Learning by failure in entrepreneurship - Case study of selling Xylitol to Poland

My thesis aim is to find out what factors that can explain the entrepreneurial failure in my own entrepreneurial venture to sell Finnish xylitol product to Poland. In addition I seek to answer to the question of why Finnish xylitol products are not sold in Poland. This area has not been studied prior to my thesis. The study method is case study. Data collection is based on auto-ethnographic method where field notes and documents generated from my business venture were used. I discovered that Polish consumers are not exposed to consumer education of xylitol health benefits. The underlying potential in xylitol products expansion from Finland to foreign countries is still mostly unleveraged. My business venture failed because I was not able to convince Finnish confectionery companies Fazer and Cloetta to give enough support for my project. Polish dentists were also opposed having a competitor from Finland to Wrighley company which dominates the Polish confectionery markets.

Professional development programs in health promotion : tools and processes to favor new practices

Developing innovative interventions that are in sync with a health promotion paradigm often represents a challenge for professionals working in local public health organizations. Thus, it is critical to have both professional development programs that favor new practices and tools to examine these practices. In this case study, we analyze the health promotion approach used in a pilot intervention addressing children’s vulnerability that was developed and carried out by participants enrolled in a public health professional development program. More specifically, we use a modified version of Guichard and Ridde’s (Une grille d’analyse des actions pour lutter contre les inégalités sociales de santé. In Potvin, L., Moquet, M.-J. and Jones, C. M. (eds), Réduire les Inégalités Sociales en Santé. INPES, Saint-Denis Cedex, pp. 297– 312, 2010) analytical grid to assess deductively the program participants’ use of health promotion practices in the analysis and planning, implementation, evaluation, sustainability and empowerment phases of the pilot intervention. We also seek evidence of practices involving (empowerment, participation, equity, holism, an ecological approach, intersectorality and sustainability) in the intervention. The results are mixed: our findings reveal evidence of the application of several dimensions of health promotion (equity, holism, an ecological approach, intersectorality and sustainability), but also a lack of integration of two key dimensions; that is, empowerment and participation, during various phases of the pilot intervention. These results show that the professional development program is associated with the adoption of a pilot intervention integrating multiple but not all dimensions of health promotion. We make recommendations to facilitate a more complete integration. This research also shows that the Guichard and Ridde grid proves to be a thorough instrument to document the practices of participants.

Promotion of literacy skills in early childhood: a follow-up study from kindergarten to grade 1

Several researchers have shown that invented spelling activities in kindergarten foster preschool children’s early literacy skills. However, few studies have assessed its impact on learning to read and write in the first year of primary school. Our goal was to analyse the impact of an invented spelling programme with kindergarteners on their literacy skills until the end of Grade 1. A follow-up study was conducted with 45 five-year-old Portuguese children attending two classes of two schools in Lisbon. The teaching effect was controlled as children from each class were randomly assigned into two groups (experimental/control) — equivalent on letter knowledge, cognitive abilities and phonological awareness. The participants were assessed in kindergarten with a pre-test, immediate post-test and delayed post-test (spelling; reading; phonemic awareness) and at the end of Grade 1 (spelling; reading). The experimental group participated in invented spelling sessions, while control children participated in storytelling activities. Data analysis revealed statistically significant differences between the two groups. The experimental group scored higher, not only in kindergarten but also in the follow-up year for all literacy measures.

Selling points

The South Carolina Education Lottery publishes a monthly newsletter for lottery retailers with information about new and ending games, success stories, profiles of game winners, events, and calendars.

Selling points

The South Carolina Education Lottery publishes a monthly newsletter for lottery retailers with information about new and ending games, success stories, profiles of game winners, events, and calendars.

Isolation of micropropagated strawberry endophytic bacteria and assessment of their potential for plant growth promotion.

Twenty endophytic bacteria were isolated from the meristematic tissues of three varieties of strawberry cultivated in vitro, and further identified, by FAME profile, into the genera Bacillus and Sphingopyxis. The strains were also characterized according to indole acetic acid production, phosphate solubilization and potential for plant growth promotion. Results showed that 15 strains produced high levels of IAA and all 20 showed potential for solubilizing inorganic phosphate. Plant growth promotion evaluated under greenhouse conditions revealed the ability of the strains to enhance the root number, length and dry weight and also the leaf number, petiole length and dry weight of the aerial portion. Seven Bacillus spp. strains promoted root development and one strain of Sphingopyxis sp. promoted the development of plant shoots. The plant growth promotion showed to be correlated to IAA production and phosphate solubilization. The data also suggested that bacterial effects could potentially be harnessed to promote plant growth during seedling acclimatization in strawberry

A Qualitative Study of the Status of Children’s Play From the Viewpoints of Experts and Suggestions for Promotion Interventions

