Using a participatory scenario development toolbox: added values and impact on quality of scenarios

2011 ◽  
Vol 2 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 87-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kasper Kok ◽  
Mathijs van Vliet
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Climate Adaptation ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Development Projects ◽  
Scenario Development ◽  
Large Project ◽  
Stakeholder Input ◽  
Adaptation Scenarios ◽  
Scenario Quality

To capture a system's uncertainty, a participatory, integrated approach is a prerequisite of many scenario development projects. Increasingly, a toolbox of methods is employed to facilitate stakeholder input. In this paper we evaluate four potential added values of using a toolbox of methods and the effect on the quality of resulting scenarios. Ten case studies within a large project (SCENES), that set out to develop participatory scenarios for Europe's freshwaters, are used to test our hypotheses. We analysed a first series of scenario workshops, evaluating (dis)advantages of the toolbox and the quality of scenarios as perceived by stakeholders and local organisers. As can be deduced from the resulting scenarios, results indicate that all hypothesised added values materialised to some extent. Using a toolbox enlarges the possibilities to: (1) adapt to local circumstances; (2) adapt to a variety of stakeholders; (3) compare results across scales and across case studies; and (4) facilitate a link of models and stories. However, a careful balance has to be found between the length of workshop, number and type of tools employed, and previous experience of stakeholders and local organisers. The results have implications for practitioners setting out to develop water or climate adaptation scenarios that could benefit from all the added values tested here. Finally, employing a toolbox can positively influence scenario quality, although more structured tests are needed.

About Using the Complex Method in Studies of the Quality of Life of the Population of the North Ossetia

2020 ◽  
pp. 36-48
Author(s):  
I. M. Loskutova ◽  
N. G. Romanova
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Standard Of Living ◽  
Complex Method ◽  
The North ◽  
Social Wellbeing ◽  
The Social ◽  
Sociological Studies ◽  
North Ossetia

This article is devoted to the application of an integrated approach in the study of the quality of life of the population of the North Ossetia. Aspects of the specifity of objective and subjective approaches are substantiated. The increasing importance of the concept of “quality of life” in the XXI century is indicated. A review of sociological studies of the level and quality of life in Russia, as well as a range of monographic works on the analyzed issues. The results of empirical sociological studies in 2014 and 2018 (a study of the quality and standard of living of the population of North Ossetia and a study of the social wellbeing of the population of North Ossetia using the methodology developed by Lapin N. I. and Belyaeva L. A.) are presented.

scholarly journals Natural Assurance Schemes Canvas: A Framework to Develop Business Models for Nature-Based Solutions Aimed at Disaster Risk Reduction

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 1291
Author(s):  
Beatriz Mayor ◽  
Pedro Zorrilla-Miras ◽  
Philippe Le Coent ◽  
Thomas Biffin ◽  
Kieran Dartée ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Climate Adaptation ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Critical Information ◽  
Business Cases ◽  
Floods And Droughts

Nature-based solutions (NBS) are increasingly being promoted because they can solve different pursued aims together with providing an additional array of multiple ecosystem services or co-benefits. Nevertheless, their implementation is still being curbed by several barriers, for example, a lack of examples, a lack of finance, and a lack of business cases. Therefore, there is an urgent need to facilitate the construction of business models and business cases that identify the elements required to capture value. These are necessary to catalyze investments for the implementation of NBS. This article presents a tool called a Natural Assurance Schemes (NAS) canvas and explains how it can be applied to identify business models for NBS strategies providing climate adaptation services, showing an eye-shot summary of critical information to attract funding. The framework is applied in three case studies covering different contexts, scales, and climate-related risks (floods and droughts). Finally, a reflective analysis is done, comparing the tool with other similar approaches while highlighting the differential characteristics that define the usefulness, replicability, and flexibility of the tool for the target users, namely policymakers, developers, scientists, or entrepreneurs aiming to promote and implement NAS and NBS projects.

Would integrating women's professional care of pelvic organ prolapse improve the symptoms and quality of life: an integrative literature review

