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Mhlanga, Oswald. "Drivers of efficiency and their influence on airline performances in South Africa: a bootstrapped meta-frontier approach." International Journal of Culture, Tourism and Hospitality Research 14, no. 1 (November 17, 2019): 121–35. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/ijcthr-06-2019-0109.
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Purpose This paper aims to identify drivers of efficiency and their influence on airline performances in South Africa. Unfortunately, the methods currently used to measure airline efficiency fail to address the heterogeneity problem, which blurs inefficiency. Design/methodology/approach To remedy the heterogeneity problem, this paper adopts the meta-frontier framework to identify drivers of efficiency. The interesting feature of the model is that it ensures that heterogeneous airlines are compared based on one homogeneous technology. The model is tested using a panel data sample of nine South African airlines, which operated from 2015 to 2018. Findings The paper demonstrates that structural drivers, namely, “aircraft size”, and “airline ownership” and one executional driver, namely, “the cost structure” significantly influence (p < 0.05) airline efficiency thereby corroborating evidence from some prior studies. Research limitations/implications First, because of the small size of the industry, fewer airlines and a lack of detailed data, the study could not consider other important factors such as optimal routing and network structure. Second, a more rigorous analysis over a period of time would yield better understanding about the growth of the industry in South Africa and recognise the variation in the influence of drivers of efficiency on airline performances over time. Practical implications The results have potential policy implications. First, as the market in South Africa is too small to operate with a smaller aircraft probably, for airlines that operate with smaller aircraft to operate efficiently they should first identify niche markets where they can have a route monopoly. Second, while all state-owned airlines are perfect statehood symbols that define and represent countries, most state carriers in South Africa are highly inefficient. The researcher recommends policymakers to privatise state airlines or seek equity partners. Many nationalised airlines have turned losses to profits in the run-up to privatisation. British Airways, once a large burden on the British taxpayer, is now one of the world’s most efficient airlines. After the privatisation of Air France and Iberia, all two turned from loss-making concerns into profitable airlines. It, therefore, makes no sense for the South African government to expect state carriers to pursue a commercial mandate with such political interference. The very notion of efficiency itself is at risk. Originality/value This paper is a first attempt to identify drivers of operational efficiency using a bootstrapped meta-frontier approach in the airline industry in South Africa. By applying the meta-frontier approach the paper ensures that all heterogeneous airlines are assessed based on their distance from a common and identical frontier.
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Beattie, Pauline, and Moses Bockarie. "THE NINTH FORUM OF THE EUROPEAN & DEVELOPING COUNTRIES CLINICAL TRIALS PARTNERSHIP." BMJ Global Health 4, Suppl 3 (April 2019): A1. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2019-edc.1.
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The EDCTP community meets biennially to share research findings, plan new partnerships and collaborations, and discuss maximising impact from EDCTP-funded research. In 2018, the Ninth EDCTP Forum took place in Lisbon, Portugal, from 17–21 September 2018. The Lisbon meeting was the largest international conference focusing on clinical research on poverty-related infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa. It started with a strong commitment, from European and African EDCTP member countries, for a successor programme to EDCTP2 (2014–2024). It provided a platform for the presentation of project results and discussion of progress in clinical research and capacity strengthening in sub-Saharan Africa.The theme of the Ninth Forum was ‘Clinical research and sustainable development in sub-Saharan Africa: the impact of North-South partnerships’. This reflected not only the broader scope of a larger EDCTP research programme but also the growing awareness of the need for global cooperation to prepare for public health emergencies and strengthen health systems. The theme highlighted the impact of Europe-Africa partnerships supporting clinical research and the clinical research environment, towards achieving the sustainable development goals in sub-Saharan Africa.A central topic of the Forum was the discussion of the character and scope of an EDCTP successor programme, which should start in 2021 under the next European Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, Horizon Europe. On 17 September, a high-level meeting on this topic took place immediately before the opening of the Forum1. On 19 September, the plenary session continued this discussion through a panel of representatives of strategic partners. There was consensus on the added value of the programme for Europe and the countries in sub-Saharan Africa and political commitment to a successor programme. Poverty-related infectious diseases and a partnership approach will remain central to the programme. There was also a general awareness that all participating countries would need to engage more strongly with a successor programme, both in its governance and in their financial contributions to its objectives.The Forum hosted 550 participants from more than 50countries. The programme consisted of keynote addresses by policy makers, research leaders, and prominent speakers from Europe and Africa in 5 plenary presentations. There were 9 symposia, 45 oral presentations in parallel sessions, and 74 electronic poster presentations. Abstracts of the plenary, oral and poster presentations are published in this supplement to BMJ Global Health.EDCTP is proud of its contribution to strengthening clinical research capacity in Africa, with more than 400 postgraduate students and 56 EDCTP fellows supported under the first EDCTP programme. The second programme developed a comprehensive fellowship scheme. More than 100 EDCTP fellows (former and current) participated in a one-day pre-conference to discuss the further development of our Alumni Network launched in 2017. The Forum also offered scholarships to many early and mid-career researchers from sub-Saharan Africa and Europe. With the support of the European Union, EDCTP member countries and sponsors, they were able to present results of their studies and meet colleagues from Africa and Europe.The Forum also provided the appropriate platform for recognising individual and team achievements through the four EDCTP 2018 Prizes. With the support of the European Union, EDCTP recognised outstanding individuals and research teams from Africa and Europe. In addition to their scientific excellence, the awardees made major contributions to the EDCTP objectives of clinical research capacity development in Africa and establishing research networks between North and South as well as within sub-Saharan Africa.Dr Pascoal Mocumbi Prize Professor Souleyman Mboup (Professor of Microbiology, University of Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar; Head of the Bacteriology-Virology Laboratory of CHU Le Dantec, Dakar; and President of IRESSEF, Senegal) was recognised for his outstanding achievements in advancing health research and capacity development in Africa.Outstanding Research Team Prize The prize was awarded to the team of the CHAPAS (Children with HIV in Africa – Pharmacokinetics and acceptability of simple antiretroviral regimens) studies, led by Professor Diana Gibb (MRC Clinical Trials Unit, United Kingdom).Outstanding Female Scientist Prize The prize was awarded to Professor Gita Ramjee (Chief Specialist Scientist and Director of the HIV Prevention Research Unit of the South African Medical Research Council, Durban, South Africa) for her outstanding contributions to her field.Scientific Leadership Prize The prize was awarded to Professor Keertan Dheda (Head of the Centre for Lung Infection and Immunity and Head of the Division of Pulmonology at Groote Schuur Hospital and the University of Cape Town, South Africa) for his research contributions and leadership.Partnership is at the core of the EDCTP mission. In the year before the Forum, Nigeria and Ethiopia were welcomed as the newest member countries of the EDCTP Association, while Angola became an aspirant member. Partnership was also demonstrated by the many stakeholders who enriched the programme by organising scientific symposia, collaborative sessions and workshops. We thank our sponsors Novartis, Merck, the European Union, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (Germany), the Institute of Health Carlos III (Spain), the National Alliance for Life Sciences and Health (France), the Medical Research Council (United Kingdom), the Swedish International Development Agency (Sweden), ClinaPharm (African CRO), the Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevölkerung (Germany), The Global Health Network (United Kingdom), PATH, and ScreenTB. We gratefully acknowledge the support of our partners and hosts of the Forum, the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology and the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.The tenth EDCTP Forum will take place in sub-Saharan Africa in 2020.
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Paula, Ana Patrícia de, Silvana Pereira Giozza, Michelle Zanon Pereira, Patrícia Souza Boaventura, Leonor Maria Pacheco Santos, Camile Giaretta Sachetti, César Omar Carranza Tamayo, et al. "Clinical investigations for SUS, the Brazilian public health system." Sao Paulo Medical Journal 130, no. 3 (2012): 179–86. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/s1516-31802012000300008.
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CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Scientific and technological development is crucial for advancing the Brazilian health system and for promoting quality of life. The way in which the Brazilian Ministry of Health has supported clinical research to provide autonomy, self-sufficiency, competitiveness and innovation for the healthcare industrial production complex, in accordance with the National Policy on Science, Technology and Innovation in Healthcare, was analyzed. DESIGN AND SETTING: Descriptive investigation, based on secondary data, conducted at the Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Health. METHODS: The Ministry of Health's research management database, PesquisaSaúde, was analyzed from 2002 to 2009, using the key word "clinical research" in the fields "primary sub-agenda" or "secondary sub-agenda". The 368 projects retrieved were sorted into six categories: basic biomedical research, preclinical studies, expanded clinical research, clinical trials, infrastructure support and health technology assessment. From a structured review on "clinical research funding", results from selected countries are presented and discussed. RESULTS: The amount invested was R$ 140 million. The largest number of projects supported "basic biomedical research", while the highest amounts invested were in "clinical trials" and "infrastructure support". The southeastern region had the greatest proportion of projects and financial resources. In some respects, Brazil is ahead of other BRICS countries (Russia, India, China and South Africa), especially with regard to establishing a National Clinical Research Network. CONCLUSION: The Ministry of Health ensured investments to encourage clinical research in Brazil and contributed towards promoting cohesion between investigators, health policies and the healthcare industrial production complex.
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Whitaker, Rhiannon, Maggie Hendry, Rabeea’h Aslam, Andrew Booth, Ben Carter, Joanna M. Charles, Noel Craine, et al. "Intervention Now to Eliminate Repeat Unintended Pregnancy in Teenagers (INTERUPT): a systematic review of intervention effectiveness and cost-effectiveness, and qualitative and realist synthesis of implementation factors and user engagement." Health Technology Assessment 20, no. 16 (February 2016): 1–214. http://dx.doi.org/10.3310/hta20160.
