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Organizing for Digital Transformation: A Multi-level Examination of Antecedents
No full textIn this dissertation, the reader finds three studies using multiple methods to shed light on how organizations can organize digital transformation. Chapter 1 provides the motivation and overarching framework for the dissertation. Chapter 2 sets the basis for the dissertation by taking a holistic perspective on organizational design. Specifically, this chapter develops a typology of seven dimensions, digital business transformation, organizational culture, organizational governance, digital leadership, organizational processes, organizational structure, and talent management, integrating them to understand how organizational characteristics support digital transformation. Chapter 3 takes an executive and governance perspective and examines the concept of CEO compensation stamina, defined as the degree to which executives’ pay exposes them to financial risk and long-term incentives. This chapter explores how compensation stamina influences digital innovation, considering the moderating roles of board digital expertise and industry-level digital activity. Overall, Chapter 3 illustrates how governance mechanisms interact with internal and external contingencies to shape strategic digital outcomes. Chapter 4 focuses on the team and structural interface, examining how the decentralization of decision-making authority affects digital transformation, and how internal coopetition moderates this effect. By combining structural and relational perspectives, this chapter highlights the boundary conditions under which decentralized structures foster or hinder digital initiatives. Chapter 5 discusses how the dissertation adds to the current literature and highlights the theoretical and managerial implications of this dissertation’s core findings and explores avenues for future research
Exploring the applications of molecularly imprinted polymers in drug delivery to the nervous system
No full textThe effective management of neurological disorders remains a major clinical challenge, as conventional therapeutics are often limited by poor nervous system permeability, suboptimal bioavailability, and systemic toxicity. These shortcomings have intensified interest in developing advanced drug delivery systems (DDSs) capable of targeted and controlled drug release. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), synthetic matrices endowed with tailor-made recognition sites, have emerged as a conceptually powerful platform for achieving molecular selectivity, structural stability, and programmable release kinetics. However, their translation into DDSs for neurological applications remains nascent and largely preclinical. Current evidence highlights a significant translational gap in MIP synthesis due to batch-to-batch variability, limited reproducibility, leaching of template molecules, residual monomer toxicity, and mass transport challenges. Inconsistent experimental design, lack of standardized characterization, and a focus on short-term cell viability instead of long-term biocompatibility further compromise therapeutic reliability and safety in vivo . This review delineates these limitations and outlines the strategic directions necessary for clinical advancement. Future progress will depend on the rational design of biodegradable, stimuli-responsive, and bio-orthogonal MIPs that achieve predictable release and safe clearance in neural environments. A shift from experimental methods to rational, data-driven design and manufacturing is imperative to achieve the requisite reproducibility and scalability. Collectively, while MIPs have yet to achieve clinical maturity, their unique molecular precision and adaptability position them as a promising framework for next-generation DDS. However, this potential is contingent upon a concerted, interdisciplinary effort to bridge persistent material and biological gaps in neuroscience and beyond.</p
Understanding intergenerational support and how it shapes older adults’ health and well-being in Ghana
No full textIn the face of population ageing and limited public support, intergenerational family support remains a central determinant of the well-being of the increasing number older Ghanaians. Yet, research that increases understanding of intergenerational family support for older Ghanaians and how it informs their well-being has been scanty. Therefore, this thesis sought to improve understanding of intergenerational support for older Ghanaians and how it informs their health and subjective well-being. It adopted an interdisciplinary and a multi-method (i.e., systematic review, quantitative longitudinal study, and qualitative study) approach to enable a comprehensive understanding of intergenerational family support and how it shapes older adults’ health and well-being. The findings show that intergenerational family support for older Ghanaians declined from 45.4% to 26.9% from 2007-2015 and socio-demographics such as advanced age, being a woman, living alone, high socio-economic status, and not working were the strongest determinants of receiving support relative to health status among older Ghanaians. It also highlights how inner peace, a low-arousal positive affect, is central to the good life in older adulthood in rural Ghana. Furthermore, it demonstrates that providing older Ghanaians intergenerational family support (material and practical support, frequent contact, love and emotional closeness, filial obligations, respect and harmonious family living) positively shapes their health and well-being. In the context of changing familial norms, the findings emphasize the need to promote culturally-sensitive intergenerational family support for older Ghanaians and reforming public support programs to address old-age poverty for improving older Ghanaians’ health and well-being
