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The importance of culture is often emphasized for continuous learning and quality improvement within health care organizations. Limited empirical evidence for cultivating a culture that supports continuous learning and quality improvement in health care settings is currently available.

The purpose of this report is to characterize the evolution of a large division of physical therapists and occupational therapists in a pediatric hospital setting from 2005 to 2018 to identify key facilitators and barriers for cultivating a culture empowered to engage in continuous learning and improvement.

An ethnographic methodology was used including participant observation, document review, and stakeholder interviews to acquire a deep understanding and develop a theoretical model to depict insights gained from the investigation.

A variety of individual, social, and structural enablers and motivators emerged as key influences toward a culture empowered to support continuous learning and improvement. Features of the system that helped create sustainable, positive momentum (e.g., systems thinking, leaders with grit, and mindful design) and factors that hindered momentum (e.g., system uncertainty, staff turnover, slow barrier resolution, and competing priorities) were also identified.

Individual-level, social-level, and structural-level elements all influenced the culture that emerged over a 12-year period. Several cultural catalysts and deterrents emerged as factors that supported and hindered progress and sustainability of the emergent culture.

Cultivating a culture of continuous learning and improvement is possible. Purposeful consideration of the proposed model and identified factors from this report may yield important insights to advance understanding of how to cultivate a culture that facilitates continuous learning and improvement within a health care setting.

The article chronicles the use of a Civil War soldier's diary to teach Civil War history. The project was carried out over a two-semester period in a social studies pedagogy class. The professor and students in cooperative learning groups and whole group discussions interpreted the diary. In this unique process, they also discussed how primary sources might be used to teach middle school and high school students United States History as a dynamic process of real people and not simply facts.

The purpose of this paper, conducted at Penn State University, is to inform a redesign of the library facility integrating a Collaboration Commons projected to cost over $20m.

A mixed-methods design comprised of observation, focus groups, conversations with students, interviews with Knowledge Commons personnel and a UX Café was employed. Researchers investigated the students’ need for workspaces and soft-seating.

Findings suggested that students generally come to the libraries with a goal of being productive and they value the productivity generated by spacious and well-designed workspaces over the comfort of soft-seating. Students desire an increase in the availability of workspaces.

These findings informed facility enhancement recommendations, and have been integrated into the program statement made available to design firms bidding on the renovation project.

Web applications are subject to continuous changes and rapid evolution triggered by increasing competition, especially in commercial domains such as electronic commerce. Unfortunately, usually they are implemented without producing any useful documentation for subsequent maintenance and evolution. Thereof, the maintenance of such systems becomes a challenging problem as the complexity of the web application grows. Reverse engineering has been heralded as one of the most promising technologies to support effective web application maintenance. This paper aims to present a reverse engineering approach that helps understanding existing undocumented web applications to be maintained or evolved.

The proposed approach provides reverse engineering rules to generate a conceptual schema from a given domain ontology by using a set of transformation rules. The reverse engineering process consists of four phases: extracting useful information; identifying a set of ontological constructs representing the concepts of interest; enriching the identified set by additional constructs; and finally deriving a conceptual schema.

The advantage of using ontology for conceptual data modeling is the reusability of domain knowledge. As a result, the conceptual data model will be made faster, easier and with fewer errors than creating it in usual way. Designers can use the extracted conceptual schema to gain a better understanding of web applications and to assist in their maintenance.

The strong point of this approach is that it relies on a very rich semantic reference that is domain ontology. However, it is not possible to make a straightforward transformation of all elements from a domain ontology into a conceptual data model because ontology is semantically richer than data conceptual models.

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the differential impact each of the dominant theoretical explanations has on innovation persistence. The authors hereby differentiate the degree of novelty, distinguishing between innovation based on invention (new products for the international market) and those based on imitation or adoption processes (new products for the company or new products in the national market).

Placing this study in the context of a developing country, the authors apply an ordered probit model inflated in zeros (ZIOP). This methodology enables one to not only provide results not biased by the excess of zeros but also take into account the unobserved heterogeneity with respect to the sources of zeros (that is those firms which do not innovate). The empirical analysis is based on three Colombian innovation surveys carried out between 2003 and 2008 by the Colombian National Statistics Department.

The results provide empirical evidence that two elements are essential for both types of innovation persistence: accessing external financial resources and learning through interaction. Furthermore, the sunk R&D cost approach and technological learning explain persistence in innovation of new products for the international market.

