Power dynamics and collaborative mechanisms in co-production and co-design processes

Co-production and co-design practices are increasingly being promoted to develop user-centred public services. Analysing these practices with literature on power, participation and realist social theory this article explores the power dynamics, mechanisms and impacts within co-production and co-design processes. Two case studies were evaluated using qualitative longitudinal methods: an experience-based co-design project within hospital-based breast cancer services was followed from initiation to completion, alongside a local government innovation team that used co-production and co-design techniques to enable person-centred policies and services. The two cases illustrate how co-production and co-design techniques involve facilitating, managing and co-ordinating a complex set of psychological, social, cultural and institutional interactions. Whilst existing power relations can be challenged in different ways, constant critical reflective practice and dialogue is essential to facilitate more equal relational processes within these techniques, and to institute changes at individual, local community and organisational levels. </jats:p

The significance of environmental values for destination competitiveness and sustainable tourism strategy making: insights from Australia's Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area

Sustainable destinations must deliver products that perform better than their competitors and at the same time protect key environmental drawcards. This research explores the environmental–economic interface of a major destination, both as a case study in how to approach this complex relationship and as a contribution to the methodology of tackling the need for understanding competitive pressures as part of sustainable tourism strategy creation. Using the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (GBRWHA) as an example, the paper assesses 21 key environmental values, including Indigenous culture, against market-based factors, in terms of their importance for visitors as regional drawcards, satisfaction with them and the way in which changes in them might affect trip numbers and duration across different regions. While the natural values of the GBRWHA are found to be the most important drawcards, satisfaction scores were significantly lower than importance scores for a number of these values. Visitors responded more negatively to the prospect of environmental degradation than to the prospect of a 20% increase in local prices: the detailed impact depends, however, on location and visitor mix. Clear ocean, healthy coral reefs, healthy reef fish, and lack of rubbish were the top four most important values

Can staff be supported to deliver compassionate care through implementing Schwartz Rounds in community and mental health services?

Schwartz Rounds are evidence-based interdisciplinary discussions where health care staff can share experiences of the emotional and social aspects of care, to support improvements in patient care. Developed in acute services, they are now being implemented in various settings including U.K. community and mental health services where their implementation has not been researched. Realist evaluation was used to analyze three community and mental health case studies of Round implementation, involving Round observations (n = 5), staff interviews ( n = 22), and post-Round evaluation sheets (n = 206). Where Schwartz Rounds were successfully implemented and facilitated, the discussions enabled emotional resonance across interdisciplinary colleagues about caring experiences, enabling the recognition of a common humanity. Participants appreciated attending Rounds and saw they improved communications, trust, and openness with colleagues and enabled more compassionate care with patients. The wide geographical dispersal of staff and work pressures were challenges in attending Rounds, and strong leadership is needed to support their implementation

Economic values and Indigenous Protected Areas across Northern Australia. Final report

We undertook a systematic review of the empirical valuation literature relating to benefits associated with Indigenous protected Areas (IPAs), revealing that some benefits are quantified in monetary terms more frequently than others, both in Australia and elsewhere. This does not mean that the quantified benefits are more important than other benefits. Instead it indicates that they are easier to quantify. As a result, there are substantive gaps in our understanding of numerous benefits – of their value to different people, in different contexts, in their entirety, and relative to other benefits (Section 5). Our research indicated that while a lack of price does not mean lack of value, it often means lack of ‘visibility’ or ‘presence’. So, vitally important non-market goods and services associated with IPAs may be overlooked, particularly by decision-makers who are driven by quantitative and/or economic data. It is important to find ways of highlighting the importance of those non-market benefits, so that resources can be directed in a manner that generates most benefit per dollar spent