Histopathological ultrastaging of mesocolic lymph nodes after colon cancer resection:A systematic review and meta-analysis
No full textBACKGROUND: In colon cancer (CC), lymph node (LN) (micro)metastases determine the need for adjuvant chemotherapy. Routine single-section hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) may miss (micro)metastases, resulting in understaging. Histopathological ultrastaging using serial sectioning (SS) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) can improve metastasis detection, for example in the context of organ-preserving surgery using a sentinel lymph node (SLN) procedure. This review evaluates SS and IHC for detecting LN (micro)metastases and aims to identify the ultrastaging method with the highest detection rate. Isolated tumor cells were analyzed separately and were not considered indicative of nodal upstaging.METHODS: PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched. Studies were included if they evaluated histopathological ultrastaging alongside routine H&E in patients with CC and reported results separately. Risk of bias was assessed using QUADAS-2. Pooled proportions were calculated using random-effects models.RESULTS: Thirty studies (n = 1822 patients) using SS and IHC were included. In SLN studies (n = 23), 21 % (95 % CI: 12-31 %) of 1070 patients had LN (micro)metastases. Among node-positive patients, 25 % (95 % CI: 6.0-50 %) were identified only by SLN ultrastaging. The absolute benefit of ultrastaging in the total cohort was small, 3.0 % (95 % CI: 1.0-5.0 %), with moderate heterogeneity. In non-SLN studies (n = 7), ultrastaging of all LNs upstaged 6.0 % (95 % CI: 2.0-13 %) of 752 patients, with high heterogeneity. IHC identified only one additional micrometastasis beyond SS. Protocol heterogeneity was considerable.CONCLUSION: Histopathological ultrastaging detects (micro)metastases, but its clinical impact on adjuvant chemotherapy benefit remains uncertain. Protocol standardization is needed, and the added value of IHC beyond SS appears minimal.</p
So you want to design an anti-bullying program? Recommendations for evaluating the potential of discrete ingredients and improving program cost-effectiveness
No full textThe field of anti-bullying research has experienced substantial growth over the past three decades, marked by the development of numerous programs aimed at preventing bullying in schools. However, the effectiveness of these interventions has varied widely, resulting in only modest reductions in bullying. The complexity of multi-ingredient programs, coupled with challenges in evaluation and implementation, has contributed to mixed and inconclusive results. Traditionally, researchers develop multi-ingredient anti-bullying programs and then evaluate their effectiveness through intervention studies. A novel approach is proposed, suggesting that the evaluation of discrete ingredients should precede program development to create the most cost effective programs. This paper outlines methodological recommendations aimed at addressing four major shortcomings in intervention studies that impede our understanding of both bullying and the essential ingredients of effective programs: (1) the lack of testing of mechanisms of change, (2) the evaluation of multi-ingredient programs as whole packages, (3) the failure to link outcomes to implementation, and (4) the failure to account for differential effects on different student profiles. By addressing these four major limitations, researchers can comprehensively assess the potential of discrete ingredients and, ultimately, develop or improve multi-ingredient programs with an optimal cost-effectiveness ratio.</p
Properties of aerosol particles produced by combustion of novel fuels