The limitations of this study are directly related to the methodological choice. The authors were unable to take into consideration two sources of heterogeneity: the one related to initial conditions and the one related to the source of the many non-innovators. They opted to focus on the latter due the research question and setting of this study. Additionally, macroeconomic instability did not allow to consider a long panel; instead the authors had to rely on a short panel.

The results provide important insights to managers. Continuous investments in innovation activities are important bot to become an innovative firm as well as to improve the odds of persistently innovating. Particularly, R&D investments are a pre-requisite for new-to-the-world innovations. Finally, it is not one specific set of capabilities which is a prerequisite for the generation of innovation; rather it is a strategic combination of various skills that increase the probability to (persistently) innovate.

With innovation persistence being especially relevant for long-run dynamics behind economic growth, the results of this study provide insights into potential public policies. Governments are in a position to at least lower barriers, which might enable more firms to persistently innovate. Continuous access – less than the actual amount – to financial resources aimed at innovation activities and learning through interaction with external agents is fundamental for both kinds of innovation persistence. Both are market characteristics where governments can – at least indirectly – intervene.

Despite the existence of various theoretical approaches, the bulk of empirical research focuses on the verification of true state innovation persistence. Thus, while innovation persistency has been widely confirmed to exist to a certain degree, knowledge regarding which theoretical approach is likely to drive a firm to persistently innovation is still scarce. Additionally, this study is placed in the context of a developing country, which by most empirical research has been overlooked but is characterized by one element which is decisive for the empirical methodology: many firms do not innovate, let alone persistently innovate.

El objetivo de este artículo es analizar el impacto diferencial que cada una de las explicaciones teóricas dominantes tiene sobre la persistencia de la innovación. Para esto, diferenciamos el grado de novedad, distinguiendo entre la innovación basada en la invención (nuevos productos para el mercado internacional) y aquellas basadas en procesos de imitación o adopción (nuevos productos para el mercado nacional).

Este estudio se lleva a cabo en el contexto de un país en desarrollo, en el cual la mayoría de empresas no innovan. Consecuentemente, aplicamos un modelo probit ordenado inflado en ceros (ZIOP). Esta metodología no sólo proporciona resultados no sesgados por el exceso de ceros, sino que también tiene en cuenta la heterogeneidad no observada con respecto a las fuentes de ceros (es decir, aquellas empresas que no innovan). El análisis empírico se basa en tres Encuestas de Innovación en Colombia realizadas entre 2003 y 2008 por el Departamento Nacional de Estadísticas de Colombia.

Nuestros resultados proporcionan evidencia empírica de que tanto el enfoque de éxito genera éxito con el de capacidades son importantes. Sin embargo, se encontró que todas las variables que se desprenden de estos enfoques teóricos no están relacionadas en forma significativa con los dos tipos de persistencia estudiados. Además, el enfoque de costos hundidos de I + D se relaciona en forma robusta con la persistencia en la innovación de nuevos productos para el mercado internacional.

Las limitaciones de este estudio están directamente relacionadas con la elección metodológica. No pudimos tomar en consideración simultáneamente dos fuentes de heterogeneidad: la relacionada con las condiciones iniciales y la relacionada con el exceso de empresas no innovadoras. Optamos por centrarnos en lo último debido a la pregunta de investigación y el contexto país en el que se desarrolla esta investigación. Adicionalmente, la inestabilidad macroeconómica no permitió considerar un panel largo; por el contrario, se usó un panel corto que cubre un periodo de tiempo de estabilidad económica.

Nuestros resultados proporcionan información importante para los gerentes. Las inversiones continuas en actividades de innovación son importantes tanto para aumentar la probabilidad de convertirse en una empresa innovadora como para mejorar las posibilidades de innovación persistente. En particular, las inversiones en I + D son un requisito para lograr innovaciones nuevas en el mundo. Finalmente, no se identificaron un conjunto único de capacidades necesarias para la generación de cualquier tipo de innovación; más bien se debe adoptar un enfoque estratégico diferenciado.

