LAB University of Applied Sciences

BackgroundHardly any previous studies have examined technology-based interventions among cardiac rehabilitees. The added value of technology and biopsychosocial factors in weight management should be studied more in cardiac rehabilitation.ObjectiveThis mixed method study aimed to examine what biopsychosocial factors predict WC reduction and what factors arise from the talk of cardiac rehabilitees during 12-month cardiac rehabilitation.MethodsA total of 59 rehabilitees (mean age 60, SD 6 years; 48/59, 81.3% male) were randomly assigned in pairs into the experimental group (n=29) or the reference group (n=30). Biopsychosocial outcomes were measured at baseline and after 6 and 12 months with a 6-minute walk test (6MWT), the World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Form questionnaire, body mass, BMI, WC, age, and sex. Rehabilitees’ experiences were investigated using focus group interviews. Both groups received conventional cardiac rehabilitation. In addition, the experimental group used technology. Multiple linear regression was used to predict WC change in 0-6 months and 0-12 months. The qualitative data were analyzed with thematic analysis. Integrative analysis was used to create a research-based model.ResultsGroup allocation predicted WC reduction (P=.007), with the experimental group showing a greater reduction (b=2.5 cm) than the reference group in the 0-6 month analysis. A significant interaction between the reference group and 6MWT was observed (P=.04), meaning that improvement in 6MWT was associated with WC reduction. Baseline WC was marginally associated with a greater reduction in WC (P=.05). None of the independent variables predicted WC reduction in 0- to 12-month analyses. Three themes arose from the interviews with the experimental group: meaningful factors related to weight management, a goal-oriented approach to weight loss, and monitoring body composition. Two themes emerged from the reference group: motivation for change and unstable weight management. According to the integrative analysis, belonging to the experimental group was important. The research-based model highlighted that the added value of remote technology on WC reduction was largest at the beginning of rehabilitation (0-6 months). The rehabilitees’ talk in the experimental group was goal-oriented, and they talked about the achieved changes. In the reference group, the talk remained motivational, and their body composition changes were unstable.ConclusionsThe integrative model emphasizes the differences between the experimental and reference groups in weight management. The use of added remote technology seemed to explain the WC reduction. The rehabilitees reflected on behavioral changes in weight management. In the reference group, improved 6MWT distance was associated with decreased WC, but they talked about motivation for weight management and unstable changes in body composition. In the future, results should be verified by larger research groups and individual interviews, which can be combined with personal quantitative data.Trial RegistrationISRCTN Registry ISRCTN61225589; https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN61225589

ABSTRACT Regulations and the collective influence of the value chain compel business‐to‐business (B2B) actors within the nonwoven (NW) manufacturing industry to drive sustainable development. However, the literature rarely addresses how B2B actors aim to align with sustainable development to co‐create value and what challenges they face. Therefore, this study brings clarity to this question within the context of an international NW value chain that constitutes a significant part of technical textiles. The qualitative data were collected through two workshops ( n = 31) and 18 interviews comprehensively representing the NW value chain actors from a global perspective. Using abductive reasoning, we analyzed the data through the service‐dominant logic (SDL) lens. Our findings show that value creation comprises internal and external systemic‐level value co‐creation practices and challenges. This study contributes to the value creation literature by linking sustainable development to SDL, taking a systemic perspective on value creation and delineating the practices of value co‐creation.

This study analyses the effectiveness of green finance as a climate change mitigation instrument and tests the hypothesis that the environmental effect of green finance varies based on national regulatory quality. Using panel data of 83 countries for the period of 2006–2024, and employing fixed effects regression with Driscoll Kraay standard errors, we test whether regulatory quality (RQ) moderated the link between green finance, proxies by green bond issuance and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Three robust results emerge. First, green bonds are associated with lower CO₂ emissions, consistent with the view that earmarked financing scales low-carbon investment. Second, contrary to conventional expectations, the interaction term ln (GB)×RQ is positive and significant: on average, stronger regulatory environments weaken the marginal emissions-reducing effect of green bonds. Third, heterogeneity is material: in upper-middle-income economies, RQ amplifies the impact of green bonds, while in high-income and lower-middle-income groups the weakening effect persists. This study outlines effective policies and practical implications that would boost green finance which in turn will help to lessen the effects of climate change.

