Cooperative Work Research Articles

Promoting soft skills in higher engineering education: Assessment of the impact of a teaching methodology based on flipped learning, cooperative work and gamification

Abstract In the dynamic and complex environment of industrial engineering, soft skills have become fundamental elements to achieve professional success. This work analyzes (i) how industrial engineering students at the University of Valladolid in Spain perceive the effect of a teaching methodology (characterized by a sound and systematic integration of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in all phases of the teaching–learning process and based on the combination of Flipped Learning, cooperative work and gamification), on the development of their soft skills, and (ii) the relationship between this development of soft skills and academic performance. Voluntary surveys were applied to students of seven engineering degrees during four academic years. Data collected have been analyzed by means of graphical and statistical techniques to obtain a deep and rigorous understanding of the impact of teaching methodology. The results show a positive perception by students of the effect of teaching methodology. It is not only a motivating element that improves participation but, moreover, students perceive that it significantly contributes to the development and enhancement of skills such as communication, teamwork, problem solving, critical thinking and the effective use of ICT. In addition, the positive influence of these competencies on academic performance was evidenced. This work identifies several key aspects related to the results obtained: (i) the synergies achieved by combining Flipped Learning with cooperative work and gamification; (ii) the importance of face-to-face activities and encouraging students' active participation; (iii) the outstanding effect of the appropriate integration of ICT on the results; (iv) the adaptation of teaching to the needs of each group of students; and (v) the fundamental role of monitoring and continuous improvement of methodology as pillars to guarantee its long-term effectiveness and to overcome any challenges that may arise.

Sequential Conversion of Vinyl Triflates to 1,2-Disilanes via Technical Control of Magnesium and Calcium Reducibility Differences.

Reductive direct substitution of α-arylvinyl triflates on the sp2 carbon atom by magnesium in the presence of chlorosilane proceeded to give the corresponding α-silylstyrenes, which could not be reduced further, and the reaction completely stopped because the reduction potential of α-silylstyrenes lies out of the reducible field of magnesium. The subsequent reduction of α-silylstyrenes by calcium brought about the second introduction of another silyl group to the vicinal carbon atom to lead a selective and simple route to a variety of 1,2-disilanes from vinyl triflates by cooperative works of magnesium and calcium with different reduction potentiality.

Multidisciplinary Approach in the Treatment of Gastric and Duodenal ulcer Complicated by Bleeding

A multidisciplinary team is a team of specialists from different fields of medicine, united by the solution of one problem on previously agreed principles. A possible example of this approach in the treatment of gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer complicated by bleeding is the joint interaction of doctors - general surgeons, endoscopists, gastroenterologists, general practitioners, therapists, nutritionists, psychologists. Since these specialists often encounter these dangerous diseases, a joint approach to their treatment is fully justified. When considering many medical problems, cooperation and joint work of several at once is necessary, both narrow specialists and general practitioners who work in the same team and try to achieve a common goal. In modern world medical practice, this approach is used more and more, because it allows you to combine the knowledge of different doctors, for the benefit of the patient and make the treatment closer to this patient. Today, a multidisciplinary approach of a team of doctors of different specialties is increasingly engaged in the treatment of patients in the world's leading clinics. It is believed that this approach has a future, because it allows to easily and quickly determine the sequence and priority of treatment methods. Also, recommendations to the patient are given in agreement and situations where one contradicts the other are excluded. Collegiality is observed.

Fortbildung ausgezeichnet: Die Didaktischen Pakete im Wandel

For many years, the Didaktische Pakete has been a popular concept in teacher training which was awarded with the Austrian State Prize for Excellent Teaching (Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research, 2022) in 2022. Relevant elements of the format were, for example, the discussion of current scientific findings, their transfer into school practice and the co-constructive processing of relevant topics in a cooperative working group. This paper uses a mixed methods approach to investigate how these elements can also be realised in blended-learning-design. On the one hand, the question of participants' satisfaction in general and with the implementation of the format in blended-learning was investigated and, on the other hand, satisfaction with the transfer of content, the management of communication and the organisation of learning was compared between face-to-face and blended-learning formats. For this purpose, 44 participants completed an online questionnaire on topics such as communication, content and organisational aspects and we interviewed eight participants and eight trainers. Despite the close connection between many quality aspects and face-to-face collaboration, blended-learning can be seen as a meaningful alternative, as barriers to participation are reduced and specific content can also be taught in an online setting.

