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Lessons from Recent Protest Events in Latin America
No full textThis chapter delves into the wave of protests across Latin America in 2019, sparked by deep-rooted inequalities and public discontent with governance in countries like Chile, Colombia, Bolivia, and Ecuador. It highlights how state responses, often marked by severe repression, led to grave human rights violations. The chapter investigates the critical yet complex role of technology in these events, examining its dual capacity as a tool for both state repression and as a means for documenting abuses and supporting truth-seeking efforts. Technologies such as facial recognition, drones, and social media monitoring enhanced state surveillance but also provided critical evidence for accountability. The chapter concludes by discussing the implications of corporate complicity in supplying these technologies, underscoring the urgent need for regulatory frameworks that safeguard human rights and prevent the misuse of technology in suppressing dissent.</p
A reflective lifeworld phenomenological exploration of young children's experiences of science and gender
No full textThe UK’s need for a diverse STEM workforce is both an equitable and economic imperative. One approach to fostering a diverse workforce is understanding how experiences of gender might interact with the development of children’s science identities. This study explores nine five and six-year-old’s lived experiences of science, gender and their emerging identities.This Reflective Lifeworld phenomenological research employs the Mosaic method approach (Clark and Moss, 2011), blending interviews, drawings, collages and experiments, to explore the intersection and interactions between science, perceptions of gender and how the formation of a young child’s identity. The phenomenological outlook drives a commitment to the adoption of a natural attitude in order to draw out new knowledge while also co-constructing an understanding of science experiences with the participants.This research also highlights the potential of using qualitative methods when working with young children to construct rich, informative data on the phenomena of science identity formation and how lived experiences are used in this process. The findings corroborate existing research; children as young as five and six are beginning to understand, perceive and create science identities based on characteristics, interests and abilities, with evidence of a developing understanding that certain people are better suited to belong to the science community. Children who exhibited access to rich and varied lived experiences of science, displayed a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of science, a wider vocabulary and the ability to explore their own science identities.The study has several key recommendations for educators and policymakers. For educators, the findings underscore how the Mosaic method approach can be beneficial in school-based research and is in alignment with school priorities such as the safe-guarding of children and the importance and capability of pupil voice. While this study is not generalisable, it offers valuable insights into how children view gender in simple, accessible terms and how children can use lived experiences to construct a science identity.Recommendations for policymakers highlight the need for more support for educators in facilitating the formation of science identities in early education. By recognising the diverse experiences of science that children bring to the classroom, educators can build on these to foster inclusive and equitable science engagement.</p
The leadership factor in enabling an effective and efficient public service: a comparative study of Zambia, Tanzania, and Kenya
No full textThis thesis analyses the adoption and implications of the New Public Management (NPM) framework in a sub-Saharan Africa public sector context, focusing on how leadership styles influenced the implementation and outcomes of NPM initiatives. The research aims to provide a detailed analysis of the theoretical and practical aspects of NPM and its interaction with various leadership theories, highlighting the broader implications for public sector efficiency and governance. The methodology employed in this study involves a single qualitative approach, utilising semi-structured interviews (SSIs) with public sector leaders. As a reflective practitioner, I assessed leadership styles and developed new insights incrementally throughout the research.Findings indicate that while NPM has led to significant enhancements in operational efficiency and accountability, it also poses challenges such as the potential erosion of public service values and increased pressure on employees. Leadership within the NPM framework emerges as a crucial factor, with effective leaders needing to balance efficiency drives with a commitment to public service ethos. The research underscores that the success of NPM depends on the ability of leaders to navigate these complexities and foster an environment that supports both performance and public value.The contribution to practice is the provision of evidence-based insights that can inform leadership practices and enhance the implementation of NPM initiatives. The contribution to knowledge is the detailed analysis of the interaction between NPM and leadership styles in a sub-Saharan Africa context, providing a nuanced understanding of the practical challenges and benefits. This study is significant for academics, policymakers, and public administrators, offering guidance on effectively harnessing leadership styles to support NPM initiatives and contribute to more robust and responsive public sector management.</p
Participatory photography as a therapeutic practice: a contextual review and case study