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BackgroundThe UK has one of the highest rates of teenage pregnancies in Western Europe. One-fifth of these are repeat pregnancies. Unintended conceptions can cause substantial emotional, psychological and educational harm to teenagers, often with enduring implications for life chances. Babies of teenage mothers have increased mortality and are at a significantly increased risk of poverty, educational underachievement and unemployment later in life, with associated costs to society. It is important to identify effective, cost-effective and acceptable interventions.ObjectivesTo identify who is at the greatest risk of repeat unintended pregnancies; which interventions are effective and cost-effective; and what the barriers to and facilitators of the uptake of these interventions are.Data sourcesWe conducted a multistreamed, mixed-methods systematic review informed by service user and provider consultation to examine worldwide peer-reviewed evidence and UK-generated grey literature to find and evaluate interventions to reduce repeat unintended teenage pregnancies. We searched the following electronic databases: MEDLINE and MEDLINE In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, PsycINFO, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, The Cochrane Library (Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects and the Health Technology Assessment Database), EMBASE (Excerpta Medicadatabase), British Nursing Index, Educational Resources Information Center, Sociological Abstracts, Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts, BiblioMap (the Evidence for Policy and Practice Information and Co-ordinating Centre register of health promotion and public health research), Social Sciences Citation Index (supported by Web of Knowledge), Research Papers in Economics, EconLit (American Economic Association’s electronic bibliography), OpenGrey, Scopus, Scirus, Social Care Online, National Research Register, National Institute for Health Research Clinical Research Network Portfolio and Index to THESES. Searches were conducted in May 2013 and updated in June 2014. In addition, we conducted a systematic search of Google (Google Inc., Mountain View, CA, USA) in January 2014. Database searches were guided by an advisory group of stakeholders.Review methodsTo address the topic’s complexities, we used a structured, innovative and iterative approach combining methods tailored to each evidence stream. Quantitative data (effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, risk factors and effect modifiers) were synthesised with reference to Cochrane guidelines for evaluating evidence on public health interventions. Qualitative evidence addressing facilitators of and barriers to the uptake of interventions, experience and acceptability of interventions was synthesised thematically. We applied the principles of realist synthesis to uncover theories and mechanisms underpinning interventions (what works, for whom and in what context). Finally, we conducted an overarching narrative of synthesis of evidence and gathered service user feedback.ResultsWe identified 8664 documents initially, and 816 in repeat searches. We filtered these to 12 randomised controlled trials (RCTs), four quasi-RCTs, 10 qualitative studies and 53 other quantitative studies published between 1996 and 2012. None of the RCTs was based in the UK. The RCTs evaluated an emergency contraception programme and psychosocial interventions. We found no evidence for effectiveness with regard to condom use, contraceptive use or rates of unprotected sex or use of birth control. Our primary outcome was repeat conception rate: the event rate was 132 of 308 (43%) in the intervention group versus 140 of 289 (48%) for the control goup, with a non-significant risk ratio (RR) of 0.92 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.78 to 1.08]. Four studies reported subsequent birth rates: 29 of 237 (12%) events for the intervention arm versus 46 out of 224 (21%) for the control arm, with a RR of 0.60 (95% CI 0.39 to 0.93). Many repeat conceptions occurred in the context of poverty, low expectations and aspirations, and negligible opportunities. Service user feedback suggested that there were specific motivations for many repeat conceptions, for example to replace loss or to please a partner. Realist synthesis highlighted that context, motivation, planning for the future and letting young women take control with connectedness and tailoring provide a conceptual framework for future research.LimitationsIncluded studies rarely characterised adolescent pregnancy as intended or unintended, that is interventions to reduce repeat conceptions rarely addressed whether or not pregnancies were intended. Furthermore, interventions were often not clearly defined, had multiple aims and did not indicate which elements were intended to address which aims. Nearly all of the studies were conducted in the USA and focused largely on African American or Hispanic and Latina American populations.ConclusionsWe found no evidence to indicate that existing interventions to reduce repeat teenage pregnancy were effective; however, subsequent births were reduced by home-based interventions. Qualitative and realist evidence helped to explain gaps in intervention design that should be addressed. More theory-based, rigorously evaluated programmes need to be developed to reduce repeat teenage pregnancy in the UK.Study registrationThis study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42012003168. Cochrane registration number: i=fertility/0068.FundingThe National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme.
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Licona, Fabiola Martínez, Joaquín Azpiroz Leehan, Miguel Cadena Méndez, Salvador Duarte Yuriar, Raúl Molina Salazar, and Amador Terán Gilmore. "Knowledge network for medical technology management in Mexico." International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care 25, no. 4 (October 2009): 564–69. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0266462309990341.
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Objectives: The role of biomedical engineers (BMEs) has changed widely over the years, from managing a group of technicians to the planning of large installations and the management of medical technology countrywide. As the technology has advanced, the competence of BMEs has been challenged because it is no longer possible to be an expert in every component of the technology involved in running a hospital. Our approach has been to form a network of professionals that are experts in different fields related to medical technology, where work is coordinated to provide high quality services at the planning and execution stages of projects related to medical technology.Methods: A study of the procedures involved in the procurement of medical technology has been carried out over the years. These experiences have been compared with several case studies where the approach to problem solving in this area has been multidisciplinary. Planning and execution phases of projects involving medical technology management have been identified.Results: After several instances of collaboration among experts from different fields, a network for management of healthcare technology has been formed at our institution that incorporates the experience from different departments that were dealing separately with projects involving medical technology.Conclusions: This network has led us to propose this approach to solve medical technology management projects, where the strengths of each subgroup complement each other. This structure will lead to a more integrated approach to healthcare technology management and will ensure higher quality solutions.
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Lindquist, Matthew J., and Yves Zenou. "Crime and networks: ten policy lessons." Oxford Review of Economic Policy 35, no. 4 (2019): 746–71. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oxrep/grz020.
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Abstract Social network analysis can help us understand the root causes of delinquent behaviour and crime and provide practical guidance for the design of crime prevention policies. To illustrate these points, we first present a selective review of several key network studies and findings from the criminology and police studies literature. We then turn to a presentation of recent contributions made by network economists. We highlight ten policy lessons and provide a discussion of recent developments in the use of big data and computer technology.
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FRIEDERICI, NICOLAS. "GROUNDING THE DREAM OF AFRICAN INNOVATION HUBS: TWO CASES IN KIGALI." Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship 23, no. 02 (June 2018): 1850012. http://dx.doi.org/10.1142/s1084946718500127.
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Innovation hub organizations have become a fixture in African cities. Proponents of hubs commonly envision them to function as network infrastructures. Specifically, hubs are conceived of as network intermediaries within entrepreneurial ecosystems, allowing for seamless collaboration between diverse actors. This paper grounds such visions and conceptualizations, presenting case studies of two hubs in Rwanda: kLab and The Office. It draws on interviews with 47 participants with a stake in technology entrepreneurship in Kigali, about half of them founders or CEOs of small technology startups. Ultimately, the case studies show that implementation realities of hubs are far removed from aspirational visions. Notably, the paper finds that facets of community (such as boundaries and cultures) need to be continually negotiated between hub leaders and entrepreneurs, resulting in tensions and tradeoffs.
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Håheim, Lise Lund, Iñaki Imaz, Marlène Läubli Loud, Teresa Gasparetto, Jesús González-Enriquez, Helena Dahlgren, Igor Trofimovs, Elena Berti, and Berit Mørland. "Internal evaluation of the European network for Health Technology Assessment project." International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care 25, S2 (December 2009): 99–106. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0266462309990742.
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Objectives: The internal evaluation studied the development of the European network for Health Technology Assessment (EUnetHTA) Project in achieving the general objective of establishing an effective and a sustainable network of health technology assessment (HTA) in Europe.Methods: The Work Package 3 group was dedicated to this task and performed the work. Information on activities during the project was collected from three sources. First, three yearly cross-sectional studies surveyed the participants’ opinions. Responses were by individuals or by institutions. The last round included surveys to the Steering Committee, the Stakeholder Forum, and the Secretariat. Second, the Work Package Lead Partners were interviewed bi-annually, five times in total, to update the information on the Project's progress. Third, additional information was sought in available documents.Results: The organizational structure remained stable. The Project succeeded in developing tools aimed at providing common methodology with intent to establish a standard of conducting and reporting HTA and to facilitate greater collaboration among agencies. The participants/agencies expressed their belief in a network and in maintaining local/national autonomy. The Work Package Leaders expressed a strong belief in the solid base of the Project for a future network on which to build, but were aware of the need for funding and governmental support.Conclusions: Participants and Work Package Leaders have expressed support for a future network that will improve national and international collaboration in HTA based on the experience from the EUnetHTA project.
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Mueller, Milton, Andreas Kuehn, and Stephanie Michelle Santoso. "Policing the Network: Using DPI for Copyright Enforcement." Surveillance & Society 9, no. 4 (June 20, 2012): 348–64. http://dx.doi.org/10.24908/ss.v9i4.4340.
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Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) and other network surveillance techniques have become important factors in the policy debate over online copyright infringement. These new technical capabilities reopened an old debate about the responsibility of internet service providers (ISPs) for policing the internet. This paper attempts to understand the extent to which new technological capabilities have the power to alter regulatory principles. It examines political conflict and negotiation over proposals to use DPI for online copyright enforcement in the EU and the USA, using a hybrid of actor-network theory from science, technology and society studies and actor-centered institutionalism in political science. It shows that while the technology disrupted a policy equilibrium, neither the EU nor the US applied DPI to copyright policing in a way that realized its radical potential. The key factor preventing such an integrated response was the disjunction between the interests of network operators and the interests of copyright holders.
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Marsh, Sophia, and Ilse Truter. "VP33 Pharmacoeconomic Submission Requirements: Africa Compared With England." International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care 35, S1 (2019): 84. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0266462319003076.
