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11 – 20 of over 2000Clive Savory and Joyce Fortune
The purpose of this paper is to question whether the emphasis placed within translational research on a linear model of innovation provides the most effective model for managing…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to question whether the emphasis placed within translational research on a linear model of innovation provides the most effective model for managing health technology innovation. Several alternative perspectives are presented that have potential to enhance the existing model of translational research. A case study is presented of innovation of a clinical decision support system. The paper concludes from the case study that an extending the triple helix model of technology transfer, to one based on a quadruple helix, present a basis for improving the performance translational research.
Design/methodology/approach
A case study approach is used to help understand development of an innovative technology within a teaching hospital. The case is then used to develop and refine a model of the health technology innovation system.
Findings
The paper concludes from the case study that existing models of translational research could be refined further through the development of a quadruple helix model of heath technology innovation that encompasses greater emphasis on user-led and open innovation perspectives.
Research limitations/implications
The paper presents several implications for future research based on the need to enhance the model of health technology innovation used to guide policy and practice.
Practical implications
The quadruple helix model of innovation that is proposed can potentially guide alterations to the existing model of translational research in the healthcare sector. Several suggestions are made for how innovation activity can be better supported at both a policy and operational level.
Originality/value
This paper presents a synthesis of the innovation literature applied to a theoretically important case of open innovation in the UK National Health Service. It draws in perspectives from other industrial sectors and applies them specifically to the management and organisation of innovation activities around health technology and the services in which they are embedded.
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Judith Ann Chapman and Tania Ferfolja
This paper is concerned with the relationship between poor learning processes and the acquisition of imperfect mental models, and their consequences in workplace situations which…
Abstract
This paper is concerned with the relationship between poor learning processes and the acquisition of imperfect mental models, and their consequences in workplace situations which are hazardous. Seven different factors which may influence mental models to become flawed are proposed. The links between these flaws and three recent Australian industrial disasters are then explored. The paper concludes by discussing the benefits of a greater understanding of poor learning processes as a basis for more focused and contextualised approaches to organisational development.
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Set-based design (SBD) is a lean tool widely adopted for improving design processes and providing value maximization to clients. The purpose of this paper is to present the…
Abstract
Purpose
Set-based design (SBD) is a lean tool widely adopted for improving design processes and providing value maximization to clients. The purpose of this paper is to present the development and testing of a lean simulation game that incorporated point-based and SBD principles. The objective of the game was to enhance learning of lean design management among construction students.
Design/methodology/approach
After a thorough and comprehensive literature review consisting of secondary data in journal papers, books, thesis references and primary data in the form of interviews with lean practitioners, the simulation game prototype was developed. The testing of the game was carried out with a study group. Data were collected during the gameplay with the help of a questionnaire survey on a confidence scale and Likert scale and assessed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, histogram, one-sample t-test and false discovery rate (Benjamini–Hochberg) correction method.
Findings
The data collected both pre- and post-simulation showed an increase in average confidence in understanding from 3.33 to 3.89, a 16.7% rise. The data was further interpreted by using Wilcoxon signed-rank test, indicating that the post-simulation learning experience was significantly better than the pre-simulation one. Promising positive results were obtained for the questions on game design, engagement and understanding of point-based design and SBD concepts.
Originality/value
The simulation game helps bridge the gap between knowledge building and real-life by effectively imitating the process. The game facilitates a dynamic and critical approach toward developing new educational simulation games and their successful incorporation in propagating lean principles in the construction industry.
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Verma Prikshat, Sanjeev Kumar and Alan Nankervis
The purpose of this paper is to conceptualise graduate work-readiness (GWR) and to develop a scale to measure it.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to conceptualise graduate work-readiness (GWR) and to develop a scale to measure it.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology entailed the compilation of a literature review and the conduct of qualitative interviews and a focus group to generate items. This study used the “resource-based view” approach to conceptualise a multi-dimensional–“work-readiness integrated competence model (WRICM)”–consisting of four main factors (namely, intellectual, personality, meta-skill and job-specific resources), with a further ten sub-dimensions. Further, a series of tests were performed to assess its reliability and validity.
Findings
A final 53-item WRICM scale covering four dimensions and ten sub-dimensions of GWR was developed based on the perceptions of 362 HR professionals and managers from seven Asia-Pacific countries. The ten sub-dimensions covering 53 work-readiness skills reflect the perceptions of stakeholders regarding the work-readiness of graduates. The scale was found to be psychometrically sound for measuring GWR.
