Exemplary Design Research

In this paper, we will look at what role a research program and an interventionist research strategy based on design experiments may play for the advancement of knowledge relevant to design and designers. We suggest the notion of exemplary design research driven by programs and experiments and by this we refer to research based on the explicit formulation of design programs that act as a frame and foundation for carrying out series of design experiments. It is 'exemplary' in the sense that it enables critical dissemination primarily by creating examples of what could be done and how, i.e. examples that both express the possibilities and characteristics of the design program as well as more general suggestions about a certain (change to) design practice

Carving out new business models in a small company through contextual ambidexterity: the case of a sustainable company

Business model innovation (BMI) and organizational ambidexterity have been pointed out as mechanisms for companies achieving sustainability. However, especially considering small and medium enterprises (SMEs), there is a lack of studies demonstrating how to combine these mechanisms. Tackling such a gap, this study seeks to understand how SMEs can ambidextrously manage BMI. Our aim is to provide a practical artifact, accessible to SMEs, to operationalize BMI through organizational ambidexterity. To this end, we conducted our study under the design science research to, first, build an artifact for operationalizing contextual ambidexterity for business model innovation. Then, we used an in-depth case study with a vegan fashion small e-commerce to evaluate the practical outcomes of the artifact. Our findings show that the company improves its business model while, at the same time, designs a new business model and monetizes it. Thus, our approach was able to take the first steps in the direction of operationalizing contextual ambidexterity for business model innovation in small and medium enterprises, democratizing the concept. We contribute to theory by connecting different literature strands and to practice by creating an artifact to assist managemen

Include 2011 : The role of inclusive design in making social innovation happen.

Include is the biennial conference held at the RCA and hosted by the Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design. The event is directed by Jo-Anne Bichard and attracts an international delegation

Developing the scales on evaluation beliefs of student teachers

The purpose of the study reported in this paper was to investigate the validity and the reliability of a newly developed questionnaire named ‘Teacher Evaluation Beliefs’ (TEB). The framework for developing items was provided by the two models. The first model focuses on Student-Centered and Teacher-Centered beliefs about evaluation while the other centers on five dimensions (what/ who/ when/ why/ how). The validity and reliability of the new instrument was investigated using both exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis study (n=446). Overall results indicate that the two-factor structure is more reasonable than the five-factor one. Further research needs additional items about the latent dimensions “what” ”who” ”when” ”why” “how” for each existing factor based on Student-centered and Teacher-centered approaches

Addressing LGBTQ Anxiety With Mindful Meditation

The current study investigated the effect of mindful meditation on anxiety levels in the LGBTQ+ urban student population. An incorporation of Margaret Newman’s Theory of Health as Expanding Consciousness and theoretical concepts of living in the present moment guided these participants in exposing traumas and relational development forming anxiety. Ten LGBTQ+ urban students (N=10) were randomly selected to examine their involvements via the practice of mindful meditation, further determine past traumas associated with identifying within the LGTBQ+ community, and examine how these impact daily experiences of anxiety. Participants completed Likert Surveys to ascertain the effect that mindful meditation had on relieving their anxiety. Due to Covid restrictions, participants were provided with an introduction to mindful meditation, given expectations of practice, encouraged to journal and share experiences, and advised to focus on the idea of utilizing the central theory of presence within the moment of experiential anxiety stimuli. Despite student ability to practice daily, the study found that mindful meditation was reported to relieve anxiety levels in all 10 participants. Furthermore, association with LGBTQ+ community was reported to be a significant factor in the student daily lives. Given the results, more research would be suggested to better understand the impact on anxiety in urban studies with comparison to individuals identifying as LQBTQ+ and those who do not. However, it is without question that mindful meditation and other similar modalities will continue to show positive results in at-risk populations and should be considered in the conversation at all future interactions to begin stimulating open communication about mental health disparities

Revealing the Vicious Circle of Disengaged User Acceptance: A SaaS Provider's Perspective

User acceptance tests (UAT) are an integral part of many different software engineering methodologies. In this paper, we examine the influence of UATs on the relationship between users and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) applications, which are continuously delivered rather than rolled out during a one-off signoff process. Based on an exploratory qualitative field study at a multinational SaaS provider in Denmark, we show that UATs often address the wrong problem in that positive user acceptance may actually indicate a negative user experience. Hence, SaaS providers should be careful not to rest on what we term disengaged user acceptance. Instead, we outline an approach that purposefully queries users for ambivalent emotions that evoke constructive criticism, in order to facilitate a discourse that favors the continuous innovation of a SaaS system. We discuss theoretical and practical implications of our approach for the study of user engagement in testing SaaS applications

Podmiot ewolucyjny : fantastyka naukowa z perspektywy literaturoznawstwa darwinistycznego

