title: Five critical knowledge management organizational themes

authors: Sun, Peter Yih-Tong

subjects: knowledge management

abstract: Purpose – This study is motivated by the question “how do organizational routines influence the three knowledge management processes of acquisition, creation, utilization and sharing?” and accordingly it seeks to address this issue. 
Design/methodology/approach – A theoretical framework is first built by linking absorptive capacity (a routine-based capability) with knowledge management processes. A literature search guided by the theoretical framework, and evidence from two case studies, were used to address the objective of the study. 
Findings – The study elicited the organizational routines that influence the three knowledge management processes. These routines were then clustered into five key organizational themes: systemic knowledge; strategic engagement; social networking (external and internal); cultural context; process and structural context. 
Research limitations/implications – Several implications for research are suggested. More specifically, the study offers five propositions that can be further tested. The key limitation of this study is the use of only two case studies for empirical data, and therefore further testing is needed. 
Practical implications – The study shows that, although leadership behavior is critical for knowledge management, its impact depends on the platform of routines and processes built for it. The identified routines and their influence on knowledge management are invaluable for knowledge management practitioners. 
Originality/value – The paper furthers understanding of how organizational routines influence the three knowledge management processes of knowledge acquisition, creation, utilization and sharing. This aspect has been little studied and is of value to both academics and practitioners.

text: Five critical knowledge management organizational themes Purpose – This study is motivated by the question “how do organizational routines influence the three knowledge management processes of acquisition, creation, utilization and sharing?” and accordingly it seeks to address this issue. 
Design/methodology/approach – A theoretical framework is first built by linking absorptive capacity (a routine-based capability) with knowledge management processes. A literature search guided by the theoretical framework, and evidence from two case studies, were used to address the objective of the study. 
Findings – The study elicited the organizational routines that influence the three knowledge management processes. These routines were then clustered into five key organizational themes: systemic knowledge; strategic engagement; social networking (external and internal); cultural context; process and structural context. 
Research limitations/implications – Several implications for research are suggested. More specifically, the study offers five propositions that can be further tested. The key limitation of this study is the use of only two case studies for empirical data, and therefore further testing is needed. 
Practical implications – The study shows that, although leadership behavior is critical for knowledge management, its impact depends on the platform of routines and processes built for it. The identified routines and their influence on knowledge management are invaluable for knowledge management practitioners. 
Originality/value – The paper furthers understanding of how organizational routines influence the three knowledge management processes of knowledge acquisition, creation, utilization and sharing. This aspect has been little studied and is of value to both academics and practitioners.

year: 2010

title: Optimized vitrification, cell cycle compatibility and volume of cytoplasts for bovine embryonic cloning

authors: Randall, Shantaya

subjects: Cell transfer cloning

abstract: Cell transfer cloning is a promising method for multiplying elite alleles in a population. Together with gene editing, it can increase the genetic gain of livestock and support  the adaptation of cattle to climate change. Embryos with superior genetics, including edited genes, can be expanded in vitro, and each single embryonic donor cell can be used in cell transfer to produce new embryos with a copy of those genes. Enucleated oocytes in metaphase II (MII cytoplasts) serve as recipient cells for the embryonic donors, supporting their reprogramming and development. Currently, the rate of healthy calves that can be produced from cloning with somatic cell donors is about 5% and the technology is associated with placental, fetal and neonatal abnormalities, referred to as the cloning syndrome. This is largely due to incomplete epigenetic reprogramming in somatic cells. The genome of a pluripotent embryo-derived donor is postulated to require less reprogramming to reach an embryonic state than a somatic donor, which could lead to improved embryo formation, increased numbers of healthy offspring and reduced animal welfare problems. These donors are also hypothesised to be more amenable to DNA editing. While the conditions for cytoplasts that receive somatic donors are well-researched, cytoplast conditions for embryo-derived donors remain to be optimised. The primary aim of this research project was to further the knowledge on bovine cell transfer methodology by trialling different treatments of cytoplasts that receive embryo-derived donors. 

