The platform for open and practice-oriented research

Products 6.661

product

Reporting on forensic biology findings given activity level issues in the Netherlands

There appears to be some hesitation within the forensic biology community to formally evaluate and report on findings given activity level propositions. This hesitance in part stems from concerns about the lack of relevant data on the dynamics of biological traces and doubt about the relevance of such expert opinions to the trier of fact. At the Netherlands Forensic Institute formal evaluative opinions on the probability of case findings given propositions at the activity level are provided since 2013, if requested by a mandating authority. In this study we share the results from a retrospective analysis of 74 of such requests. We explore which party initiates requests, the types of cases that are submitted, the sources of data being used to assign probabilities to DNA transfer, persistence, prevalence and recovery (TPPR) events, the conclusions that were drawn by the scientists, and how the conclusions were used by the courts. This retrospective analysis of cases demonstrates that published sources of data are generally available and can be used to address DNA TPPR events in most cases, although significant gaps still remain. The study furthermore shows that reporting on forensic biology findings given activity level propositions has been generally accepted by the district and appeal courts, as well as the other parties in the criminal justice system in the Netherlands.

PDF

Reporting on forensic biology findings given activity level issues in the Netherlands

product

Guidelines for evaluating and reporting social isolation and loneliness interventions

Given the unpleasant nature of social isolation and loneliness (SIL) and their negative effects on health and wellbeing, interventions are needed. However, persistent issues in the design, evaluation, and reporting of SIL interventions preclude conclusive evidence and commentary on the effectiveness of SIL interventions. Here, we propose guidelines for evaluating SIL interventions, firstly by operationalising them into two categories: (1) interventions aiming to reduce SIL as a primary outcome and (2) interventions aiming to improve non-SIL outcomes in the lives of individuals experiencing SIL. Secondly, we evaluate instruments for measuring SIL and research designs for studying intervention effectiveness. Thirdly, guidelines for reporting information about the intervention, study design, results, and discussion in SIL intervention studies are presented. These guidelines will help researchers to better and more consistently report on SIL interventions and improve comparability of SIL interventions, ultimately contributing to the improvement of interventions and to the mitigation of SIL.

LINK

product

Guidelines for evaluating and reporting social isolation and loneliness interventions

LINK

People 2

person

Melinda Ratkai

Professor of Business and ESG

person

Gerben ter Riet

Senior scientific adviser at HvA (AUAS), Faculty of Health, Sport & Exercise

Projects 8

project

A roadmap for developing Data Analytic Capability for Digital Transformation

Digital transformation has been recognized for its potential to contribute to sustainability goals. It requires companies to develop their Data Analytic Capability (DAC), defined as their ability to collect, manage and analyze data effectively. Despite the governmental efforts to promote digitalization, there seems to be a knowledge gap on how to proceed, with 37% of Dutch SMEs reporting a lack of knowledge, and 33% reporting a lack of support in developing DAC. Participants in the interviews that we organized preparing this proposal indicated a need for guidance on how to develop DAC within their organization given their unique context (e.g. age and experience of the workforce, presence of legacy systems, high daily workload, lack of knowledge of digitalization). While a lot of attention has been given to the technological aspects of DAC, the people, process, and organizational culture aspects are as important, requiring a comprehensive approach and thus a bundling of knowledge from different expertise. Therefore, the objective of this KIEM proposal is to identify organizational enablers and inhibitors of DAC through a series of interviews and case studies, and use these to formulate a preliminary roadmap to DAC. From a structure perspective, the objective of the KIEM proposal will be to explore and solidify the partnership between Breda University of Applied Sciences (BUas), Avans University of Applied Sciences (Avans), Logistics Community Brabant (LCB), van Berkel Logistics BV, Smink Group BV, and iValueImprovement BV. This partnership will be used to develop the preliminary roadmap and pre-test it using action methodology. The action research protocol and preliminary roadmap thereby developed in this KIEM project will form the basis for a subsequent RAAK proposal.

Finished

project

A roadmap for developing data analytic capability for digital transformation.

