1,746 research outputs found

    Evaluation of Factors Affecting Innovation Productivity by Pythagorean Fuzzy AHP Method

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    Purpose: In this study, it is aimed to rank the factors affecting the innovation productivity of enterprises. Methodology: The Pythagorean Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method, which gives successful results in modelling uncertainty and uses Pythagorean fuzzy sets, is used to rank the factors affecting innovation productivity according to their importance. Findings: In the application part of study firstly, the factors affecting the innovation productivity were determined and as a result of expert evaluations, the steps of the method were applied and the factors were ranked according to their importance. Finally, the most important factors were determined by performing a sensitivity analysis. When the results obtained from the study are examined, it has been determined that the factor of preparing the technology roadmap affects the innovation productivity the most, while the sector and market structure affect the innovation productivity the least among the determined factors. Originality: It is the first study in the literature in which the factors affecting innovation productivity are determined and ranked according to their importance

    Pragmatic randomised controlled trial of guided self-help versus individual cognitive behavioural therapy with a trauma focus for post-traumatic stress disorder (RAPID)

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    This is the final version. Available on open access from the NIHR Journals Library via the DOI in this recordData availability: All available data can be obtained from the corresponding author.BACKGROUND: Guided self-help has been shown to be effective for other mental conditions and, if effective for post-traumatic stress disorder, would offer a time-efficient and accessible treatment option, with the potential to reduce waiting times and costs. OBJECTIVE: To determine if trauma-focused guided self-help is non-inferior to individual, face-to-face cognitive-behavioural therapy with a trauma focus for mild to moderate post-traumatic stress disorder to a single traumatic event. DESIGN: Multicentre pragmatic randomised controlled non-inferiority trial with economic evaluation to determine cost-effectiveness and nested process evaluation to assess fidelity and adherence, dose and factors that influence outcome (including context, acceptability, facilitators and barriers, measured qualitatively). Participants were randomised in a 1 : 1 ratio. The primary analysis was intention to treat using multilevel analysis of covariance. SETTING: Primary and secondary mental health settings across the United Kingdom's National Health Service. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and ninety-six adults with a primary diagnosis of mild to moderate post-traumatic stress disorder were randomised with 82% retention at 16 weeks and 71% at 52 weeks. Nineteen participants and ten therapists were interviewed for the process evaluation. INTERVENTIONS: Up to 12 face-to-face, manualised, individual cognitive-behavioural therapy with a trauma focus sessions, each lasting 60-90 minutes, or to guided self-help using Spring, an eight-step online guided self-help programme based on cognitive-behavioural therapy with a trauma focus, with up to five face-to-face meetings of up to 3 hours in total and four brief telephone calls or e-mail contacts between sessions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome: the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, at 16 weeks post-randomisation. Secondary outcomes: included severity of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms at 52 weeks, and functioning, symptoms of depression, symptoms of anxiety, alcohol use and perceived social support at both 16 and 52 weeks post-randomisation. Those assessing outcomes were blinded to group assignment. RESULTS: Non-inferiority was demonstrated at the primary end point of 16 weeks on the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition [mean difference 1.01 (one-sided 95% CI -∞ to 3.90, non-inferiority p = 0.012)]. Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, score improvements of over 60% in both groups were maintained at 52 weeks but the non-inferiority results were inconclusive in favour of cognitive-behavioural therapy with a trauma focus at this timepoint [mean difference 3.20 (one-sided 95% confidence interval -∞ to 6.00, non-inferiority p = 0.15)]. Guided self-help using Spring was not shown to be more cost-effective than face-to-face cognitive-behavioural therapy with a trauma focus although there was no significant difference in accruing quality-adjusted life-years, incremental quality-adjusted life-years -0.04 (95% confidence interval -0.10 to 0.01) and guided self-help using Spring was significantly cheaper to deliver [£277 (95% confidence interval £253 to £301) vs. £729 (95% CI £671 to £788)]. Guided self-help using Spring appeared to be acceptable and well tolerated by participants. No important adverse events or side effects were identified. LIMITATIONS: The results are not generalisable to people with post-traumatic stress disorder to more than one traumatic event. CONCLUSIONS: Guided self-help using Spring for mild to moderate post-traumatic stress disorder to a single traumatic event appears to be non-inferior to individual face-to-face cognitive-behavioural therapy with a trauma focus and the results suggest it should be considered a first-line treatment for people with this condition. FUTURE WORK: Work is now needed to determine how best to effectively disseminate and implement guided self-help using Spring at scale. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial is registered as ISRCTN13697710. FUNDING: This award was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme (NIHR award ref: 14/192/97) and is published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 27, No. 26. See the NIHR Funding and Awards website for further award information.National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR

    SDG scoring : an analytic hierarchy process approach

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    The demand for non-financial information has substantially risen in the last few years. Previously, investors only considered financial information on their investment decisions but there is an increased perception that non-financial factors might provide an additional framework on which firms can be measured, which can positively impact their investment success. Due to this, multiple rating agencies have risen as providers of scores reflecting the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) position of firms. However, they often seen as not providing the adequate theoretical reasoning and methodological clarity, which in addition to the lack of a consensus on ESG criteria, creates the space for the development of another scoring system with a robust and clear sustainability framework underlying it. Additionally, following the implementation of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), a broader set of firms are required to report on their environmental and social impacts. This might create an information disadvantage for non-CSRD covered firms, which has led these firms to also have the desire to report on these issues. This dissertation presents the development process of a scoring system on which non-financial performance is measured through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), i.e., a robust framework and that combines both financial and non-financial information in a single value, through Multi-Criteria Decision Making, namely, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). Additionally, it also provides a base framework for firms ESG reporting.Recentemente, a procura por informação não financeiro aumentou bastante. Previamente, os investidores apenas consideravam informação financeira nas suas decisões de investimento, mas há uma crescente perceção de que fatores não financeiros podem fornecer um quadro adicional para a avaliação das empresas, podendo impactar positivamente o sucesso dos seus investimentos. Devido a isso, múltiplas agências de classificação surgiram como provedoras de pontuações que refletem a posição Ambiental, Social e de Governança (ASG) das empresas. No entanto, estas não fornecem o raciocínio teórico e clareza metodológica por trás dessas pontuações, o que, além da diferente definição de critérios ASG entre elas, cria espaço para o desenvolvimento de um outro sistema de pontuação com um quadro de sustentabilidade robusto e claro. Além disso, após a implementação da Diretiva de Relato de Sustentabilidade Corporativa (DRSC), um conjunto mais amplo de empresas é obrigado a relatar sobre os seus impactos ambientais e sociais. Isto pode criar uma desvantagem de informação para as empresas não cobertas pela DRSC, o que levou essas empresas a também terem o desejo de relatar sobre estas questões. Esta Tese apresenta o processo de desenvolvimento de um sistema de pontuação no qual o desempenho não financeiro é medido por meio dos Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável e que combina informações financeiras e não financeiras num único valor, por meio do processo de tomada de decisão multicritério, nomeadamente, o Processo Analítico Hierárquico (PAH). Além disso, também fornece um quadro básico para o relato ASG das empresas

    Financial and Economic Review 22.

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    Systemic Circular Economy Solutions for Fiber Reinforced Composites

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    This open access book provides an overview of the work undertaken within the FiberEUse project, which developed solutions enhancing the profitability of composite recycling and reuse in value-added products, with a cross-sectorial approach. Glass and carbon fiber reinforced polymers, or composites, are increasingly used as structural materials in many manufacturing sectors like transport, constructions and energy due to their better lightweight and corrosion resistance compared to metals. However, composite recycling is still a challenge since no significant added value in the recycling and reprocessing of composites is demonstrated. FiberEUse developed innovative solutions and business models towards sustainable Circular Economy solutions for post-use composite-made products. Three strategies are presented, namely mechanical recycling of short fibers, thermal recycling of long fibers and modular car parts design for sustainable disassembly and remanufacturing. The validation of the FiberEUse approach within eight industrial demonstrators shows the potentials towards new Circular Economy value-chains for composite materials

    Comparing the Performance of Initial Coin Offerings to Crowdfunded Equity Ventures

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    Uncertainty in markets increases the likelihood of market failure due to volatility and suboptimal functioning. While initial coin offerings (ICOs) and crowdfunded equity (CFE) offerings may improve functioning in growing markets, there is a lack of knowledge and understanding pertaining to the relative efficiency and behavior of ICO markets compared to CFE markets, potentially perpetuating and thwarting the various communities they are intended to serve. The purpose of this correlational study was to compare a group of ICOs with a group of CFE offerings to identify predictive factors of funding outcomes related to both capital offering types. Efficient market hypothesis was the study’s theoretical foundation, and analysis of variance was used to answer the research question, which examined whether capital offering type predicted the amount of funds raised while controlling for access to the offering companies’ secondary control factors: historical financial data, pro forma financial projections, detailed product descriptions, video of product demonstrations, company website, company history, company leadership, and company investors. Relying on a random sample of 115 campaigns (84 ICOs and 31 CFE) from websites ICOdrops.com, localstake.com, fundable.com, and mainvest.com, results showed differences in mean funds raised between CFEs and ICOs (346,075comparedto346,075 compared to 4,756,464, respectively). ANOVA results showed no single secondary control factors and only one two-factor interaction (company leadership and company investors) influenced mean funds raised. This study may contribute to positive social change by informing best practices among market participants including entrepreneurs, regulators, scholars, and investors

    Tradition and Innovation in Construction Project Management

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    This book is a reprint of the Special Issue 'Tradition and Innovation in Construction Project Management' that was published in the journal Buildings

    Towards forest supply chain risks

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    Forest supply chain has drawn increasing attention worldwide. This paper develops a supply chain risk (SCR) framework in the forest industry. Forest supply chain risk has become an obstacle to gaining competitive advantages and developing sustainable forestry. However, very few studies attempt to investigate SCR in an integrated forest supply chain. It is essential to understand and manage these risks, which may impede the industry’s performance improvement. An extensive literature review, and Delphi study are performed to develop and identify the major forest SCRs. The result has shown that the five types of forest SCRs are recognized. In this study, we extend SCR into the forest sector and contribute to the forest supply chain management literature. Further research is needed to address specific problems associated with types of SCRs and develop appropriate forest SCR mitigation strategies in contexts
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