Blastocysts were produced through in vitro fertilization and plated to generate embryo-derived outgrowths as a source of donors for cloning. The zona pellucida was removed with assisted hatching techniques before plating. The rate of embryo-derived outgrowth formation after natural hatching without assistance was 80%. This was raised to 88% when mechanical zona pellucida dissection was performed on blastocysts before plating, while enzymatically removing the zona pellucida lowered the production of primary embryo outgrowthsto 36%. Donor outgrowths were arrested into mitosis by incubation in 500 nM nocodazole overnight before fusion with cytoplasts and activation with ionomycin and cycloheximide. Such chemically activated reconstructs had a 22% pseudo-polar body extrusion rate and blastocyst development was 7%. This was lower than blastocyst development in reconstructs without nocodazole-synchronization and with ionomycin and 6-dimethylaminopurine activation (13%). Non-synchronized donors were fused to cytoplasts that had received various treatments: aging and cooling, volume increases, and vitrification. Reconstructs were activated with ionomycin and 6-dimethylaminopurine. Embryos constructed with cytoplasts that had been aged and cooled to alter their MII state had lowered blastocyst development (4%) compared to embryos constructed with 
cytoplasts that were not aged and cooled (15%). Increasing the volume of a MII cytoplast with embryo-derived donors did not significantly affect total blastocyst development (6%) compared to in control cytoplasts without altered volume (11%). Vitrified oocytes had a high survival rate after thawing (97%). Artificially activated zona-free vitrified oocytes were able to support development to the blastocyst stage, although this was at a lower rate (3%) than artificially activated fresh oocytes (22%). Vitrified cytoplasts had a high survival rate after thawing (92%) and were able to produce a blastocyst after cell transfer with somatic donors (2%). However, this blastocyst development occurred at a lower rate than with fresh cytoplasts and somatic donors (8%). The ability of vitrified cytoplasts to support the development of the embryo-derived donors to the blastocyst stage after cell transfer could not be proven. 

Before proceeding to in vivo cloning trials, confirmation of blastocyst ploidy, and continued refinement of vitrification protocols, through trialling different reagents and concentrations, is required. Further data on the use of vitrified cytoplasts in double ECT is required to elucidate the role of reprogramming factors in cytoplasts on embryo-derived donors. Embryo transfer of the produced blastocysts will be the final measure of the effect of the cytoplast conditions trialled on overall cloning efficiency. Successful embryo transfer would accomplish the ultimate research aim of this project: to establish that bovine embryonic pluripotent stem cells can be successfully reprogrammed during cloning to produce blastocysts and then live offspring.

text: Optimized vitrification, cell cycle compatibility and volume of cytoplasts for bovine embryonic cloning Cell transfer cloning is a promising method for multiplying elite alleles in a population. Together with gene editing, it can increase the genetic gain of livestock and support  the adaptation of cattle to climate change. Embryos with superior genetics, including edited genes, can be expanded in vitro, and each single embryonic donor cell can be used in cell transfer to produce new embryos with a copy of those genes. Enucleated oocytes in metaphase II (MII cytoplasts) serve as recipient cells for the embryonic donors, supporting their reprogramming and development. Currently, the rate of healthy calves that can be produced from cloning with somatic cell donors is about 5% and the technology is associated with placental, fetal and neonatal abnormalities, referred to as the cloning syndrome. This is largely due to incomplete epigenetic reprogramming in somatic cells. The genome of a pluripotent embryo-derived donor is postulated to require less reprogramming to reach an embryonic state than a somatic donor, which could lead to improved embryo formation, increased numbers of healthy offspring and reduced animal welfare problems. These donors are also hypothesised to be more amenable to DNA editing. While the conditions for cytoplasts that receive somatic donors are well-researched, cytoplast conditions for embryo-derived donors remain to be optimised. The primary aim of this research project was to further the knowledge on bovine cell transfer methodology by trialling different treatments of cytoplasts that receive embryo-derived donors. 