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IntroductionThe South African Pharmacoeconomic Submissions Guideline (SAPG) is currently voluntary for medicines in the private health sector but may become mandatory and more widely used under the proposed National Health Insurance system. To make recommendations on evidence generation and areas where the SAPG could be strengthened, the study compared the SAPG requirements with other African pharmacoeconomic guidelines and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Methods Guide (NICE MG).MethodsThe World Health Organisation, International Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment (INAHTA), HTA International, and the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research websites were consulted, and email requests sent to named individuals from retrieved source material. The European Network for HTA Core Model® (version 3.0) (the Model®) provided the evaluation and comparison framework, using three criteria: completely, partly or not completely requiring the same or similar information as the Model®.ResultsOf the forty-five countries identified, only Egypt had a publicly available pharmacoeconomic guideline (Egyptian Pharmacoeconomic Guideline (EPG)). The guidelines varied considerably in their intended audience, size and content. All three guidelines’ primary focus was the cost and economic evaluation, and health problem and current use domains. Safety, organisational, ethical and legal aspects were poorly covered by the SAPG and EPG guidelines (less than thirty percent of issues in each domain completely / partly covered). The SAPG completely or partly required the same or similar information in the Model® for thirty-nine percent of total issues, the EPG thirty-three percent and the NICE MG sixty-six percentConclusionsThe SAPG was not as comprehensive as the NICE MG and poorly covered some key aspects of HTAs, suggesting that the SAPG could be developed to be more informative for decision-makers. Evidence generation should focus on describing the health problem the technology is targeting and on evidence that can be synthesized into cost-effectiveness analyses.
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George, Cindy, Suzaan Stoker, Ikechi Okpechi, Mark Woodward, and Andre Kengne. "The Chronic Kidney Disease in Africa (CKD-Africa) collaboration: lessons from a new pan-African network." BMJ Global Health 6, no. 8 (August 2021): e006454. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2021-006454.
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Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global public health problem, seemingly affecting individuals from low-income and-middle-income countries (LMICs) disproportionately, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite the growing evidence pointing to an increasing prevalence of CKD across Africa, there has not been an Africa-wide concerted effort to provide reliable estimates that could adequately inform health services planning and policy development to address the consequences of CKD. Therefore, we established the CKD in Africa (CKD-Africa) Collaboration. To date, the network has curated data from 39 studies conducted in 12 African countries, totalling 35 747 participants, of which most are from sub-Saharan Africa. We are, however, continuously seeking further collaborations with other groups who have suitable data to grow the network. Although many successful research consortia exist, few papers have been published (with none from Africa) detailing the challenges faced and lessons learnt in setting up and managing a research consortium. Drawing on our experience, we describe the steps taken and the key factors required to establish a functional collaborative consortium among researchers in Africa. In addition, we present the challenges we encountered in building our network, how we managed those challenges and the benefit of such a collaboration for Africa. Although the CKD-Africa Collaboration is focused primarily on CKD research, many of the lessons learnt can be applied more widely in public health research in LMICs.
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Seo, Ilwon. "Regions’ Technology Brokerage Patterns and Dynamics for Regional Development." Sustainability 11, no. 9 (May 1, 2019): 2540. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su11092540.
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While extant studies on brokerage address its structural competitiveness and network performance, few studies address the fundamental question of whether all the brokerage types have identical and positive effects on network development. Extending the Gould and Fernandez’s brokerage topology, the study measures the contribution of the brokerage roles over to the network evolution. For the purpose, the Chinese technology transfer flow networks were utilized to reveal the brokerage patterns of three anchor regions—Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. The analysis outlines that Beijing and Shenzhen, as nation-wide brokerage hubs, transmit the technology across the whole regions, while Shanghai seems to be a more balanced broker region connecting the neighbour regions with the others. The longitudinal simulation analysis demonstrates that a liaison-type brokerage function, connecting the heterogeneous knowledge sources, contributes to the growth of the regional network.
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Manyuchi, Albert Edgar, and John Ouma Mugabe. "The production and use of indicators in science, technology and innovation policy-making in Africa." Journal of Science and Technology Policy Management 9, no. 1 (March 5, 2018): 21–41. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/jstpm-06-2017-0026.
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PurposeA growing number of African countries are starting to produce science, technology and innovation (STI) indicators. The purpose of this paper is to provide some lessons learnt in the production and use of STI indicators in Malawi and South Africa. It is compares the two countries’ efforts to conduct Research and Development (R&D) surveys and examines whether and how STI indicators are used in policymaking processes.Design/methodology/approachThe study approach is qualitative. The research methodology encompasses a thorough review of both policy and academic literature as well as some interviews.FindingsThe study demonstrates that South Africa has a relatively developed institutional arrangement for undertaking R&D and innovation surveys and developing related STI indicators. There is evidence that efforts are being made to use STI indicators to inform policymaking in the country. On the other hand, Malawi conducted its first R&D survey under the African Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators Initiative (ASTII) and has not established an institutional mechanism dedicated to producing STI indicators. There is no evidence that indicators are used in, or to inform, policymaking in the country.Research limitations/implicationsBecause of significant differences in STI policymaking histories, capacities and cultures of the two countries, it is not really useful to compare the STI production and use. Rather it is important to draw lessons from the efforts of the two countries.Practical implicationsThe results suggest that the production of STI indicators should be embedded in policy processes. To be useful and effective, STI indicators production needs to be explicitly linked to policy formulation, evaluation and monitoring activities without necessarily undermining the independence of producing STI indicators.Social implicationsCreating stand-alone programmes or agencies for R&D and innovation surveys without clear articulation with policymaking needs erodes opportunities of having evidence-based STI policy regimes.Originality/valueAlthough in 2005 only South Africa and Tunisia had national programmes dedicated to the generation of R&D statistics, by the end of 2010 at least 19 African countries had experimented with conducting R&D surveys under the auspices of the ASTII of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development. These countries accumulated different experiences and consequently build different kinds of institutional capacities. Through the Malawi and South Africa case studies, some important lessons for STI indicators production and use and STI policymaking can be drawn for developing countries in general and African countries in particular.
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Patterson, Amy S., and Elizabeth Gill. "Up in smoke? Global tobacco control advocacy and local mobilization in Africa." International Affairs 95, no. 5 (September 1, 2019): 1111–30. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ia/iiz102.
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Abstract Even though most African states have signed and ratified the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), a global treaty to limit tobacco use, African states have been slow to pass and implement tobacco control policies like regulations on sales, smoke-free environments and taxes. This article examines how the ineffectiveness of local tobacco-control advocacy contributes to this suboptimal outcome. It asserts that the disconnect between the global tobacco-control advocacy network and local advocates shapes this ineffectiveness. With funding and direction predominately from the Bloomberg Initiative, local advocates emulate the funders' goal of achieving quick, measurable policy results. Their reliance on the network drives African advocates to strive to pass legislation, even in difficult political climates, and to remake their agendas when funders change their priorities. They also emulate the network's focus on evidence-based arguments that stress epidemiological data and biomedical interventions, even when this issue frame does not resonate with policy-makers. Financial dependence can draw local advocates into expectations about patronage politics, undermine their ability to make principled arguments, and lead them to downplay the ways that their home country's socioeconomic and cultural contexts affect tobacco use and control. Based on key informant interviews with African advocates, media analysis and the case-studies of Ghana and Tanzania, the article broadens the study of philanthropy in global health, it adds an African perspective to the literature on global health advocacy, and it deepens knowledge on power dynamics between external funders and local actors in the realms of health and development.
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Bess, Michael K. "Traffic Problems:Authority, Mobility, and Technology in Mexico's Federal District, 1867–1912." Americas 78, no. 2 (April 2021): 259–78. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/tam.2020.108.
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AbstractThis article examines how people in Mexico's Federal District (Distrito Federal) contested transit policies and responded to the introduction of new technical infrastructures, like the electrified tram network. District officials published transit guidelines that reflected elite preoccupation with order, but their heavy-handed policies faced resistance from poor, working-class, and middle-class residents. This defiance took different forms: noncompliance, rule-breaking, public protests, and written complaints to officials and the press. Municipal governments wielded considerable power to shape policy and clashed over jurisdiction and authority over taxation and police mobility. National leaders serving the strongman president, Porfirio Díaz, undermined this influence and consolidated decision-making authority in the office of the district governor and the city council of Mexico City. They justified limiting municipal authority and democratic participation in the district as necessary to improve urban transportation infrastructure, improve tax collection, and streamline transit policy. Nevertheless, this attempt at centralization failed amid public complaints about continuing service problems and allegations of official incompetence in the Dirección de Obras Públicas (directorate of public works). After 1910, when the Mexican Revolution brought a new generation of political leadership to power, the policy was reversed, serving as an important symbolic and administrative break with the past.
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Serrano-Aguilar, Pedro, José Asua-Batarrita, María Teresa Molina-López, Mireia Espallargues, Joan Pons-Rafols, Sandra García-Armesto, Paloma Arriola-Bolado, et al. "The Spanish Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment and Services of the National Health System (RedETS)." International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care 35, no. 03 (2019): 176–80. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0266462319000205.
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AbstractEarlier activities on health technology assessment (HTA) started in Spain around 1984, with the creation of a National Advisory Board on HTA, and the development of national and regional HTA organizations in the early 1990s. In 2012, the Spanish Health Ministry established the Spanish Network for Health Technology Assessment of the National Health System (RedETS); funded at national level and including all public HTA organizations at national and regional levels. RedETSis focused on the assessment of nondrug health technologies to inform the revision (approval and funding or disinvestment) of the Benefit Portfolio of the Spanish NHS. In parallel with European Network for Health Technology Assessment (EUnetHTA), RedETS has been setting-up and sharing common procedures and methodological guidelines to ensure effective cooperation and mutual recognition of the scientific and technical production in HTA. The output of RedETS is fifty to sixty annual reports, including the production of full HTA reports, Clinical Practice Guidelines, methodological guidance reports, relative effectiveness assessments, tools to support shared decision making between patients and healthcare professionals, and monitoring studies. The HTA assessments requested by the Regional Health Authorities are the biggest component of the annual RedETS working plan. These assessment needs are identified according to a yearly process and prioritized by a Commission composed of representatives from all Spanish regions with the aid of the PRITEC tool. The objectives of this study are to report and update the normative and organizational state of HTA in Spain; describing noteworthy advances witnessed over the past 10 years, as well as discussing existing challenges.
