ABSTRACT
This paper presents key ideas from a Futures study relating to part-time (PT) Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree programmes. The objective of the study was to determine the likely nature of PT MBA programmes approximately 30 years in the future, i.e., 2050, and to do so in the context of an assessment of possible long-term impact of disruptions caused or accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The research involved strategic conversations with ten PT MBA Programme Directors or equivalent across seven countries and each of whom was based in Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME)-signatory institutions. The findings suggest that MBA programmes of the future are likely to be significantly different to current PT MBAs. To close the learning loop associated with the original term of strategic conversations, higher education institutions (HEIs) are invited to consider the findings to inform strategic conversations within their own institutions in respect of future PT MBA design and provision. © 2022 Elsevier Ltd
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Childhood obesity has been regarded as one of the main healthcare challenges in the last century, leading to critical health problems and reduced life expectancy. Many factors can play a role in its development or prevention. Using the Trend Impact Analysis (TIA), this study aimed to conduct a community-based futures study for pediatric obesity in Iran. METHODS: We obtained the prevalence of overweight and obesity from the database of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education. Moreover, we reviewed 21 documents, texts, and comments from three key stakeholders in Iran and prepared a list of key experts, who were stakeholders in the field of obesity prevention of childhood in different organizations. Then, we collected the expert opinions by Delphi method. Data analysis was performed using the Excel and R software. RESULTS: Fourteen experts participated in the first stage and nine experts in the second stage. We identified two positive drivers, including the prevalence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the widespread expansion of online educational programs. Meanwhile, we identified five negative drivers as follows: (1) controlling and limiting obesogenic environments in the community, school, and family; (2) running annual compulsory anthropometry programs for students of all educational levels in health centers; (3) integrating nutrition education interventions in the curricula of all educational levels; (4) taxation of unhealthy and fast foods; and (5) preparing safe and appropriate sports environments for children and adolescents (on the streets, schools, parks, and sports clubs). Without considering the drivers, the prevalence of overweight and obesity is predicted to reach 29.10% in 2031. However, it is expected that the negative drivers can increase the prevalence trend from 23.40% in 2018 to 19.57% in 2031, the positive drivers to 32.61%, and the combination of all drivers to 23.07%. CONCLUSION: It seems that measures such as the effective communication of policy makers, basic evaluation of the programs and policies related to the prevention of childhood obesity, and localization of the programs of international organizations for the prevention of obesity can greatly control the prevalence of childhood obesity.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Pediatric Obesity , Running , Adolescent , Child , Humans , Pediatric Obesity/epidemiology , Overweight/epidemiology , Iran/epidemiology , SchoolsABSTRACT
This paper presents key ideas from a Futures study relating to part-time (PT) Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree programmes. The objective of the study was to determine the likely nature of PT MBA programmes approximately 30 years in the future, i.e., 2050, and to do so in the context of an assessment of possible long-term impact of disruptions caused or accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The research involved strategic conversations with ten PT MBA Programme Directors or equivalent across seven countries and each of whom was based in Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME)-signatory institutions. The findings suggest that MBA programmes of the future are likely to be significantly different to current PT MBAs. To close the learning loop associated with the original term of strategic conversations, higher education institutions (HEIs) are invited to consider the findings to inform strategic conversations within their own institutions in respect of future PT MBA design and provision.
ABSTRACT
The environment plays an important role in disease dynamism and determining people's health. In particular, the built environment has a great impact on controlling both chronic and infectious diseases in humans. The present research has been done in terms of practical purpose, in terms of exploratory method at exploratory level and based on future research approach. The present study, by operationalizing the framework of spatial and functional structure of cities, provides a more comprehensive approach to optimizing control programs and policies to reduce infectious diseases using indicators affecting urban structure and function with a future-research approach .The propulsion forces are determined by Delphi method, and then these factors are based on the importance and uncertainty, prioritization and the most critical factors, and software (MicMac) is used to write possible scenarios. During the scenario development phase, a total of 45 variables were identified. According to the research findings, among these factors, the index of worn-out texture and density of life, weakness of urban management, economic situation, improper distribution of urban services are the most key factors in the spatial and functional structure of this metropolis in the face of infectious diseases. Subsequent rankings had the highest direct impact as well as environmental quality, and poor physical activity had the highest direct impact on other variables. © 2022 Journal of Environmental Studies. All rights reserved.