Digitalization in practice: the fifth discipline advantage

Assessing System Thinking in Senior Pharmacy Students Using the Innovative "Horror Room" Simulation Setting: A Cross-Sectional Survey of a Non-Technical Skill

System thinking is an important competency for all healthcare professionals as it is a required skill to provide safe patient care. However, the literature does not describe how students gain such a skill or the manner in which it is assessed. Purpose: This study aimed to assess pharmacy students' non-technical skills in the form of system thinking and error detection in a simulated setting. Results were correlated with the number of errors students were able to identify in a team-based simulation activity called the "horror room." Patients and methods: A cross-sectional survey was administered after completion of the "horror room" simulation activity to identify elements of system thinking and error detection. Survey respondents were senior students enrolled in a patient safety course. System thinking elements identified in the survey were then linked to the number of errors reported. Results: Sixty-six students participated in the activity. Their mean grade point average (GPA) was 4.72 (standard deviation (SD) 0.22), and the mean number of errors detected was 8 (SD 2). The average total system thinking score (STS) was 68 (SD 8.4). There was no association between the number of errors detected and STS; however, a positive association was found between GPA and STS (Spearman's correlation coefficient = 0.27, p = 0.030). The most common type of error detected was a medication safety error (100%). Conclusions: High STS showed that teaching theory is important for students to learn concepts; however, knowing the ideas associated with system thinking does not necessarily translate into practice, as evidenced by the low number of errors students were able to detect.

Nordic no more? How recent trends may prevent the Nordic organization model to adapt and develop

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore how current trends in organization – government regulation, authoritarian governance and digitalization acts specifically to stop relevant change of a Nordic model. These trends unfold in organizational contexts by revoking mandates, stopping information sharing and eroding trust. When these elements of what is often seen as core characteristics of different Nordic models are hindered, this also means that change is stoked, such as it is understood by organizational learning theory. Hopefully, this more conceptual analysis can inspire fieldwork.

Design/methodology/approach

This viewpoint article investigates how recent trends may act in the ability of a Nordic model to change and remain relevant. Core elements of the abstract concept of a Nordic model are defined. These elements are related to organizational learning. In as far as the Nordic model can be seen as capable of organizational learning, it may be able to develop and change in response to external influence. Examples of current trends in society are presented. It is found that these new current trends act on the ability of the Nordic model to change. This poses an existential threat to the longevity of that model. Suggestions for further work is included.

Findings

The paper finds that core elements of the Nordic model are influenced in such a way that the ability of the model to work as learning organizations (at least in the sense of Senge’s theory) is inhibited or even prohibited. The way this unfolds in principle may inform choices for fieldwork.

Research limitations/implications

A major limitation of this topic is that it discusses emerging changes that have only recently become apparent in the Nordic countries. The number of cases is yet limited and recent. This is why more conceptional approaches might be useful.

Practical implications

The digital realm is changing society, and this change has been catapulted by the pandemic. This may impact on how Nordic organizations are able to deliver on the purposes of co-decision legislation, how organizational culture based on “Nordic” values such as trust (as defined by the WVS), information sharing and mandate can develop, how organizations that abstain distributed information and mandates are able to adapt.

Social implications

Recent (2020) estimates indicate that between one in three and one in two jobs will be directly impacted in the Nordic countries. This is likely to have implications, but the nature of these is still under debate. This paper points to the possibility that core values and ways to deliver productivity may be challenged.

Originality/value

The originality lies in linking some core elements of different versions of a very abstract construct (“a Nordic” model) to one specific theory of organizational learning (in this example, Senge). This allows for a discussion about how societal change may be relevant specifically for the ability of Nordic model(s) to change. The discussion is current as the chosen trends are all recent phenomena in Nordic society.

Human-centred design in industry 4.0: case study review and opportunities for future research

The transition to industry 4.0 has impacted factories, but it also affects the entire value chain. In this sense, human-centred factors play a core role in transitioning to sustainable manufacturing processes and consumption. The awareness of human roles in Industry 4.0 is increasing, as evidenced by active work in developing methods, exploring influencing factors, and proving the effectiveness of design oriented to humans. However, numerous studies have been brought into existence but then disconnected from other studies. As a consequence, these studies in industry and research alike are not regularly adopted, and the network of studies is seemingly broad and expands without forming a coherent structure. This study is a unique attempt to bridge the gap through the literature characteristics and lessons learnt derived from a collection of case studies regarding human-centred design (HCD) in the context of Industry 4.0. This objective is achieved by a well-rounded systematic literature review whose special unit of analysis is given to the case studies, delivering contributions in three ways: (1) providing an insight into how the literature has evolved through the cross-disciplinary lens; (2) identifying what research themes associated with design methods are emerging in the field; (3) and setting the research agenda in the context of HCD in Industry 4.0, taking into account the lessons learnt, as uncovered by the in-depth review of case studies.