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Clark, Norman G., and John Mugabe. "Initiatives for strengthening science and technology policy in the field of environment and development: The case of the African Centre for Technology Studies Capacity Development Programme." International Journal of Technology Management and Sustainable Development 3, no. 2 (September 2004): 75–90. http://dx.doi.org/10.1386/ijtm.3.2.75/0.
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Aryeetey, Richmond, Michelle Holdsworth, Christine Taljaard, Waliou Amoussa Hounkpatin, Esi Colecraft, Carl Lachat, Eunice Nago, Tesfaye Hailu, Patrick Kolsteren, and Roos Verstraeten. "Evidence-informed decision making for nutrition: African experiences and way forward." Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 76, no. 4 (August 14, 2017): 589–96. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0029665117001082.
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Although substantial amount of nutrition research is conducted in Africa, the research agenda is mainly donor-driven. There is a clear need for a revised research agenda in Africa which is both driven by and responding to local priorities. The present paper summarises proceedings of a symposium on how evidence can guide decision makers towards context-appropriate priorities and decisions in nutrition. The paper focuses on lessons learnt from case studies by the Evidence Informed Decision Making in Nutrition and Health Network implemented between 2015 and 2016 in Benin, Ghana and South Africa. Activities within these countries were organised around problem-oriented evidence-informed decision-making (EIDM), capacity strengthening and leadership and horizontal collaboration. Using a combination of desk-reviews, stakeholder influence-mapping, semi-structured interviews and convening platforms, these country-level studies demonstrated strong interest for partnership between researchers and decision makers, and use of research evidence for prioritisation and decision making in nutrition. Identified capacity gaps were addressed through training workshops on EIDM, systematic reviews, cost–benefit evaluations and evidence contextualisation. Investing in knowledge partnerships and development of capacity and leadership are key to drive appropriate use of evidence in nutrition policy and programming in Africa.
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Irisarri, Magdalena, Javier Pintos, Ana Deminco, Daniel Pedrosa, Alicia Aleman, and Ana Perez Galán. "VP11 Use Of Health Technology Assessment Adaptation In Latin America." International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care 35, S1 (2019): 77–78. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0266462319002897.
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IntroductionThe development of health technology assessment (HTA) reports is a time-consuming process that requires highly trained human resources. In many Latin American countries this type of personnel is scarce. The adaptation of HTA could be a time-saving process to get inputs for decision. The objective of this study is to determine the frequency of use of HTA adaptation process and to describe type of tools used in this process in Latin American countries.MethodsThe Health Technology Assessment Network of the Americas (REDETSA) is a non-profit network formed by ministries of health, regulatory authorities and health technology assessment agencies (PAHO/WHO). During the last meeting of REDETSA in November 2018, we performed an exploration survey to gather information related to the topic in order to promote the creation of an adaptation working group. The question was whether HTA agencies did adaptation of HTA reports and, if so, what methods and tools were used and what sections of the report were adapted.ResultsThirty-three institutions from fourteen Latin American countries answered to the consultation. Seven countries do adaptation of HTA (50 percent) and one country does adoption. Of those countries that adapt HTA, three do only economic transferability. Methods and tools are usually developed locally or there is not a systematic approach. In two countries, the economic study transferability tool developed by Hutter and Antoñaza is used.ConclusionsAdaptation of HTA is not well developed among Latin American agencies, although it seems to be an efficient strategy when assessing efficacy and safety. Adaptation of economic studies is still controversial; nevertheless, it is used in some of the countries of the region. It is necessary to advance in the development of HTA adaptation tools, developed and adapted to local contexts in the region.
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Marsh, Sophia E., and Ilse Truter. "Fit for the future? Status of health-related quality of life research in South Africa." International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care 36, no. 5 (September 29, 2020): 508–17. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0266462320000690.
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ObjectiveTo provide insights into the attributes of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) research within the context of economic evaluations for a potential national health technology assessment process in South Africa, and make evidence generation recommendations.MethodsA systematic review was conducted in January 2019 using Medline, the Web of Science (WoS) Core Collection and the South African SciELO collection via the WoS Platform, and in the Cochrane Library. No time restrictions were applied. Duplicate records were removed before first- and second-pass screening by two reviewers working independently.ResultsThe review identified 123 publications representing 104 studies since the first-published article appeared in 1996. Only eight studies were randomized controlled trials, most were cross-sectional (n = 54). The EQ-5D, SF-36, and WHOQOL-BREF were the most used HRQoL instruments (n = 35, n = 23, and n = 10, respectively). Instruments were frequently administered in multiple languages, reflecting the cultural groups in which the study was conducted, with the English version of instruments used most often. Studies were predominantly conducted within the public health sector (n = 67), in the Western Cape province (n = 46), in adults (n = 92) and people with HIV (n = 24).ConclusionSouth African specific HRQoL studies have been conducted in a range of settings and populations using mostly generic HRQoL instruments in multiple languages. These studies may provide generalizable, real-world data due to their observational nature. However, more comparative and longitudinal studies should be conducted as this is preferred for economic evaluations and patient, disease, and treatment characteristics should be reported in full.
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Ntoumi, Francine, Francine Zumla, Giuseppe Ippolito, and Francesco Vairo. "PO 8460 PANDORA-ID NET (PAN-AFRICAN NETWORK FOR RAPID RESEARCH, RESPONSE, RELIEF AND PREPAREDNESS FOR INFECTIOUS DISEASES EPIDEMICS)." BMJ Global Health 4, Suppl 3 (April 2019): A40.2—A40. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2019-edc.105.
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BackgroundNew and re-emerging infectious disease outbreaks continue to cause much human suffering and loss of life worldwide. Since Africa has experienced repeated outbreaks of zoonotic infections, an important need exists to improve local and regional capacities to identify and respond to zoonotic outbreaks. PANDORA ID-NET is an EDCTP-supported ‘ONE Human and Animal HEALTH’ multidisciplinary consortium of 24 partner institutions (15 African and 9 European) in 9 African and 4 European countries.MethodsOur overall aim is to strengthen regional and pan-African capacities and systems for enabling a rapid and effective response to infectious diseases with epidemic potential, arising from within Africa or imported from overseas. We aim to build laboratory and public health capabilites for rapid detection and surveillance of pathogens from human and animal sources. This will include obtaining accelerated evidence for optimal clinical management of patients, infection control measures, and public health response during outbreaks. Capacities will be built: a) for performing multisite clinical trials (evaluating rapid diagnostics, biomarkers, a range of treatments, vaccines and operational research studies) and, b) for timely collection, analysis and communication of information.ConclusionOur activities will be aligned to EDCTP regional Networks of Excellence, Africa CDC and other relevant global and regional initiatives, thus maximizing complementarity and achieving a multiplier effect, facilitating rapid policy implementation of outputs.
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Bruyn, Tom De. "Equal Relations and Appropriate Expertise in India’s South-South Co-operation? Discourse and Practice of the Pan-African e-Network." Insight on Africa 10, no. 1 (November 13, 2017): 1–20. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0975087817735384.
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This article examines the implementation of India’s South-South Co-operation (SSC) principles in the health component of one of its flagship project: the Pan-African e-Network. Data are combined from the few available studies as well as from fieldwork in Mozambique, including interviews and policy documents. After scrutinizing the capacity building approach and the conception, design and implementation phases, the conclusion drawn is that the governmental discourse does not match with practice. Despite an efficient implementation of the infrastructure, the top-down, stand-alone and one-size-fits-all approach limits the agency in and appropriation of the project by its end users as well as an effective transfer of Indian expertise to other contexts.
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BINUYO, Adekunle Oluwole. "ICT Adoption and Economic Growth Nexus: Evidence from Leading African Economies." Journal of Economics and Behavioral Studies 7, no. 5(J) (October 30, 2015): 43–54. http://dx.doi.org/10.22610/jebs.v7i5(j).605.
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This paper examines the impact of information and communication technology (ICT) on output growth in Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Libya, Sudan, Kenya, and Ghana. We use annual data on GDP (PPP) to proxy economic growth whilst internet users, mobile phone users, telephone users, personal computers users, and school enrolment (tertiary) covering from 1990 – 2013 were used to proxy ICT. The data were analysed in a dynamic panel environment using the 2SLS method. The robustness of the 2SLS result was confirmed by the GMM regression. The results imply a positive relationship between ICT and economic growth in accord with earlier studies. Few of the earlier studies investigate the causality aspect of the relationship and the few that did use ICT directly without resolving it into its sub-variables as done in this study. The Granger causality test results indicate that only fixed wireless communication system Granger cause GDPPPP out of the five predictors suggesting that the other ICT predictors merely associate with GDP not necessarily Granger cause it as most of the earlier studies erroneously suggest. The policy implication is that the affected countries should give policy priority to development of ICT infrastructure with specific emphasis on the fixed wireless communication system as precursors for ensuring sustainable growth in the medium and long - term.
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Galvan, Pedro, Ronald Rivas, Benicio Grossling, Juan Portillo, Julio Mazzoleni, and Enrique Hilario. "VP28 Building A Virtual Diagnosis Network Through A Telemedicine Platform." International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care 35, S1 (2019): 82–83. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0266462319003027.