Time's Sublimest Target: Practices of Forgetting in HCI and CSCW

In our contemporary moment, there exists a hegemonic design practice and a general social desire to retain information. With the help of sociotechnical platforms and other contemporary technologies, information has changed its temporal and spatial boundaries, creating unbounded, algorithmic, and emergent forms of retention. The consequences of such retention are numerous, ranging from an overabundance of autobiographical information that cannot be fully understood by the individual to the improper use and economization of such information by state and corporation alike. Within this context, this paper investigates a counter-hegemonic practice of forgetting, specifically from the perspective of human-computer interaction and computer-supported cooperative work research, with additional insight drawn from adjacent fields. In doing so, we present forgetting as a significant area of research with HCI and CSCW, a burgeoning and contradictory space that may offer solutions to issues we face within a moment of persistence by default. This paper also explores potential directions for future research and design on forgetting in HCI and CSCW through an investigation of an art piece by Chinese artist Song Dong.

Comprehensive Review of Prehospital Emergency Care: Enhancing Outcomes through Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Prehospital emergency care is an indispensable link in consecutive emergency medical care, intended for initial stabilization and transport of patients in emergency conditions. All the services rendered by the different healthcare workers significantly guarantee the patient the best results when the sickness is severe or critical. Specifically, this review focuses on the importance of interdisciplinary teamwork in prehospital emergency care and assesses the effects of the cooperative work of paramedics, EMTs, nurses, physicians, and other stakeholders. The paper also reveals the difficulties in implementing effective teamwork in the prehospital care environment, including communication difficulties, lack of qualified training among the team members, and several practical concerns. Based on experiences, surveys, and research on quality practices, this paper discusses how multimodal communication influences patient outcomes, such as mortality probability, treatment effectiveness, and more. How training, protocols, and application of technology can be advanced to improve collaborative practice in prehospital emergency care is presented as the final recommendation of the review.

Key structure and technology of bridge cable maintenance robot – a review

Purpose The cable inspection robot is essential in maintaining bridge cables. The purpose of this paper is to summarize the maintenance methods of bridge cables. It summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of the critical structures of the external overall frame, intermediate adhesion device, attachment mechanism and driving method of the cable inspection robot. Finally, it discusses the challenges the cable inspection robot faces and the direction of future research. Design/methodology/approach This paper summarizes the research progress of the cable inspection robot and details the advantages and disadvantages of critical structures such as the external frame, intermediate adhesion device, attachment mechanism, driving method and safe return device of the robot. Finally, it points out the future direction of cable inspection robots, including lightweight design, hybrid design, multi-robot cooperative work, multi-technology integration and intelligent cable inspection digital twin model. Findings The cables are the main load-bearing components of a bridge, and their safety is crucial. However, subjected to varying loads and environmental influences over a long period, cables are prone to damage, threatening the bridge’s stability. Cable inspection robots can comprehensively detect and repair cable damage, significantly improving efficiency and safety. Originality/value This paper provides a comprehensive review of the current research on cable inspection robots, enabling readers to have a comprehensive and systematic understanding of the critical structures and key technologies of cable inspection robots and providing scientific references for researchers working on cable inspection robots.

