Human rights in China : beneficial or threatening? : China's assessment and implementation of human rights

Master's thesis in global studies. School of Mission and Theology, May 200

Governing Innovation in E-Health Platform Ecosystems – Key Concepts and Future Directions

This paper conceptualizes knowledge in the IS literature on governing innovation in platform ecosystems using boundary resources. Platform innovation arises when platform owners realize the need to expand the functionalities and invite external actors with specialized knowledge to do so. We conduct a literature review to identify the relevant concepts on governing innovation in platform ecosystems in IS and adapt them to the specific settings of the eHealth context. As most relevant concepts, we identify: 1) boundary resources as governance mechanisms: openness vs. control; 2) co-creating platform innovation across heterogeneous actors: accommodation vs. resistance; and 3) platform innovation within the underlying architecture: stability vs. flexibility. We then derive areas that should be prone to further research in eHealth, defined as: 1) patient data as a resource for eHealth platform innovation; 2) the role of institutions in eHealth platform innovation; and 3) innovating within platform-oriented eHealth information infrastructures. This paper contributes by expanding the understanding of the current state of knowledge in IS on governing innovation in platform ecosystems and provides basis for further research adapted to the eHealth context settings

Understanding the Norwegian additive manufacturing market: Its attractive aspects, limitations, potential and future opportunities within a circular framework.

The main objective of this thesis was to shed light on the current additive manufacturing market today in Norway, and from there conduct simulations for expected demand level and profitability in a powder production. The AM market in Norway was emphasised through a specific focus on attractive aspects, limitations, opportunities and perceived barriers to entry for both the technology and the market. The research was divided into two types, both quantitative and qualitative research. The AM market of Norway and research questions regarding it was highlighted through a qualitative analysis, where relevant actors in the AM market was interviewed through the use of semi-structured interviews. This was then directly compared to relevant literature on the area in order to find any common reoccurring themes. A specific case study on powder production in Norway was conducted in its own quantitative analysis, simulating expected demand and growth for the next five years

NATIONAL INITIATIVES TO BUILD HEALTHCARE INFORMATION INFRASTRUCTURES

Significant sums of money are invested in information systems (IS) initiatives in the healthcare sector all over the world. Most countries have implemented Electronic Patient Record (EPR) systems, which are clinical IS that support documentation of examination, treatment, and care of patients. EPR systems are expected to raise the quality of care, reduce medical errors, cut waiting time and render the operation of healthcare more effective. Many of the expected benefits from EPR systems hinge on their ability to facilitate information sharing between healthcare providers. Consequently, many governments and healthcare providers have formulated national strategies to achieve a fully integrated information infrastructure building on interoperable EPR systems. In this paper we describe how the health authorities in Denmark have attempted to achieve interoperability through standardization of EPR systems in the so-called B-EPR initiative (i.e. Basic Structure for EPR).The initiative eventually failed and we argue that the main reason for this was too high ambitions along three dimensions: the geographical reach, the functional scope, and the temporal span. We argue that a critical look at the ambition level and associated strategies may contribute to formulating more modest targets. It is worthwhile to focus on defining strategies that specify how small and manageable initiatives can be extended and built on

Sustainable Investing and ESG Rating Divergence: A Literature Review

The articles investigated presented conflicting views on the financial performance of sustainable investments, making it difficult to reach a definitive conclusion. The limited body of academic research on the ESG rating divergence create difficulty in making conclusionary remarks about its consequences and implications. However, the literature consistently advises investors to exercise caution when basing decisions on a single rating and to gather information from multiple sources

Benefits of Local Knowledge in Shaping Standards

This study investigates the pivotal role of local knowledge in shaping standards in the health service provision and health information systems implementation in the context of a developing country. To do so, we draw on empirical data from a qualitative case study of health data gathering and service provision during a child survival intervention campaign conducted in Ethiopia. Theoretically, we draw on studies that thematize the tension between the universal nature of standards or protocols and the inevitable need for adaptation and flexibility when they are implemented in a given concrete context. The study conceptualizes the national guidelines, which guide health workers in the data gathering and health service provision process, as standards. We examine the implementation of those guidelines in the actual set up, and show the significance of local knowledge in order to fit the standards to the reality at the ground. The findings indicated that health workers sometimes deviated from the standards and devised alternative ways of doing based on their context-specific knowledge and locally available materials. We emphasize both the need for standards as such, as well as the value of productive deviation from the standards when required depending on the context. The article provides theoretical insights relating to standardization with flexibility, and suggests differentiating between fixed and flexible elements of standards. We argue that the lessons learned on the data handling process observed in the campaign can help to improve the data quality and strengthen the routine health information systems

Sustainable Investing and ESG Rating Divergence: A Literature Review

Purpose – As incorporation of ESG factors in investment-decisions are becoming increasingly popular, the amount of academic research in this area is also expanding amongst numerous dimensions. One line of inquiry is the relationship between corporate ESG-information and corresponding financial performance from an investor perspective. The purpose of this article is to explore the academic literature in this field of study. Research framework – This literature review sets out to examine both the relationship between ESG-information and financial returns, and issues related to ESG-rating divergence presented in the academic literature. A vast number of articles were identified of which 30 from prominent peer-reviewed journals was selected. Findings – The articles investigated presented conflicting views on the financial performance of sustainable investments, making it difficult to reach a definitive conclusion. The limited body of academic research on the ESG rating divergence create difficulty in making conclusionary remarks about its consequences and implications. However, the literature consistently advises investors to exercise caution when basing decisions on a single rating and to gather information from multiple sources. Research limitations – Only top-tier journals or papers from prominent scholars were investigated. In addition, the key terms used to gather all reviewed papers could have been expanded. Practical implications – Academics and investors alike could benefit from more research on the subject of ESG rating divergence and its consequences and implications for investors. Keywords – Sustainable investing, ESG ratings, ESG rating divergence, financial performance in sustainable investing Paper type – Literature revie

Polycentric Governance of Interorganizational Systems: Managerial and Architectural Arrangements

In an increasingly digital world, introducing new interorganizational systems requires establishing associations and relying on contributions of multiple actors that control existing technical solutions. This article examines the question: “how can large-scale system implementations across multiple organizations be governed in situations of distributed control over components?”. To answer this question, we present the findings of a longitudinal case study on the introduction of e-prescription in Norway over a 14-year period. The findings point to complementary architectural and managerial arrangements that make possible a polycentric governance approach. This work contributes to research on Information Systems Governance by providing insights relevant to mandating large-scale system implementations across organizations by mobilizing and orienting multiple contributors that control various pre-existing solutions