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IntroductionAdvances in information and communication technology (ICT) and health technology have enhanced healthcare for many countries around the world. The challenge for low income setting countries is to build a telemedicine platform to enhance the community hospital diagnosis response capacity. Populations living in remote areas did not have access to specialist care and quality diagnostic services and thus depended on the low response capacity of their local health system. There were subsequent equity issues between urban and rural populations. In this context the virtual telediagnosis network should be directed towards developing better equity in the provision of services in remote locations without access to specialists. The usability of a telemedicine platform to enhance the virtual diagnosis network of community hospitals in rural areas of Paraguay was investigated.MethodsThis descriptive study was carried out by the Telemedicine Unit of the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare (MSPBS) in collaboration with the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging of the Health Science Research Institute (IICS-UNA) and the University of the Basque Country (UPV / EHU) to evaluate the utility of a telemedicine platform to enhance the virtual diagnosis network of community hospitals. For this purpose, the results obtained by the virtual telediagnosis network implemented in sixty public countryside community hospitals were analyzed.ResultsA total of 427,026 remote diagnoses were performed between January 2014 and October 2018 in sixty community hospitals. Of the total, 35.76 percent (152,703) corresponded to tomography studies, 62.55 percent (267,100) to electrocardiography (EKG), 1.68 percent (7,204) to electroencephalography (EEG) and 0.01 percent (19) to ultrasound. There were no significant differences between the remote and the face-to-face diagnosis. With the remote diagnosis a reduction of the cost was obtained, that supposes an important benefit for each citizen of the sixty communities.ConclusionsThe results show that the virtual diagnosis network based on a telemedicine platform can enhance significantly the community hospital diagnostic services, maximizing professional time and productivity, increasing access and equity, and reducing costs. However, before carrying out its countrywide implementation, a contextualization with the regional epidemiological profile must be performed.
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Henry, Nicola, Asher Flynn, and Anastasia Powell. "Technology-Facilitated Domestic and Sexual Violence: A Review." Violence Against Women 26, no. 15-16 (October 1, 2020): 1828–54. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1077801219875821.
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This article investigates the phenomenon of domestic and sexual violence against adult women using digital communications technologies. The article explores terminological and conceptual challenges and describes the empirical research literature in this field to date in relation to digital dating abuse, intimate partner cyberstalking, technology-facilitated sexual assault, image-based sexual abuse, and online sexual harassment. The article also discusses policy and practice responses to this growing problem, as well as future directions for research. We argue that research and practice need to be guided by existing conceptual frameworks that utilize gender and actor–network theory to understanding the causes and consequences of women’s experiences of abuse and violence facilitated by digital technologies.
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Gagnon, Hubert, Christian Bellemare, Georges-Auguste Legault, Suzanne K. Bédard, Jean-Pierre Béland, Louise Bernier, Pierre Dagenais, et al. "PP193 How Does HTA Address Social Expectations Now? An International Survey." International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care 35, S1 (2019): 73. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0266462319002782.
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IntroductionAfter surveying its members on ethical issues (2003), the International Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment (INAHTA) mandated its Ethics Working Group (2005) to reflect on the role of health technology assessment (HTA) organizations in meeting social expectations. Some aspects of these have since been clarified by two studies addressing either the official position of INAHTA's members or the publication authors. An international survey was carried out on the perception of HTA professionals’ expectations when producing HTA reports: how to fulfil HTA's social role, which value judgments should be made explicit and what should be the status of ethical analysis.MethodsA twenty-two question, web-based, anonymous survey was devised from our recent systematic review on the integration of ethics into HTA and carried from April to July 2018. The information on 328 HTA agencies/contact persons from seventy-five countries was collected from the website of INAHTA, Health Technology Assessment International (HTAi), the European Network for Health Technology Assessment (EUnetHTA), EuroScan International Network, the HTA Network of the Americas (RedETSA) and the HTA Network of Asia (HTAsiaLink), a 2015 World Health Organization survey, HTAi members, and our local HTA network (Québec, Canada).ResultsEighty-nine participants completed and submitted a finalized survey for a 27 percent participation rate representing thirty-three countries. Regarding how the HTA reports should fulfil their social role, our results showed that over 84 percent of the respondents agreed upon the necessity to address it to decision makers, patients and citizens. At a lower and more variable level, the same result was found about the necessity to make value judgements explicit in different sections of the report, including ethical analysis. This contrasts with the variability of responses obtained on the status of ethical analysis although an agreement on the expertise required was observed. Variability in the usefulness of patient, public or stakeholder participation was observed.ConclusionsAt the dawn of this decade, this study reveals high expectations on context-dependent decisions in HTA: the necessity to integrate the ‘explicitation’ of value judgements and systematic ethical analysis to fulfil HTA's social role.
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Chitimira, Howard, and Princess Ncube. "The Regulation and Use of Artificial Intelligence and 5G Technology to Combat Cybercrime and Financial Crime in South African Banks." Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal 24 (June 30, 2021): 1–33. http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/1727-3781/2021/v24i0a10742.
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Artificial intelligence (AI) and fifth generation network technology (5G) are now being utilised by some companies and financial institutions such as banks to enhance their competitiveness and expand their businesses. The general types of AI include functional AI, interactive AI, text AI, visual AI and analytic AI. The key components of AI include machine learning, fast Internet connectivity, deep learning, neural networks and advanced data analysis. These components may be complemented by the adoption and use of standard 5G cellular networks. 5G utilises broadband Internet access and Internet connection, and is now employed by some banking institutions, especially in developed countries. It is not clear whether South African banking institutions have adopted 5G for their Internet connectivity and operations. AI and 5G may be used to detect and combat cybercrimes in banking institutions. On the other hand, AI and 5G may also be abused by cybercriminals to commit financial crimes such as money laundering and insider trading. In this regard it is submitted that South African policy makers should carefully revise the Cybersecurity Bill B6-2017 (Cybercrimes Bill) to embrace the use of AI and 5G to detect and combat cybercrimes in South African banks. Accordingly, this article examines the adequacy of the Cybercrimes Bill. It also explores the regulation and use of 5G and AI to detect, prevent and combat cybercrimes in banks and other financial institutions in South Africa.
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Di Mauro, Roxana, Francesco Faggiano, Martina Andellini, Pietro Derrico, and Matteo Ritrovato. "PP178 Health Technology Assessment Of Laboratory Medicine." International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care 35, S1 (2019): 70. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0266462319002708.
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IntroductionRecent studies have investigated the re-organization and automation of laboratory medicine as a challenge for the hospital in terms of reduction of costs, turnaround time, workload, optimization of human and technological resources and improvement of safety. The purpose of this study was to conduct a health technology assessment (HTA) evaluation process about the possibility to re-organize and automate laboratory medicine at Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital.MethodsThe decision-oriented HTA (Do-HTA) method, involving the integration of the European Network for HTA (EUnetHTA) CoreModel and the Analytic Hierarchy Process, was applied to assess the best technology solution. Twenty-one professionals were involved to define tender specifications related to the adaptation works of the new dedicated rooms, and the automatic technologies and organizational solutions for the new laboratory department. Finally, two manufacturer companies were consulted.ResultsUsing Do-HTA, the study was focused on laboratory technologies while the infrastructure evaluation was conducted by the Engineering and Logistic Units of the hospital. Results showed that the total performance score of the first proposal was slightly higher (2.5 percent) than the second one, proving the comparable high qualitative level of both manufactures technologies. After an accurate analysis, evaluating all aspects (safety, clinical efficacy, cost, organization & technical criteria) and integrating the infrastructure evaluation, the decision has fallen upon the first company offer.ConclusionsThis HTA project provided an in-depth examination of two proposed technological and organizational solutions. Thanks to the Do-HTA method, which produced and developed data and all needed information, it was possible to guide and assist the decision makers on the choice between the two technical solutions.
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Chung, Peichi. "The Creative Industry of Singapore: Cultural Policy in the Age of Globalisation." Media International Australia 128, no. 1 (August 2008): 31–45. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1329878x0812800105.
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This article examines the development of the creative industry in Singapore in the context of globalisation. In studying the application of a government-based development model that prioritises economic goals in fostering a culture-based creative industry, the article explores the effects on the complex social network when the state is involved in introducing Western globalisation into the local society of Singapore. It discusses the major government initiatives to develop the creative industry and the views of local new media artists towards this policy. The article concludes with the resilience of local culture, arguing that the public response and the ‘bottom-up’ artist movement are beginning to embrace new media art forms as part of the national culture in Singapore. New media technology has been a site of cultural practice that allows media artists to participate in the state's development of a homegrown new media industry.
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Makame, W. H., J. Kang, and S. Park. "Factors influencing electronic commerce adoption in developing countries: The case of Tanzania." South African Journal of Business Management 45, no. 2 (June 30, 2014): 83–96. http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/sajbm.v45i2.126.
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Electronic commerce is rapidly replacing the old ways of doing business. Although many studies have been conducted on the adoption of various forms of e-commerce, there are few on this topic in African countries; in particular, there is no research on Tanzania. Therefore, this paper analyzes the factors determining e-commerce and their impact on its adoption in Tanzania. This paper extends the technology acceptance model (TAM) to an empirical study analyzing the factors influencing e-commerce adoption in Tanzania. A survey involving 111 respondents including Tanzanian government officers was conducted, and structural equation modeling was used to assess the model for the influence of three new factors: national policy initiatives, technology infrastructure, and trust in e-commerce adoption. The results show thattechnology infrastructure is an important factor in e-commerce adoption, and national policy initiatives are important in building online trust and improving technology infrastructure in Tanzania. Therefore, government policy makers need to encourage the presence of good technology infrastructure and build trust in e-commerce through national policy initiatives such as e-commerce promotion. Limitations of this paper are that the respondents are limited to people who have access to the Internet and some might not have enough knowledge about e-commerce. Further, the survey is conducted only in Tanzania; therefore, the results may differ in other African countries.
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Cohen, Mírian, Ana Flávia Lima, Sandro Miguel, Marina Aziz, Ricardo Bertoglio Cardoso, and Luciane Cruz. "PP99 Hospital-Based Health Technology Assessment Units In Brazil: Present And Future." International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care 35, S1 (2019): 56–57. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0266462319002344.