Claims of not-knowing as patients’ responses in psychodynamic psychotherapy

Abstract A fundamental aspect of psychotherapeutic conversation is the joint work of therapist and patient on articulating something previously hidden or repressed. If the patient refuses to comply with the therapist’s questions or suggestions, such cooperative work is limited. A possible non-cooperative response by the patient is the claim of not-knowing. This study examines conversation analytically, using video recordings of German-speaking outpatient psychodynamic psychotherapies, how patients express two different claims of not-knowing (German ich weiß nicht (‘I don’t know’) and keine Ahnung (‘no idea’)) as a response to a question. The analysis results in four different functions: refusing to answer, indexing difficulties, projecting continuation, and disconfirming, which can only be determined by means of the context and not the structure of ich weiß nicht or keine Ahnung. Some of the outlined functions might be context-specific for (psychodynamic) psychotherapy.

The Effect of Upward Communication in Conflict Resolution: A Case Study of Employers and Employees in an Organization

This study investigates the role of upward communication and information sharing between staff members and management in workplace dispute resolution. The study emphasizes how psychological safety—a place where workers may voice concerns without fear of reprisal—fosters empowerment and accountability by looking at open and transparent communication. It also looks into how leadership styles affect how well people communicate, pointing out that although authoritarian leaders may stifle openness, personable leaders may foster it. Even with drawbacks like unclear channels and fear of reprisals, upward communication can promote trust, lessen frustration, and identify issues early on. Regular feedback sessions, conflict resolution training, and anonymous reporting systems are some methods for improvement. Statistical analyses using STATA software corroborate these results, highlighting the importance of efficient communication channels in fostering a supportive, cooperative, and productive work environment.

Building Bridges to European Integration: Albania and Kosovo's Joint Efforts in the Balkans

This study aims to look at the joint efforts of Albania and Kosovo in enhancing European integration within the Balkans. It tries to figure out, through an analysis of the joint programs and strategic partnerships, the extent to which these initiatives help them realize their shared goal of EU membership and regional stability. Prior Work: Previous scholarship has looked mostly into individual tracks on how to integrate into Europe by analyzing the political, economic, and social reforms undertaken by Albania and Kosovo separately. Other studies have tried to identify challenges and opportunities for the Western Balkans in this regard of EU integration. Yet little is known about cooperative work between Albania and Kosovo, and what it means for the wider regional context represents a gap in this literature. Key Findings: The two countries have managed, as shown by these findings, to build such a framework of cooperation together with dimensions being diplomatic, economic, and even cultural. Cross-border infrastructure projects, policy reforms, and joint diplomacy as well as collaboration in regional and international initiatives have played a bigger part in lifting up their prospects for integration. The paper shows how important it is for these two countries to ally strategically in tackling common challenges, like issues of political instability within their territories, fostering economic development programs, and social cohesion that make up the key tenets upon which EU membership is anchored.Value: This paper is therefore important in providing an insightful analysis into how synergistic cooperation between Albania and Kosovo can be used to enhance European integration prospects. It underscores the role bilateral cooperation can play in ensuring regional stability on the path to EU membership. The paper provides insight into how other aspiring member states from the Balkans can use cooperative strategies to inform the broader European integration agenda from a disadvantaged region. Future Longitudinal studies should be done to assess the impact that such joint initiatives by Albania and Kosovo could have on their EU integration trajectories over time. Comparative analyses with other regional Balkan partnerships could give a more nuanced knowledge of best practices and lessons learned. Moreover, investigating how international organizations and external stakeholders support these bilateral agreements will further make a lot of sense in the academic discussion on European integration in the region. Received: 2 August 2024 / Accepted: 12 November 2024 / Published: 3 December 2024

Update on Occupational Cancer for Better Cancer Prevention and Control.

Occupational cancer remains an ongoing and emerging issue in cancer prevention and control and is more easily preventable in practice than other causes. As of 2024, changes in various aspects, such as methods for estimating the burden of cancer, evidence on novel carcinogens and classification systems, modernization of working conditions, job characteristics, occupational exposure, and societal changes have played a significant role. Furthermore, advances in technology, including wearable devices, exposome, and biomedical technology, offer more precise methods for identifying the associations between occupational carcinogens and cancer. Diagnosing occupational cancer and investigating clusters are crucial for understanding its etiology. Prevention at every level- from primary to quarterly prevention- and promotional activities are crucial for exposed workers, often outweighing the importance of treatment, which can be costly. This updated information, as reviewed in this article, and cooperative work with occupational medicine physicians, could contribute to improving clinical practices for better cancer prevention and control.