Finished

project

Beschikbaarheid en geschiktheid van CSRD-data binnen de bloembollensector bij producenten in de keten

CSRD staat voor Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive. Via deze nieuwe wet- en regelgeving moeten bedrijven duurzaamheidsgegevens opnemen in hun jaarverslag onder andere vanuit de keten. Accountants dienen deze vervolgens te voorzien van een accountantsverklaring. Vanuit de bloembollen- en knollensector (in opdracht van de stichting Sustainable Suppliers; vertegenwoordigt 80% sector voor de droogverkoop) is er een CSRD-consortium opgericht met kernteamleden uit de keten. Royal Anthos (de brancheorganisatie voor de handel bloembollen en knollen) heeft de lead om met het consortium de toepassing van de CSRD te onderzoeken. Verwacht wordt dat een beperkt aantal bedrijven en afnemers van handelsbedrijven (vaak retailers) rapportageplichtig zullen zijn en de nodige duurzaamheidsinformatie zullen opvragen uit de keten. Tijdens de eerste CSRD-exploratie sessies kwamen vragen naar voren zoals: Kunnen producenten in de keten de data leveren? Wat wordt er van ze verwacht? Deze vragen zijn zeer geschikt om in een KIEM-aanvraag te onderzoeken, met als hoofdonderzoeksvraag: “Hoe beschikbaar en geschikt is de CSRD-data binnen de bloembollen- en knollensector bij leveranciers?”, en deelvragen: a) Welke eisen stellen afnemers aan producenten? b) In hoeverre voldoen de producenten aan de eisen? c) Hoe kunnen producenten voldoen aan deze nieuwe informatievraag? d) Welke inspanningen zijn nodig om ontbrekende data te verkrijgen? e) Welke rol hee^ bestaande certificering in de informatiebehoefte? De beoogde projectresultaten zijn: o Website CSRD Q&A bollensector: o Welke CSRD-informatie is voorhanden en wat niet (de GAP)? o Mogelijke acties om de GAP te verkleinen (laaghangend fruit) o Masterclass praktisch omgaan met CSRD (wordt omgezet naar een webinar) o Ontwikkelen van een vaktechnische publicatie en of wetenschappelijke publicatie Het KIEM-project wordt geleid en uitgevoerd door het Yuverta practoraat Circulaire Agribusiness waarin wordt samengewerkt met het Hogeschool Arnhem Nijmegen lectoraat Futureproof Control (gespecialiseerd op CSRD en reporting).

Ongoing

project

Beyond CSRD Compliance: A Key to Unlocking More Value for Hotels, the Environment, and Society

The project is a field study for several diverse hotel chains, including individual properties operated under the Marriott brand, Postillion Hotels. Each brand has unique values, missions, and visions. Therefore, this integration will lead to the development of company-specific sustainability strategies and processes. The study will use the model of levers of control to provide such tailor-made solutions and determine if a generic approach can be developed to match a corporate sustainability strategy with a corporate strategy and develop a supporting management control system for operationalizing the sustainability strategy. Research question: How can a hotel brand formulate and implement a sustainability strategy with a supporting management control system that not only complies with the new CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) legislation but also emphasizes the creation of substantial value in financial and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) aspects, based on double materiality, in line with the organization's corporate values and beliefs? Objective The aim is to develop a validated method, including tools, that hotels can use to create a sustainability strategy in line with the CSRD guidelines. This strategy should create value for the organization, the environment, and society, while aligning with the hotel's values and beliefs. Merely being compliant with the CSRD is not enough for hotels. Instead, they should view the implementation of the CSRD as an opportunity to stand out in terms of sustainability. By creating value in areas such as environment, safety, and governance, or through the six capitals (financial, manufactured, intellectual, human, social and relationship, and natural) that align with the UN-SDGs, and explicitly taking both an inside-out and an outside in perspective (double materiality), hotels can significantly enhance their sustainability reputation.

