Logic model for a train-the-trainer program ensuring alignment with recovery college principles and values

Abstract Purpose Recovery colleges (RC) provide free courses on mental health, well-being and recovery. Training of RC trainers is a crucial aspect of ensuring fidelity to the RC, but to date, there are no documented experiences of train-the-trainer (TTT) programs and good practices for training RC trainers. This paper presents the logic model of the TTT program developed by the Health and Recovery Learning Center in Quebec. This paper aims to provide an example of how a TTT program can be designed. Design/methodology/approach An RC in Quebec, Canada, has designed and implemented a TTT program in collaboration with several partners in the health and education sectors. A logic model was used to ensure explicit links between the program components (inputs, activities and tools) and the intended results (outputs, outcomes and impact). Findings The TTT program is structured around a robust logic model in which all components are linked, ensuring alignment with RC principles and values framework. Three key stages are depicted: recruitment, training modules and continuous support for trainers. Specific tools were also developed to promote and support trainers’ competencies and courses co-design. Originality/value This paper adds to the literature on RC by presenting the first documented TTT program designed for RC trainers. It provides an overview of co-production practices and intersectoral collaboration contributing to the understanding of key elements to be included in the implementation of an RC

The influence of managers’ characteristics and perceptions on their assessments of risks related to strategic decisions: a multiple case study of SMEs adopting international outsourcing

The business environment in which SMEs operate is increasingly uncertain and strategic decisions require managers to take into account numerous risks in order to meet their objectives. This is the case with the internationalization decisions of SMEs whose success is not guaranteed. How are the risks of such activities assessed in SMEs knowing that this assessment is based on the perception of evaluators? The study of five Canadian SMEs that decided to subcontract part of their production to China sheds light on this issue that is little addressed in the literature. Interviews with two managers, including the owner confirm the influence of each person's attitude towards risk as well as their experience with the evaluated risk and the feeling of control over risky situations. This study enriches the work on risk management in SMEs and suggests, from a practical point of view, that this management should be carried out collegially

Tensile properties improvement of a unidirectional-mat flax/epoxy composite via click chemistry, nanocellulose addition and surface refining of short mat fibres

Abstract The mechanical characteristics of natural fibre composites (NFCs) are closely linked to fibre-matrix and fibre-fibre interactions. This work investigates the improvement of tensile properties of a flax/epoxy composite through the application of click chemistry reaction to a unidirectional-mat (UDM) reinforcement with modifications made on the short fibre mat and unidirectional flax fibre phases of the reinforcement. The surface of short flax fibres was fibrillated to increase the accessibility of hydroxyl groups for all preliminary reactions and the final click chemistry cross-linking, which creates stable covalent triazole bonds between azide and alkyne groups. A small percentage of treated nanocellulose was incorporated to further enhance the reinforcement properties. FTIR and EDX analysis confirmed the presence of the various functional groups on the surface of nanocellulose and flax fibres with very high degrees of substitution. The treatment significantly improved the mechanical properties of the dry reinforcement, including a 220% mean increase in the tensile strength. However, the treatments, particularly the addition of nanocellulose, resulted in a reduction in the permeability to liquid resin of the reinforcements, highlighting the need for compromises in their manufacture. Nonetheless, marked improvements in tensile strength and Young’s modulus were obtained for composites made of pre-compacted and cross-linked fibre preforms. Increases in elastic modulus, strength and strain at break of up to 50.1%, 53.8% and 10.1% were obtained, respectively