Research limitations/implications
Though the WRICM model is based on the inputs of different stakeholders of GWR (employers, educators, policy makers and graduates), the development of the WRICM scale is based on the perspectives of industry/employers only.
Practical implications
The WRICM model has implications for education, industry, professional associations, policy makers and for graduates. These stakeholders can adapt this scale in assessing the work-readiness of graduates in different streams of education.
Originality/value
The authors believe that the WRICM model is the first multi-dimensional construct that is based on a sound theory and from the inputs from graduate work-readiness stakeholders from seven Asia-Pacific countries.
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Eylem Thron, Shamal Faily, Huseyin Dogan and Martin Freer
Railways are a well-known example of complex critical infrastructure, incorporating socio-technical systems with humans such as drivers, signallers, maintainers and passengers at…
Abstract
Purpose
Railways are a well-known example of complex critical infrastructure, incorporating socio-technical systems with humans such as drivers, signallers, maintainers and passengers at the core. The technological evolution including interconnectedness and new ways of interaction lead to new security and safety risks that can be realised, both in terms of human error, and malicious and non-malicious behaviour. This study aims to identify the human factors (HF) and cyber-security risks relating to the role of signallers on the railways and explores strategies for the improvement of “Digital Resilience” – for the concept of a resilient railway.
Design/methodology/approach
Overall, 26 interviews were conducted with 21 participants from industry and academia.
Findings
The results showed that due to increased automation, both cyber-related threats and human error can impact signallers’ day-to-day operations – directly or indirectly (e.g. workload and safety-critical communications) – which could disrupt the railway services and potentially lead to safety-related catastrophic consequences. This study identifies cyber-related problems, including external threats; engineers not considering the human element in designs when specifying security controls; lack of security awareness among the rail industry; training gaps; organisational issues; and many unknown “unknowns”.
Originality/value
The authors discuss socio-technical principles through a hexagonal socio-technical framework and training needs analysis to mitigate against cyber-security issues and identify the predictive training needs of the signallers. This is supported by a systematic approach which considers both, safety and security factors, rather than waiting to learn from a cyber-attack retrospectively.
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Gender bias in artificial intelligence (AI) should be solved as a priority before AI algorithms become ubiquitous, perpetuating and accentuating the bias. While the problem has…
Abstract
Purpose
Gender bias in artificial intelligence (AI) should be solved as a priority before AI algorithms become ubiquitous, perpetuating and accentuating the bias. While the problem has been identified as an established research and policy agenda, a cohesive review of existing research specifically addressing gender bias from a socio-technical viewpoint is lacking. Thus, the purpose of this study is to determine the social causes and consequences of, and proposed solutions to, gender bias in AI algorithms.
Design/methodology/approach
A comprehensive systematic review followed established protocols to ensure accurate and verifiable identification of suitable articles. The process revealed 177 articles in the socio-technical framework, with 64 articles selected for in-depth analysis.
Findings
Most previous research has focused on technical rather than social causes, consequences and solutions to AI bias. From a social perspective, gender bias in AI algorithms can be attributed equally to algorithmic design and training datasets. Social consequences are wide-ranging, with amplification of existing bias the most common at 28%. Social solutions were concentrated on algorithmic design, specifically improving diversity in AI development teams (30%), increasing awareness (23%), human-in-the-loop (23%) and integrating ethics into the design process (21%).
Originality/value
This systematic review is the first of its kind to focus on gender bias in AI algorithms from a social perspective within a socio-technical framework. Identification of key causes and consequences of bias and the breakdown of potential solutions provides direction for future research and policy within the growing field of AI ethics.
Peer review
The peer review history for this article is available at https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-08-2021-0452
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Aggeliki Tsohou, Maria Karyda, Spyros Kokolakis and Evangelos Kiountouzis
Recent global security surveys indicate that security training and awareness programs are not working as well as they could be and that investments made by organizations are…
Abstract
Purpose
Recent global security surveys indicate that security training and awareness programs are not working as well as they could be and that investments made by organizations are inadequate. The purpose of the paper is to increase understanding of this phenomenon and illuminate the problems that organizations face when trying to establish an information security awareness program.
Design/methodology/approach
Following an interpretive approach the authors apply a case study method and employ actor network theory (ANT) and the due process for analyzing findings.
Findings
The paper contributes to both understanding and managing security awareness programs in organizations, by providing a framework that enables the analysis of awareness activities and interactions with the various organizational processes and events.