Ongoing

project

Developing a Hospitality Social Sustainability Accreditation Framework

The Dutch hospitality industry, reflecting the wider Dutch society, is increasingly facing social sustainability challenges for a greying population, such as increasing burnout, lifelong learning, and inclusion for those distanced from the job market. Yet, while the past decades have seen notable progress regarding environmental sustainability and good governance, more attention should be paid to social sustainability. This concern is reflected by the top-sector healthcare struggles caused by mounting social welfare pressure, leading to calls by the Dutch government for organizational improvement in social earning capacity. Furthermore, the upcoming EU legislation on CSRD requires greater transparency regarding financial and non-financial reporting this year. Yet, while the existing sustainability accreditation frameworks offer guidance on environmental sustainability and good governance reporting, there must be more guidance on auditing social sustainability. The hospitality industry, as a prominent employer in the Netherlands, thus has a societal and legislative urgency to transition its social earning capacity. Dormben Hotel The Hague OpCo BV (Dormben) has thus sought support in transitioning its social sustainability standards to meet this call. Hotelschool, the Hague leads the consortium, including Green Key Nederland and Dormben, by employing participatory design to present a social sustainability accreditation framework. Initially, Dr. David Brannon and Dr. Melinda Ratkai from Hotelschool The Hague will draft a social sustainability accreditation framework informed by EFRAG. Subsequently, Erik van Wijk, from Green Key Nederland, the hospitality benchmark for sustainability accreditation, and Sander de Jong, from Dormben, will pilot the framework through four participatory workshops involving hospitality operators. Later, during a cross-industry conference, Dr. David Brannon and Dr. Melinda Ratkai will disseminate a social sustainability toolkit across their academic and industry networks. Finally, conference and workshop participants will be invited to form a social sustainability learning community, discussing their social earning capacity based on the revised sustainability accreditation.

Ongoing

project

Maatschappelijk jaarverslag voor het MKB

Het komende decennium dient de Nederlandse economie van 12,1% circulair (Van ’t Klooster et al., 2020) naar 50% circulair te gaan (Rijksbreed Programma Circulaire economie 2016). In 2050 dient de economie volledig circulair te zijn. Dit is een majeure opgave die betrekking heeft op hergebruik van materialen, uitstoot van broeikasgassen, biodiversiteit en meer. MVO Nederland verwoordt het als volgt: “In de nieuwe economie streven bedrijven niet alleen naar stijgende omzetcijfers, maar ook naar meer natuur, een betere volksgezondheid, of minder eenzaamheid. Positieve maatschappelijke impact staat op gelijke voet met financiële groei“ (MVO Nederland, 2020). De bijdrage van MKB-bedrijven is broodnodig voor de transitie gezien hun economisch belang. Om te kunnen sturen is inzicht in je maatschappelijke impact cruciaal. Maar hoe bepaalt een MKB-bedrijf de maatschappelijke impact? De druk van buitenaf, van stakeholders neemt toe, en daarmee de noodzaak om extern te rapporteren over maatschappelijke impact. Dit is noodzakelijk voor vertrouwen, gedrag en acceptatie van de circulaire economie, waarmee deze aanvraag aansluit op de KIA CE. Dit voorstel is de start van een meeromvattend onderzoek naar de adoptie van maatschappelijke jaarverslagen door MKB-bedrijven. Maatschappelijke jaarverslaglegging is een essentieel instrument in de transitie naar een nieuwe economie, maar kent veel uitdagingen voor het MKB. Als eerste stap beogen we middels de KIEM-CE aanvraag te werken aan verder inzicht in de specifieke rapportagebehoefte en mogelijkheden die er zijn voor MKB-bedrijven vanuit bestaande niet-financiële rapportageraamwerken. Bovendien streven we in deze fase naar het bouwen van een breed netwerk met verschillende stakeholders om de vraagbehoefte verder aan te scherpen. Bij afronding van het KIEM-CE project is de basis gelegd voor een RAAK-MKB aanvraag waarbij gekeken zal worden naar onder andere gegevensregistratie, –rapportage en betrouwbaarheid ter ondersteuning van de transitie naar een circulaire economie.