Value-behavior inconsistency is robust to promote cooperative behavior in structured populations.

The evolution of cooperation is a theme commonly studied in biology, psychology, sociology, and economics. Mechanisms that promote cooperative behavior in structured populations have been intensively studied. However, individuals' values, specifically, their opinions have been rarely taken into account so far. Inspired by cognition dissonance theory, we assume that individuals pay the cost of guiltiness if the behavior is defection but the opinion deviates from defection, and pay the cost of regret if the behavior is cooperation but the opinion deviates from cooperation. For all general stochastic evolutionary dynamics on arbitrary static networks with multiple opinions, we prove in the weak selection limit that: (i) value-behavior inconsistency cost promotes cooperative behavior if and only if the average cost of regret is less than that of guiltiness; (ii) individuals with value-behavior consistency are more abundant than that with value-behavior inconsistency. This is in contrast with other mechanisms that are at work for cooperation for one population structure but not others. Furthermore, it is also validated on an empirical network and for non-weak selection intensity. The value-behavior inconsistency is thus a robust mechanism to promote cooperative behavior in structured populations. Our results shed light on the importance of the co-evolutionary dynamics of opinion and behavior, which opens an avenue for cooperation.

(Un)cooperative Labor? Mining Cooperatives and the State in Bolivia

In 2019, Bolivian cooperative miners, once staunch allies of MAS and Evo Morales, helped inflame the crisis that toppled the Morales government. This paper explores the roots of the confounded, often explosive relationship between cooperative miners, nationalization, and MAS. Tracing the history of cooperative mining and its relationship to ore theft since the colonial period, this article shows how cooperative mining and salaried miners’ unions emerged as twin responses to the precarity of labor and production in the twentieth century. In the 1950s and 1960s, cooperative workers emerged as a shadow on the nationalized mining economy, competing for space and political influence with salaried workers. After the closure of COMIBOL in the late 1980s, cooperatives absorbed laid-off workers as well as migrants from the countryside and expanded into claims once belonging to state and union workers. When Morales reopened Bolivia’s national mining company in 2006 and sought to increase state participation in the mineral economy, he set the stage for a direct confrontation between the interests of cooperativistas, the vast majority of mineworkers at the time, and the state itself. This underacknowledged conflict of interests between different kinds of mineworkers has haunted MAS, culminating in the crisis of 2019 that drove Morales from power and from Bolivia.

Who Says We Can’t: Collaborative and Cooperative Learning Through an Asynchronous Online Group Project

This article presents a comprehensive and practical formative activity aimed at bolstering students’ quantitative reasoning skills, specifically tailored for a Supply Chain & Operations Management course, within a collaborative group learning context facilitated by online platforms. While the focus is on Supply Chain & Operations Management, the outlined approach is versatile and can be seamlessly adapted to various subjects across online asynchronous courses that emphasize collaborative and cooperative group work. By offering a detailed framework for implementing group discussions and projects, this article significantly contributes to the pedagogical repertoire available to instructors striving to enrich student engagement, improve learning outcomes, and cultivate essential soft skills in online educational settings. Through this formative activity, students are not only equipped with enhanced quantitative reasoning abilities but also benefit from increased collaboration, critical thinking, and holistic skill development, thereby enhancing their overall educational experience.

