Socially Responsible Decision-Making in Certified Benefit Corporations

Hybrid businesses operate in a multi-objective environment where decisions must account for the impact to all stakeholders. This multi-case study examined how the leaders of these companies use strategic decision making to support both a social mission and retain business viability. The decisions made within these enterprises utilize a values-based lens where the implications to all stakeholder groups are considered. The positive social implications of certified benefit corporations, as a class of hybrid business, is the ability to create shared value between the organization and the communities in which they operate, generating greater human prosperity. Recommended Citation Daniel II, J. S. (2020, October 1-2). Socially responsible decision-making in certified benefit corporations [Poster presentation]. Walden University Research Conference 2020 (online). https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/researchconference/2020/posters/8

Oxfam GB: Accountability Starter Pack

This guide is for those staff who would like to learn more about how to implement activities that are accountable to people and communities. It is primarily aimed at country-level staff responsible for implementing development or humanitarian projects and programmes. The pack begins with an introduction to Oxfam GB's approach to accountability. This is followed by Oxfam International's Accountability Matrix. The Matrix shows the commitments to accountability found within Oxfam International's Programme Standards, and the different levels programmes can achieve in each area. Following this is an explanation of Oxfam GB's Minimum Standards on Accountability.The rest of the pack is divided into four sections - one for each of the four Standards that Oxfam GB is focussing on. For each Standard, there is a brief explanation as to why this Standard is important, then some 'How-To' Guidelines and a Good Practice example from one of Oxfam's programmes. We have also added an extra section on how to improve greater financial transparency as we have had so many requests for guidance specifically on this

Treatment-Related Decisional Conflict, Quality of Life, and Comorbid Illness in Older Adults with Cancer

As the aging population in the nation increases, cancer diagnoses in this age group will also increase. The many chronic medical conditions associated with older adults are confounded by a diagnosis of cancer. Older adults with cancer are at risk for physical, psychological, and functional decline as a result of not only the cancer, but also the cancer treatment. In their current research agenda, the Oncology Nursing Society identified the need for research related to multiple comorbidities in older adults with cancer. This study utilized a cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational study design to explore the relationships between and among treatment-related decisional conflict, quality of life, and comorbidity in older adults with cancer. Oncology nurses recruited a sample size of 200 for this study from outpatient medical oncology, radiation oncology, and palliative care practices. Using an anonymous survey method, participants completed three psychometrically-sound instruments, including the Decisional Conflict Scale, Self-Administered Comorbidity Questionnaire, and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire. Bivariate relationships existed between increased levels of decisional conflict and increased quality of life (p = .009) and quality of life and comorbidity (p = .001). All six regression models achieved significance (p \u3c .001). Statistically significant relationships were identified in each of the six regression models. Positive relationships existed between decisional conflict and financial problems, physical function, and global health status/quality of life. Increased emotional function may be predictive of decreased decisional conflict in all of the regression models. Other negative relationships existed between decisional conflict and cognitive function, diarrhea, spiritual support, insomnia, year diagnosed, fatigue, and nausea/vomiting. With their focus on patient-centered care, oncology nurses are a crucial component of the multidisciplinary cancer team that can empower older cancer patients to communicate their values and preferences regarding cancer treatment. Additionally, this study underscores the importance of oncology nurses being prepared to provide high-quality care to geriatric patients with multiple comorbidities. Given the paucity of research on the impact of cancer and its treatment on older adults, there are no published studies that address all of these variables. In light of the regression analyses, further research is needed with regard to emotional function, spiritual support, and symptom management in the setting of decision making in older adults with cancer. Poster presented at: Oncology Nursing Society 42nd Annual Congress in Denver, COhttps://jdc.jefferson.edu/nursingposters/1007/thumbnail.jp

Participatory Materials Development in Rural Zambia

The World Wide Fund for Nature Zambia Education Programme (WWF ZEP) has been implementing and supporting environmental education activities in selected rural communities in Zambia for more than ten years. These activities have been developed in support of recent environmental policies in Zambia. The aim of these programmes has been to develop the capacity of communities to manage natural resources sustainably in context, and to identify alternative strategies of resource management and use in order to alleviate poverty. This paper provides insight into ways in which community members in Chieftainess Chiawa’s area (a community context in rural Zambia) participated in the development of learning resources in response to environmental issues that affected their livelihoods. Members of this community firstly identified the environmental issues affecting them, their causes and effects. They then explored ways of mitigating these issues by developing posters that would be used in a community environmental education programme. The posters were developed through participatory processes, using an action research orientation and process, with support from WWF ZEP. A number of insights associated with participatory materials development processes in community contexts emerged from this research. They include the role of the existing social and political structures, ethnicity, language and literacy, local knowledge, the roles of different actors, and decision making and power relationships in a community context