Iranian Leadership Ideals: A Culturally-based Leadership Approach

In light of many current financial and ethical crises, scholars have called for looking beyond our existing Western-based approaches for innovative leadership practices. Recent research about the success and unique management practices of Indian corporations (Cappelli et al., 2010) shows a unique style based on both people and profit and one that blends capitalist profit-based structures with caring for people and community. That research has been the basis for suggestions for the existence of a distinct Indo-European leadership (IEL) style (Nahavandi, 2012a; Nahavandi & Krishnan, 2017) with philosophical roots in Iran and India and provides impetus for looking beyond Western models of leadership. The Iranian culture, a member of the Indo-European family, has developed over the past 25 hundred years. Contacts with many nations and cultures, continuous interactions with Western societies and the influences of Zoroastrianism and Islam have resulted in significant cultural transformation and diversity in the country. However, many cultural elements have survived in spite of profound social challenges and changes and a distinct culture has evolved with unique ideals of leadership which are clearly reflected in Iran’s rich literary traditions. This study, which is part of a long-term research agenda, relies on that literary tradition along with recent research that suggests ideals of Iranian and Indo-European leadership to explore the existence and practice of ideals of Iranian leadership (ILI). Through document analysis, and a two-phase mixed-methods design that included 6 pilot interviews with Iranian leaders from different disciplines and a survey of 335 Iranian leaders who reside both in Iran and elsewhere in the world, the purpose was to identify what Iranian leaders endorse as culturally-based ILIs, and the extent to which they practice culturally-based ILIs in their organizations. Results indicate distinct ILIs and differences between endorsed and practiced culturally-based ILIs. The factors that impact ILIs and their practice were further explored. The application of ILI to other cultural settings and limitations of this study are also presented

2016 Food, Friends, and Health: An Evaluation of North County Senior Connections Thyme Together Food Truck Lunch Program

The North County Senior Connections Thyme Together Food Truck Lunch Program (subsequently referred to as NCSC) is a collaborative project initiated in November 2014 that provides affordable, nutritious lunches, recreational programming, and community information to seniors in the northern region of San Diego County (North County). In May 2015, six months after NCSC launched, the Rancho Santa Fe Foundation commissioned the University of San Diego’s Caster Family Center for Nonprofit and Philanthropic Research (Caster Center) to: 1) evaluate NCSC’s progress towards meeting its objectives, and 2) provide feedback and recommendations for programmatic changes as necessary. This report presents the findings from the first 17 months of a three-year evaluation.https://digital.sandiego.edu/npi-seniors/1003/thumbnail.jp

Arsenic intakes from spices and sheep tail (Donbeh) in a high oesophageal cancer area: Pilot study from Iran

Arsenic is a carcinogenic and toxicant element widely found in the environment and might be part of causation web of Oesophageal Cancer (OC), which has one of the highest incidence rates in Golestan Province, Northeast Iran. In this pilot study, we collected 10 Sheep tail (donbeh) and 9 mixed spices samples, as widely consumed foods in the region, from main counties in the province and analyzed for arsenic concentrations using AOAC atomic absorption spectrophotometry method. Findings showed that arsenic levels in all samples were less than the safe level of 1 ppm. Total arsenic intake from sheep tail and mixed spices sources were estimated at 4.68 and 4.24 µg/day in men and women, respectively. Therefore, the study suggests that arsenic intake from these commonly consumed foods do not seem as a major hazard for OC etiology

Can current supply figures support the nutritional recommendation of fish consumption in Iran?

   "Fish consumption twice per week" recommendation has been adopted in many countries, including Iran, by Nutrition experts. Data derived from food balance sheets (FBSs) and national household food consumption surveys (NHFCSs) show that fish consumption has been increased in the last 20 years in Iran. The gap between supply and recommendation figures in order to analyze the feasibility of this policy however needs to be determined. In this study, we took current figures of fish supply and consumption in Iran and calculated the amount of fish needed to support the recommendation of fish consumption. Data obtained from FAOSTAT-FBSs in 1980-82, 1990-92 and 2000-02, and NHFCS reports in 1992-95 and 2001-03. Fish supplies needed to fulfill the nutritional policy were calculated based on 120 and 180 gr/caput/wk scenarios. Sharp increase happened in the average fish supply from 1980s to 1990s, but slowed down afterwards. In early 2000, fish availability and intake were 4.73 and 4.43 kg (as raw-whole fish)/capita/year, respectively. The amount of fish required to fulfill the recommendation were however calculated as 10.97 and 16.43 kg/caput/yr based on the two scenarios, respectively. This study reveals that the gap between present fish consumption and the amounts for nutritional goal is still big. Whether bridging this gap in terms of feasibility, ecological, environmental and logistical burdens is attainable, needs more evaluation. Nutrition educators should be aware of the effects of their campaigns on the nationwide food policy as well as on issues such as consumer demand, prices, and environment.