Finite-time optimal control for MMCPS via a novel preassigned-time performance approach

This paper studies the finite-time optimal stabilization problem of the macro–micro composite positioning stage (MMCPS). The dynamic model of the MMCPS is established as an interconnected system according to the Newton’s second law. Different from existing MMCPS control schemes, the convergence time of errors generated by control algorithms and coupling effects in the positioning process of the MMCPS is limited to the specific range depending on the initial value of the system, which is crucial for ensuring the cooperative work of macro and micro components. Meanwhile, the reinforcement learning strategy based on actor–critic neural networks is used to optimize the controller performance while ensuring the propulsion force on voice coil motor (VCM) and vibration reduction force on piezoelectric element actuator. Furthermore, a novel preassigned-time performance function is designed to guarantee that the displacements of the VCM axis and stage can be limited to the preassigned area in the preassigned time, thereby reducing vibration amplitude. All signals of the MMCPS system are proven to be semi-global practical finite-time stable. Finally, some simulation results demonstrate the feasibility of the designed algorithm.

Promotion of help-seeking intentions for balancing medical treatment and job content among employees of small companies: Focusing on cooperative work climate

This study examined the association between cooperative work climate and business owners' attitudes toward work climate and help-seeking intentions for balancing medical treatment and job (BTJ) by occupation among employees of small companies. In January 2024, we conducted an online survey of 1,800 full-time employees aged 20-64 years with no work restrictions due to illness working in small companies. After participants were provided a leaflet regarding BTJ, they were asked to indicate their intention to seek help in an imaginary situation where they had been diagnosed with cancer. We conducted a multivariate logistic regression analysis using a combination of cooperative work climate (low or high) and business owners' attitudes toward work climate (low or high) as the primary explanatory variable and help-seeking intentions regarding BTJ as the dependent variable, adjusted for relevant job-related variables. As a subgroup analysis, logistic regression analyses by occupation (i.e., white- or blue-collar workers) were also conducted. Among the 1,800 participants (602 females and 1,198 males), 1,350 (75.0%) reported an active intention to seek help regarding BTJ. Those who reported higher levels of cooperative work climate and lower levels of business owners' positive attitudes toward work climate (odds ratio (OR) 1.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07-2.1), as well as those who reported higher levels of work climate and business owners' attitudes (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.4-2.9), were significantly more likely to reveal help-seeking intentions regarding BTJ than those who reported lower levels of work climate and business owner attitudes. Analyses by occupation also showed that for both occupation categories, those who reported higher levels of cooperative work climate and business owner attitudes toward work climate more frequently revealed help-seeking intentions than those who reported lower levels of work climate and business owner attitudes. Among participants working for small companies, regardless of occupation, those who reported higher levels of cooperative work climate and business owners' attitudes toward work climate were significantly more likely to reveal help-seeking intentions regarding BTJ. Our findings imply that (1) cooperative work climate has a stronger effect on help-seeking intentions regarding BTJ than business owners' attitudes toward work climate, and (2) both work climate and business owners' attitudes have a synergistic impact on help-seeking intentions regarding BTJ. Enhancing a cooperative work climate may promote help-seeking intentions among employees working for small companies, regardless of occupation.

