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In response to gender gap and hardship due to heavy production and domestic tasks of women smallholder farmers in developing countries, this study was conducted under the auspices of the Gates Foundation with an original goal of formulating labour saving strategies and innovations for the rural women in Vietnam. The first five steps of a systems-based Evolutionary Learning Laboratory (ELLab) framework together with other management tools were employed in the first phase of the project during April 2013 to April 2014. The project has identified actual challenges and needs of the target group using appropriate systems approaches, including a flexible use of stakeholder analysis and engagement, and a log-frame approach for evaluation. Interestingly, saving labour was not identified as the highest priority for the women and was ranked second after the need for increasing their income. The outcomes of the study served as feedback and a rationale for reframing the project goal and objectives to address the 'real issues', 'real needs' and thus appropriate intervention strategies to address the identified challenges of the women farmers in the research area. Process steps of issue identification, rethinking and reframing of the project approach, goals and objectives are discussed and analyzed to prove the value and validity of the unique ELLab processes as an appropriate framework to deal with complex problems in the context of interconnected economic, environmental, social and cultural factors. The findings have not only brought about practical solutions for the women, but also formulated context-based recommendations for funding agencies and local governments. ; Tuan M. Ha, Ockie J.H. Bosch, Nam C. Nguyen

This study was conducted in Haiphong (Vietnam) during 2013-2014 to analyse the requirements for the success of small-scale agribusinesses. Following two baseline studies on the current state of the local farming systems and market situations, various stakeholders were engaged in a number of workshops with support of a causal loop diagram (CLD) modelling tool to redefine the pre-requisites for agribusiness success and their interplays. As a result, multi-stakeholder collaboration and government support via its policies and development programs were identified as the necessary conditions for success. Nonetheless, strengthening the capacity of local cooperatives and investing in human and social capitals are of equal importance as sufficient conditions, which generate multiple benefits towards achieving agribusiness success. Values of full participation by all stakeholders and the use of the CLD in defining systemic interventions are also discussed. ; Tuan M. Ha, Ockie J.H. Bosch, Nam C. Nguyen

Complex economic and managerial problems cannot be solved anymore with traditional single discipline and linear thinking mindsets. Employers will therefore increasingly require their employees to have the capacity to redesign in systems and sustainability terms. In other words, there is an increasing demand for society to move away from linear thinking that often leads to "quick fixes" that do not last, to a new way of thinking that is systems-based. Understanding the principles of interconnectedness, feedback and leverage points in systems and appreciating the value of cross-sectoral/disciplinary communication and collaboration are the only ways in which society will be able to find long lasting, sustainable solutions to the many problems we are facing. Developing such an understanding in order to address complex economic and managerial challenges, requires a strong level of awareness of the value of knowledge on systems approaches and tools that will increase the demand for systems education. However, it is evident in many institutions worldwide that the establishment of systems education is a highly complex task. The Evolutionary Learning Laboratory (ELLab) for dealing with complex issues was therefore used to establish an ELLab for systems education in the Adelaide University Business School. This caused a revolution regarding the integration of systems concepts into discipline specific courses and the development of standalone core systems courses that will help to instill those graduate attributes that industry wants. The ELLab consists of seven steps, starting with the gathering and integration of the mental models of all stakeholders (academics, industry and government departments), followed by capacity building of lecturers, participatory processes to identify graduate attributes and course contents, course offerings (implementation) and a reflection (through questionnaires, analysis and discussion) on the degree to which these graduate attributes are being achieved. The reflection step of the first round in 2013 of the cyclic process of implementation, reflection and adapting the course contents or modes of delivery, has revealed that students have shifted their way of thinking significantly from limited understanding and linear thinking to more coherent and interconnected thinking. During the pre-learning phase one third of the students were inclined to jump to the solution (i.e. treating the symptoms and "quick fixes"). After completing the course nearly 60 percent of the students mentioned the use of their knowledge on systems-based approaches, highlighting the system component interactions, unintended consequences, leverage points and systemic interventions. There was a clear improvement of the knowledge on interconnected thinking and how to deal with complexity and a change in their attitude towards the course. Significant changes also occur in their skill levels (capability to use system tools) and their aspirations (willing- and eagerness to apply their learnings). Based on the survey results and analyses, it could be concluded that systems thinking education can be regarded as the leverage or systemic intervention for being able to take action towards the advancement of economic and managerial practices to improve knowledge, attitude, skills and aspirations. The vision is to link the Adelaide ELLab globally with other institutions that are involved with systems education. ; Ockie Bosch, Nam Nguyen, Tuan Minh Ha