Background: The latest national census reports the population of Iranian children (1 - 8 years old) about 11 millions. On the other hand, the latest population policies approved by supreme cultural revolution council (SCRC) will make this population increase faster. Childhood development is one of the social determinants of health, of which “child’s play” is a part. Objectives: This study is an effort to identify difficulties and challenges of the plays influential on Iranian children’s health nationwide, in order to present enhancive strategies by utilizing the views of stakeholders and national studies. Patients and Methods: Analyzing children’s play stakeholders, main organizations were identified and views of 13 informed people involved in the field were investigated through deep semi-structured interview. A denaturalized approach was employed in analyzing the data. In addition to descriptions of the state, interventions development, and designing the conceptual model, national reports and studies, and other countries’ experiences were also reviewed. Results: Society’s little knowledge of “children’s plays”, absence of administrators for children’s play, shortage of public facilities for children’s play and improper geographical and demographic availability, absence of policies for Iranian “toy”, and little attention of media to the issue are the five major problems as stated by interviewees. Conclusions: The proposed interventions are presented as “promoting the educational levels of parents and selected administrators for children’s play”, “approving the play and toy policy for Iran 2025”, and “increasing public facilities for children’s play with defined distribution and availability”.

L’objectif de modifier ou de contrôler son poids chez les adolescents : vecteur de promotion des saines habitudes de vie ou facteur de risque à la santé ?

L’objectif de modifier son poids est associé à certains comportements potentiellement dangereux, mais ses retombées sur les saines habitudes de vie des adolescents sont peu connues. L’objectif du mémoire est de quantifier les associations entre l’objectif relatif au contrôle du poids et la consommation de fruits et légumes, de boissons sucrées et d’aliments de restauration rapide, la prise du déjeuner et la pratique d’activité physique. Des régressions logistiques ont été effectuées sur les données de l’Enquête québécoise sur la santé des jeunes du secondaire 2010-2011. Respectivement, 25 %, 34 %, 12 % et 29 % des adolescents essayaient de perdre, maintenir, gagner du poids et ne rien faire à propos de leur poids. Chez les garçons et les filles, essayer de perdre du poids était associé à une probabilité plus faible de déjeuner quotidiennement (RC garçons = 0,72 ; 95%IC = 0,61 - 0,84, RC filles = 0,61 ; 95%IC = 0,56 -0,70) et chez les filles, cela était aussi associé à une probabilité plus élevée de consommer au moins cinq portions de fruits et légumes par jour (RC = 1,20 ; 95%IC = 1,04 - 1,37) et une probabilité plus faible de consommer des boissons sucrées quotidiennement (RC = 0,77 ; 95%IC = 0,66 - 0,90). Essayer de maintenir son poids et de gagner du poids étaient minimalement associés à une habitude plus délétère. L’objectif de contrôler son poids n’est donc pas strictement positif ou négatif. Il semble plus prudent de promouvoir directement les saines habitudes de vie plutôt que d’encourager l’adoption d’un objectif de contrôle du poids.

Hospital Staff Perceptions of Health Promotion Activities in Public Hospitals

The aim of this study was to determine the level of staff support for health promotion activities in Queensland public hospitals.

Barriers to health promotion activities in public hospitals

Despite the central role hospitals have in the health care system, relatively few health promotion activities are conducted in Australian public hospitals. This study investigated the types of obstacles that were perceived to inhibit health promotion activities in hospitals. A questionnaire for self-completion was sent to medical superintendents in all public hospitals in Queensland and 112 questionnaires were returned (92.6 per cent response rate). The results indicated that lack of finance, lack of interest by relevant others, and needs (for appropriate programs, training and patient receptivity) were the barriers reported by superintendents. The barriers of 'interest' and 'needs' were related to a lack of written policies in some areas, but not directly to levels of other health promotion activities being conducted in the hospitals. Success in facilitating health promotion programs in hospitals will need to include a change in the environment, in particular the views of medical superintendents. The combination of attitude change and the availability of a motivated person (such as a health promotion officer) to lead the activities may be needed in order to produce an increase in the level of health promotion in public hospitals. Article in Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health 20(5):500-4 · November 1996

A Digital Collection Center's Experience: ETD Discovery, Promotion, and Workflows in Digital Commons

This presentation was given at the Digital Commons Southeastern User Group conference at Winthrop University, South Carolina on June 5, 2015. The presentation discusses how the digital collections center (DCC) at Florida International University uses Digital Commons as their tool for ingesting, editing, tracking, and publishing university theses and dissertations. The basic DCC workflow is covered as well as institutional repository promotion.

