Elise Catherine Davis, Ashley Evans, Caroline Uptmore, Sarah Lang, Jessica K. McElroy, David Ellenburg, Tony Nguyen and Bita A. Kash
The purpose of this paper is to present proposed solutions and interventions to some of the major barriers to providing adequate access to healthcare in Kenya. Specific business…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present proposed solutions and interventions to some of the major barriers to providing adequate access to healthcare in Kenya. Specific business models are proposed to improve access to quality healthcare in low- and middle-income countries. Finally, strategies are developed for the retail clinic concept (RCC).
Design/methodology/approach
Google Scholar, PubMed and EBSCOhost were among the databases used to collect articles relevant to the purpose in Kenya. Various governmental and news articles were collected from Google searches. Relevant business models from other sectors were considered for potential application to healthcare and the retail clinic concept.
Findings
After a review of current methodologies and approaches to business and franchising models in various settings, the most relevant models are proposed as solutions to improving quality healthcare in Kenya through the RCC. For example, authors reviewed physician recruitment strategies, insurance plans and community engagement. The paper is informed by existing literature and reports as well as key informants.
Research limitations/implications
This paper lacks primary data collection within Kenya and is limited to a brief scoping review of literature. The findings provide effective strategies for various business and franchising models in healthcare.
Originality/value
The assembling of relevant information specific to Kenya and potential business models provides effective means of improving health delivery through business and franchising, focusing on innovative approaches and models that have proven effective in other settings.
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Tin Trung Nguyen, Tony Cat Anh Hung Nguyen and Cong Duc Tran
During the challenging time of lockdown and isolation due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), contact-tracing apps have played a critical role in health communication and…
Abstract
Purpose
During the challenging time of lockdown and isolation due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), contact-tracing apps have played a critical role in health communication and preventive healthcare. This study proposed and tested an extended technology acceptance model (TAM) with key health factors (i.e. health risk perception from COVID-19, health information orientation to COVID-19 and health consciousness) to understand individuals' adoption of COVID-19 contact-tracing apps.
Design/methodology/approach
A two-stage online survey was conducted to collect data on US individuals’ intention and actual use of COVID-19 contact-tracing apps. The sample comprises 288 valid responses. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and fuzzy set/qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) were employed as the complementary approaches.
Findings
The findings from PLS-SEM revealed that health risk perception, health information orientation and perceived usefulness have positive net effects on behavioral intention, which, in turn, affects actual use. The results from fsQCA highlighted the explanatory power of the extended TAM to COVID-19 contact-tracing app adoption.
Originality/value
Although TAM is considerably effective in measuring technology acceptance, the phenomenon is highly context-driven. How technological and health factors simultaneously motivate the use of contact-tracing apps has not been well documented. The present study offers some implications for practitioners concerned about fostering the adoption of mobile health services in the time of COVID-19. Methodologically, this study is among the first to blend PLS-SEM and fsQCA to measure the explanatory power of a structural model.
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Gregg A. Stevens, Martin Morris, Tony Nguyen and Emily Vardell
Health science librarians occupy a unique place in librarianship, guiding healthcare professionals and the public to quality sources of medical research and consumer health…
Abstract
Health science librarians occupy a unique place in librarianship, guiding healthcare professionals and the public to quality sources of medical research and consumer health information in order to improve patient outcomes and quality of life. A broader impact of health sciences librarianship is its advocacy for improvements in public health. In recent years, health science librarians have been actively involved in advocating for adequate, responsive, and culturally competent health care for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) individuals. Health sciences librarians have advocated for LGBTQ+ individuals through a variety of specialized outreach projects to address health disparities found in the LGBTQ+ community such as HIV/AIDS, women’s health, or substance abuse, have collaborated with public health agencies and community-based organizations to identify health disparities and needs, and have implemented outreach to address these needs.
This chapter maps the landscape of health sciences librarian outreach to LGBTQ+ people. The authors develop this theme through case studies of health science librarians providing health information to the LGBTQ+ community and healthcare professionals. Following an overview of advocacy for LGBTQ+ health by the US National Network of Libraries of Medicine and professional information organizations, they conclude the chapter by discussing the “pioneering” nature of these projects and the common threads uniting them, and by identifying the next steps for continued successful outreach through the development of an evidence base and tailoring of outreach and resources to address other demographic aspects of the members of the LGBTQ+ community.
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Martha E. Meacham, Tony Nguyen, Tess Wilson and Abigail Mann
The chapter seeks to address a current gap in the literature: envisioning and justifying community outreach projects and turning such insights into best practices for managing…
Abstract
The chapter seeks to address a current gap in the literature: envisioning and justifying community outreach projects and turning such insights into best practices for managing such projects. Drawing heavily on informational interviews, the article highlights the importance of defining shared missions and strategic plans, identifying partners, researching needs and expectations, building trust and partnerships, setting and fulfilling communication expectations, offering tangible benefits to the partner, and evaluating outcomes. While focused on health sciences librarians and their community partners, these practices are broadly applicable to many library outreach programs and can enhance credibility, approaches, and impact, while increasing funding opportunities and users while creating sustainable collaborations.
