Saxion University of Applied Sciences

About: Saxion University of Applied Sciences is a education organization based out in Enschede, Netherlands. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Health care & Context (language use). The organization has 390 authors who have published 653 publications receiving 8859 citations. The organization is also known as: Saxion University of Applied Sciences.

Responsible Design by Philosophical Tools in Parallel Trajectory: Practicing the Practical Turn

Abstract: Philosophy of Technology has produced a substantive amount of theories and reflections about the impacts of technology and innovations on our daily lives and social behaviours. Combining this conceptual toolkit with design, with its capability of actually changing things, promises a powerful approach to developing critical future-making practices. In this paper we explore some opportunities of the approach of the Practical Turn for Responsible Design, based on the experiences with a one-week Industrial Design Workshop at the University of Antwerp. Here, 18 students executed a conceptual design project for the improvement of public space. During the process they experienced and applied tools and theories from respectively Utopian Technology, the Product Impact Tool, and Open Script Design. The results ranged from an open electric bike-sharing system to a bus-stop that fosters ethical discussion. Apart from having interesting design results, the project shows how design can make tangible the inherent dilemmas and conflicts in designing for public space, where collective responsibilities and individual concerns often collide. This makes a strong case for the Practical Turn, that shows an inherent reciprocal effect; the materialization and visualization of ethical and social issues through design -based on the ethical reflection from the philosophical tools and theories- in its turn explicates the ethical reflection. The accompaniment of design projects with philosophical tools for reflection has shown to be usable for enhancing responsibility in design. We therefore propose the concept of a parallel trajectory, with carefully timed philosophical exercises.

Innovation power of fashion focal companies and participation in sustainability activities in their supply network

Abstract: During recent decades, the fashion/clothing sector has become an extremely complex global supply network. Garment production is mainly located in Asia, while many consumers live in Europe and the United States. In addition, materials (fibres) are bought on the world market. At the same time sustainability has become an important topic in the sector. It seems that companies no longer wonder whether or not to manage social and environmental aspects in their supply network but rather how to do so. Several organisations have developed competing labels (product-related), guidelines, codes of conduct and certification schemes (organisation-related) to improve the performance of social and environmental aspects in the supply network. Approaches differ greatly, from cooperation to standardisation and coordination (Forman and Sogaard Jorgensen 2004; Sondergard et al. 2004; Allwood et al. 2007; De Brito et al. 2008; Profas 2008). However, present activities seem to be building on ad hoc decisions and it is hard to distinguish systematic patterns and rational strategies. We do not yet understand sufficiently how global supply chains develop and how sustainable development is integrated in them. The Investment Climate Department of the World Bank Group (World Bank 2003) also concluded that the existing system of implementing corporate social responsibility (CSR) in global supply chains may be reaching its limits in terms of its ability to deliver further sustainable improvements in social and environmental standards. Also the International Chamber of Commerce (2007) along with the Dutch Social and Economic Council (2008) have asked for more attention concerning the implementation of sustainability in supply networks. This chapter reports on a study that addresses this issue in the fashion/clothing industry. Empirical research, based mainly on surveys and case studies, has up till now not succeeded in developing a strong theoretical basis. The frameworks found in the literature (for instance Sarkis 2003; Seuring and Muller 2008) are mainly descriptive, focusing on the pressures and incentives or the strategies and activities found in practice. Rarely do they address the question of why companies facing similar pressures and incentives choose different ambition levels, strategies and related activities. This process of strategy formulation and implementation is, therefore, mostly unexplored.

Impact and feasibility of a tailor-made patient communication quality improvement programme for hospital-based physiotherapists: a mixed-methods study.

Abstract: Background In tailoring a quality improvement programme for hospital-based physiotherapy, the original use of video recordings was replaced by using the tracer methodology. Objective To examine the impact of a tailor-made quality improvement programme addressing patient communication on the professional development of hospital-based physiotherapists, and to evaluate barriers and facilitators as determinants of feasibility of the programme. Methods A mixed-methods study was conducted. Participants were clustered in groups per hospital and linked with an equally sized group in a nearby hospital. Within the groups, fixed couples carried out a 2-hour tracer by directly observing each other’s daily work routine. This procedure was repeated 6 months later. Data from feedback forms were analysed quantitatively, and a thematic analysis of transcripts from group interviews was conducted. Results Fifty hospital-based physiotherapists from 16 hospitals participated. They rated the impact of the programme on professional development, on a scale from 1 (much improvement needed) to 5 (no improvement needed), as 3.99 (SD 0.64) after the first tracer and 4.32 (SD 0.63) 6 months later; a mean improvement of 0.33 (95% CI 0.16 to 0.50). Participants scored, on a scale ranging from 1 to 5 on barriers and facilitators (feasibility), a mean of 3.45 (SD 0.95) on determinants of innovation, 3.47 (SD 0.86) on probability to use and 2.63 (SD 1.07) on the user feedback list. All participants emphasised the added value of the tracer methodology and mentioned effects on self-reflection and awareness most. Conclusions The tailor-made quality improvement programme, based on principles of the tracer methodology, was associated with a significant impact on professional development. Barriers and facilitators as determinants of feasibility of the programme showed the programme being feasible.

Supplemental safety? Exploring experienced safety in relation to other qualities of successful public spaces

Abstract: Combining insights from the urban design and criminological literature, this paper explores the degree to which conviviality, feeling welcome, and feeling at home are related to peoples’ experience...

The Usability of the Preliminary ICF Core Set for Hospitalized Patients After a Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation From the Perspective of Nurses: A Feasibility Study

Abstract: Background: A hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has major impact on patient’s functioning and perceived quality of life. To describe patient’s functioning, a preliminary set of 53 categories of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) as relevant for HSCT patients has been selected earlier by a Delphi study. For implementation of this preliminary ICF core set for patients after HSCT in clinical practice, a feasibility study was requested. Methods: A feasibility study was conducted in an explanatory mixed methods research design. Qualitative data was collected cross-sectional by semi-structured interviews based on specific topics related to feasibility regarding the use of the preliminary ICF core set for HSCT patients from the perspective of nurses (5 in ICF trained nurses and 5 regular, untrained, nurses). Quantitative data, exploring the use of the preliminary ICF core set in HSCT patients, was collected longitudinal by a mobile health application based on ICF in which the in ICF trained nurses registered patients’ functioning based on the ICF core set for HSCT patients. Results: Qualitative analysis indicated that using the preliminary ICF core set is practical and acceptable for providing information about HSCT patients’ functioning from the perspective of nurses. In addition, nurses indicated a demand for this information due to its impact on multidisciplinary meetings and clinical-decision making by involving relevant aspects of patients' functioning. Management support, trained staff, and designated time to focus on functioning are mentioned as requirements for successful implementation. Quantitative analysis demonstrated that the most used 30% (n=17) ICF categories are included in the preliminary ICF core set for HSCT patients (n=24). Energy (b130) was the most used ICF category. Family relationships (d760) was the most frequently and highly positive associated ICF category. Conclusions: From the perspective of nurses, the preliminary ICF core set for HSCT patients is feasible and relevant in gaining information regarding functioning. Applying this preliminary ICF core set for HSCT patients in the anamnesis and the nursing consultations contributes to this information. Further research is needed to look at the perspective of other professionals and HSCT patients themselves.