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-133
Author(s):  
Nicola Davies ◽  
Teresa Burdett
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Pelvic Organ Prolapse ◽  
Conservative Treatment ◽  
Conservative Management ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Pelvic Organ ◽  
Social Implications ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeIntegrated healthcare is a central tenant of the NHS Long Term Plan (NHS, 2019). NICE in 2019 published guidelines; advising the integration of multidisciplinary professionals which may lead to an improvement in conservative treatment methods of pelvic organ prolapse. Therefore, current literature on the conservative treatments for pelvic organ prolapse needs to be reviewed to ascertain if an integrated approach would improve the symptoms and quality of life for women.Design/methodology/approachA systematic review of the literature between 2013 and 2018 was implemented. Papers included were written in English, peer-reviewed and consisted of treatments of pelvic organ prolapse in women. Papers containing surgical interventions, postpartum participants, reviews, evaluations, guidelines, follow-up studies, focusing on cost effectiveness, sexual function were excluded.FindingsSeven studies in total were included, and two overarching themes were identified: quality of life after treatment and the effect of conservative treatment on pelvic organ prolapse symptoms. The literature suggested that integrating care had a more positive outcome on pelvic organ symptoms and quality of life.Research limitations/implicationsTo develop a robust enhanced model of care for conservative treatment of pelvic organ prolapse through more mixed method or qualitative research, that incorporates integrative treatment methods with collaboration from multidisciplinary professionals.Practical implicationsThe practical implications of integrating the conservative management of pelvic organ prolapse is the communication between the multidisciplinary team must be exceptional to ensure everyone understands and agrees the treatment that is being provided to patient. Also, effective teamwork is important to ensure the patient receives the best care with input from the correct disciplines. The multi-professional team will need to have regular meetings to discuss and implement care plans for patients that might prove difficult to schedule due to differing commitments and priorities. This must be overcome to insure a successful and effective integrated approach to pelvic organ prolapse is delivered.Social implicationsThe social implications of integrating the professional approach to women's care of pelvic organ prolapse involves reducing the severity of the symptoms therefore, increasing the quality of life. This may result in the reduction of surgical intervention due to the patient being satisfied with the conservative management. Through integrating the management of the prolapse the patient will receive an accessible individualised care plan pathway that focuses on treating or reducing the impact of the symptoms that are bothersome to the patient whilst managing patient expectations. Patients will also, be reassured by the number of multi-disciplinary professionals involved in their care.Originality/valueGlobal integration of conservative treatments and multidisciplinary-professionals specialising in pelvic organ prolapse and pelvic floor dysfunction is needed.

The Mae on Project: Using Acupuncture for Symptom Relief and Improved Quality of Life for People Living with Hiv and Aids in Rural Thailand

2010 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Louie ◽  
Nopporn Pathanapornpandh ◽  
Unchalee Pultajuk ◽  
Robert Kaplan ◽  
Ian Hodgson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Symptom Relief ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Hiv And Aids ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Preliminary Evaluation ◽  
Related Symptom ◽  
History Of ◽  
Living With Hiv

Acupuncture in combination with antiretroviral therapies is a potentially useful treatment for HIV-related symptom relief in resource-poor settings. Traditional Chinese medicine has a long history of being used to enhance immune function. In the setting of HIV, Chinese traditional medicine allows for symptom treatment without adding extra medications to a complex drug regime. This paper provides details of a project at Mae On Hospital in rural northern Thailand where allopathic/conventional treatments are used in tandem with acupuncture. A preliminary evaluation of the project suggests that an integrated approach to symptom relief is viewed positively by respondents receiving acupuncture, though further studies are required to confirm the association between acupuncture and symptom relief. The project also demonstrates the feasibility of developing a cost-effective acupuncture programme using local healthcare staff.

Droughts, floods and freshwater ecosystems: evaluating climate change impacts and developing adaptation strategies

2011 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison Aldous ◽  
James Fitzsimons ◽  
Brian Richter ◽  
Leslie Bach
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Climate Adaptation ◽  
Numerical Models ◽  
Climate Change Impacts ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystems ◽  
Adaptation Strategies ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Eastern Australia

Climate change is expected to have significant impacts on hydrologic regimes and freshwater ecosystems, and yet few basins have adequate numerical models to guide the development of freshwater climate adaptation strategies. Such strategies can build on existing freshwater conservation activities, and incorporate predicted climate change impacts. We illustrate this concept with three case studies. In the Upper Klamath Basin of the western USA, a shift in land management practices would buffer this landscape from a declining snowpack. In the Murray–Darling Basin of south-eastern Australia, identifying the requirements of flood-dependent natural values would better inform the delivery of environmental water in response to reduced runoff and less water. In the Savannah Basin of the south-eastern USA, dam managers are considering technological and engineering upgrades in response to more severe floods and droughts, which would also improve the implementation of recommended environmental flows. Even though the three case studies are in different landscapes, they all contain significant freshwater biodiversity values. These values are threatened by water allocation problems that will be exacerbated by climate change, and yet all provide opportunities for the development of effective climate adaptation strategies.

Knowledge Management: Case Studies in SMEs and Evaluation of an Integrated Approach

2005 ◽  
Vol 04 (02) ◽  
pp. 95-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kuan Yew Wong ◽  
Elaine Aspinwall
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Business Sector ◽  
Integrated Framework ◽  
Implementation Effort ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
The Way

To date, very few publications have been found that describe how small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are adopting knowledge management (KM). The same is true concerning attempts to develop a framework to help them implement it. To redress this, this paper presents the results of four case studies conducted in UK SMEs to examine their KM implementation effort. In addition, a new integrated framework developed by the authors was evaluated to determine its applicability in this business sector. The methodology employed to conduct the studies is described and each of the cases is then presented. The results are analysed and key lessons or findings gathered from the companies are highlighted. Comments received from the companies with respect to the integrated framework were positive and favourable. It is hoped that the information accrued from the case studies, together with the integrated framework, will help to pave the way for SMEs to accomplish KM.

scholarly journals The Water Safety Plan Approach: Application to Small Drinking-Water Systems—Case Studies in Salento (South Italy)