No full textModern society still relies heavily on burning fossil fuels, a process that releases CO₂ and tiny particles that warm the planet. As the world searches for cleaner options, alternative fuels like hydrogen and methanol are gaining attention. They can drastically reduce carbon emissions, but they also change how flames behave, and that can influence the particles produced during combustion. Understanding those particles matters, because their size, composition, and ability to absorb light all affect their climate impact.This thesis explored how switching to cleaner fuels alters the formation and properties of combustion-generated particles. Experiments with hydrogen‑blended flames showed that adding hydrogen reduces the amount of particulate matter and slows the transformation of freshly formed particles into more mature, soot‑like material. The balance between organic and elemental carbon shifted significantly, revealing how fuel composition shapes particle properties.Further experiments examined particles sampled farther from the flame, showing that hydrogen not only reduces particle size but also changes how organic and black‑carbon components mix within each particle. Some of the organic material was found to absorb light, suggesting the presence of “brown carbon,” a species with its own climate relevance.Finally, tests in a retrofitted diesel engine demonstrated the practical challenges of introducing methanol as a cleaner fuel. While methanol reduced harmful nitrogen oxide emissions, it also increased black‑carbon output and altered particle characteristics, underscoring the need for careful emission control strategies.Overall, the work highlights that alternative fuels can reduce emissions but also reshape the particles produced, an important factor in designing cleaner combustion systems
Publishing from 'closed' to 'open access' and the diamond way of the 'Maandblad voor Accountancy en Bedrijfseconomie'
No full textIn this article contributing to the valedictory book of friends for prof Philip Wallage, the history of publishing in open access is described, including its opportunities and threats. Different routes for open access publishing are explained with a preference for the Diamond way. In the final sections the process of going from closed to open access by the Maandblad voor Accountancy en Bedrijfseconomie is analysed. In this process Philip played an important role
Boundary Spanners in Action:Enhancing Public-Private Collaboration in Public Infrastructure Projects
No full textBoundary spanners are individuals who have the potential to identify collaborative synergies and proactively determine ways to utilise the opportunity. This research focuses on boundary spanning in the context of infrastructure projects undertaken by public managers in the Netherlands. It identifies the added value created by boundary spanners in integrated infrastructural projects in creating sustainable infrastructure. This supports a shift from siloed efforts to a more integrated, system-oriented approach, better suited to addressing broader societal challenges. This research investigates the activities, roles, and enabling conditions that make boundary spanners effective, thereby contributing to the project performance of public infrastructure projects. The understanding gained from this study can help demonstrate the importance of the activities undertaken by the boundary spanners in institutions, instigate policy changes based on data-driven recommendations and tap into their potential for future projects. The findings indicate that each phase of the project requires a varying level of involvement of stakeholders and different boundary spanning activities to maintain the synergetic momentum between the public and private partners. By bridging divides between public and private partners, boundary spanners unlock the potential of infrastructure projects and deliver enduring value
Anorectal malformations:Diagnosis, management, and long-term outcomes
No full textThis thesis focuses on patients born with anorectal malformations (ARM), congenital anomalies in which the distal end of the bowel does not terminate in the center of the external anal sphincter. ARM is typically diagnosed shortly after birth. Depending on the severity, patients are treated either non-surgically or surgically. Despite adequate treatment, patients may experience lifelong symptoms such as constipation and fecal incontinence. The aim of this thesis was to improve the understanding of anorectal physiology in patients with ARM and to evaluate long-term outcomes.Part I demonstrates that anorectal manometry, and in particular three-dimensional high-resolution anorectal manometry (3D-HRAM), is a safe and reliable diagnostic tool for detecting mild forms of ARM. This technique enables visualization of subtle anatomical abnormalities and provides insight into the function of the external anal sphincter. Furthermore, essential fecal continence mechanisms—such as the rectoanal inhibitory reflex (RAIR), anal sensibility, and the internal anal sphincter—are present in most patients but may be damaged during surgical reconstruction. Preservation of the distal bowel segment is shown to be crucial for maintaining anal sensibility and preventing constipation.Part II addresses long-term outcomes. Patients with mild forms of ARM who were managed non-surgically generally demonstrate excellent outcomes with minimal symptoms. In addition, female patients with ARM are usually able to conceive spontaneously and carry pregnancies to term. In conclusion, this thesis provides important new insights that contribute to improved diagnostic strategies, more personalized treatment approaches, and enhanced long-term care for patients with anorectal malformations