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Jian Zuo, Xianbo Zhao, Quan Bui Minh Nguyen, Tony Ma and Shang Gao
The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to identify the soft skills of construction project management; and second, to investigate the influence of these soft skills on…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to identify the soft skills of construction project management; and second, to investigate the influence of these soft skills on project success factors in the Vietnamese construction industry.
Design/methodology/approach
A questionnaire survey was conducted with 108 project management professionals from the Vietnamese construction industry. Partial least square structural equation modelling was employed in data analysis.
Findings
Four-dimensional structure of project success factors was confirmed in this study. Results also showed that soft skills of project managers significantly contributed to project success factors and hence the project success.
Research limitations/implications
There may be geographical limitation on the conclusions drawn from the findings. Similarly, the sample size was still small, despite a relatively high response rate. In addition, the majority of the respondents were contractors and clients as other project players were reluctant to respond to the survey.
Practical implications
This study provides an understanding of the relationship between soft skills and project success factors.
Originality/value
Although there have been studies focused on soft skills of project management and project success factors, few have attempted to analyse the effects of these soft skills on critical success factors. Thus, this study adds significantly to the existing research on both project management skills and project success factors.
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Ellen Larsen, Elizabeth Curtis, Hoa Thi Mai Nguyen and Tony Loughland
Contemporary early career teacher (ECT) mentoring approaches have largely aspired to shift towards a more non-hierarchic and mutually beneficial learning partnership approach…
Abstract
Purpose
Contemporary early career teacher (ECT) mentoring approaches have largely aspired to shift towards a more non-hierarchic and mutually beneficial learning partnership approach. Such mentoring can be challenging to achieve. We report on a project that sought to further understand how intellectual virtues, such as intellectual courage, open-mindedness and humility, may be mobilised to prepare ECTs and mentors for more collaborative mentoring conversations.
Design/methodology/approach
Using qualitative case study research design, we collected data from 31 mentors and ECTs across two states in Australia engaged in professional learning focused on developing mentors’ and ECTs’ understanding of intellectual virtues as a resource for mentoring conversations. Data were generated from online professional learning activities, a questionnaire and field notes from school site visits and thematically analysed.
Findings
ECTs and mentors reported an increased self-awareness of their dispositional strengths and limitations and heightened confidence to engage in conversations that were more equal and open. Teachers perceived the deployment of intellectual virtues for mentoring to have personal, relational and learning benefits.
Originality/value
Numerous mentoring studies have espoused the value of mentoring that takes a co-constructivist and deeply relational approach, yet there is limited guidance provided to teachers as to how such an approach may be achieved. This paper innovatively draws on intellectual virtues as a cognitive construct to explore this issue and makes an empirical contribution to understanding how to prepare mentors and early career teachers for non-hierarchical and relational mentoring conversations.
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Tony Wall, Nga Ngo, Chúc Nguyễn Hữu, Phạm Ngọc Lan and Sarah Knight
Digital transformation continues to rapidly progress in higher education globally, spanning all aspects of higher education operations, values and culture. Despite expanding…
Abstract
Purpose
Digital transformation continues to rapidly progress in higher education globally, spanning all aspects of higher education operations, values and culture. Despite expanding literature, guidance remains focussed on emergency application during pandemic lockdowns and/or on single organisational case studies. Digital transformation frameworks that move beyond these foci are heavily criticised for being commercially contextualised (outside of higher education) and are often too narrowly conceptualised. The purpose of this paper is to review the most common framework currently used in the UK, which takes a strategic and organisational perspective on digital transformation.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a technical review article that summarises key guidance for organisational digital capability and then reflects on its application in the UK (a developed economy and higher education system) and in Vietnam (one of the fastest-growing economies with a developing higher education committed to digital transformation) as an initial attempt to explore its applicability beyond the UK context. Vietnam has been chosen as a reference context, given its significant current digital transformation policy reform at the national level and as a collaboration partner with the UK in its digital transformation.
Findings
The guidance highlights six core areas to consider for digital capability: information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure, content and information, research and innovation, communication, learning, teaching and assessment and organisational digital culture. Although the framework is normative, findings suggest it is sufficiently open-ended to enable its users to determine practical steps to drive digital transformation. However, complementary tools are suggested to deal with the rapidly developing digital transformation policy context of Vietnam.
Originality/value
This is the first time a review has been conducted from the perspective of different countries, with a view to supporting leaders, managers and policymakers in the UK, Vietnam and other Association of South Eastern Nations (ASEAN) networks in their own digital transformation transitions.