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 4360
Author(s):  
Francesca Serio ◽  
Lucia Martella ◽  
Giovanni Imbriani ◽  
Adele Idolo ◽  
Francesco Bagordo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Distribution Systems ◽  
Water Systems ◽  
Water Safety ◽  
Quality Of Water ◽  
Safety Plan ◽  
Water Safety Plan ◽  
Drinking Water Systems

Background: The quality of water for human consumption is an objective of fundamental importance for the defense of public health. Since the management of networks involves many problems of control and efficiency of distribution, the Water Safety Plan (WSP) was introduced to address these growing problems. Methods: WSP was applied to three companies in which the water resource assumes central importance: five water kiosks, a third-range vegetable processing company, and a residence and care institution. In drafting the plan, the terms and procedures designed and tested for the management of urban distribution systems were applied to safeguard the resource over time. Results: The case studies demonstrated the reliability of the application of the model even to small drinking-water systems, even though it involved a greater effort in analyzing the incoming water, the local intended use, and the possibilities for managing the containment of the dangers to which it is exposed. This approach demonstrates concrete effectiveness in identifying and mitigating the dangers of altering the quality of water. Conclusions: Thanks to the WSP applied to small drinking-water systems, we can move from management that is focused mainly on verifying the conformity of the finished product to the creation of a global risk assessment and management system that covers the entire water supply chain.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF NATURAL AND SERENE ENVIRONMENT TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIVING IN TINY HOMES

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (16) ◽  
Author(s):  
Murni Zainal ◽  
Azhan Abdul Aziz
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Urban Area ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Prototype Model ◽  
Quantitative Methodology ◽  
Supportive Environment ◽  
Detached House ◽  
Quality Of Living

Tiny homes are defined as a small dwelling in the form of a moveable unit, cabin or detached house which is sized to meet its occupants’ needs. Besides affordability, sustainability and minimalist lifestyle, the occupants’ demand for a cosy environment with a window or porch overlooking a garden. The objectives of the study are to investigate the benefits of utilising nature and serenity in promoting a supportive environment to achieve user well-being. Quantitative methodology was applied in this study using three case studies (CS1 at Urban area: Prototype Model of Microhouse, CS2 at Sub urban area: The Cabin Boutique Resort and SC3 at Outskirts area: Meraki Tiny House). The tool, ``Perceived Sensory Dimensions “(PSDs)” was used for respondents to evaluate the surrounding environment of the case studies by showing photos of two sensory dimension models (PSDs Nature and Serene). Close-ended questionnaires were distributed to the 21 respondents from the millennials group, to rate each perception for each case study. The results have shown that a natural and serene environment for CS3 is most preferred because of the aspirational quality of its PSDs, followed by CS2 and CS1.

Integrated approach to the evaluation of reliability, efficiency, and quality of chemical machinery

1981 ◽  
Vol 17 (10) ◽  
pp. 555-558
Author(s):  
V. I. Bobyshev ◽  
V. R. Okorokov ◽  
D. V. Bakonin ◽  
V. F. Samsonov
Keyword(s):  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Chemical Machinery

scholarly journals Application of the new Morphological Quality Index in the Cordevole river (BL, Italy)

2013 ◽  
Vol 44 (2s) ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Rigon ◽  
J. Moretto ◽  
F. Delai ◽  
L. Picco ◽  
D. Ravazzolo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Index ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Site Investigation ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Large Wood ◽  
River Types ◽  
River Corridor ◽  
The Eu

The evaluation of the morphological quality of rivers is essential to define the level of alteration and for implementing future management strategies that consider also hazards related to fluvial processes and channel dynamics. This type of evaluation is particularly significant for the Italian rivers, that, as in many other European countries, have a very high level of human pressure. Recently, in Italy, the National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research has promoted a methodology named IDRAIM for hydromorphological analysis of streams that pursues an integrated approach aimed at a harmonized implementation of both the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD, 2000/60/EC), and the EU Floods Directive (2007/60/EC). In this paper we present the application of the Morphological Quality Index (MQI) protocol, which is part of IDRAIM, to determine the assessment of the morphological quality of the Cordevole River. The water network (only collectors greater than thirdorder were considered), has been divided, through GIS software, into 132 river reaches of homogeneous morphological characteristics, according to the first phase of the method. At this stage the semi-automatic calculation of lateral confinement (defined by “degree of confinement” and a “confinement index”) was tried, in order to reduce the implementing time. The application of 28 indicators was made for 42 reaches representing the major river types and human pressures in the site investigation. The results showed that 48% of the analyzed reaches have a very good or good quality status, 38% have a moderate morphological quality, while only 14% have the characteristics of poor or very poor quality. The main causes that lead to a strong alteration of the terms of reference are linked to i) poor connectivity between hillslopes and river corridor, that is very important for the natural supply of sediment and large wood; ii) absence of vegetation in the river corridor, that is functional to a range of geomorphic processes; iii) presence of artificial elements, particularly the bedload interception structures in the catchment, bank protection along the reach, and the removal of sediment, large wood and vegetation.

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