Can current supply figures support the nutritional recommendation of fish consumption in Iran? A case-study of the challenges in front of a nutrition policy

ABSTRACT "Fish consumption twice per week" recommendation has been adopted in many countries, including Iran, by Nutrition experts. Data derived from food balance sheets (FBSs) and national household food consumption surveys (NHFCSs) show that fish consumption has been increased in the last 20 years in Iran. The gap between supply and recommendation figures in order to analyze the feasibility of this policy however needs to be determined. In this study, we took current figures of fish supply and consumption in Iran and calculated the amount of fish needed to support the recommendation of fish consumption. Data obtained from FAOSTAT-FBSs in 1980-82, 1990-92 and 2000-02, and NHFCS reports in 1992-95 and 2001. Fish supplies needed to fulfill the nutritional policy were calculated based on 120 and 180 gr/caput/wk scenarios. Sharp increase happened in the average fish supply from 1980s to 1990s, but slowed down afterwards. In early 2000, fish availability and intake were 4.73 and 4.43 kg (as raw-whole fish)/capita/year, respectively. The amount of fish required to fulfill the recommendation were however calculated as 10.97 and 16.43 kg/caput/yr based on the two scenarios, respectively. This study reveals that the gap between present fish consumption and the amounts for nutritional goal is still big. Whether bridging this gap in terms of feasibility, ecological, environmental and logistical burdens is attainable, needs more evaluation. Nutrition educators should be aware of the effects of their campaigns on the nationwide food policy as well as on issues such as consumer demand, prices, and environment

Epidemiological, clinical, laboratory findings, and outcomes of disseminated tuberculosis in Tehran, Iran

Background: Disseminated tuberculosis (TB) accounts for 1 to 3% of all TB cases. This retrospective study reviews the clinical, radiological, laboratory findings and Outcome in patients with disseminated tuberculosis in an endemic area. Methods: Medical records were reviewed for patients with disseminated TB admitted to two tertiary centers in Tehran, Iran between 1999 and 2006. Results: Fifty patients were found to have disseminated TB. A miliary pattern was documented in the chest x-ray of 34 patients. Hematologic abnormalities including anemia, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia were frequently observed. Death Occurred in nine of the cases. The mortality rate was significantly higher in diabetic patients, injection drug users, and patients with hematologic abnormalities; however, steroid usage and human immunodeficiency virus infection were not significantly associated with a higher mortality rate. Clinical improvement occurred in 41 patients following treatment. Conclusion: Disseminated TB could have different manifestations. Hematologic abnormalities are common and are considered poor prognostic signs in these patients

Interns’ Viewpoints about Nurses’ Capability and Behavior towards Patients and Interns

Introduction. Taking care of patients is a team work and in each team work the members’ performance has a direct impact on their relationship and efforts in achieving their common goal. It is necessary that medical interns as a member of health care team pay attention to the health care services provided by nurses. The purpose of this study was to determine the viewpoints of interns about nurses’ capabilities and behavior with patients and interns in teaching hospitals of Isfahan Medical University. Methods. In this descriptive study, 157 interns working in educational hospitals affiliated to Isfahan Medical University were selected by stratified random sampling method. The data collection tool was a Likert type valid and reliable questionnaire consisted of 25 questions about nurses’ performance towards patients and interns, and interns’ performance towards patients. The mean, standard deviation, t-test and spearman were used for data analysis by SPSS software. Results. The mean score of interns’ view about nurses’ performance was 3.06 out of 5. This score was 2.99 for professional skills of nurses, 3.12 regarding the nurses’ behavior towards patients and 3.14 for the nurses’ behavior towards interns. The score earned from interns’ viewpoint about their own performance towards patients was 3.32. The mean number of improper contacts between interns and nurses reported by interns in previous 5 days was 0.3. Conclusion. The overall score of interns’ view towards nurses’ performance was at an intermediate level which could be because of different reasons such as their undefined responsibilities towards nurses and patients. It is obvious that this defect could have a negative impact on patient management and team work. Therefore it is necessary to consider “the way of communicating with nurses” in the learning objectives and educational content of interns

Household Milk consumption and Its Socio-economic Associates in West Azarbayejan Province, North-west Iran

Background and Objectives: According to the available evidence, consumption of milk and other dairy products among Iranians is far less than recommendations. The share of different milks (i.e., traditionally vs. industrially processed) and its associated variables are, however, neither consistent nor fully known in different Provinces.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted to determine household milk consumption and its association with selected socio-demographic factors in West Azarbayejan Province, North-west Iran. A total of 650 households were selected from urban and rural areas in three major Azeri and Kurdish districts (i.e. Urmia, Khoy and Mahabad) using a multi-stage cluster sampling method. Data were collected using socio-economic and milk frequency questionnaires. Results: The findings indicated that traditionally-processed milk (bulk) was the most common milk consumed at household level (62.5%). Mean of bulk milk consumption in urban and rural areas was 479±23 and 730±64 ml/wk per capita, respectively. It was also shown that establishment of the new food subsidization policy has decreased the mean of household milk consumption by approximately 3 l/wk in urban areas. Factor analysis detected a significant decrease in the higher tertiles of family size/ethnicity score consumption of both bulk and pasteurized milk, which resulted in decreased consumption of total milk. Conclusions: Designing and implementation of alternative approaches, such as targeted milk subsidies for poor households or vulnerable age-groups should be considered. Keywords: Household milk consumption, Milk processing method, Socio-economic variables, Iran