical Content Analysis of HBCU Bomb Threats on Social Media

ABSTRACT Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) were founded with the principal mission to educate Black people during an era when they were barred from most postsecondary opportunities. Today, these institutions play a vital role in the higher education landscape and help to insure the long-term viability of the U.S. economy. This research explored public discourse regarding HBCU bomb threats during 2022 and how public comments reflected on issues of race(ism), power, intimidation and domestic terrorism as a continuation of historical violence against Black Americans. The authors employed critical content analysis techniques and Critical Race Theory, while examining social media posts from X (formerly known as Twitter) as an innovative data source regarding public dialogue. The findings discuss two overarching themes within public discourse about these campus safety threats—(1) racism and White supremacy; and (2) political (in)action. These findings provide insights concerning perceptions of historical and contemporary racial oppression and terrorism experienced by Black individuals. The findings also highlight discourse concerning the ways in which racism and White supremacy were perpetuated by national political forces and (in)actions. Moreover, the findings reflect the ways in which public discourse situate racism as a norm in the U.S.

Adaptive Multi-Layer Security Framework (AMLSF) for real-time applications in smart city networks

<p>This study introduces the Adaptive Multi-Layer Security Framework (AMLSF), a novel approach designed for real-time applications in smart city networks, addressing the current challenges in security systems. AMLSF innovatively incorporates machine learning algorithms for dynamic adjustment of security protocols based on real-time threat analysis and device behavior patterns. This approach marks a significant shift from static security measures, offering an adaptive encryption mechanism that scales according to application criticality and device mobility. Our methodology integrates hierarchical key management with real-time adaptability, further enhanced by an advanced rekeying strategy sensitive to device mobility and communication overhead. The paper’s findings reveal a substantial improvement in security efficiency. AMLSF outperforms existing models in encryption strength, rekeying time, communication overhead, and computational time by significant margins. Notably, AMLSF demonstrates an adaptability increase of over 30% compared to traditional models, with encryption strength and computational time efficiency improving by approximately 25%. These results underscore AMLSF’s capability in delivering robust, dynamic security without sacrificing performance. The achievements of AMLSF are significant, indicating a promising direction for smart city security frameworks. Its ability to adapt in real-time to various security needs, coupled with its performance efficiency, positions AMLSF as a superior choice for smart city networks facing diverse and evolving security threats. This framework sets a new benchmark in smart city security, paving the way for future developments in this rapidly advancing field.</p>

Assessment of UNESCO Global Geoparks websites for a public geocommunication

This study proposes a semi-quantitative methodology for assessing the quality of the UNESCO Global Geopark (UGGp) websites. The study was based on mixed indicators (binary and ordinal), grouped into five dimensions (presentation, content, interactivity, usability, and special UNESCO information), combined with multivariate assessment using Principal Component Analysis and the application of the focus group technique using Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis to propose geocommunication strategies. The evaluation matrix, comprising 36 indicators, defined three levels of development (“high”, “moderate”, and “emergent”) and was useful for monitoring website quality and enhancing its territorial value for geotourism, geoconservation, and geoeducation. The results from 156 websites showed a predominance of “moderate development” scores (52.56%) and highlight positive indicators, such as contact information, geotourism details, mobile compatibility, news, and the UGGp logo. This study also presents the potential of immersive technologies, such as virtual reality and 3D tours, for disseminating geo-educational content. However, there is room for improvement in interaction and information standardization on UGGp web platforms to ensure effective communication that enriches the user experience.

A systematic approach for threat and vulnerability analysis of unmanned aerial vehicles

The proliferation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) is expected to experience a substantial rise in the next years, driven by their ever-increasing application across various domains. However, ensuring secure communication between UAVs and their ground stations is crucial to prevent the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information that could jeopardize the mission’s integrity when exploited by malicious actors. Despite this importance, several UAV systems currently operate based on open-source command and control technologies, which have overlooked several security considerations while focusing on availability and safety. To address this concern, this study conducts a comprehensive security assessment of UAV-based systems starting with a systematic literature review whose main purpose is building a comprehensive catalog of threats associated with this technology. Particular attention has been paid to the MAVlink protocol, an open-source protocol commonly utilized for telemetry and command and control for multiple UAVs. Therefore, drawing upon the built catalog, a threat modeling and penetration testing technique has been employed to examine the MAVlink implementation on a real UAV. A threat model developed for a specific case study is also presented, leading to the discovery of four new vulnerabilities, some of which were successfully exploited through attacks. By shedding light on these vulnerabilities, this work seeks to encourage further investigation and research to develop robust security mechanisms for UAV communication systems. It is imperative to address these vulnerabilities proactively to enhance the overall security posture and safeguard against potential threats in the UAV ecosystem.

