Browsing by Subject "Stakeholders"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Advancing Social Equity with Shared Autonomous Vehicles: Literature Review, Practitioner Interviews, and Stated Preference Surveys
    (Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, 2022-01) Fan, Yingling; Wexler, Noah; Douma, Frank; Ryan, Galen; Hong, Chris; Li, Yanhua; Zhang, Zhi-Li
    This report examines preferences and attitudes regarding the implementation and design of a hypothetical publicly-funded Shared Automated Vehicle (SAV) system in the Twin Cities metro area. We provide a brief literature review before delving into our main findings. First, we discuss a series of interviews in which officials at local planning agencies were asked about their vision for SAV in the Twin Cities. According to these interviews, SAV could be especially useful in solving first-and-last-mile problems and connecting with already existing transit and on-demand transportation infrastructure. We then analyze data sourced from an originally designed digital survey instrument implemented over social media in 2020 and specifically targeted at Twin Cities residents. Data from the survey emphasize that people who currently experience barriers to transportation are more likely to value SAV highly. The data also give insight into design considerations, emphasizing flexibility in payment and booking and the importance of security features. Finally, we examine data from a similar survey administered at the 2021 Minnesota State Fair, which we use to gauge preferences toward SAV among people living in the Twin Cities exurbs and Greater Minnesota.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    An Exploratory Study of Stakeholder Perspectives on Quality Priorities for Long-Term Services and Supports for Older Adults
    (2018-11) Davila, Heather
    Major state and federal initiatives are underway to assess and improve the quality of long-term services and supports (LTSS) received by older adults in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other community-based settings. Although people who use LTSS (consumers) and their families are key stakeholders in LTSS quality, they are rarely included in the policy and organizational discussions in which priorities for LTSS quality are set. Prior studies have typically used qualitative methods and examined consumer and family views on LTSS quality in relation to only one setting. Within the U.S., most of these studies were completed 15-20 years ago and results may not reflect the values of consumers and families today. Further, prior studies have rarely included multiple stakeholder perspectives, limiting the ability to compare priorities across different groups. The present study explored which aspects of LTSS quality consumers, families, and LTSS professionals value most highly and whether stakeholder views on quality priorities differ. The study addressed nine domains of quality from a person-centered perspective. Several methods were used, including: 1) development of an integrated valuing framework for LTSS quality; 2) use of Q methodology, which uses a forced ranking distribution, factor analysis, and qualitative interpretation of patterns observed; and 3) a survey containing rating, ranking, and open-ended questions. A convenience sample of 70 individuals in Minnesota representing the targeted stakeholder groups participated the Q methodology component of the study and 417 participated in the survey. Across two data collection methods, participants overall identified safety/security, dignity/respect, and staffing/staff competence as the highest priorities for LTSS quality. Although there was considerable agreement among stakeholders on top priorities, consumers rated most aspects of LTSS quality as less important than professionals, which may indicate diminished or adjusted expectations. However, consumers placed more emphasis on aspects of the physical environment than professionals. Study participants, particularly consumers and families, rated autonomy/choice as less important than most other aspects of LTSS quality, a finding that necessitates further exploration. By-person factor analysis and participant comments provide insights into survey findings. Study results highlight the need for more dialogue to clarify stakeholders’ values related to LTSS and ensure policies and practices align with these goals.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    A futures study of internationalization of the Carlson School of Management: diverse perspectives of key stakeholders.
    (2010-08) D’Angelo, Anne Marie
    Internationalization is a multi-faceted, multi-dimensional and complex concept described most notably as a higher educational process that integrates an international perspective into its organizational leadership, vision, and curricular goals. Success is dependent upon ongoing engagement of a multitude of internal and external stakeholders with an approach towards the future (Ellingboe, 1998). Today businesspeople operate in an open, global environment wherein interactions manifest themselves differently for each individual and depend upon one's abilities to adapt to and access interpersonal and inter-organizational relationships. The intricacies of these interactions occur at multi-dimensional levels - individual, organizational, and global - and present unique challenges for managers to maintain balance between independence and interdependence. Studies suggest that corporate leaders expect business schools to prepare graduates to be more competent and adaptive to these dynamic global challenges (Webb, Mayer, Piocher, and Allen, 1999). Using StoryTech, a futuring tool to develop desirable scenarios, this qualitative, futures study draws on specific ethnographic tools and methods and employs the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management as an exemplar of analysis regarding its internationalization strategies. The researcher examines how stakeholders, both internal and external to a business school community, envision their contributions in shaping internationalization strategies and how business school leaders should engage them in ways that are more effective and future-oriented. Preliminary data suggest stakeholders define internationalization in myriad ways reflecting unique perspectives consisting of cognitive, relational, and transactional factors for business schools to be more innovative in the development of internationalization strategies. Additional data support a systems approach to internationalization as most effective with business schools serving as focal points for these interconnected stakeholder communities. Broader implications of the study recommend that business school leaders develop and adopt a global meta-strategy approach to enhance broader school-wide initiatives. Moreover, a meta-strategy serves as a means to engage stakeholders from business school communities in unique ways focused on present day realities of globalization (global actualization) while creating desirable future scenarios and engagement for the betterment of new knowledge and applications for future professionals in the workforce. A consequence is the examination of a new, expanded role for international educators, one that broadens the professional realm.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Social Returns on Investment (SROI): a proposed modified method for nonprofit organizations (NPO’s)
    (2010-08) Acharya, Nikhil S.
    Literature has suggested that the common practice ignores measuring or considering the social impacts associated with the return on investment in different programs. The generic trend and emphasis laid on calculating and using just the Economic Return on Investment (EROI) was challenged in this study and the importance of measuring Social Return on Investment (SROI) was identified. “Although a number of guidelines and reporting standards have been advanced since early 1990’s, no framework has yet been articulated for quantifying the value of a company’s impact on people and a community’s environment” (Lingane & Olsen, 2004). This study aims to apply engineering management skills in organization with a focus on social returns on investments. This paper took into consideration three main factors that affect the existence of an organization: stakeholders, investment by the stakeholders, and returns to stakeholders. The purpose of the study was to develop a model to measure the social returns on investments by NPO programs. The current research followed a new approach. The modified tool was used to calculate the SROI for three social service community programs conducted by Community Action Duluth (CAD), a nonprofit organization in Duluth, Minnesota. The results from Program 2 showed the SROI of 267%, compared to the EROI of 258% using the proposed method. The SROI value is higher and should be considered a more reasonable indicator of the program success. Thus, it can be stated that EROI values may not always be a true indicator of all the NPO program outcomes and returns. The current research findings support and claim that, SROI methodology is an equally and especially in case of NPOs, a better indicator of the returns on investments. The results imply that, care should be taken while assigning a dollar value to the outcomes created and in making conclusions about returns on investment, to prevent any false and artificial claims of outcomes which may not be caused because of the program. Lastly, recommendations and future work are discussed.