Perceived Social Support Mediates the Association Between Optimism and Active Coping

The current study investigated two mediation models that may partially explain the association between optimism and active coping. One-hundred fifty-three participants completed self-report surveys to assess each construct. Results showed that while high perceived social support completely mediated the association between optimism and active coping, internal locus of control was not a mediator of the association. Implications from this study suggest that perceived social support plays a significant role in the relationship between optimistic personality type and active coping style

Headroom approach to device development: Current and future directions

OBJECTIVES: The headroom approach to medical device development relies on the estimation of a value-based price ceiling at different stages of the development cycle. Such price-ceilings delineate the commercial opportunities for new products in many healthcare systems. We apply a simple model to obtain critical business information as the product proceeds along a development pathway, and indicate some future directions for the development of the approach. METHODS: Health economic modelling in the supply-side development cycle for new products. RESULTS: The headroom can be used: initially as a 'reality check' on the viability of the device in the healthcare market; to support product development decisions using a real options approach; and to contribute to a pricing policy which respects uncertainties in the reimbursement outlook. CONCLUSIONS: The headroom provides a unifying thread for business decisions along the development cycle for a new product. Over the course of the cycle attitudes to uncertainty will evolve, based on the timing and manner in which new information accrues. Within this framework the developmental value of new information can justify the costs of clinical trials and other evidence-gathering activities. Headroom can function as a simple shared tool to parties in commercial negotiations around individual products or groups of products. The development of similar approaches in other contexts holds promise for more rational planning of service provision

Attitudes of intravenous drug users in London towards the provision of drug consumption rooms

Aims: The study investigated the attitudes of intravenous drug users (IDUs) towards the provision of drug consumption rooms (DCRs) in the UK and their willingness to use DCRs. Methods: Participants were 90 methadone-maintained outpatients recruited from a London clinic. A questionnaire asked about their willingness to use a DCR, their views on various rules commonly-implemented by DCRs, and how they believed DCRs might impact on the drug-taking behaviours of drug users and their peers. Findings: A large majority (89%) expressed willingness to use a DCR and accepted the need for rules such as no drug sharing (84.3%), no assistance with injecting (81.8%), compulsory supervision (76.7%) and compulsory hand washing (92.1%). However, the IDUs were split over whether injection in the neck or groin should be disallowed and whether certain categories of IDUs (e.g. juveniles, pregnant women) should be excluded from DCRs. Majorities thought it unlikely that DCRs would encourage users to try risker drug preparations (76.6%), or encourage non injectors to inject for the first time (74.5%). Conclusions: In a country where DCRs are not available, the study highlights the willingness of IDUs to use a DCR and accept its rules, even for a sample most of whom were not homeless

A trilogy on discontinuous innovation. Part I : search

In this article we discuss the concept of Discontinuous Innovation (DI) and how it differs from incremental (or steady-state) innovation. We propose a model to conceptualise the different aspects of DI and discuss the complex nature of the DI process through an investigation of previous literature, and propose a sequence of articles roughly following the key components as described in the conceptual model, beginning with aspects of &lsquo;search&rsquo;. We then describe an on-going multi-national action research program established to investigate DI through the development of learning networks of firms in several European nations and Australia. The research progress to date is outlined and initial results of analysis on both quantitative and qualitative data collected thus far is used to explore how companies go about searching for clues or ideas about potential discontinuous innovations, which may either create competitive advantage for, or threaten the survival of the business. Key outcomes of the research to date include the identification of the most common search strategies within the participating companies and some descriptive analysis on just how these strategies are implemented in targeted firms. Finally we describe the proposed future research program and the two papers to follow completing the planned three part series on Discontinuous Innovation.<br /

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David R. Low, Ross L. Chapman and Terry R. Sloan explore innovation and market orientation in Australian manufacturing SMEs

Inter-relationships between innovation and market orientation in SMEs

Purpose &ndash; This study aims to explore the nature of the interactions between two strategies, innovation and market orientation. By examining the components of these constructs the paper seeks to identify key components of market orientation that are antecedent factors of the innovation performance of the firm. Design/methodology/approach &ndash; Correlation analysis was undertaken on data from a survey of 73 manufacturing firms in the Greater Western Sydney economic development zone in Australia. The data were supplemented by information obtained from the firm\u27s annual reports. Findings &ndash; Innovation was found to be positively correlated to market orientation (customer orientation, competitor orientation and inter-functional co-ordination) and both of these constructs were found to be positively correlated to firm performance and the degree of change in the firm\u27s competitive environment. Research limitations/implications &ndash; Possible limitations are: the low survey response rate; the nature of the sampled population; and the spread of industries involved, which could limit the generalisability of the results. The next steps will be to conduct deeper analysis into the factors that make up the subscales of the two constructs and to determine how market orientation or its associated activities interact with the innovation process. Practical implications &ndash; In order to maximize a firm\u27s financial performance, organizations should increase both their market orientation and their innovation activities as these factors operate synergistically. Originality/value &ndash; This study is arguably the first to establish the finding that the degree of change in the competitive environment and the level of market orientation are linked, and the identification of the components of market orientation that are linked to firm innovation. These findings suggest that firm innovation and firm market orientation are strategic reactions to changes in the firm\u27s competitive environment

Paraprofessionals’ Perceptions of the Need for Professional Development in an Afterschool Program Setting

AbstractAfterschool workers often lack the training and formal education that would help them perform their jobs effectively. There is little research on professional development available to such paraprofessional workers. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore afterschool workers’ perceptions of needed training. The central question focused on the perceptions of paraprofessional workers in afterschool programs regarding how professional development supported their work. Subquestions included what paraprofessional workers in afterschool programs identified as their primary learning needs and what approaches to professional development supported their work. The conceptual framework centered on Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy and Knowles’s model of andragogy. Data were collected from semistructured interviews with eight paraprofessionals from different afterschool programs and coded to discern emergent themes. Findings included participants’ need for professional development to deal with children with special needs, including virtual trainings, conferences workshops, webinars and archived modules, and ongoing team meetings. Without adequate support, they relied on their parenting experiences or the lessons they learned from their parents. Recommendations include the creation of professional development that incorporates workers’ prior experiences and skills, draws on those strengths, and further develops them. Understanding workers’ professional development needs could bring about positive social change by directing and informing administrators increased and targeted support of these paraprofessional workers, resulting in a possible increase in students’ positive developmental outcomes