High Performance Organization (HPO) characteristics indicate why an organization is able to achieve significantly better results than other organizations and these characteristics can facilitate associations to optimize employees’ work outcomes. The independent professional (IP) is an increasingly occurring phenomenon in the labor market that fulfils an organizations’ need for flexibility in knowledge productivity. This study focuses on the contribution of HPO characteristics to the knowledge productivity of IP's. It was conducted among managers and HRM professionals in various Dutch knowledge-intensive organizations that frequently enlist the services of IPs. This study found a number of HPO attributes that appeared to contribute to the IPs' knowledge productivity, namely the quality of management, an open and actionfocused organizational culture, and continual improvement and innovation. We will use these results to look ahead and consider the future consequences for professional practice. Managers and HRM professionals should strive to contribute to the incorporation of these characteristics within the organization in order to safeguard and enhance knowledge productivity of independent professionals.
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Expectations are high with regards to smart home technology. In particular, smart home technology is expected to support or enable independent living by older adults. This raises the question: can smart home technology contribute to independent living, according to older adults themselves? This chapter aims to answer this question by reviewing and discussing older adults’ perspectives on independence and their views on smart home technology. Firstly, older adults’ opinions on independence and aging in place are discussed. Secondly, this chapter will review to what extent smart home technology can support older adults’ independence. Thirdly, it will be explained how community-dwelling older adults’ concept of independence entails three distinct types or modes, and how these modes are related to their perceptions and acceptance of technology. In the last section of this chapter, an overview of key points is presented, and recommendations for technology designers, policy makers, and care providers are postulated.
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Smallholders, who cultivate ±30% of the global palm oil land, are critical to the realization of a sustainable palm oil sector. However, particularly independent smallholders, untied to mills, lag behind in yields and experience challenges to market their produce. Sustainability certification, such as by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), is proposed as a way to improve smallholder livelihoods, while protecting the environment. However, independent smallholders experience barriers to obtain certification. Through interviews with 18 RSPOcertified independent smallholder groups in Indonesia and 9 certification facilitators, this study examines how pre-certification conditions regarding smallholders’ socio-economic backgrounds, legality, group organization, planation management practices, and local supply chain conditions impact prospects for RSPO certification, and how groups who successfully achieved certification have dealt with challenges during the certification process. We found that the majority (77%) of RSPO certified independent smallholders in Indonesia consists of ‘former scheme’ smallholders. These smallholders often have clear land legality and are organized in groups prior to certification, which increases their eligibility for RSPO certification. However, due to upfront and recurrent costs for certification, as well as complexities in meeting RSPO standards, access to certification is strongly dependent on external facilitators. To up-scale certification for independent oil palm smallholders, and include more nonscheme smallholders, certification projects should involve more local actors including local governments and certified smallholder groups. In addition, certification should focus on core social and environmental concerns for smallholders, while being flexible with regards to the forms of proof needed to fulfil legality requirements.
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Aim The aim of this study is to gain more insight into child and environmental factors that influence gross motor development (GMD) of healthy infants from birth until reaching the milestone of independent walking, based on longitudinal research. Background A systematic search was conducted using Scopus, PsycINFO, MEDLINE and CINAHL to identify studies from inception to February 2020. Studies that investigated the association between child or environmental factors and infant GMD using longitudinal measurements of infant GMD were eligible. Two independent reviewers extracted key information and assessed risk of bias of the selected studies, using the Quality in Prognostic Studies tool (QUIPS). Strength of evidence (strong, moderate, limited, conflicting and no evidence) for the factors identified was described according to a previously established classification. Results In 36 studies, six children and 11 environmental factors were identified. Five studies were categorized as having low risk of bias. Strong evidence was found for the association between birthweight and GMD in healthy full-term and preterm infants. Moderate evidence was found for associations between gestational age and GMD, and sleeping position and GMD. There was conflicting evidence for associations between twinning and GMD, and breastfeeding and GMD. No evidence was found for an association between maternal postpartum depression and GMD. Evidence for the association of other factors with GMD was classified as ‘limited’ because each of these factors was examined in only one longitudinal study. Conclusion Infant GMD appears associated with two child factors (birthweight and gestational age) and one environmental factor (sleeping position). For the other factors identified in this review, insufficient evidence for an association with GMD was found. For those factors that were examined in only one longitudinal study, and are therefore classified as having limited evidence, more research would be needed to reach a conclusion.