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IntroductionSince 2007, 23 Núcleos de Avaliação de Tecnologias em Saúde or hospital-based health technology assessment (HB-HTA) units have been established in teaching hospitals across Brazil. These units aim to promote the development of health technology assessment in hospitals, assisting the decision-making process for implementing new technologies and evaluating and promoting the rational use of widespread technologies.MethodsAn online questionnaire was sent by e-mail to all HB-HTA units registered in the Brazilian Network for Evaluation of Health Technologies. Information was acquired to comprehensively assess the activity of the units.ResultsAll 23 HB-HTA units answered the questionnaire. Of these, 65 percent had a technology prioritization process. The technologies assessed included drug therapies (73%), equipment (64%), medical devices (64%), clinical protocols (46%), and emerging technologies (27%). The dimensions of health technology assessment (HTA) evaluated by these organizations were: efficacy (76%); effectiveness (67%); safety (67%); costs (52%); cost effectiveness or cost utility (52%); and budget impact (43%). The hospital departments that required more HTA studies were: cardiology (50%); infectious diseases (45%); hospital management (45%); oncology (40%); surgery (40%); and endocrinology (20%). HTA studies supported: incorporation of new technologies (81%); protocol or guideline development (57%); new indications for already approved technologies (38%); and withdrawal of obsolete technologies (29%). Half of the institutions also conducted educational or training activities. The main difficulties reported were a lack of trained professionals (78%), funding (70%), and material resources (48%).ConclusionsFor low- and middle-income countries, the process of implementing HB-HTA units remains a challenge. Even though human resources and funding are scarce, HB-HTA units continue to develop. Given their importance in the decision-making process, it is imperative that every effort is made to ensure their activities continue.
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Minniti, Davide, Ottavio Davini, Maria Rosaria Gualano, and Maria Michela Gianino. "TECHNIQUES FOR DIAGNOSING OSTEOPOROSIS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF COST-EFFECTIVENESS STUDIES." International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care 30, no. 3 (July 2014): 273–81. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0266462314000257.
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Objectives:The study question was whether dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) alone is more cost-effective for identifying postmenopausal women with osteoporosis than a two-step procedure with quantitative ultrasound sonography (QUS) plus DXA. To answer this question, a systematic review was performed.Methods:Electronic databases (PubMed, INAHTA, Health Evidence Network, NIHR, the Health Technology Assessment program, the NHS Economic Evaluation Database, Research Papers in Economics, Web of Science, Scopus, and EconLit) were searched for cost-effectiveness publications. Two independent reviewers selected eligible publications based on the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Quality assessment of economic evaluations was undertaken using the Drummond checklist.Results:Seven journal articles and four reports were reviewed. The cost per true positive case diagnosed by DXA was found to be higher than that for diagnosis by QUS+DXA in two articles. In one article it was found to be lower. In three studies, the results were not conclusive. These articles were characterized by the differences in the types of devices, parameters and thresholds on the QUS and DXA tests and the unit costs of the DXA and QUS tests as well as by variability in the sensitivity and specificity of the techniques and the prevalence of osteoporosis.Conclusions:The publications reviewed did not provide clear-cut evidence for drawing conclusions about which screening test may be more cost-effective for identifying postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.
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Ashton, Hazel, and David C. Thorns. "The Role of Information Communications Technology in Retrieving Local Community." City & Community 6, no. 3 (September 2007): 211–29. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6040.2007.00214.x.
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The article explores the decline in social connectivity and the questions of whether and how local populations can use information–communications technologies (ICTs) to help reconnect. At the center of this debate are problems in conceptualizing community in today's globalizing network society. As well as challenges to older ideas about community, these problems include the impacts of numerous contemporary societal and global pressures on communities themselves. The first step of community renewal is what Scott Lash (1994) refers to as the “retrieval” of community, which is to be a genuinely participatory process, rather than presuming community already exists or engineering a consensus about what it is or what it wants. Some governments are now suggesting that a way to reconnect local populations in order to recover lost sociability and rebuild social infrastructure is through using ICTs as a major tool. Using the New Zealand Government policy contained in the Connecting Communities programme (2002) and the Digital Strategy (2004), the article explores and provides a critique of the strategies being advocated, particularly with respect to the use of the concepts of community and connectivity. A case study of the development and use of ICT tools for community retrieval within a particular local area is used to identify some pitfalls and argue for approaches to connectivity that effectively utilize ICTs as community networking tools.
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Huang, Lufei, Ying Xu, Xiaohui Pan, and Tao Zhang. "Green Technology Collaboration Network Analysis of China’s Transportation Sector: A Patent-Based Analysis." Scientific Programming 2021 (April 5, 2021): 1–12. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/9961071.
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The development of green transportation technologies in China has grown rapidly due to increasing concerns about climate change and environmental pollution. Collaboration innovations covering kinds of participating entities and various linked relationships have become one of the critical drivers for the transportation sector. Some researchers have analysed the collaborative innovation of scientific literature in this field. However, fewer studies have investigated the current performance of collaborative technology innovation represented by patents in the transportation sector. In this context, a research framework based on the social network analysis approach is proposed for collaboration green transportation technologies. The purpose of the research is to establish an analytical framework for the green transportation innovation network and seek the key collaboration activities and strategies. Subsequently, a collaborative innovation network based on the patent data of green transportation technologies was built and analysed. Especially, the innovation entities in the collaboration network are divided into four groups: business enterprises, individuals, universities, and research institutions, so that more detailed information in the network could be obtained. The results show that the proposed research framework based on patent data and social network analysis method helps examine the critical nodes and links in the network, as well as their types and characteristics of the collaboration network. The increasing number of green transportation technologies shows active cooperation in this field. The study also found that business enterprises node gradually plays a major role in cooperative innovation. The corresponding policy recommendations are also provided.
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Chang, Shu-Hao, and Chin-Yuan Fan. "Using Patent Technology Networks to Observe Neurocomputing Technology Hotspots and Development Trends." Sustainability 12, no. 18 (September 17, 2020): 7696. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su12187696.
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In recent years, development in the fields of big data and artificial intelligence has given rise to interest among scholars in neurocomputing-related applications. Neurocomputing has relatively widespread applications because it is a critical technology in numerous fields. However, most studies on neurocomputing have focused on improving related algorithms or application fields; they have failed to highlight the main technology hotspots and development trends from a comprehensive viewpoint. To fill the research gap, this study adopts a new viewpoint and employs technological fields as its main subject. Neurocomputing patents are subjected to network analysis to construct a neurocomputing technology hotspot. The results reveal that the neurocomputing technology hotspots are algorithms, methods or devices for reading or recognizing printed or written characters or patterns, and digital storage characterized by the use of particular electric or magnetic storage elements. Furthermore, the technology hotspots are discovered to not be clustered around particular fields but, rather, are multidisciplinary. The applications that combine neurocomputing with digital storage are currently undergoing the most extensive development. Finally, patentee analysis reveal that neurocomputing technology is mainly being developed by information technology corporations, thereby indicating the market development potential of neurocomputing technology. This study constructs a technology hotspot network model to elucidate the trend in development of neurocomputing technology, and the findings may serve as a reference for industries planning to promote emerging technologies.
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Kruss, Glenda. "Knowledge-Intensive University Spin-off Firms in South Africa: Fragile Network Alignment?" Industry and Higher Education 22, no. 4 (August 2008): 233–43. http://dx.doi.org/10.5367/000000008785201784.
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This paper analyses the conditions for sustaining spin-off firms from university-based research in South Africa through follow-up case studies of three high-technology networks, using a ‘network alignment’ approach. Commercialization failed in the first case because of a lack of interactive capability and an absence of networks between the university and the industrial sector. Initial success was short-lived for the second case, given misalignment between firm and market conditions and in the coordination of key functions in the firm. In the third and most successful case, there was misalignment between the firm and a key global supplier, impacting on networks between firm and market and threatening turnover and future viability. The degree of alignment in the South African national system of innovation is fragile, in that networks may exist but not sufficiently widely across the system, or they may not function effectively. Hence, as the empirical evidence suggests, it is difficult to sustain competitive spin-off firms.
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Sun, Ying Ying. "Calculation and Analysis of the Effect with Electric Vehicle Connected to the Distributed System." Applied Mechanics and Materials 448-453 (October 2013): 2416–22. http://dx.doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.448-453.2416.
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With the development of electric vehicles technology, especially the development of battery technology and strongly supported by some developed countries in terms of policy, electric vehicle has undergone a rapid expansion in recent years. A lot of electric vehicles are popularized and applied, which will have an impact on power system especially the distribution system. Therefore it is necessary to study the demand characteristics of electric charging and the treatment method and model of access to the network. With this understanding, this article studies the power output model of electric vehicle and analyzes the impact to the distribution network load, the network loss and voltage with different electric vehicles capacity.
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Zoogah, David B., Emanuel Gomes, and Miguel Pina Cunha. "Autochthonous management knowledge/knowledge management in Africa." Journal of Knowledge Management 24, no. 6 (June 16, 2020): 1493–512. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/jkm-10-2019-0554.
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Purpose There is a growing desire for more scientific and technical knowledge regarding Africa. This is because Africa has the potential and opportunity to generate impactful research. However, this potential is not optimized because of several constraints, including the lack of systematic reviews and models of knowledge management and paradoxical trends in Africa. The purpose of this paper is to review studies on knowledge management and associated paradoxes in Africa and a paradox-conscious African knowledge management model. The autochthonous African model that the authors propose has implications for global knowledge management. Design/methodology/approach The authors review studies on knowledge management and paradoxes on Africa. Findings The authors propose a model and identify 12 paradoxes broadly categorized as industrial, political and social. Practical implications The paradoxical tensions characteristic of Africa may be considered integral to business and policy rather than local expressions to be solved through international “best practice.” Originality/value The model this paper propose enables theoretical and empirical studies of knowledge management sensitive to the paradoxical tensions associated with autochthonous management knowledge and autochthonous knowledge management.