Dado que la persistencia de la innovación es especialmente relevante para las dinámicas de crecimiento económico de largo plazo, los resultados de nuestro estudio proporcionan información útil para el diseño de políticas públicas. Los gobiernos están en posición de al menos reducir las barreras que impiden que las empresas innoven persistentemente. El acceso continuo a los recursos financieros destinados a actividades de innovación y el aprendizaje a través de la interacción con agentes externos son fundamentales para ambos tipos de persistencia de innovación. Ambas son condiciones del mercado que pueden ser intervenidas, al menos indirectamente, por el gobierno.

A pesar de la existencia de tres enfoques principales sobre la persistencia en la innovación, la mayor parte de las investigaciones se han centrado en la verificación de la existencia de verdadera persistencia en innovación. Por lo tanto, aunque se ha confirmado ampliamente que la persistencia de la innovación existe hasta cierto punto, el conocimiento sobre qué enfoque teórico es probable que impulse a una empresa a innovar de manera persistente es aún escaso. Además, este estudio se ubica en el contexto de un país en desarrollo, contexto que ha sido pasado por alto en la mayoría de las investigaciones empíricas, aspecto que decisivo para la selección de la metodología empírica: muchas empresas no innovan, y mucho menos innovan persistentemente.

O objetivo deste artigo é analisar o impacto diferencial que têm sobre a persistência da inovação cada uma das explicações teóricas dominantes. Para isso diferenciamos o grau de novidade, distinguindo entre inovação baseada em invenção (novos produtos para o mercado internacional) e aqueles baseados em processos de imitação ou adoção (novos produtos para o mercado nacional).

Esta pesquisa ocorre no contexto de um país em desenvolvimento, no qual a maioria das empresas não inovam. Assim sendo, temos aplicado o modelo Probit ordenado inflado-zero (ZIOP). Essa metodologia permite não só que os resultados da pesquisa não sejam influenciados por excesso de zeros, mas também a inclusão da heterogeneidade não observada em relação às fontes de zeros (isto é, aquelas empresas que não inovam). A análise empírica baseia-se em três pesquisas sobre Inovação na Colômbia realizadas entre 2003 e 2008 pelo Departamento Nacional de Estatísticas da Colômbia.

Nossos resultados fornecem evidências empíricas que indicam que tanto a abordagem de sucesso gera sucesso quanto a abordagem de capacidade é importante. No entanto, não se encontrou que todas as variáveis que emergiram dessas abordagens teóricas foram significativamente relacionadas aos dois tipos de persistência pesquisados. Além disso, a abordagem dos custos irrecuperáveis de P and D está relacionada de forma robusta à persistência na inovação de novos produtos para o mercado internacional.

As limitações desta pesquisa estão diretamente relacionadas à escolha metodológica. Não temos podido considerar duas fontes de heterogeneidade: a relacionada às condições iniciais e a relacionada ao excesso de empresas não inovadoras. Optou-se por centrar-se nesse último devido à questão de pesquisa e ao contexto do país em que foi realizada. Além disso, a instabilidade macroeconômica não permitiu um painel longo; pelo contrário, foi utilizado um painel curto que cobre um período de estabilidade econômica.

Nossos resultados provêem informação importante para os gerentes. Investimentos contínuos em atividades de inovação são importantes tanto para aumentar a probabilidade de se tornar numa empresa inovadora quanto para melhorar as possibilidades de inovação persistente. Em particular, os investimentos em P and D são um requisito para alcançar inovações no mundo. Finalmente, um conjunto único de capacidades necessárias para a geração de qualquer tipo de inovação não foi identificado; ao contrário, uma abordagem estratégica diferenciada deve ser adotada.

Dado que a persistência da inovação é especialmente relevante para as dinâmicas de longo prazo por trás do crescimento econômico, os resultados obtidos provêem informação útil para o desenho de políticas públicas. Os governos estão em posição de, pelo menos, reduzir as barreiras que impedem as empresas de inovar persistentemente. O acesso contínuo a recursos financeiros para atividades de inovação e a aprendizagem por meio da interação com agentes externos são fundamentais para os dois tipos de persistência de inovação. Ambas são condições do mercado que podem ser intervencionadas, pelo menos indiretamente, pelo governo.