Purpose Notwithstanding increased patient safety initiatives, adverse events and their impact on those involved continue. The strategic approaches adopted to manage safety by other high-intensity, high-risk and complex industries, such as aviation, have led to an increase in the systems approach for safety management in healthcare organisations. Professional expertise from members of the European Researchers’ Network for Second Victims (ERNST) highlighted that safety and the second victim phenomenon are interconnected across the healthcare ecosystem, extending beyond individual healthcare organisations. Design/methodology/approach Evidence from different sources, mainly the literature and practitioner professional expertise, was iteratively aggregated and analysed using theoretical systems-based approaches to conceptualise a framework for integrated safety in safety management systems in health. Findings A cross-sectional view of the healthcare organisation affected by adverse events was presented as a baseline. The whole system (system levels) approach, representing the healthcare system at the micro-, meso- and macro-level, adapting the model for integrated care, was then adopted. A safety-generating culture was considered to integrate and network across the levels of the healthcare system. The “system” (processes) approach, also considering external factors, was incorporated. This iterative conceptualisation led to a proposed framework for integrated safety. This framework was applied to systematically make recommendations for actions to support safety across the healthcare ecosystem. Originality/value Aggregation of evidence from the literature, together with expertise from professionals and iterative conceptualisation across models adopting the systems approach, led to a comprehensive framework for integrated safety in safety-management systems.

Abstract. Long-term data on PM2.5 chemical composition provide essential information for evaluating the effectiveness of air pollution control measures and understanding the evolving mechanisms of secondary species formation in the real atmosphere. This study presented field measurements of PM2.5 and its chemical composition at a regional background site in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) from 2007 to 2020. PM2.5 concentration declined significantly from 87.1 ± 15.5 to 34.0 ± 11.3 µg m−3 (−4.0 µg m−3 yr−1). The proportion of secondary species increased from 57 % to 73 % with the improvement in air quality. Among these species, sulfate (SO42-) showed a sharp decline, while nitrate (NO3-) exhibited a moderate decrease. Consequently, the proportion of NO3- in 2020 doubled relative to 2007. In addition, we further found that SO42- reduction (−10 % yr−1) lagged behind SO2 reduction (−13 % yr−1), while NO3- reduction (−6 % yr−1) outpaced that of NO2 (−3 % yr−1). These contrasting trends were associated with an increase in sulfur oxidation rate (SOR) and a decrease in nitrogen oxidation rate (NOR). Changes in PM2.5 chemical composition also influenced aerosol physicochemical properties, such as aerosol pH (0.04 yr−1), aerosol liquid water content (ALWC, −1.1 µg m−3 yr−1), and the light extinction coefficient (−21.44 Mm−1 yr−1). Given important roles of aerosol acidity and ALWC in the heterogeneous reactions, these changes may further inhibit the formation of secondary species in the atmosphere, particularly secondary organic aerosols.

This paper examines the organisational culture of European student radio stations through the lens of the tight–loose cultural continuum, drawing on the author's previous studies that explored these organisations at the levels of artefacts, espoused values, and underlying assumptions using Edgar Schein's model of organisational culture. European student radio stations exist within resource-constrained and transient environments, requiring constant adaptation. This paper reinterprets data from three earlier empirical studies, an analysis of organisational artefacts, a competing values framework analysis of espoused values, and a qualitative case study of core assumptions, through the theory of cultural tightness and looseness. The findings reveal how stations balance flexibility and structure, with some gravitating toward tighter rules for stability, while others maintain looser norms to foster creativity. The paper contributes to understanding the organisational dynamics of youth-driven, mission-oriented media institutions, offering a analytical framework to evaluate how cultural regulation shapes their evolution.

The purpose of this study was to obtain a holistic view of mechanically recycled cotton from denim fabrics and the repurposing and recycling methods for similar fibres. A pre-consumer denim and three types of post-consumer denims were shredded into new fibres, which were characterised with single-fibre tensile testing, SEM imaging and DSC analysis. The opened cotton fibres were then blended with primary cotton with varying ratios and spun into yarns of 40 tex with a ring spinning machine. A ratio of 75/25 of recycled fibres to virgin fibres was obtained, with promising tensile strength results. Further, the yarns were knitted into single jersey fabrics, and abrasion testing was performed to evaluate their wearing out. Best abrasion resistance was obtained for knits consisting of 100% virgin cotton fibres and the knits consisting of a blend of pre-consumer and virgin fibres. The results suggest the yarns made with mechanically opened fibres are suitable for single jersey knits. SEM and DSC confirm the input of mechanical recycling defines the output. Moreover, the SEM pictures indicate there is little to no damage to single fibres caused by mechanical shredding, causing no further barriers for secondary use as raw materials.