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Moga, Carmen, Dagmara Chojecki, and Bing Guo. "OP137 Translating Results From Clinical Audit Studies To Local Context." International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care 35, S1 (2019): 31. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s026646231900165x.
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IntroductionDespite widespread use of oxygen (O2) therapy, there is relatively little available information on routine O2 administration and monitoring; this is an issue particularly when considering the potential risks associated with inappropriate O2 utilization. A rapid health technology assessment (HTA) was conducted to inform the Respiratory Health Strategic Clinical Network Oxygen Summit in Alberta on aspects related to current practice in the use of O2 therapy in acute care, including administration, safety and quality, and inappropriate practice. Clinical audit is a tool used to determine deviations in practice and to identify opportunities for improvement. The objective of this presentation is to describe the experience and lessons learned from including clinical audit studies in the rapid HTA.MethodsA standardized rapid review approach was used to identify, select, and synthesize evidence from studies published in English from 2005 to 2016. A supplementary literature search conducted in 2018 provided additional background information on the value, applicability, and limitation of using results from clinical audit studies to inform questions of good practice.ResultsTwenty-four clinical audit studies on O2 therapy were identified; the majority were conducted in the United Kingdom. The studies varied in design, methodology, and data and outcomes reporting. Ten studies investigated the appropriateness of O2 therapy prescription pre- and post-implementation of local initiatives and interventions, which helped pinpoint major gaps in current practice, and identified general recommendations for improvement of practice. A list of reporting criteria is proposed for improving the reporting of clinical audit studies results.ConclusionsConducting clinical audit studies is resource-intensive. In the absence of other research evidence and local practice data, translating results from clinical audit studies conducted in other jurisdictions, while challenging, can help address appropriateness questions. However, inferences from these studies may be suitable only for certain topics or an operating context.
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MOORS, ELLEN H. M., and PHILIP J. VERGRAGT. "TECHNOLOGY CHOICES FOR SUSTAINABLE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION: TRANSITIONS IN METAL MAKING." International Journal of Innovation Management 06, no. 03 (September 2002): 277–99. http://dx.doi.org/10.1142/s1363919602000616.
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Many firms have been taking up the environmental challenge, primarily by implementing incremental technological changes in their production systems. We believe that incremental innovations are no longer enough. Instead, radical innovations in industrial production are necessary for achieving high-level sustainability goals. Accordingly, the aim of this paper is to assess how industrial production can be managed towards sustainability goals, by focusing on technological innovations of large-scale, process-oriented firms. We focus on technology choice processes at the micro level that lead to innovations in the metals production industry. Insights into these choice processes could inform policy for promoting more sustainable industrial production. We first conceptualise "incremental" and "radical" innovations according to a technological criterion. Next, a systems-network conceptual framework is presented and applied to the analysis of technology choice processes within two steel producing firms. We argue that the awareness of a crisis, due to increased external pressures upon the production system, is a necessary (but not sufficient) condition for radical innovations to be developed and implemented. Furthermore, the availability of a mature firm-internal technology network is a necessary (but not always sufficient) condition for the development of radical innovations. Heterogeneous, informal interactions with firm-external actors are also important. A high degree of technical or organisational embeddedness of the industrial production system seems to complicate the implementation of radical innovations. These options are often implemented when firms are growing. The empirical studies and conceptual framework generate conclusions about policy interventions aimed at transition to radical innovations. These interventions should be focused on the sensitivity of large firms to external pressure. In addition, more outsiders should be enrolled in the technology networks within firms. Further, the firm management should reinforce existing, firm-internal technology networks by including a high density of heterogeneous specialists. Finally, governments should tune their technology policy on business expanding programs.
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Apostolidis, Kathi, Lydia Makaroff, Francesco De Lorenzo, and Francesco Florindi. "VP60 The Importance Of Patient Organizations Involvement In Health Technology Assessment." International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care 33, S1 (2017): 176. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0266462317003385.
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INTRODUCTION:In Europe, the work done by the European Commission and the European Network for Health Technology Assessment (EUnetHTA) has consolidated the role of Health Technology Assessment (HTA), and promises to better harmonize its impact across European Union (EU) countries. However, more work is needed to improve patient involvement in assessing new health technology, and in developing research priorities.METHODS:The European Cancer Patient Coalition (ECPC) developed a model for engagement of patients in HTA based on the experience from: •ECPC's ‘Value of Innovation in Oncology’ White Paper, which includes input from ECPC's membership•ECPC's leading role in the Patient Preferences in Benefit-Risk Assessments during the Drug Life Cycle (PREFER) study, funded by the Innovative Medicines Initiative, to develop guidelines on how patient-preference studies should be performed throughout the development of new medical treatments.RESULTS:The ECPC ‘Value of Innovation in Oncology’ White Paper was launched in 2017. The paper provides ECPC's policy position on key obstacles to equitable access to meaningful innovation. The paper recommends the establishment of an EU-wide HTA body to reduce delays and variations in access and to avoid duplication of effort by individual Member States. The paper also recommends that patients should be formally and routinely included in HTA policy and operations at EU and at national levels. These recommendations were also submitted to the European Commission's public consultation on strengthening EU cooperation on HTA.Through its work in PREFER, ECPC is helping to improve how patient preferences are measured and valued to capture the impact of health technology on patients daily life. Patient preferences are concerned with measuring how patients value components such as treatment end points, route of administration, treatment duration, treatment frequency, frequency of side-effects, price, and quality of life.CONCLUSIONS:Patient organization involvement in HTA is vital. Patient organizations offer unique insights, experiences, identify unmet needs, and can help to produce practical recommendations
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Mengesha, Niguissie, Anteneh Ayanso, and Dawit Demissie. "Profiles and Evolution of E-Government Readiness in Africa." International Journal of Information Systems and Social Change 11, no. 1 (January 2020): 43–65. http://dx.doi.org/10.4018/ijissc.2020010104.
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E-government has been one of the top government strategies in recent years. Several studies and projects have attempted to understand the scope of e-government and the measurement framework that can be deployed to track the readiness as well as progress of nations overtime. Among these initiatives is the United Nations Public Administration Network (UN PAN) that assesses the e-government readiness of nations according to a quantitative composite index based on telecommunication infrastructure, human capital, and online services. Using the UN PAN index data from 2008 to 2016, the article profiles African nations using unsupervised machine learning technique. It also examines the resulting cluster profiles in terms of theoretical perspectives in the literature and derive policy insights from the different groupings of nations and their evolution over time. Finally, the article discusses the policy implications of the proposed methodology and the insights obtained.
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Adedeji, Kazeem B., and Yskandar Hamam. "Cyber-Physical Systems for Water Supply Network Management: Basics, Challenges, and Roadmap." Sustainability 12, no. 22 (November 17, 2020): 9555. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su12229555.
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Water supply systems are dynamic in nature, owing to the effect of climate change and consumer demand uncertainties. The operation of such a system must be managed effectively to meet up with the uncertainties, thus posing a key challenge. Unfortunately, previous information and communication technology (ICT) solutions could not provide the necessary support for applications to deal with the dynamics of the changing physical environment. Nevertheless, tremendous growth in technology offers better possibilities to enhance water supply systems’ operations. As a result, development in technology in sensing and instrumentation, communication and networking, computing and control is now jointly integrated with water supply system infrastructures to enhance the water system operations. One such technological paradigm shift is the cyber-physical system (CPS). In this paper, we present the concept of the CPS in the water system context and investigate the CPS applications to water supply system monitoring. Also, the various applications of CPSs and the application domain requirements are outlined. More importantly, research studies on its application to water system monitoring are scrutinized. As such, key challenges sounding the applications in WSSs are identified. We then outline the areas of improvement for further studies.
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Oliveira, Miria. "RACIAL EDUCATION IN BRAZILIAN CHILDREN´S LITERATURE TEACHING." International Journal for Innovation Education and Research 7, no. 7 (July 31, 2019): 147–59. http://dx.doi.org/10.31686/ijier.vol7.iss7.1591.
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This paper discusses racial relations in teaching of children´s and young literature in Brazil. Based on the laws 10.639/2003 and 11.645/2008, which require that Brazilian schools teach the history and culture of Afro-Brazilians and Native Nations, we seek to problematize the applied research project From Reader To Reader, considering the effectiveness of the cited laws and the receiving of the African and Afro-Brazilian literary books brought together in Kit Afro: an affirmative policy of democratization of the access to literary production for diversity implemented by the Municipal Teaching Network of Belo Horizonte. Our discussions are guided by studies about race relations in Brazil (GOMES, 2012), teaching of literature (OLIVEIRA, 2015) and transcultural and decolonial pedagogy (HOPENHAY, 2009; WALSH, 2017).
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Ehret, Michael, Daniel McDonald-Junor, and David Smith. "High Technology and Economic Development: The BioCity Nottingham Technology Incubator." International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation 13, no. 4 (November 2012): 301–9. http://dx.doi.org/10.5367/ijei.2012.0095.
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The Case Study section of the International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation serves two purposes. First, the case studies presented are concerned with problematical issues that are pertinent to students of entrepreneurship. Thus they constitute appropriate teaching and learning vehicles on a variety of postgraduate and undergraduate programmes. Each case study is accompanied by a set of guidelines for the use of tutors. Second, it is envisaged that those engaged in entrepreneurial activities will find the cases both interesting and useful. Since the 1990s, public policy makers and private investors have been creating bio-incubators with the aim of obtaining a foothold in what many presume is one of the hottest future industries. This case study provides an in-depth picture of the biggest UK-based bio-incubator – BioCity Nottingham. The study outlines the history and regional context of the incubator as well as its service portfolio and a profile of its supported firms. The study provides insights into the formation of biotechnology companies, the role of the regional context in shaping business models and the emergence of a science-based business network. As a major implication, Nottingham's location, remote from the epicentre of both science and venture capital in the UK, favours service-based business models. BioCity provides a fascinating opportunity to become acquainted with local conditions of business incubation.
