Reflective Journaling: A Theoretical Model and Digital Prototype for Developing Resilience and Creativity

Reflection is commonly discussed as a tool for personal and professional development that is becoming increasingly important in today’s global and digital world. In this paper, we propose a model that suggests ways in which reflection, in the form of Reflective Journaling, can support the development of creativity and resilience, which are needed to enable individuals to function effectively in a fast-changing environment. In addition, the model proposes ways in which external support and progress monitoring can be used in conjunction with skills in adaptive resilience and structured creativity, to support the maintenance of reflective journaling as a habit, in the longer term, thus creating virtuous cycles of skills and behaviours that can reinforce each other. Based on our model, and additional user research, we describe the design of a first digital prototype that aims to support the use of Reflective Journaling and to develop creativity and resilience through suggested mechanisms. Initial evaluations of our prototype are positive. It has been well-received by early test users, and has the potential to address all the connections defined. We therefore suggest that the theoretical model can be used to develop digital tools, such as the one included, to help those who wish to develop the habit of reflective journaling, and through that a range of other skills associated with resilience and creative thinking. We see this as a starting point for investigating this potential in more depth

Cervical lymph node metastasis in high-grade transformation of head and neck adenoid cystic carcinoma: a collective international review

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (AdCC) is among the most common malignant tumors of the salivary glands. It is characterized by a prolonged clinical course, with frequent local recurrences, late onset of metastases and fatal outcome. High-grade transformation (HGT) is an uncommon phenomenon among salivary carcinomas and is associated with increased tumor aggressiveness. In AdCC with high-grade transformation (AdCC-HGT), the clinical course deviates from the natural history of AdCC. It tends to be accelerated, with a high propensity for lymph node metastasis. In order to shed light on this rare event and, in particular, on treatment implications, we undertook this review: searching for all published cases of AdCC-HGT. We conclude that it is mandatory to perform elective neck dissection in patients with AdCC-HGT, due to the high risk of lymph node metastases associated with transformation

Emotional work as a necessity: a psychosocial analysis of low-carbon energy collaboration stories

The urgent challenges of climate change and encouraging (more) sustainable consumption call for effective collaborations between stakeholders. However political and professional contexts often prioritise delivery of outcomes (the ‘what’) over process (the ‘how’). Indeed, even when external engagement or internal communication processes are carefully planned the actually ‘doing’ of them may still be hard, and at times emotionally intensive, work. This is where psychosocial theories offer significant insight; however, to date, they have been primarily brought to bear on caring and health professions rather than sustainability. Through a psychosocial analysis of collaboration stories gathered within a major project on low-carbon energy challenges across Europe, this chapter explores this emotional work. Results will be of practical interest to those looking to understand, encourage and undertake collaborative working for sustainability

International corporate entrepreneurship of Chinese exporters : an empirical study

Market orientation, corporate entrepreneurship and learning orientation are relevant and important organizational capabilities determining performance particularly for exporters who face an increasingly complex environment. A survey was undertaken in China to investigate their inter-relationships as well as their impact on performance. Results show that learning orientation is the major cultural precursor instrumental to market orientation and entrepreneurship development. It was also found that corporate entrepreneurship is a perfect mediator between learning- and market orientation-performance relationships. Chinese exporters are advised to cultivate themselves in developing a learning culture which can help them become more market oriented and entrepreneurial, and thus outperform in foreign countries