Blastocysts were produced through in vitro fertilization and plated to generate embryo-derived outgrowths as a source of donors for cloning. The zona pellucida was removed with assisted hatching techniques before plating. The rate of embryo-derived outgrowth formation after natural hatching without assistance was 80%. This was raised to 88% when mechanical zona pellucida dissection was performed on blastocysts before plating, while enzymatically removing the zona pellucida lowered the production of primary embryo outgrowthsto 36%. Donor outgrowths were arrested into mitosis by incubation in 500 nM nocodazole overnight before fusion with cytoplasts and activation with ionomycin and cycloheximide. Such chemically activated reconstructs had a 22% pseudo-polar body extrusion rate and blastocyst development was 7%. This was lower than blastocyst development in reconstructs without nocodazole-synchronization and with ionomycin and 6-dimethylaminopurine activation (13%). Non-synchronized donors were fused to cytoplasts that had received various treatments: aging and cooling, volume increases, and vitrification. Reconstructs were activated with ionomycin and 6-dimethylaminopurine. Embryos constructed with cytoplasts that had been aged and cooled to alter their MII state had lowered blastocyst development (4%) compared to embryos constructed with 
cytoplasts that were not aged and cooled (15%). Increasing the volume of a MII cytoplast with embryo-derived donors did not significantly affect total blastocyst development (6%) compared to in control cytoplasts without altered volume (11%). Vitrified oocytes had a high survival rate after thawing (97%). Artificially activated zona-free vitrified oocytes were able to support development to the blastocyst stage, although this was at a lower rate (3%) than artificially activated fresh oocytes (22%). Vitrified cytoplasts had a high survival rate after thawing (92%) and were able to produce a blastocyst after cell transfer with somatic donors (2%). However, this blastocyst development occurred at a lower rate than with fresh cytoplasts and somatic donors (8%). The ability of vitrified cytoplasts to support the development of the embryo-derived donors to the blastocyst stage after cell transfer could not be proven. 

Before proceeding to in vivo cloning trials, confirmation of blastocyst ploidy, and continued refinement of vitrification protocols, through trialling different reagents and concentrations, is required. Further data on the use of vitrified cytoplasts in double ECT is required to elucidate the role of reprogramming factors in cytoplasts on embryo-derived donors. Embryo transfer of the produced blastocysts will be the final measure of the effect of the cytoplast conditions trialled on overall cloning efficiency. Successful embryo transfer would accomplish the ultimate research aim of this project: to establish that bovine embryonic pluripotent stem cells can be successfully reprogrammed during cloning to produce blastocysts and then live offspring.

year: 2022

title: Tino rangatiratanga in health policies and practises

authors: Wihongi, Helen Annette

subjects: tino rangatiratanga

abstract: The purpose of my doctoral research was to investigate tino rangatiratanga in health policies and practises in Aotearoa. My research involved defining tino rangatiratanga and exploring the expression of tino rangatiratanga in health policy and practises. A kaupapa Māori analysis of the 1996 National Cervical Screening Programme’s Policy document was at the core of the policy investigation. The analysis involved developing a kaupapa Māori analysing framework and then analysing the 1996 National Cervical Screening Policy document for empirical and normative judgements at four discursive levels, health gains, health objectives, health goals and fundamental underlying values. A Kaupapa Māori research design drew on interdisciplinary scholarship on colonisation, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, community psychology, public policy, disability theory, feminist theory and discourse theory.

I argue that the dominance of Western cultural norms and state-directed policies were made possible by the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. The signing of Te Tiriti saw Crown sovereignty being implemented and tino rangatiratanga ignored. The consequences for Māori have been disastrous with loss of land and economic base which has resulted in poor health status. I also argue that tino rangatiratanga has the potential to transform the social and political context that frame Aotearoa society. Such an approach raises a critical dilemma for the state as meaningful recognition of tino rangatiratanga requires waiving full and absolute sovereignty which currently resides in the state. Hence some scholars argue that tino rangatiratanga is a site for constructive engagement where state and Māori relationships can be renegotiated. The extent to which this potential for constructive engagement is being realised in however is inadequately explored in the scholarly literature. Exploring the relationships between tino rangatiratanga and health policies and practises as undertaken in my thesis will therefore contribute to scholarly knowledge on the subject.

The findings from the research show that tino rangatiratanga is indeed a complex, fluid, multi-faceted and context related concept. Within the context of my research, tino rangatiratanga is defined as Māori sovereignty, self determination, and positive Māori development. As a Māori value it is about mana and tapu of rangatira or leadership personified. Within policies, tino rangatiratanga has emerged through resistance and demonstration and is actualised through Tiriti legislation and policies.

