Browsing by Subject "Strategy"

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    Open Access
    ARIA 2016: Care pathways implementing emerging technologies for predictive medicine in rhinitis and asthma across the life cycle
    (2016) Bousquet, J; Hellings, P W; Agache, I; Bedbrook, A; Bachert, C; Bergmann, K C; Bewick, M; Bindslev-Jensen, C; Bosnic-Anticevitch, S; Bucca, C; Caimmi, D P; Camargos, P A M; Canonica, G W; Casale, T; Chavannes, N H; Cruz, A A; De Carlo, G; Dahl, R; Demoly, P; Devillier, P; Fonseca, J; Fokkens, W J; Guldemond, N A; Haahtela, T; Illario, M; Just, J; Keil, T; Klimek, L; Kuna, P; Larenas-Linnemann, D; Morais-Almeida, M; Mullol, J
    Abstract The Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) initiative commenced during a World Health Organization workshop in 1999. The initial goals were (1) to propose a new allergic rhinitis classification, (2) to promote the concept of multi-morbidity in asthma and rhinitis and (3) to develop guidelines with all stakeholders that could be used globally for all countries and populations. ARIA—disseminated and implemented in over 70 countries globally—is now focusing on the implementation of emerging technologies for individualized and predictive medicine. MASK [MACVIA (Contre les Maladies Chroniques pour un Vieillissement Actif)-ARIA Sentinel NetworK] uses mobile technology to develop care pathways for the management of rhinitis and asthma by a multi-disciplinary group and by patients themselves. An app (Android and iOS) is available in 20 countries and 15 languages. It uses a visual analogue scale to assess symptom control and work productivity as well as a clinical decision support system. It is associated with an inter-operable tablet for physicians and other health care professionals. The scaling up strategy uses the recommendations of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing. The aim of the novel ARIA approach is to provide an active and healthy life to rhinitis sufferers, whatever their age, sex or socio-economic status, in order to reduce health and social inequalities incurred by the disease.
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    Open Access
    Big data analytics strategy formulation: a case study of big data analytics organizations in South Africa
    (2025) Kondo, Never; Tanner, Maureen
    Storing data as big data in isolation lacks inherent value until it undergoes analysis to yield valuable insights. The main goal for organizations investing in big data analytics (BDA) for digital transformation is to enhance decision-making and generate organizational value. However, most organizations struggle to improve performance or gain a competitive advantage from BDA insights. This is primarily due to a failure to formulate and articulate BDA strategies to digitally transform business outcomes by making better insightful business decisions. As a result, top management continues to grapple with pervasive BDA issues that they find difficult to comprehend. This research explores the foundational underpinning components that inform the formulation of a BDA strategy for organizations in South Africa. The importance of the South African context is that South Africa is classified as a leading emerging economy in Africa, with the potential to bridge the digital divide between developed and developing countries on the global market. Introducing BDA technologies can benefit South African organizations across multiple industries by enabling equitable digital economy participation in order to compete with global organizations and develop much needed future data analytics skills on the African continent. The research followed a general inductive approach, through a multiple case study of two prominent BDA organizations in South Africa. The research was conducted as a cross- sectional study and followed an inductive approach to formulate theory based on gathered evidence. In addition, a priori framework guided research concepts and principles to be explored through the inductive experience. The empirical findings unveiled twelve key themes that inform the formulation of a BDA strategy in South African organizations, categorized into internal and external organizational components. Internally: Organizations require well-articulated BDA business goals and objectives that are aligned with the required, BDA techniques to be utilised and executed, by the competent people possessing essential skills to manage BDA complexities brought about by the various big data characteristics. The organizations have to utilize, technologically advanced tools from suppliers to further enhance, their competitive advantage in the market they operate, as outlined by the determinants of Porter's 5 Forces model, in a cost-efficient manner. Simultaneously, organizations must consider external components such as, the legal and regulatory climate, social trends, economic factors, customer behaviour and competition outlook. The amalgamation of the BDA strategy components is crucial for delivering valuable business outcomes that surpass BDA investment costs. The research contributes to the field of Information Systems by providing a novel model that enriches extant literature and helps South African organizations with guidelines to follow when formulating a BDA strategy, by identifying and outlining the key foundational components that should inform a BDA strategy.
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    Prolonged health worker strikes in Kenya- perspectives and experiences of frontline health managers and local communities in Kilifi County
    (2020-02-10) Waithaka, Dennis; Kagwanja, Nancy; Nzinga, Jacinta; Tsofa, Benjamin; Leli, Hassan; Mataza, Christine; Nyaguara, Amek; Bejon, Philip; Gilson, Lucy; Barasa, Edwine; Molyneux, Sassy
    Abstract Background While health worker strikes are experienced globally, the effects can be worst in countries with infrastructural and resource challenges, weak institutional arrangements, underdeveloped organizational ethics codes, and unaffordable alternative options for the poor. In Kenya, there have been a series of public health worker strikes in the post devolution period. We explored the perceptions and experiences of frontline health managers and community members of the 2017 prolonged health workers’ strikes. Methods We employed an embedded research approach in one county in the Kenyan Coast. We collected in-depth qualitative data through informal observations, reflective meetings, individual and group interviews and document reviews (n = 5), and analysed the data using a thematic approach. Individual interviews were held with frontline health managers (n = 26), and group interviews with community representatives (4 health facility committee member groups, and 4 broader community representative groups). Interviews were held during and immediately after the nurses’ strike. Findings In the face of major health facility and service closures and disruptions, frontline health managers enacted a range of strategies to keep key services open, but many strategies were piecemeal, inconsistent and difficult to sustain. Interviewees reported huge negative health and financial strike impacts on local communities, and especially the poor. There is limited evidence of improved health system preparedness to cope with any future strikes. Conclusion Strikes cannot be seen in isolation of the prevailing policy and health systems context. The 2017 prolonged strikes highlight the underlying and longer-term frustration amongst public sector health workers in Kenya. The health system exhibited properties of complex adaptive systems that are interdependent and interactive. Reactive responses within the public system and the use of private healthcare led to limited continued activity through the strike, but were not sufficient to confer resilience to the shock of the prolonged strikes. To minimise the negative effects of strikes when they occur, careful monitoring and advanced planning is needed. Planning should aim to ensure that emergency and other essential services are maintained, threats between staff are minimized, health worker demands are reasonable, and that governments respect and honor agreements.
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    The LOFAR Two-metre Sky Survey: I. Survey description and preliminary data release⋆
    (2017) Shimwell, T W; Röttgering, H J A; Best, P N; Williams, W L; Dijkema, T J; de Gasperin, F; Hardcastle, M J; Heald, G H; Hoang, D N; Horneffer, A; Intema, H; Mahony, E K; Mandal, S; Mechev, A P; Morabito, L; Oonk, J B R; Rafferty, D; Retana-Montenegro, E; Sabater, J; Tasse, C; van Weeren, R J; BrYggen, M; Brunetti, G; Chyży, K T; Conway, J E; Haverkorn, M; Jackson, N; Jarvis, M J; McKean, J P; Miley, G K; Morganti, R; White, G J
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