Cascading Threat Analysis of IoT Devices in Trigger-Action Platforms

Cascading Threat Analysis of IoT Devices in Trigger-Action Platforms

Strategic development of Ukraine’s economy until 2030: analysis of opportunities and potential threats

The paper analyzes the main aspects of the strategic development of the economy until 2030. Ukraine has significant strategic advantages due to its natural resources, geographical location and the quality of human capital, which in general can become the basis for the rapid economic growth of the country. The purpose of the paper is the detailed analysis of opportunities and potential threats of strategic economic development for the period up to 2030. The research is aimed at identifying the main prerequisites that influence the adoption of the strategy. Special attention will be paid to the analysis of directions of strategic economic development. It is emphasized that the national economy is a dynamic, complex, self-improving socio-economic system, and economic development is irreversible, aimed at qualitative and quantitative changes in the national economy. This study shows that economic development strategies are crucial to the implementation of recovery programs aimed at overcoming social displacement and creating an ecologically clean economy. The war in Ukraine makes it impossible to follow traditional social norms and conventional political projects, but it can be used to take decisive steps to put the country on the path to achieving the goals of sustainable development. Ukraine needs to gradually bring its policy closer to EU standards. Ukraine’s development policy should take into account national interests, circumstances and opportunities and focus, in particular, on new promising economic mechanisms currently being implemented by the EU as part of its sustainable development strategy and economic model. Ukraine should develop its own defense strategy based on readiness for any development of events, initiate innovative research and promote technology transfer to the civilian economy. In the future, work will be carried out to implement the proposed direction of the country’s development.

A Hybrid Perspective on Threat Analysis and Activity-Based Attack Modeling for Strengthening Access Control in IoT

The rapid expansion of Internet of Things (IoT) devices has resulted in an unparalleled surge in the production of data and interconnectivity. Nevertheless, as IoT ecosystems become increasingly intricate, security concerns become of utmost importance, particularly in access control systems. The objective of this research is to improve the security of IoT access control by utilizing a hybrid model for analyzing threats and modeling attacks based on activities. This study has two primary objectives: a) A hybrid classification model is used to predict labels (attack or not) in binary classification with an impressive accuracy of 98.18%. b) Another hybrid classification model is employed to predict types of attacks in M2M communication, achieving a commendable accuracy of 90%. The primary goal is to create and assess a hybrid classification model for binary classification. This model will differentiate between regular system behavior and malicious attacks on access control schemes in the Internet of Things (IoT). The hybrid model, which combines the strengths of Gated Recurrent Units (GRU) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks, achieves an exceptional accuracy rate of 98.18%. The model's high accuracy demonstrates its effectiveness in precisely detecting potential threats and minimizing false positives, thereby establishing a strong basis for improving access control security. The second objective focuses on the complex area of security, with the goal of categorizing distinct forms of attacks in Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication within the Internet of Things (IoT) framework. The hybrid classification model, employing both GRU and LSTM networks, achieves a remarkable accuracy of 90%. This accomplishment showcases the model's aptitude in detecting and distinguishing different types of attacks, including Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) and Man-in-the-Middle attacks. The hybrid model provides security professionals with valuable insights to proactively respond to diverse threats in M2M communication by accurately classifying attack types. This strengthens the overall security posture of IoT access control systems. Overall, this study offers a thorough and efficient combination of threat analysis and activity-based attack modeling to enhance access control in IoT. The obtained accuracies in binary classification and prediction of attack types highlight the practical usability of the suggested hybrid model, establishing a strong basis for improving the security of IoT access control systems against evolving cyber threats

Using the Net-Map tool to analyze stakeholder networks in the city region food systems of seven European cities

The current global food system is characterized by anonymity in the value chain, global food trade, loss of knowledge about food sources, and a distant producer-consumer relationship. In addition, the negative environmental impacts of the agricultural sector, such as pollution, degradation of soil and water quality, loss of biodiversity, and significant greenhouse gas emissions, make this sector a major driver of climate change. In contrast, the city region food system (CRFS) approach captures the complexity of a food system and its actors at the local level. It aims to meet the requirements of sustainable transformation along the food value chain and offers an alternative approach to the challenges of the global food system. However, the actors and their relationships in CRFS are rarely analyzed. To fill this gap, this study focuses on analyzing CRFSs as networks using the Net-Map tool to study different CRFS in seven European cities (Bologna, Naples, Lansingerland, Tenerife, Oslo, Dortmund, and Romainville). The aim of this paper is to concentrate on the method and to show how the Net-Map tool can effectively support the evaluation of the CRFS by identifying different actor roles, recognizing patterns of relationships. Additionally, the strengths and weaknesses of the network can be assessed by a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis. The paper highlights the limitations, advantages, and practical use of the Net-Map tool and discusses potential transferability to other case studies.