Scoping review of adherence promotion theories in pelvic floor muscle training : 2011 ics state-of-the-science seminar research paper I of IV

Aims This paper, the first of four emanating from the International Continence Society's 2011 State-of-the-Science Seminar on pelvic-floor-muscle training (PFMT) adherence, aimed to summarize the literature on theoretical models to promote PFMT adherence, as identified in the research, or suggested by the seminar's expert panel, and recommends future directions for clinical practice and research. Methods Existing literature on theories of health behavior were identified through a conventional subject search of electronic databases, reference-list checking, and input from the expert panel. A core eligibility criterion was that the study included a theoretical model to underpin adherence strategies used in an intervention to promote PFM training/exercise. Results A brief critique of 12 theoretical models/theories is provided and, were appropriate, their use in PFMT adherence strategies identified or examples of possible uses in future studies outlined. Conclusion A better theoretical-based understanding of interventions to promote PFMT adherence through changes in health behaviors is required. The results of this scoping review and expert opinions identified several promising models. Future research should explicitly map the theories behind interventions that are thought to improve adherence in various populations (e.g., perinatal women to prevent or lessen urinary incontinence). In addition, identified behavioral theories applied to PFMT require a process whereby their impact can be evaluated.

L’objectif de modifier ou de contrôler son poids chez les adolescents : vecteur de promotion des saines habitudes de vie ou facteur de risque à la santé ?

L’objectif de modifier son poids est associé à certains comportements potentiellement dangereux, mais ses retombées sur les saines habitudes de vie des adolescents sont peu connues. L’objectif du mémoire est de quantifier les associations entre l’objectif relatif au contrôle du poids et la consommation de fruits et légumes, de boissons sucrées et d’aliments de restauration rapide, la prise du déjeuner et la pratique d’activité physique. Des régressions logistiques ont été effectuées sur les données de l’Enquête québécoise sur la santé des jeunes du secondaire 2010-2011. Respectivement, 25 %, 34 %, 12 % et 29 % des adolescents essayaient de perdre, maintenir, gagner du poids et ne rien faire à propos de leur poids. Chez les garçons et les filles, essayer de perdre du poids était associé à une probabilité plus faible de déjeuner quotidiennement (RC garçons = 0,72 ; 95%IC = 0,61 - 0,84, RC filles = 0,61 ; 95%IC = 0,56 -0,70) et chez les filles, cela était aussi associé à une probabilité plus élevée de consommer au moins cinq portions de fruits et légumes par jour (RC = 1,20 ; 95%IC = 1,04 - 1,37) et une probabilité plus faible de consommer des boissons sucrées quotidiennement (RC = 0,77 ; 95%IC = 0,66 - 0,90). Essayer de maintenir son poids et de gagner du poids étaient minimalement associés à une habitude plus délétère. L’objectif de contrôler son poids n’est donc pas strictement positif ou négatif. Il semble plus prudent de promouvoir directement les saines habitudes de vie plutôt que d’encourager l’adoption d’un objectif de contrôle du poids.

Emotional competences and promotion of school success: Preliminary data of an intervention programme with teachers

Teachers’ emotional competences and well-being are fundamentally important to developing and maintaining positive relationships in the classroom, which can contribute to improving pedagogical action. References to several intervention programmes are found in the literature with the purpose of changing the practices, attitudes, and beliefs of teachers, who show evidence of a significant improvement in personal competences and school success. Therefore, an intervention with teachers integrating a broader line of research was carried out, involving parents and students as well. It consists of a programme which promotes personal (well-being and emotional intelligence) and professional (acquiring differentiated pedagogical strategies) competences over a period of six months, followed by a focus group to assess the contribution of an empowerment programme with the intention of promoting school success. The preliminary action-research study involved 10 teachers of two classes with students who show disruptive behaviour in the 7th year in a school in the central region of Portugal. The teachers, of both genders, are aged between 44 and 52, and belong to several recruitment groups. The main research question was: “To what extent does an intervention programme, intended for training, contribute to developing personal and professional competences in teachers of the 3rd cycle of basic education?” The teachers revealed a rather favourable view of their participation in the programme, considering that it helped them perceive some behaviours and practices which are less adjusted to their action in the classroom with these students (shouting, scolding, etc.). From the pretest to the posttest, statistically significant differences were found in assessing their own emotions and in their use. Signs of improvement in positive affections and satisfaction with life were also found, though with a marginal significance. The preliminary data in this empowerment programme for these educational agents points towards the importance of teachers’ awareness in what concerns their pedagogical action, as well as the need to change traditional pedagogical practices that contribute to discouraging students towards learning. The need to establish closer and systematic contact with the students and their families in order to meet their needs and expectations was also highlighted.

If we can't have it, then no one should : Shutting down versus selling in family business portfolios

How does a business family manage its business portfolio in times of declining performance to sustain the portfolio's long-term endurance? Drawing on social identity theory and six family business portfolios from Pakistan, we find that business families may prefer to shut down a satellite business rather than sell it, which is primarily driven by identity considerations. In addition, the family's goal to recycle the assets, the aim to restart the business later, and the increasing decline in performance are important contingency factors. This study contributes to the literature on portfolio entrepreneurship, business exit, and the enduring entrepreneurship of family firms.