This study examines unexpected events and critical incidents that shape identity development in an academic entrepreneur. Using an intensive case study approach, we analyse how these critical incidents influence identity reconstruction, entrepreneurial motivation, and the shift from academic to entrepreneurial contexts. We also study the role of experienced colleagues in fostering the courage to take the first entrepreneurial step. The research data consists of in-depth interviews with the entrepreneur and observations made over six years on their career development. Their company has since secured significant seed funding and a partnership with a global investor. Additional data sources include press releases and media reports, investor pitching materials, and company records from the Orbis database. The data is analysed through a Critical sensemaking (Helms Mills, Thurlow & Mills, 2010) framework, highlighting identity construction in the social context, where interactions and events shape decision-making. Individual passion and will, environmental factors, and the social dynamics of existing networks characterise personal development from academic researcher to entrepreneur. While the outcome was a successful business, alternative paths remained equally viable. In the early stages, high hopes and unrealistic expectations often drive decisions. However, after establishing a formal company, the entrepreneur faces increased responsibilities, such as ensuring employee salaries and satisfying shareholders. According to our research, only at this stage does the academic identity undergo a true transformation. European innovation policies and university strategies encourage researchers to commercialise their research-based inventions. Although forms of support have been developed for starting a company, external support is often lacking for researchers' support and growth. This study highlights critical stages where forms of support should be developed to meet society's expectations. The path from researcher to entrepreneur is not linear but characterised by interactions of internal and external factors. This study contributes to the literature on entrepreneurial identity by demonstrating through a critical sensemaking approach how social contexts influence the evolution of academic entrepreneurs. Research shows that different forms of support are needed for the researcher-entrepreneur path to meet societal expectations.

Even though international network building is increasingly recognized to be important for research, the use of seed funding as a means of building researchers’ collaboration networks prior to actual grand writing network building and knowledge sharing has not been addressed. Research is a knowledge creation and knowledge sharing activity. Networking can increase social capital and thus enhance research productivity of HEI’s. International research collaboration networks are important for knowledge production, research productivity, and enhancing innovation capabilities. The enhancement of innovation capabilities is also linked to the mission HEI’s have of collaborating and enhancing the local business community in Finland. Innovation capabilities can be seen as innovation drivers, which improve the competitive advantages of a company or specific region. A number of instruments are in place for pure academic networking; however, these differ from seed funding as seed funding in most cases also includes networking outside of academia, e.g., local SME’s. This research depicts different seed funding sources used to construct international funding application research networks and also highlights the challenges, which should be addressed when considering this approach. The research question the paper addresses is, how do we best utilize seed funding to enhance knowledge sharing. The paper uses a case study approach presenting a number of successful seed funding research collaboration cases led by LAB University of Applied Science, which have also led to successful research funding applications with international partners. The study highlights possible pitfalls and also challenges encountered during the seed funding research collaboration period. Conclusions as to best practices with regards to utilization of seed funding to enhance knowledge sharing and creation are also presented. The findings emphasize the importance of strategic planning and proactive engagement in building effective research networks.

ABSTRACT The purpose of this paper is to study how the social composition of a neighbourhood affects an individual’s propensity to vote. Numerous studies have looked at aggregate level contextual effects on turnout, where e.g. ethnic composition, social inequality, and educational attainment in the area have been shown to affect participation. We add to existing research in three ways. (1) While previous research mostly studies national and regional level variation, we study a smaller and more immediate context around the voter: the local neighbourhood (the smallest geographic unit available in official Norwegian statistics, known as grunnkrets). (2) We use individual level data from the Norwegian electoral roll, with validated voting and numerous other social background variables. (3) While most previous studies are cross-sectional, we use panel data from three elections to study how changes in the social context affect a voter’s propensity to vote. Our findings suggest that the contextual effects are highly contingent on individual level resources and characteristics. We find that educational attainment of people in the neighbourhood, income inequality, unemployment, occupation (student), household type (children), mean age, and immigrants’ share of the population all affect propensity to vote in national elections.