The legitimation of tino rangatiratanga in cervical screening services sees Māori leadership at national, regional and local levels and Māori involvement through wide ranging consultation but the Crown still controls the policy process and therefore the outcomes. Most cervical screening services are still owned and operated by the Crown or Crown agencies.

One of the consequences of Crown control is that Māori women are still twice as likely to get cervical cancer and four times more likely to die from it. To some degree this may be the result of resource allocation and the result of discriminatory service practices but also the result of resistance to the procedure itself.

Tino rangatiratanga within cervical screening services could be strengthened through iwi ownership of some cervical screening register sites. At the time of my field work (2000) there were 14 sites, all owned and operated by Crown agents. Tino rangatiratanga could also be strengthened through funding criteria that ensure practitioners are safe to practise, through the adoption of less invasive procedures and through the legitimation of Māori healing practises such as rongoā and karakia.

Overall if tino rangatiratanga is to be given full effect within the policy domain Māori must have a well established asset base, they must be in control of the decision making making process including resource allocation, service delivery must address the diversities of Māori realities and Māori must be the recipients of policy decisions made.

text: Tino rangatiratanga in health policies and practises The purpose of my doctoral research was to investigate tino rangatiratanga in health policies and practises in Aotearoa. My research involved defining tino rangatiratanga and exploring the expression of tino rangatiratanga in health policy and practises. A kaupapa Māori analysis of the 1996 National Cervical Screening Programme’s Policy document was at the core of the policy investigation. The analysis involved developing a kaupapa Māori analysing framework and then analysing the 1996 National Cervical Screening Policy document for empirical and normative judgements at four discursive levels, health gains, health objectives, health goals and fundamental underlying values. A Kaupapa Māori research design drew on interdisciplinary scholarship on colonisation, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, community psychology, public policy, disability theory, feminist theory and discourse theory.

I argue that the dominance of Western cultural norms and state-directed policies were made possible by the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. The signing of Te Tiriti saw Crown sovereignty being implemented and tino rangatiratanga ignored. The consequences for Māori have been disastrous with loss of land and economic base which has resulted in poor health status. I also argue that tino rangatiratanga has the potential to transform the social and political context that frame Aotearoa society. Such an approach raises a critical dilemma for the state as meaningful recognition of tino rangatiratanga requires waiving full and absolute sovereignty which currently resides in the state. Hence some scholars argue that tino rangatiratanga is a site for constructive engagement where state and Māori relationships can be renegotiated. The extent to which this potential for constructive engagement is being realised in however is inadequately explored in the scholarly literature. Exploring the relationships between tino rangatiratanga and health policies and practises as undertaken in my thesis will therefore contribute to scholarly knowledge on the subject.

The findings from the research show that tino rangatiratanga is indeed a complex, fluid, multi-faceted and context related concept. Within the context of my research, tino rangatiratanga is defined as Māori sovereignty, self determination, and positive Māori development. As a Māori value it is about mana and tapu of rangatira or leadership personified. Within policies, tino rangatiratanga has emerged through resistance and demonstration and is actualised through Tiriti legislation and policies.

The legitimation of tino rangatiratanga in cervical screening services sees Māori leadership at national, regional and local levels and Māori involvement through wide ranging consultation but the Crown still controls the policy process and therefore the outcomes. Most cervical screening services are still owned and operated by the Crown or Crown agencies.

One of the consequences of Crown control is that Māori women are still twice as likely to get cervical cancer and four times more likely to die from it. To some degree this may be the result of resource allocation and the result of discriminatory service practices but also the result of resistance to the procedure itself.

Tino rangatiratanga within cervical screening services could be strengthened through iwi ownership of some cervical screening register sites. At the time of my field work (2000) there were 14 sites, all owned and operated by Crown agents. Tino rangatiratanga could also be strengthened through funding criteria that ensure practitioners are safe to practise, through the adoption of less invasive procedures and through the legitimation of Māori healing practises such as rongoā and karakia.

Overall if tino rangatiratanga is to be given full effect within the policy domain Māori must have a well established asset base, they must be in control of the decision making making process including resource allocation, service delivery must address the diversities of Māori realities and Māori must be the recipients of policy decisions made.

year: 2010