No full textResearch proposes that participatory photography is a therapeutic way for people to self-represent, self-advocate and consequently enhance their wellbeing or mental health recovery, yet its therapeutic impact is often criticized within the psychotherapeutic sector because participatory photography is typically facilitated by artists and not therapists or counsellors. Consequently, artists encounter ethical challenges when attempting to evaluate the therapeutic value of their work. As an ‘insider’ photography researcher with lived experience of mental health issues, I am interested in how therapeutic photography supports people with mental health issues to draw on their lived experience and expertise as a participant-led evaluation approach in recovery contexts. The literature also highlights the profound outsider art photography found online that advocates for and represents mental health survivors in inclusive, revealing ways. The crucial implication is that participatory photography expands the potential for phenomenological enquiry and would contribute greatly to existing qualitative research methods. Therapeutic photography was a valuable co-design strategy that supported the interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) method within my study and consequentially resolved some of the issues around IPA's conventional phenomenological reach. This paper argues that the facilitation of therapeutic photography by insider and outsider practitioners should rightly be acknowledged in the therapeutic arts evidence base. To demonstrate the value of this qualitative method, this paper offers a participant-led criterion for outsider art that was tested and successfully applied during participatory photography programmes delivered in public health settings.</p
Determinants of frailty among hospitalized older adults across various wards in a tertiary care hospital in Nepal
No full textIntroduction: Frailty, characterized by decreased resilience due to physiological decline, affects approximately 65% of community-dwelling elderly in Nepal. This study assessed frailty and its factors among hospitalized older adults in a tertiary hospital in Nepal. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 124 participants aged 60 and above, admitted to a tertiary hospital in Nepal. Frailty was assessed using the Groningen Frailty Index (GFI), a validated self-reported tool. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with frailty, using STATA version 13.0. Results: Frailty was observed in 58.8% of participants. Adjusted analysis showed that, compared to those who cannot read and write, those with no formal education had 0.14 times lower odds of frailty (p=0.01, 95% CI 0.03–0.66), while those with formal education had 0.19 times lower odds (p=0.01, 95% CI=0.04–0.73). Participants with comorbidities had 3.51 times higher odds of frailty (p=0.01, 95% CI: 1.22–10.07), and those with a history of falls had 8.10 times higher odds (p=0.005, 95% CI: 1.89–34.78).Conclusion: Frailty was prevalent in over half of the respondents. Lower levels of educational achievement, comorbidities, and a history of falls were identified factors of frailty. Targeted interventions addressing multimorbidity and fall prevention may reduce frailty risk among high-risk older adults in Nepal.</p
Are lead independent directors greener? Evidence from climate change commitment and ESG performance
No full textPurposeThis paper sheds light on how appointing a lead independent director (LIDIR) affects a firm’s commitment to climate change and to what extent environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance is affected by a firm’s commitment to climate change in the presence of a LIDIR.Design/methodology/approachThe authors utilise ordinary least squares (OLS) and a sample of 12,236 firm-year observations in the United States (US) over the 2002-2019 period to test the predictions. The authors also apply alternative research designs such as propensity score matching, Heckman two-step and instrumental variable techniques to address endogeneity concerns.FindingsThe authors find that a LIDIR representation on the board is positively associated with a firm’s commitment to climate change. The authors also find that the association between a LIDIR representation on the board and a firm’s commitment to climate change is more pronounced in firms with a combined Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and board chair positions than firms with both positions separated. Additional analysis suggests that increased commitment to climate change in the presence of a LIDIR improves ESG performance.Originality/valueWhile the effect of a LIDIR on firm financial outcomes has received much attention, there is lack of empirical evidence on whether lead independent directors are greener. The authors provide new and important contribution to the literature by investigating the relationship between a LIDIR representation on the board and non-financial outcomes from the perspective of climate change commitment and ESG performance. The findings may be informative to policymakers seeking to deal with climate change impacts on society to encourage the appointment of a LIDIR.</p
Prevalence of mpox vaccine acceptance among students: a systematic review and meta-analysis
No full textBackground: Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a re-emerging viral disease. Vaccine acceptance is crucial for preventing its spread. This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the acceptance of the Mpox vaccine among student populations. Methods: We searched electronic databases including PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase up to September 14, 2024. The studies included were observational, such as cross-sectional and cohort studies, and specifically assessed vaccine acceptance for Mpox vaccines among students. R version 4.4 was used to perform meta-analysis and sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the robustness of the findings. Publication bias was evaluated using Doi plots. Results: Of the 143 studies initially identified, eight studies were included in the final analysis, comprising a total of 16,129 participants. The overall vaccine acceptance rate was 58.6%, with considerable variability across studies (I² = 100%). Sensitivity analyses indicated that acceptance rates ranged between 45% and 70%. The Doi plot demonstrated the presence of moderate publication bias. Conclusion: This systematic review and meta-analysis show moderate acceptance of the Mpox vaccine among students. Future studies should investigate the factors influencing vaccine acceptance and design targeted strategies to improve coverage, which will be essential for controlling Mpox and ensuring successful vaccination campaigns.</p
Associations between exercise training, physical activity, sedentary behavior and mortality: an umbrella review of meta-analyses