Subak Lungatad in Preventing Land Conversion through the Revision of Awig – Awig

Subak is a community organization that specializes in regulating the rice field irrigation system used in rice cultivation in Bali, one of which is Subak Lungatad Yang in Peguyangan Kangin Village, North Denpaar. Subak Lungatad has a customary law norm called Awig-Awig. Awig-Awig is a customary law norm that is formulated and regulates the behavior pattern of community members in interacting in order to create order and peace, meaning that Awig-Awig grows and is formulated so that the life of the community in the customary village is not damaged. However, in the application of awig – awig Subak is also lived by the Balinese people as a concept of life, because it is a direct manifestation of the philosophy called Tri Hita Karana. There is a problem that arises in the awigs in Subak Lungatad is that they have not regulated and can anticipate changes in land use change in the subak Lungatad district Land use change in the last 1 year covering an area of 0.8 hectares, which is in Subak Lungatad, from the area of Subak 114 hectares. From this data, it can be described that land use change is still occurring. Pekaseh Subak Lungatad, I Made Maja, revealed that Subak Lungatad is part of the irrigation area of Kedewatan Pasedahan Yeh Lauh, Peguyangan Kangin Village, North Denpasar District. With a raw land area of 120 hectares, all of them are semi-irrigated. The subak land continues to experience pressure due to land conversion, there tends to be housing development. This condition is certainly really concerning for the future of rice fields and agriculture of the people of Denpasar. The participation of Krama Subak in preventing the conversion of agricultural land into housing can be done by including the rules in the awig-awig subak. Although the existing awig subak has not yet regulated it, it can be made in the form of a perarem or implementing rule of the awig- awig. The role of subak as a traditional organization in the field of water use at the farming level in indigenous peoples. The important role of the subak system is closely related to the strength of the subak itself, including the simplicity of the organizational structure, a cooperative work system and the implementation of the Tri Hita Karana philosophy. One of them is related to weakness which is also related to the lands in the subak lungakad area. The Awig Subak Lungatad that was made has not been regulated for a long time in anticipating changes in land use.

The Search for Paxlovid: Medication Acquisition as Anticipation Work After China's Zero-COVID Policy

In early December 2022, China's zero-COVID policy came to an end. For Chinese citizens, an imaginary of safety predicated on collective action and state care was replaced with a general focus on individualized responsibility for maintaining one's health. This expedited policy reversal had the unintended effect of infecting around 80% of China's population in one month, leading to a period of confusion, anxiety, and infection. One way of obtaining safety in a precarious time was to acquire medical resources. Through an online ethnographic investigation, we trace the acquisition of Paxlovid, an antiviral medication that had its distribution within China complicated by geopolitical tension and supply issues. By attending to the precarity of Chinese citizens at home and abroad, we show how Paxlovid was desired in both the present tense for the presently ill and in the future tense as an anticipatory form of safety. We use the analytical lens of anticipation work to unpack individual, collective, and state anticipatory practices supported by various social media platforms within and across borders. In doing so, we highlight moments of friction between and among various actors to argue that attending to affect, precarity, and practices in moments of conflict is critical to understanding the complexities of computer-supported cooperative work.

PACMHCI V8, CSCW2, November 2024 Editorial

We are delighted to present this issue of the Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction to the Computer-Supported Cooperative Work and Social Computing (CSCW) community. The issue contains 171 papers, of which 117 were accepted from the July 2023 cycle, and 55 were accepted from the January 2024 cycle, and one was withdrawn. Exploring a broad range of inspiring and timely topics, the issue collects the sustained efforts of a community of authors, external reviewers, Associate Chairs, and Editors. The result is an outstanding selection of high-quality contributions which are certain to shape the future of the field. Our deepest gratitude as Papers Chairs goes to this community for its determination to extend the CSCW traditions of collegiality and rigor in crafting extraordinary scholarship.

Chapter 12: Cooperative learning in classrooms

Chapter 12, titled "Cooperative Learning in Classrooms," presents the meaning of cooperative learning as a strategy. The authors, through cooperation in the sharing of ideas, explore cooperative learning as a means to develop 21st-century skills and core competencies necessary for the world of work in individual learners. The chapter differentiates between cooperative learning and group work, emphasising the benefits of inclusivity and the importance of learners working together to develop critical skills for thriving within communities. Cooperative learning is underpinned by several theories of learning, including cognitivism and social constructivism (Piaget 1985 and Vygotsky 1978). These theories emphasise that knowledge is formed when learners interact during the learning process, with both teachers and learners playing critical roles in achieving positive learning outcomes. Consequently, the roles of the teacher and learner in engaging with cooperative learning in the classroom, as well as the techniques for its effectiveness, are critically examined in this chapter. The advantages and disadvantages of cooperative learning are analysed to enable teachers to make informed decisions about using this strategy. The chapter concludes with a case study on the practical application of cooperative learning classrooms for enhancing English as a First Additional Language.