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Objective: The participation of students from both undergraduate medical education (UGME) and postgraduate medical education (PGME) in independent patient care contributes to the development of knowledge, skills and the professional identity of students. A continuing collaboration between students and their preceptor might contribute to opportunities for students to independently provide patient care. In this systematic review, we aim to evaluate whether longitudinal training models facilitate the independent practice of students and what characteristics of longitudinal training models contribute to this process. Method: This systematic review was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines. In May 2020, we performed a search in three databases. Articles evaluating the impact of longitudinal training models on the independent practice of students from both UGME and PGME programmes were eligible for the study. A total of 68 articles were included in the study. Quality of the included studies was assessed using the Quality Assessment Tool for Studies with Diverse Designs (QATSDD).Results: Both UGME and PGME students in longitudinal training models are more frequently allowed to provide patient care independently when compared with their block model peers, and they also feel better prepared for independent practice at the end of their training programme. Several factors related to longitudinal training models stimulate opportunities for students to work independently. The most important factors in this process are the longitudinal relationships with preceptors and with the health care team. Conclusion: Due to the ongoing collaboration between students and their preceptor, they develop an intensive and supportive mutual relationship, allowing for the development of a safe learning environment. As a result, the professional development of students is fostered, and students gradually become part of the health care team, allowing them the opportunity to engage in independent patient care.
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AIMS: Attitudes of dentists and dental hygienists towards extended scope and independent dental hygiene practice are described in several studies, but the results are heterogenous. The purpose of this systematic review was to compare the attitudes of dentists and dental hygienists towards extended scope and independent dental hygiene practice.METHODS: PubMed, AMED and CINAHL were screened by two independent assessors to identify relevant studies. Only quantitative studies that reported the percentages of dentists' and dental hygienists' attitude towards extended scope and independent dental hygiene practice were included. The random-effects model was used to synthesise possible heterogenous influences.RESULTS: Meta proportions with regard to a positive attitude towards extended scope of practice are 0.54 for dentists and 0.81 for dental hygienists. Meta proportions of a positive attitude towards independent practice are 0.14 for dentists and 0.59 for dental hygienists. A meta analysis with regard to negative attitudes could only be performed on extended scope of practice and did not reveal a difference between the two professions. We obtained homogeneous outcomes of the studies included regarding negative attitudes of dentists . A minority of dentists hold negative attitudes towards extended scope of dental hygiene practice. Study outcomes regarding negative attitudes of dental hygienists were heterogeneous.CONCLUSIONS: Positive attitudes are present among a majority of dentists and dental hygienists with regard to extended scope of dental hygiene practice, while for independent dental hygiene practice this holds for a minority of dentists and a majority of dental hygienists.
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This short paper describes a workshop on “Establishing criteria for an independent 3R-index: Access to 3Rs” and the corporate responsibility of industry for the use of animals in testing. 28 August 2014 Prague, at the World Congress on Alternatives Animal Use in the Life Sciences
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Purpose. This cross-sectional study investigates deficits and associations in muscle strength, 6-minute walking distance (6MWD), aerobic capacity (VO2peak), and physical activity (PA) in independent ambulatory children with lumbosacral spina bifida. Method. Twenty-tree children participated (13 boys, 10 girls). Mean age (SD): 10.4 (±3.1) years. Muscle strength (manual muscle testing and hand-held dynamometry), 6MWD, VO2peak (maximal exercise test on a treadmill), and PA (quantity and energy expenditure [EE]), were measured and compared with aged-matched reference values. Results. Strength of upper and lower extremity muscles, and VO2peak were significantly lower compared to reference values. Mean Z-scores ranged from -1.2 to -2.9 for muscle strength, and from -1.7 to -4.1 for VO2peak. EE ranged from 73 - 84% of predicted EE. 6MWD was significantly associated with muscle strength of hip abductors and foot dorsal flexors. VO2peak was significantly associated with strength of hip flexors, hip abductors, knee extensors, foot dorsal flexors, and calf muscles. Conclusions. These children have significantly reduced muscle strength, 6MWD, VO2peak and lower levels of PA, compared to reference values. VO2peak and 6MWD were significantly associated with muscle strength, especially with hip abductor and ankle muscles. Therefore, even in independent ambulating children training on endurance and muscle strength seems indicated.
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Smallholders are a substantial part of the oil palm sector and thus key to achieve more sustainable production. However, so far their yields remain below potential. The Roundtable on Sustainable Oil Palm (RSPO) aims to include smallholders in sustainability certification to strengthen rural livelihoods and reduce negative environmental impacts. This study aims to determine if and how certified smallholders perform differently from their non-certified counterparts in terms of management practices and yields, and to what extend this is related to RSPO certification.
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