Managers and leaders today are expected to deliver innovative solutions and policies to cope with increasing change and uncertainty. Even more challenging is the fact that the complex issues tend to transcend the jurisdictions and capacities of any single organisation or Government department. Systems thinking offers a holistic and integrative way of appreciating all the major dimensions of a complex problem, and enables the formation of effective management strategies (systemic interventions) with long lasting outcomes. This paper reports on three major systems based approaches to help current and create future managers and leaders to be equipped with new ways of thinking that are systems design-led to deal with complex problems in a systemic, integrated and collaborative fashion. These include establishing Evolutionary Learning Laboratories (ELLabs); "Starting with the Young"; and introducing systems education at tertiary level. ; Ockie Bosch, Nam Nguyen, Daowei Sun

Relatively little is known about partisan identification among immigrant dominated ethnic groups in the United States. In this article we build on the work of Lien, Conway, & Wong (2004) to explore patterns of partisan strength & nonpartisanship among Asian Americans. We note that more than one third of Asian Americans do not identify themselves on the standard seven-point partisan identification scale, indicating that they either have no party attachment (denoted no-party nonpartisans) or are not sure of their partisanship (denoted unsure nonpartisans). Using data from the 2000-2001 Pilot National Asian American Political Survey, we estimate separate models of (a) partisan acquisition (i.e., partisan vs. nonpartisan), (b) strength of partisanship, & (c) type of nonpartisanship. As expected, we find significant differences in this Asian American sample between partisans & nonpartisans & among strong partisans, weak or independent-leaning partisans, & pure independents. In our nonpartisanship model, we also find discernible differences among pure independents, no-party nonpartisans, & unsure nonpartisans. Our findings address questions about how one should test models of party strength in Asian American samples, particularly given the relatively large percentage of nonpartisans among Asian Americans in comparison to samples drawn from the general population. [Reprinted by permission of Sage Publications Inc., copyright 2009.]

Relatively little is known about partisan identification among immigrant-dominated ethnic groups in the United States. In this article we build on the work of Lien, Conway, and Wong (2004) to explore patterns of partisan strength and nonpartisanship among Asian Americans. We note that more than one third of Asian Americans do not identify themselves on the standard seven-point partisan identification scale, indicating that they either have no party attachment (denoted no-party nonpartisans) or are not sure of their partisanship (denoted unsure nonpartisans). Using data from the 2000-2001 Pilot National Asian American Political Survey, we estimate separate models of (a) partisan acquisition (i.e., partisan vs. nonpartisan), (b) strength of partisanship, and (c) type of nonpartisanship. As expected, we find significant differences in this Asian American sample between partisans and nonpartisans and among strong partisans, weak or independent-leaning partisans, and pure independents. In our nonpartisanship model, we also find discernible differences among pure independents, no-party nonpartisans, and unsure nonpartisans. Our findings address questions about how one should test models of party strength in Asian American samples, particularly given the relatively large percentage of nonpartisans among Asian Americans in comparison to samples drawn from the general population.

During the last decade, international aid agencies and advocates have been working with Southeast Asian governments to move away from punitive responses towards people who use drugs to more public health, humane approaches. The lack of local scientific evidence about the effectiveness of different treatment approaches has made this advocacy work more challenging. This paper reflects on a generation of treatment research evidence and how it can assist advocacy efforts. The case example is the cost-effectiveness research, comparing centre-based compulsory treatment with community-based voluntary methadone maintenance treatment in Vietnam (2012–2015). Using our long-term and on-going connections with key Vietnamese decision-makers and government agencies, our collective experiences in drug policy advocacy and our unique insight into the working of government in Vietnam, we have used strategies to maximise opportunities for research to inform policy discussions. We have made an assessment here about the extent to which study findings have contributed to policy change in Vietnam and the challenges that impede progressive policy implementation. In doing this, we hope to make a contribution to the research evidence use literature.