Finished

project

Putting the Public in Publicizing | Improving Journalism Education through the Artistic Practice

Being objective as a journalist indicates a distance to your sources and maintaining the role of a neutral bystander. This principle echoes in journalism education; generally speaking, to call something objective is a compliment and to say something is subjective is a warning. This journalistic role perception faces criticism since the late twentieth century. There’s extensive scholarly research looking to bridge the gap between objectivism and subjectivism, but journalistic education still widely prioritizes a binary perception of these principles, putting a strong emphasis on objective reporting. This PD aims to integrate artistic practices into journalism education that advocate a more balanced approach of the assumed objective-subjective dichotomy. One such approach is live journalism, where the artistic method extends to productional outcome, usually in the form of a journalistic narrative brought before a live audience. Research shows that, whereas visitors still think such productions should be fact-based, the fact that journalists had (made) a personal connection to their subject was seen as essential to the credibility of their work. This presupposes that journalism in this context is not merely a profession, but rather a person carrying out a profession. This PD intends to not only accept a certain subjectivity, but to explore its potential in journalism education. It plays with the concept not as being or becoming personally opinionated as a journalist, but as subjecting the self as a reporter. Research shows that for journalists, such an active connection to a target audience and an attitude to want to hear more than an answer to a question leads to a more representative understanding of the position and predicaments of a social group. In this light, the objective and subjective do not present themselves as a T-junction where the journalist chooses either one or the other; they appear in mutuality.

Ongoing

project

Remediation of comPromised IoT Devices

Despite the benefits of the widespread deployment of diverse Internet-enabled devices such as IP cameras and smart home appliances - the so-called Internet of Things (IoT) has amplified the attack surface that is being leveraged by cyber criminals. While manufacturers and vendors keep deploying new products, infected devices can be counted in the millions and spreading at an alarming rate all over consumer and business networks. The objective of this project is twofold: (i) to explain the causes behind these infections and the inherent insecurity of the IoT paradigm by exploring innovative data analytics as applied to raw cyber security data; and (ii) to promote effective remediation mechanisms that mitigate the threat of the currently vulnerable and infected IoT devices. By performing large-scale passive and active measurements, this project will allow the characterization and attribution of compromise IoT devices. Understanding the type of devices that are getting compromised and the reasons behind the attacker’s intention is essential to design effective countermeasures. This project will build on the state of the art in information theoretic data mining (e.g., using the minimum description length and maximum entropy principles), statistical pattern mining, and interactive data exploration and analytics to create a casual model that allows explaining the attacker’s tactics and techniques. The project will research formal correlation methods rooted in stochastic data assemblies between IoT-relevant measurements and IoT malware binaries as captured by an IoT-specific honeypot to aid in the attribution and thus the remediation objective. Research outcomes of this project will benefit society in addressing important IoT security problems before manufacturers saturate the market with ostensibly useful and innovative gadgets that lack sufficient security features, thus being vulnerable to attacks and malware infestations, which can turn them into rogue agents. However, the insights gained will not be limited to the attacker behavior and attribution, but also to the remediation of the infected devices. Based on a casual model and output of the correlation analyses, this project will follow an innovative approach to understand the remediation impact of malware notifications by conducting a longitudinal quasi-experimental analysis. The quasi-experimental analyses will examine remediation rates of infected/vulnerable IoT devices in order to make better inferences about the impact of the characteristics of the notification and infected user’s reaction. The research will provide new perspectives, information, insights, and approaches to vulnerability and malware notifications that differ from the previous reliance on models calibrated with cross-sectional analysis. This project will enable more robust use of longitudinal estimates based on documented remediation change. Project results and methods will enhance the capacity of Internet intermediaries (e.g., ISPs and hosting providers) to better handle abuse/vulnerability reporting which in turn will serve as a preemptive countermeasure. The data and methods will allow to investigate the behavior of infected individuals and firms at a microscopic scale and reveal the causal relations among infections, human factor and remediation.

Ongoing

Products 6.661

product

Reporting on forensic biology findings given activity level issues in the Netherlands

PDF

product

Guidelines for evaluating and reporting social isolation and loneliness interventions

LINK

product

Guidelines for evaluating and reporting social isolation and loneliness interventions

LINK