No full textBackground: Numerous studies support the association of exercise training, physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) with both mortality and morbidity outcomes. The results across studies have been inconsistent, and no umbrella reviews have yet been conducted on this topic.Methods: We conducted an umbrella review of meta-analyses of observational studies by screening articles in PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE and Web of Science databases from inception to 30 April 2024. Quality appraisal of each included meta-analysis was done using the AMSTAR 2 tool, with evidence certainty evaluated based on statistical significance, study size, heterogeneity, small-study effects, prediction intervals (PI) and potential biases.Results: Frothy-eight meta-analyses were included (AMSTAR 2 ratings: high 25, moderate 10, low 2 and critically low 11). No evidence was highly suggestive or convincing. Suggestive evidence linked any PA and SB to lower and higher risks of all-cause, cardiovascular and cancer mortality. Suggestive evidence indicated a significant association between self-reported and device-measured total PA (equivalent odds ratio [eOR] 0.78 [0.70–0.86] and eHR = 0.50 [0.38–0.65], respectively), self-reported leisure time PA (eHR = 0.73 [0.66–0.80]), device-measured daily steps (eHR = 0.44 [0.35–0.56]) and aerobic plus resistance training (eHR = 0.60 [0.56–0.64]) with lower all-cause mortality. Weak evidence supported links between self-reported and device-measured SB and higher mortality (eHR = 1.3 [1.22–1.38] and eHR = 2.16 [1.09–4.28], respectively). Suggestive evidence was noted for the association between self-reported leisure time PA (eHR = 0.74 [0.69–0.80]) and resistance training (eHR = 0.82 [0.81–0.84]) with cardiovascular mortality. Suggestive evidence was also found for the association between self-reported leisure time PA (eHR = 0.87 [0.83–0.91]) with cancer mortality. Associations between self-reported running time and mortality from all causes, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and cancer did not reach statistical significance nor did the association between low skeletal muscle mass and all-cause mortality. Meta-regression analyses showed that physical activity reduces mortality risk, with age reducing the protective effects against all-cause, CVD and cancer mortality. We also found that combined exercise training (aerobic plus resistance) most effectively reduces all-cause and CVD mortality.Conclusions: Converging evidence supports that physical activity and sedentary behaviour are associated with lower and higher rates of all-cause, cardiovascular and cancer mortality. More high-quality prospective studies are needed for a better understanding of the associations between running time and also TV-viewing time and health-related outcomes.</p
Hidden violence and silenced voices: Why have lessons about women in counterinsurgency not endured?
No full textThis article offers a feminist critique to unearth the forgotten but extensive involvement of women in counterinsurgency campaigns. Using the colonial case-studies of Malaya and Kenya, this article argues that women have been excluded from the histories of these campaigns, and lessons left unlearned, because it has been inconvenient to the British Army and military history scholars to include them. By exploring original archival material from the British Red Cross, Women’s Institute, Maendeleo ya Wanawake, the East Africa Women’s League, and British military archives, the authors ask where the historical knowledge about women’s participation can be located in the archive.</p
Internationalization Strategies of Swiss Medical Devices
No full textPurpose: This paper provides valuable insights into internationalization strategies of Swiss small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the medical device sector. Limited academic research and insights pertaining to internationalization of this dynamic and fast-growing sector motivated this study. Previous studies in this area have mainly focused on activities of multinational corporations. This paper, thus, examines the factors and processes underpinning internationalization of Swiss SMEs in the medical device sector. Study design/methodology/approach: The study provides an analysis through a mixed-methods approach. Prior to the main data collection, a pilot study with a group of five independent experts from the Swiss medical device sector was undertaken and thereafter, the study gathered quantitative data from respondents who held senior managerial positions in the Swiss medical device sector. To better describe and explain the internationalization strategies of these SMEs, we further interviewed participants from the sector to provide a more in-depth explanation and reasoning. Due to the scope of the research at this stage of our study, the focus is solely on Swiss SMEs with the exclusion of veterinary medicine regulations. Findings: Key findings highlight the importance of psychological and structural proximity, limited domestic market size, and the necessity for international partnerships as the key factors that drive SMEs' internationalization efforts. The lack of resources and market knowledge also significantly influenced how, why, and where Swiss SMEs in the medical device sector internationalized. We also find that most SMEs take a process-oriented approach in their internationalization efforts and rely on exporting to distribution partners in neighboring German-speaking countries. Our findings also highlight numerous economic and social obstacles, including regulatory hurdles and language barriers in the targeted country. Originality/value: Although research on internationalization in the SMEs environment is relatively untapped, this study advances a foundation for future considerations or analysis in comparable domains. Hence, this study explains the behavioral decisions before investing significant time and resources in internationalization. Research limitations: This research examines globalization in the medical device business, without separating between human and veterinary medicine and without the different regulatory requirements for veterinary and human medicinal items, as well as incentives in the various distribution nations. More upcoming research will address these regulatory concerns and investigating the dependence of internationalization barriers on companies' internationalization decisions. Practical implications: This research provides the medical device sector and its firms that have not yet moved into international markets in understanding the process and its potential implications. Furthermore, organizations can benefit from being made aware of the forthcoming internationalization challenges, such as legal or linguistic barriers associated with growing into another country. Social implications: SMEs account for 213 million of all businesses worldwide. SME internationalization is of immediate relevance to individuals and researchers, given the employability rate is usually higher at SMEs in Switzerland.</p
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