Background: This study was conducted in the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu. Our objective was to assess knowledge, attitudes and practice of traditional healers who treat lung diseases and tuberculosis (TB), including their willingness to collaborate with the national TB programme. Methods. This was a descriptive study using both qualitative and quantitative methods. Quantitative analysis was based on the responses provided to closed-ended questions, and we used descriptive analysis (frequencies) to describe the knowledge, attitudes and practice of the traditional healers towards TB. Qualitative analysis was based on open-ended questions permitting fuller explanations. We used thematic analysis and developed a posteriori inductive categories to draw original and unbiased conclusions. Results: Nineteen traditional healers were interviewed; 18 were male. Fifteen of the healers reported treating short wind (a local term to describe lung, chest or breathing illnesses) which they attributed to food, alcohol, smoking or pollution from contact with menstrual blood, and a range of other physical and spiritual causes. Ten said that they would treat TB with leaf medicine. Four traditional healers said that they would not treat TB. Twelve of the healers had referred someone to a hospital for a strong wet-cough and just over half of the healers (9) reported a previous collaboration with the Government health care system. Eighteen of the traditional healers would be willing to collaborate with the national TB programme, with or without compensation. Conclusions: Traditional healers in Vanuatu treat lung diseases including TB. Many have previously collaborated with the Government funded health care system, and almost all of them indicated a willingness to collaborate with the national TB programme. The engagement of traditional healers in TB management should be considered, using an evidence based and culturally sensitive approach.

Background: This study was conducted in the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu. Our objective was to assess knowledge, attitudes and practice of traditional healers who treat lung diseases and tuberculosis (TB), including their willingness to collaborate with the national TB programme. Methods. This was a descriptive study using both qualitative and quantitative methods. Quantitative analysis was based on the responses provided to closed-ended questions, and we used descriptive analysis (frequencies) to describe the knowledge, attitudes and practice of the traditional healers towards TB. Qualitative analysis was based on open-ended questions permitting fuller explanations. We used thematic analysis and developed a posteriori inductive categories to draw original and unbiased conclusions. Results: Nineteen traditional healers were interviewed; 18 were male. Fifteen of the healers reported treating short wind (a local term to describe lung, chest or breathing illnesses) which they attributed to food, alcohol, smoking or pollution from contact with menstrual blood, and a range of other physical and spiritual causes. Ten said that they would treat TB with leaf medicine. Four traditional healers said that they would not treat TB. Twelve of the healers had referred someone to a hospital for a strong wet-cough and just over half of the healers (9) reported a previous collaboration with the Government health care system. Eighteen of the traditional healers would be willing to collaborate with the national TB programme, with or without compensation. Conclusions: Traditional healers in Vanuatu treat lung diseases including TB. Many have previously collaborated with the Government funded health care system, and almost all of them indicated a willingness to collaborate with the national TB programme. The engagement of traditional healers in TB management should be considered, using an evidence based and culturally sensitive approach.

Abstract Background This study was conducted in the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu. Our objective was to assess knowledge, attitudes and practice of traditional healers who treat lung diseases and tuberculosis (TB), including their willingness to collaborate with the national TB programme. Methods This was a descriptive study using both qualitative and quantitative methods. Quantitative analysis was based on the responses provided to closed-ended questions, and we used descriptive analysis (frequencies) to describe the knowledge, attitudes and practice of the traditional healers towards TB. Qualitative analysis was based on open-ended questions permitting fuller explanations. We used thematic analysis and developed a posteriori inductive categories to draw original and unbiased conclusions. Results Nineteen traditional healers were interviewed; 18 were male. Fifteen of the healers reported treating short wind (a local term to describe lung, chest or breathing illnesses) which they attributed to food, alcohol, smoking or pollution from contact with menstrual blood, and a range of other physical and spiritual causes. Ten said that they would treat TB with leaf medicine. Four traditional healers said that they would not treat TB. Twelve of the healers had referred someone to a hospital for a strong wet-cough and just over half of the healers (9) reported a previous collaboration with the Government health care system. Eighteen of the traditional healers would be willing to collaborate with the national TB programme, with or without compensation. Conclusions Traditional healers in Vanuatu treat lung diseases including TB. Many have previously collaborated with the Government funded health care system, and almost all of them indicated a willingness to collaborate with the national TB programme. The engagement of traditional healers in TB management should be considered, using an evidence based and culturally sensitive approach.