Celem rozprawy jest analiza fantastyki naukowej z perspektywy literaturoznawstwa darwinistycznego w celu ustalenia jakie mechanizmy stoją za fabularnymi i narracyjnymi schematami poetyki fantastycznonaukowej; zbadania, czy możliwe jest aby fantastyka naukowa pełniła funkcję adaptacyjną, oraz, pośrednio, zbadanie użyteczności literaturoznawstwa darwinistycznego jako narzędzia analizy teoretycznej. Rozdział pierwszy stanowi przegląd dotychczasowych badań skupiających się na wpływie uwarunkowań genetycznych i adaptacyjnych na formy i sposoby ludzkich zachowań kulturowych oraz przybliża pojęcie konsiliencji wprowadzone przez Edwarda O. Wilsona a stanowiące intelektualną podstawę do rozwoju ewolucyjnie zorientowanych badań literackich. Rozdział drugi przybliża cele i metodologię literaturoznawstwa darwinistycznego, w dużej mierze wyrastającego z opozycji wobec dominujących obecnie w Teorii trendów poststrukturalistycznych. Odrzucenie centralnych dla postrukturalizmu założeń, pozwala na paradygmatyczną reorientację badań literackich, co z kolei otwiera drogę do analizy aktywności artystycznej, w tym także literackiej, w relacji do biologicznie motywowanych potrzeb adaptacyjnych. Rozdział stanowi próbę wykazania, że fantastyka naukowa, poprzez swoją koncentrację na eksperymentach poznawczych, myślowych i intelektualnych skupionych na interakcji z nowym, odmiennym i niezwykłym, stanowi ważny element w procesie zdobywania niezbędnej wiedzy o świecie, niemożliwej do zdobycia inaczej niż poprzez kontakt z fikcyjnymi fabułami. Rozdziały trzeci i czwarty podejmują analizę schematów narracyjnych obecnych w fantastyce naukowej. Pierwszy z nich skupia się na heterotopijnym, a więc odmiennym i alternatywnym charakterze przestrzeni obecnych w fantastyce naukowej. Odmienność ta sprawia, że przestrzenie fantastyki zawsze są nieprzewidywalne, potencjalnie groźne i obiecujące równocześnie. Taki charakter przestrzeni lub krajobrazu, jak pokazują badania z zakresu psychologii ewolucyjnej, jest dla człowieka najatrakcyjniejszy, co w przypadku fantastyki naukowej zapewnia, że jej treść będzie dla czytelnika interesująca. To uchwycenie i zapewnienie uwagi stanowi zachętę do intelektualnej eksploracji, a ta może odgrywać rolę adaptacyjną. Rozdział czwarty pokazuje, że elementem kluczowym dla przedstawienia fantastycznonaukowego uniezwyklenia poznawczego (cognitive estrangement) jest obecność obrzydzenia. Paradoksalny charakter tego uczucia, wzbudzającego równocześnie odrzucenie i fascynację, domagającego się natychmiastowej uwagi i reakcji, gwarantuje zainteresowanie czytelnika elementem odmienności i, ponownie, otwiera go na szeroką gamę interakcji poznawczych. Przedstawione analizy pozwalają odpowiedzieć na postawione w rozprawie pytania dotyczące schematyczności fantastyki naukowej, jej potencjalnych funkcji poznawczo-adaptacyjnych oraz pokazują użyteczność literaturoznawstwa darwinistycznego

Supporting interprofessional collaborative practice through relational orientation : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Education at Massey University, Albany Campus, Aotearoa New Zealand

Listed in 2021 Dean's List of Exceptional ThesesRelational processes in the context of interprofessional collaboration are understood mainly in terms of individual action. This study argues that focusing on individual action limits our understanding of some of the most successful relationship-based collaborative practices. To shift the focus from individual action to co-action, this study investigated co-action oriented practices in multi-agency teams working with children and young people identified as living with High and Complex Needs (HCN). The methodology used in this study combined a relational research orientation with the principles of narrative theory, in order to engage HCN practitioners in dynamic conversations. Through dialogue, the HCN practitioners investigated their valued collaborative practices. These practices were then further explored in terms of how collaboration could shift from individual to co-action. The outcomes of the study highlighted a number of successful relationship-based collaborative practices that are often overlooked. These range from simply having small talk, being personal and flexible, to addressing more complex situations that might otherwise be avoided. Appreciative exploration was identified as a way to step outside of one’s own beliefs and become curious about how contradictory views might be valid within a community of understanding. Finding a respectful way to approach what we want to avoid holds arguably most potential for positive change. The study concluded that three aspects were critical to the engagement of practitioners in collaborative co-active practice: (1) paying attention to the process of relating; (2) acknowledging values, interests and concerns of practitioners in their daily practice, and (3) respecting current practices. Engaging with co-active practices in this way energised practitioners and fostered an innovation-seeking attitude and collective learning. As the practitioners in this study demonstrated, relational orientation opens up possibilities to shape co-action, and offers a unique tool for transforming collaborative practices. Put simply, the relational shift shows what we achieve together, we cannot do alone