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Huseien, Ghasan Fahim, and Kwok Wei Shah. "Potential Applications of 5G Network Technology for Climate Change Control: A Scoping Review of Singapore." Sustainability 13, no. 17 (August 30, 2021): 9720. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su13179720.
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Climate change is one of the most challenging problems that humanity has ever faced. With the rapid development in technology, a key feature of 5G networks is the increased level of connectivity between everyday objects, facilitated by faster internet speeds with smart facilities indicative of the forthcoming 5G-driven revolution in Internet of Things (IoT). This study revisited the benefits of 5G network technologies to enhance the efficiency of the smart city and minimize climate change impacts in Singapore, thus creating a clean environment for healthy living. Results revealed that the smart management of energy, wastes, water resources, agricultures, risk factors, and the economy adopted in Singapore can remarkably contribute to reducing climate change, thus attaining the sustainability goals. Hence, future studies on cost-effective design and implementation are essential to increase the focus on the smart city concept globally.
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Gallos, Ioannis, Helen Williams, Malcolm Price, Karen Pickering, Abi Merriel, Aurelio Tobias, David Lissauer, et al. "Uterotonic drugs to prevent postpartum haemorrhage: a network meta-analysis." Health Technology Assessment 23, no. 9 (February 2019): 1–356. http://dx.doi.org/10.3310/hta23090.
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BackgroundPostpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is the leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide. Prophylactic uterotonic drugs can reduce blood loss and are routinely recommended. There are several uterotonic drugs for preventing PPH, but it is still debatable which drug or combination of drugs is the most effective.ObjectivesTo identify the most effective and cost-effective uterotonic drug(s) to prevent PPH, and generate a ranking according to their effectiveness and side-effect profile.MethodsThe Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth’s Trials Register (1 June 2015), ClinicalTrials.gov and the World Health Organization (WHO)’s International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) were searched for unpublished trial reports (30 June 2015). In addition, reference lists of retrieved studies (updated October 2017) were searched for randomised trials evaluating uterotonic drugs for preventing PPH. The study estimated relative effects and rankings for preventing PPH, defined as blood loss of ≥ 500 ml and ≥ 1000 ml. Pairwise meta-analyses and network meta-analysis were performed to determine the relative effects and rankings of all available drugs and combinations thereof [ergometrine, misoprostol (Cytotec®; Pfizer Inc., New York, NY, USA), misoprostol plus oxytocin (Syntocinon®; Novartis International AG, Basel, Switzerland), carbetocin (Pabal®; Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Saint-Prex, Switzerland), ergometrine plus oxytocin (Syntometrine®; Alliance Pharma plc, Chippenham, UK), oxytocin, and a placebo or no treatment]. Primary outcomes were stratified according to the mode of birth, prior risk of PPH, health-care setting, drug dosage, regimen and route of drug administration. Sensitivity analyses were performed according to study quality and funding source, among others. A model-based economic evaluation compared the relative cost-effectiveness separately for vaginal births and caesareans with or without including side effects.ResultsFrom 137 randomised trials and 87,466 women, ergometrine plus oxytocin, carbetocin and misoprostol plus oxytocin were found to reduce the risk of PPH blood loss of ≥ 500 ml compared with the standard drug, oxytocin [ergometrine plus oxytocin: risk ratio (RR) 0.69, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.57 to 0.83; carbetocin: RR 0.72, 95% CI 0.52 to 1.00; misoprostol plus oxytocin: RR 0.73, 95% CI 0.6 to 0.9]. Each of these three strategies had 100% cumulative probability of being ranked first, second or third most effective. Oxytocin was ranked fourth, with an almost 0% cumulative probability of being ranked in the top three. Similar rankings were noted for the reduction of PPH blood loss of ≥ 1000 ml (ergometrine plus oxytocin: RR 0.77, 95% CI 0.61 to 0.95; carbetocin: RR 0.70, 95% CI 0.38 to 1.28; misoprostol plus oxytocin: RR 0.90, 95% CI 0.72 to 1.14), and most secondary outcomes. Ergometrine plus oxytocin and misoprostol plus oxytocin had the poorest ranking for side effects. Carbetocin had a favourable side-effect profile, which was similar to oxytocin. However, the analysis was restricted to high-quality studies, carbetocin lost its ranking and was comparable to oxytocin. The relative cost-effectiveness of the alternative strategies is inconclusive, and the results are affected by both the uncertainty and inconsistency in the data reported on adverse events. For vaginal delivery, when assuming no adverse events, ergometrine plus oxytocin is less costly and more effective than all strategies except carbetocin. The strategy of carbetocin is both more effective and more costly than all other strategies. When taking adverse events into consideration, all prevention strategies, except oxytocin, are more costly and less effective than carbetocin. For delivery by caesarean section, with and without adverse events, the relative cost-effectiveness is different, again because of the uncertainty in the available data.LimitationsThere was considerable uncertainty in findings within the planned subgroup analyses, and subgroup effects cannot be ruled out.ConclusionsErgometrine plus oxytocin, carbetocin and misoprostol plus oxytocin are more effective uterotonic drug strategies for preventing PPH than the current standard, oxytocin. Ergometrine plus oxytocin and misoprostol plus oxytocin cause significant side effects. Carbetocin has a favourable side-effect profile, which was similar to oxytocin. However, most carbetocin trials are small and of poor quality. There is a need for a large high-quality trial comparing carbetocin with oxytocin; such a trial is currently being conducted by the WHO. The relative cost-effectiveness is inconclusive, and results are affected by uncertainty and inconsistency in adverse events data.Study registrationThis study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42015020005; Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group (substudy) reference number 0871; PROSPERO–Cochrane (substudy) reference number CRD42015026568; and sponsor reference number ERN_13–1414 (University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK).FundingFunding for this study was provided by the National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme in a research award to the University of Birmingham and supported by the UK charity Ammalife (UK-registered charity 1120236). The funders of the study had no role in study design, data collection, data synthesis, interpretation or writing of the report.
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Garcia, Emmanuel Gimenez, Xavier Garcia, Rita Reig-Viader, Arantxa Romero-Tamarit, Iñaki Gutiérrez-Ibarluzea, and Mireia Espallargues. "PP20 Challenges In The Health Technology Assessment Of New/Emergent Non-Pharmacological Technologies." International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care 35, S1 (2019): 40. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0266462319001892.
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IntroductionThe methodological guides for the assessment of new/emerging non-pharmacological technologies differ from the traditional health technology assessment (HTA) guidelines developed by the Spanish Network of Agencies for Assessing National Health System Technologies and Performance (RedETS). The aim of this study is to identify the special features and challenges of carrying out HTA on new/emergent non-pharmacological technologies.MethodsThe application of traditional and new/emergent HTA guidelines is compared along the consecutive evaluation phases in four practical cases carried out at the Agency for Health Quality and Assessment of Catalonia (AQuAS) in 2017-2018.ResultsMain learning and outstanding challenges: (i) Instead of following a defined protocol, the evaluations are carried out from a preliminary short report which generates a lack of justification and delimitation of its scope. (ii) References’ identification and data extraction are often limited due to lack of studies, and sometimes require the use of grey literature or other sources less informative, for example, trial registries. It can be challenging to exclude references related to other indications. (iii) The assessment of resource use and costs of running the technology is complicated due to the lack of public prices information and specific impacts of use. (iv) The evidence considered during the assessment usually does not meet high quality requirements (risk of bias) because of indirect evidence, lack of comparator or no having clearly defined outcomes, among others. (v) It's difficult to draw conclusions and, consequently, recommendations due to abovementioned aspects and especially for the usual evidence gap that faces this type of technology in early stages of diffusion and/or in a competition situation of manufacturer companies.ConclusionsThe most recent innovation in non-pharmacological technologies merits a differentiated assessment approach. However, there is need to reconsider the methodology applied in order to overcome the challenges and limitations identified.
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Zhang, Ben, Lei Ma, and Zheng Liu. "Literature Trend Identification of Sustainable Technology Innovation: A Bibliometric Study Based on Co-Citation and Main Path Analysis." Sustainability 12, no. 20 (October 19, 2020): 8664. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su12208664.
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In the past 20 years, there have been increasingly more studies on sustainable technology innovation (STI), possessing a significance for sustainable development. This paper aims to provide a research landscape, since the systematic understanding of STI is still inadequate. Through bibliometric analysis, it explores the literature distribution characteristics and the literature citation network. Based on the relevant literature data in the Web of Science (WOS), the study visually analyzes the development trend, topic distribution, burst literature, and co-citation network of the research literature, and extracts the evolution path of literature citation by using the main path analysis method. Through the analysis of co-citation and main path, 13 clusters in the co-citation network are found, which are further extracted as the main path network containing 82 nodes. Furthermore, this paper summarized the bibliometric landscape and discussed the frontier STI research topics. The comprehensive framework contributes to the understanding of STI themes and identifying future research agenda.
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Zullo, Roland, and Yijun Liu. "Contending With Defense Industry Reallocations: A Literature Review of Relevant Factors." Economic Development Quarterly 31, no. 4 (September 5, 2017): 360–72. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0891242417728793.
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The authors review research on the destabilizing effects of defense department reallocations at the firm and community levels, with the intent to inform current intervention policy for assisting firms and regions dependent on defense spending and to lay the groundwork for evaluative research. The existing literature provides at least 10 firm-level and 7 community-level factors affecting economic stabilization following a loss in defense industry dollars. The 10 microlevel factors are product specialization, product technology, industry condition, new market target, civilian market experience, firm size, location and status in the network, workforce skills, operational assets, and personnel policy. The seven meso level factors are economic integration, urbanization, economic diversity, health of local economy, local demand for workforce skill, capital asset utilization, and land use policy.