Joining forces for public value creation? Exploring collaborative innovation in smart city initiatives

Creating public value is a key goal of public administrations, both in their daily business and in the growing field of smart government and smart cities, which focuses on IT-enabled innovations in the public sphere. However, many public administrations still struggle with such innovations due to complex technologies, high investments, and the numerous stakeholders involved. To address this issue, some local governments in continental Europe have turned to collaborative innovation approaches, partnering with (semi-)public utility companies in the hope that their additional innovation assets will boost innovativeness. Nevertheless, it remains unclear how exactly such collaborations should be governed to ensure that the focus remains on creating public value, as utility companies may have their own agendas. To explore this question, we conducted a comparative case study in the context of smart city initiatives with four cases in Swiss local governments. Drawing on agency and stewardship theory, we then propose a model of public-value-focused collaborative innovation, enabling us to explore various collaboration characteristics and their effects on public value creation. Our findings suggest that both agency- and stewardship-based collaborations increase innovativeness. However, while agency collaborations tend to produce smart city innovations that mainly serve the utility companies' business interests, stewardship relationships lead to innovations that are focused more on public value creation. As such, our study extends the literature on the effects of collaborative innovation on public value, and it provides practical recommendations on how such collaborative innovation should be designed.     

External work and peak power are reliable measures of ergometer grinding performance when tested under load, deck heel, and grinding direction conditions

The reliability of grinding performance was assessed in 18 current Emirates Team New Zealand America's Cup sailors in two test sessions separated by 5 h using a custom-built ergometer. Sixteen different grinding conditions that varied by load (Light 39 N x m, Moderate 48 N x m, Heavy 68 N x m), deck heel (Flat 0 degrees control, Downhill 25 degrees, Uphill 25 degrees, Right 25 degrees, Left 25 degrees), and grinding direction (forwards, backwards) were assessed using peak power and external work over 5 s during maximal-effort 8-s grinds. Reliability statistics included the difference in mean (M(diff)), standard error of measurement (SEM), and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). External work (SEM = 1.6-6.9%; ICC = 0.91-0.99) was a more consistent performance measure than peak power (SEM = 1.3-9.6%; ICC = 0.84-0.99) across all test conditions. Testing under different load conditions resulted in external work SEMs of 1.6-3.9% with performance more reliable in lighter load conditions. Grinding performance during different heel conditions was less reliable (external work SEMs = 4.6-6.9%). Grinding direction (forward or backward) did not appear to affect performance reliability, although external work was 10-15% higher in forward grinding. Reliability is acceptable across various loads, but testing under different heel conditions may need some protocol development to allow the detection of smaller differences in performance.     

Ganma theory and third-sector sport-development programmes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth: Implications for sports management

Sport-development programmes provide opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth to excel and overcome social inequities. In Australia, all levels of government have identified sport-development programmes in their policy responses as a method to redress inequity amongst this population. Yet, a recent report has shown that national sport organisations have been more reactive in establishing anti-discrimination policy and less proactive in cultivating culturally inclusive programmes and meaningful sporting experiences (Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, 2007). At the same time, neo-liberal approaches to policy in Australia have seen the emphasis on grassroots community sport-development shift to third-sector organisations. However, little research has examined how the third-sector organisations operate with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and how culturally inclusive the programmes they deliver are for the communities in which they operate. Three case studies with the objectives of analysing organisational approaches to: structure and governance; sport-development philosophies; and cultural inclusiveness of the programmes, are presented here. The case studies were informed by the cultural lens of Ganma, a theory belonging to the Yolngu community of Yirrkala (Marika, Ngurruwutthun, & White, 1992). The case study method included in-depth interviews with programme leaders, reviews of management information systems and programme observation. The findings provided evidence of the importance of culturally inclusive programmes through governance and an informal lived approach to philosophy and culture. The implications for sports management are discussed, including: the benefits of involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at the board level; the need for collaboration between local communities and partners; the explicit need to empower local communities to develop the skills to sustain programmes and outcomes; and the maintenance of mutually beneficial interactions.     

Validity and repeatability of a depth camera-based surface imaging system for thigh volume measurement

Complex anthropometrics such as area and volume, can identify changes in body size and shape that are not detectable with traditional anthropometrics of lengths, breadths, skinfolds and girths. However, taking these complex with manual techniques (tape measurement and water displacement) is often unsuitable. Three-dimensional (3D) surface imaging systems are quick and accurate alternatives to manual techniques but their use is restricted by cost, complexity and limited access. We have developed a novel low-cost, accessible and portable 3D surface imaging system based on consumer depth cameras. The aim of this study was to determine the validity and repeatability of the system in the measurement of thigh volume. The thigh volumes of 36 participants were measured with the depth camera system and a high precision commercially available 3D surface imaging system (3dMD). The depth camera system used within this study is highly repeatable (technical error of measurement (TEM) of <1.0% intra-calibration and ~2.0% inter-calibration) but systematically overestimates (~6%) thigh volume when compared to the 3dMD system. This suggests poor agreement yet a close relationship, which once corrected can yield a usable thigh volume measurement.     

READING PASSAGES

His father wants to go there, too.Li Ming was going to visit an island in summer holi-days. He was talking with his father."Dad, we are going to visit anisland next Monday. Do you agree with us? "     

Characteristics of Effective In‐service Programmes and Activities: results of a Dutch survey

The goal of this study is to determine which features effective in‐service activities must have, and to what extent designers of in‐service activities take these features into account. The study is also directed at the relationship between these features of in‐service activities and their implementation and impact characteristics. On the basis of a Delphi‐study, a survey was carried out among teachers, principals, in‐service education and training (INSET) trainers and school counsellors. This article presents the data gathered on programme participants’ and trainers’ opinions and beliefs about effective in‐service and about implementation and impact characteristics. The study also examines the extent of the oft reported critical comments on in‐service activities. In spite of extensive criticism about the value of in‐service education, most participants are positive about the design and execution of the activities. However, INSET has to be closely watched for effectiveness, especially where it concerns applicability and functionality. This is generally judged to be insufficient.