Embora da existência de três abordagens principais sobre persistência na inovação, a maior parte das pesquisas concentraram-se em verificar a existência de verdadeira persistência na inovação. Portanto, ainda quando tem sido amplamente confirmado que a persistência da inovação existe até certo ponto, o conhecimento sobre qual abordagem teórico provavelmente alavanca uma empresa a inovar persistentemente ainda é escasso. Além disso, esta pesquisa está localizada num contexto de um país em desenvolvimento, que tem sido negligenciado na maioria das pesquisas empíricas, aspecto decisivo para a seleção da metodologia empírica: muitas empresas não inovam e muito menos inovam persistentemente.

Ubiquitous web applications (UWA) are a new type of web applications which are accessed in various contexts, i.e. through different devices, by users with various interests, at anytime from anyplace around the globe. For such full‐fledged, complex software systems, a methodologically sound engineering approach in terms of model‐driven engineering (MDE) is crucial. Several modeling approaches have already been proposed that capture the ubiquitous nature of web applications, each of them having different origins, pursuing different goals and providing a pantheon of concepts. This paper aims to give an in‐depth comparison of seven modeling approaches supporting the development of UWAs.

This methodology is conducted by applying a detailed set of evaluation criteria and by demonstrating its applicability on basis of an exemplary tourism web application. In particular, five commonly found ubiquitous scenarios are investigated, thus providing initial insight into the modeling concepts of each approach as well as to facilitate their comparability.

The results gained indicate that many modeling approaches lack a proper MDE foundation in terms of meta‐models and tool support. The proposed modeling mechanisms for ubiquity are often limited, since they neither cover all relevant context factors in an explicit, self‐contained, and extensible way, nor allow for a wide spectrum of extensible adaptation operations. The provided modeling concepts frequently do not allow dealing with all different parts of a web application in terms of its content, hypertext, and presentation levels as well as their structural and behavioral features. Finally, current modeling approaches do not reflect the crosscutting nature of ubiquity but rather intermingle context and adaptation issues with the core parts of a web application, thus hampering maintainability and extensibility.

Different from other surveys in the area of modeling web applications, this paper specifically considers modeling concepts for their ubiquitous nature, together with an investigation of available support for MDD in a comprehensive way, using a well‐defined as well as fine‐grained catalogue of more than 30 evaluation criteria.

The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the role of institutions on the remittances–output growth volatility relationship.

The data set of this paper is limited to 71 remittances recipient countries. In an attempt to deal with endogeneity issues, the paper adopts the use of system generalised method of moment (GMM).

First, in consonance with earlier studies, the growth volatility reducing influence of remittances flows was established. Second, unlike the extant literature, the growth volatility reduction potential of remittances was found to be more pronounced in the presence of well-functioning institutions. Finally, the interaction of remittances with our six institutional quality measures showed that growth volatility reduced considerably with better institutions.

In terms of policy, remittances recipient countries need to simultaneously pursue economic and governance reforms. Both of these will enhance the counter-cyclicality of remittances and possibly other capital flows.

Substantial efforts have been devoted to investigating the impact of remittances on output growth volatility, while very little research attention has been devoted to analysing the impact of institutions on the remittances–output growth volatility nexus.

The paper deals with the design and creation of an intelligent user interface augmenting the user experience in everyday environments, by providing an immersive audio environment. We highlight the potential of augmenting the visual real environment in a personalized way, thanks to context modeling techniques. The LISTEN project, a system for an immersive audio augmented environment applied in the art exhibition domain, provides an example of modeling and personalization methods affecting the audio interface in terms of content and organization. In addition, the different evolution steps of the system and the outcomes of the accompanying user tests are here reported.

Modelling users' interactions online is envisaged to allow developers to increase the usability of online systems and will aid system developers in building better systems to meet users' needs, hereby creating better system design processes. This paper aims to investigate this issue.

The normative task model that was developed in this paper was created through an expert review of 14 online grocery stores, using a reverse engineering technique to model the features of the stores' ordering process.

The research identified three main areas of user experience when undertaking the process of adding a product to an online trolley: attempting to retrieve the product, receiving the results of the retrieval attempt, and adding the product to the trolley. These three classifications were used as the basis for an analysis of errors.

The findings present a model that can be used to further understand the processes of customers as they engage in an online grocery shopping visit. The normative task model presented is expected to help in the future design of online grocery stores by identifying the possible errors that users can encounter, and methods to reduce the occurrence of these errors. Errors are one area that traditional task‐modelling processes ignore, due to their focus on successful processes.

This paper presents the innovative process of the development of a normative task model for modelling user interactions when using online grocery stores.