Utilizing data platform management to implement “5W” analysis framework for preventing and controlling corruption in grassroots government

In the era of information technology advancement, big data analysis has emerged as a crucial tool for government governance. Despite this, corruption remains a challenge at the grass-roots level, primarily attributed to information asymmetry. To enhance the efficacy of corruption prevention and control in grass-roots government, this study introduces the concept of data platform management and integrates it with the “5W” (Who, What, When, Where, Why) analysis framework. The research is motivated by the observation that existing studies on corruption prevention primarily concentrate on the formulation of laws and regulations, neglecting the potential improvement in actual effectiveness through the utilization of data platforms and analytical frameworks. The research employs methodologies grounded in the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT) analysis framework, the Plan, Do, Check, Act (PDCA) cycle analysis framework, and the 5W analysis framework. Throughout the iterative process of implementing data platform management, various timeframes are established, and the impact of the three models is evaluated using indicators such as public participation and government satisfaction. The research reveals that the SWOT framework can formulate targeted strategies, the PDCA framework continuously optimizes work processes, and the 5W framework profoundly explores the root causes of corruption. The outcomes indicate a 10.76% increase in the public participation level score with the 5W model, rising from 71.67%, and a 23.24% increase in the governance efficiency score, reaching 66.12%. The SWOT model excels in case handling prescription and corruption reporting rate. The synergistic application of the three models demonstrates a positive impact. In conclusion, the amalgamation of data platform management and a multi-model approach effectively enhances the corruption prevention capabilities of grass-roots governments, offering insights for the establishment of transparent and efficient grass-roots governance.

Abstract 1013: Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of conducting clinical trials in Nigeria: The IRONMAN study

Abstract Background: The need to increase understanding of prostate cancer (CaP) is ever increasing. Unfortunately, there is limited understanding of how CaP affects men of African ancestry (MAA) despite significant disparities in CaP prevention, diagnosis, and treatment due to genetic and sociobehavioral factors. Conducting CaP clinical trials (CTs) in Africa presents multiple opportunities to improve upon collective knowledge of CaP in MAA experiences, expand patient access to CTs, and provide opportunities for African scientists and urologists to contribute to research on the global stage. The International Registry of Men with Advanced Prostate Cancer (IRONMAN) seeks to reduce CaP disparities by sponsoring sites throughout Africa. Four Prostate Cancer Transatlantic Consortium (CaPTC) institutions in Nigeria currently participate in IRONMAN: University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Federal Medical Center, University of Maiduguri, and Lagos State University Teaching Hospital. Because CTs of this scale are infrequently conducted in Africa, there are special considerations when conducting CTs in low-middle-income countries (LMICs) like Nigeria. Methods: Hourlong interviews dedicated to site staff were conducted via Zoom in Spring 2023 (four total). Interviews utilized a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis approach. Each interview was recorded, transcribed, and validated by study staff for accuracy. Themes from each were inductively coded and then collated across all four sites. Results: The urologists, oncologists, phlebotomists, pathologists, nurses, research coordinators that make up the study teams identified the holistics of conducting the IRONMAN study at their sites. Strengths included a large patient population to recruit from and appropriate resources to conduct the study (ex., lab space, clinical knowledge, staffing levels). Weaknesses included the social determinants of health that negatively impact patient participation, limited biorepository space to store samples, and the need for patient-physician trust. The greatest opportunity presented was Nigerian institutions joining more CTs in the future, particularly multi-site global trials. Described threats included staff turnover, national stability, and increased economic disparities. Discussion: While increasing the overall number of CTs in Africa is a noble cause, sponsors and institutions should note the unique circumstances in implementing CTs in Africa when designing CTs and recruiting sites. Listening to the experiences of study teams is pivotal in ensuring CTs are Africa-minded - they will be complimentary to established research infrastructure, appropriately funded, and culturally responsive all in the name of equitable research. By doing so, ethical compliance and quality data collection will ensue and reduce disparities at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels. Citation Format: Opeyemi Oreoluwa Bolajoko, Parisa Fathi, Oluwaseyi Toye, Dottington D. Fulwood, Ademola Popoola, Chidiebere Ogo, Hassan Dogo, Omolara Fatiregun, Anthonia Sowumi, Paul Jibrin, Mutiu A. Jimoh, Faruk Mohammed, Folakemi Odedina, Prostate Cancer Transatlantic Consortium. Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of conducting clinical trials in Nigeria: The IRONMAN study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 1013.

Strategic Approaches for the Health Science Educator: Understanding Strategic Planning, Strategic Thinking, and Continuous Process Improvement and Their Impact.

With continued demand for health science institutions to find solutions to deliver on heightened student expectations despite smaller budgets and fewer resources, the utilization of organizational improvement techniques is pervasive. Academic health care leaders are seeking effective modalities to overcome obstacles, modernize, and become more efficient. Three of the commonly used approaches for improvement are strategic planning, strategic thinking, and continuous process improvement (CPI), and these concepts have been used in a variety of forms throughout industry, higher education, and health care. However, their definitions are often not well understood, and their processes are misconstrued in practice. With the increased expectation of health care institutions with undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education to consider strategic processes in organizational improvement, it is important for leadership to understand the differences in these three approaches. In this article, we explain the concepts of strategic planning, strategic thinking, and CPI through an overview of their history, definitions, and the benefits and pitfalls as observed by researchers. Furthermore, we reduce the noise in the existing literature into three concise definitions for each approach. And finally, for those seeking where to begin, we explain one tool in each category recommended for the novice strategist: the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis for strategic planning, the Goals, Objectives, Strategies, and Tactics (GOST) framework for strategic thinking, and the Pareto Chart for CPI.