Practical implications
The application of ANT still remains a challenge for researchers since no practical method or guide exists. In this paper the application of ANT through the due process model extension is enhanced and practically presented. This exploration highlights the fact that information security awareness initiatives involve different stakeholders, with often conflicting interests. Practitioners must acquire, additionally to technical skills, communication, negotiation and management skills in order to address the related organizational and managerial issues. Moreover, the results of this inquiry reveal that the role of artifacts used within the awareness process is not neutral but can actively affect it.
Originality/value
This study is one of the first to examine information security awareness as a managerial and socio‐technical process within an organizational context.
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Maintaining a high level of situation awareness (SA) is considered one of the most essential elements for safe and effective flight operations. In a study of accidents among major…
Abstract
Purpose
Maintaining a high level of situation awareness (SA) is considered one of the most essential elements for safe and effective flight operations. In a study of accidents among major air carriers, 88 per cent of those involving human error could be attributed to problems with SA. In complex domains such as aviation, SA is inherently distributed over multiple people and groups and over human and machine agents. The purpose of this paper is to present an alternative perspective to the hegemony of the cognitive approach to SA that focuses on the systemic nature of SA.
Design/methodology/approach
An alternative approach to the hegemony of the cognitive perspective of SA has been presented, that focuses on a systemic or holistic conceptualisation of SA through the application of Somerville's actor network theory (ANT). By advocating a seamless web composed of actors, the actor network approach dissolves the dichotomous relationship between humans and machines and society and technology into a non‐anthropocentric framework. This paper further develops this systemic perspective of SA through an analysis of the tragic 2002 mid‐air collision over Überlingen, Germany case study.
Findings
The application of ANT to this case study brings to light some insights with wide ranging consequences for how we think of SA and accident aetiology.
Practical implications
The systemic perspective of SA has far‐reaching design implications with regard to complex socio‐technical systems.
Originality/value
This paper facilitates the perspective that looks at the inter‐connectedness of the heterogeneous elements characterized by the technological and non‐technological (human, social, organizational, political) elements of complex socio‐technical systems.
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Barbara Ocicka, Grażyna Kędzia and Jakub Brzeziński
The purpose of this article is twofold. First, this study characterises the current state of the bio-packaging market's development. Second, it identifies key factors influencing…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article is twofold. First, this study characterises the current state of the bio-packaging market's development. Second, it identifies key factors influencing and possible scenarios of the bio-packaging market transition to increase the market share of compostable packaging.
Design/methodology/approach
The results of 29 in-depth interviews (IDIs) with representatives of the key groups of bio-packaging supply chains' (SCs') stakeholders were the input for the consideration of the research problem.
Findings
The main economic, legal, social and technological enablers and barriers to the bio-packaging regime transition are recognised, and their impact at the market level is explained. The authors recognised the hybrid transition scenario towards an increase in the market share of compostable packaging related to the three traditional pathways of transformation, reconfiguration and technological substitution.
Originality/value
This study contributes to a better understanding of the socio-technical system theory by examining interdependencies between landscape (external environment), market regime (bio-packaging market) and niche innovations (compostable packaging) as well as system transition pathways. The findings and conclusions on bio-packaging market developments can be important lessons learnt to be applied in different countries due to the same current development stage of the compostable packaging lifecycle worldwide.
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Bassel Kassem, Matteo Rossini, Stefano Frecassetti, Federica Costa and Alberto Portioli Staudacher
While Digitalisation is gaining momentum among practitioners and the scientific world, there is still a struggle to embark on the digitalisation journey successfully. The…
Abstract
Purpose
While Digitalisation is gaining momentum among practitioners and the scientific world, there is still a struggle to embark on the digitalisation journey successfully. The struggles are more significant for SMEs compared to large companies. Such transformation could face internal resistance, which evokes the need to put it into a socio-technical perspective such as lean. This paper investigates how SMEs could implement digital tools and technologies in their operations.
Design/methodology/approach
We relied on a multiple case study design in three SME manufacturing companies in Italy. Based on the experience of those companies, the struggles in the implementation and the lessons learned, we formulate an implementation model of digital tools driven by lean thinking.
Findings
Companies tend to implement first digital tools that help with real-time data collection and stress that introducing digital tools becomes challenging without reducing waste in production. The model stresses top management commitment, middle-line involvement and operator training to resist change. All these factors coincide with socio-technical lean bundles developed by seminal works. In addition, the study highlights that financial incentives are not necessarily the common barrier to digital tools implementation in SMEs but rather the cultural aspect.
Originality/value
Our paper enriches the extant body of knowledge by deriving knowledge around digitalisation implementation through lessons learned and corrective actions. It allows managers to benchmark and compare the current state of the implementation process with that of other companies and the one proposed to make corrective actions when necessary.
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