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Background: While use of artificial intelligence (AI)-based technologies such as decision-support systems (AI-DSSs) could help sustaining and improving the quality and efficiency of care, their deployment also creates ethical and social challenges. In recent years, there has been a growing prevalence of high-level guidelines and frameworks to provide guidance on responsible AI innovation. However, few studies specify how AI-based technologies such as AI-DSSs can be responsibly embedded in specific contexts such as the nursing process in the long-term care (LTC) for older adults. Objective: Opportunities and prerequisites for responsible AI-assisted decision-making in the nursing process were explored from the perspectives of nurses and other professional stakeholders in LTC. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 care professionals in Dutch LTC, including nurses, care coordinators, data specialists and care centralists. Two imaginary scenarios about the future use of AI-DSSs were developed beforehand and used to enable participants to articulate their expectations regarding the opportunities and risks of AI-assisted decision-making. After first openly discussing opportunities and possible risks associated with both scenarios, six high-level principles for responsible AI were used as probing themes to evoke further consideration on risks of using AI-DSSs in LTC. Further, participants were asked to brainstorm about possible strategies and actions in the design, implementation and use of AI-DSSs to address or mitigate the mentioned risks. A thematic analysis was carried out to identify opportunities and prerequisites for responsible innovation in this area. Results: Professionals’ stance towards the use of AI-DSSs is not a matter of purely positive or negative expectations, but rather a nuanced interplay of positive and negative elements that lead to a weighed perception of opportunities and prerequisites f

Purpose: This study investigates stakeholder perspectives on the implementation of campus autonomy at Tribhuvan University. It aims to explore how stakeholders perceive campus autonomy, identify opportunities and challenges associated with it, and examine its benefits and drawbacks. Methodology: The study is based on a qualitative research method utilizing thematic analysis. It focuses on four main themes: structural challenges, institutional sustainability, governance and accountability, and collaboration and coordination. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, and thematic analysis was employed to extract valuable insights from stakeholders. Results and Discussion: The findings reveal the complexities involved in autonomy implementation. It highlights the significance of strategic planning, capacity development, addressing disparities, upholding academic freedom, maintaining coordination, and striking a balance between autonomy and accountability to foster innovation and enhance educational outcomes. Conclusion: Implementing campus autonomy in Nepal's higher education system requires careful planning, capacity-building, good governance and accountability, and fostering collaboration and coordination to address challenges and stimulate innovation. Implication: The research provides valuable insights to stakeholders for improved decision-making, academic quality, governance, innovation, stakeholder engagement, and policy recommendations in developing a high-quality higher education system. Originality/Value: The research's originality lies in aligning its implementation with stakeholders' expectations for quality development in higher education through campus autonomy. Stakeholder insights and opinions offer valuable understanding of campus autonomy, including its benefits, challenges, and potential implications. These insights inform decision-makers and policymakers, aiding their efforts to enhance campus autonomy an

Background: Although the use of artificial intelligence (AI)–based technologies, such as AI-based decision support systems (AI-DSSs), can help sustain and improve the quality and efficiency of care, their deployment creates ethical and social challenges. In recent years, a growing prevalence of high-level guidelines and frameworks for responsible AI innovation has been observed. However, few studies have specified the responsible embedding of AI-based technologies, such as AI-DSSs, in specific contexts, such as the nursing process in long-term care (LTC) for older adults. Objective: Prerequisites for responsible AI-assisted decision-making in nursing practice were explored from the perspectives of nurses and other professional stakeholders in LTC. Methods: Semistructured interviews were conducted with 24 care professionals in Dutch LTC, including nurses, care coordinators, data specialists, and care centralists. A total of 2 imaginary scenarios about AI-DSSs were developed beforehand and used to enable participants articulate their expectations regarding the opportunities and risks of AI-assisted decision-making. In addition, 6 high-level principles for responsible AI were used as probing themes to evoke further consideration of the risks associated with using AI-DSSs in LTC. Furthermore, the participants were asked to brainstorm possible strategies and actions in the design, implementation, and use of AI-DSSs to address or mitigate these risks. A thematic analysis was performed to identify the opportunities and risks of AI-assisted decision-making in nursing practice and the associated prerequisites for responsible innovation in this area. Results: The stance of care professionals on the use of AI-DSSs is not a matter of purely positive or negative expectations but rather a nuanced interplay of positive and negative elements that lead to a weighed perception of the prerequisites for responsible AI-assisted decision-making. Both opportunities and risks were identifi

Despite growing scholarly consensus on the need for nature-based solutions (NBS) as holistic and sustainable alternatives to traditional engineering solutions, stakeholder acceptance and implementation of NBS remain low. This study investigates stakeholder narratives on implementing nature-based solutions (NBS) for mitigating hydro-meteorological risks across five European river basin sites in Eastern and Central Europe. Utilising the Q-methodology and narrative analysis, we identified three ideal–typical narratives: idealist, reformist, and sceptic—each providing distinct perspectives on evidence-based policy formation and NBS integration. Our results demonstrate that: (1) idealists’ optimistic outlook risks overlooking critical engagement with implementation challenges; (2) neglecting sceptic concerns may impede NBS adoption and invite accusations of green-washing, and (3) reformists promote evidence-based approaches and transparent stakeholder engagement to bridge narrative divides. The study underscores the importance of identifying shared values, stakeholder collaboration, and a nuanced understanding of contextual factors in fostering NBS implementation. The study contributes to a practical framework aligning NBS projects with prevailing narratives, offering guidance for navigating the complex landscape of NBS implementation. Future research should prioritize in-depth analysis of agent perspectives, place-specific influences on narratives, and the application of narrative analysis to other emerging technologies and environmental topics (e.g. circular economy), deepening our understanding of the socio-political dynamics shaping the acceptance and implementation of sustainable solutions.

Upon graduation, engineering graduates will find themselves in diverse, interconnected, and fast-paced work environments. Global competence, which encompasses different types of knowledge, skills and attitudes, is what will help them navigate successfully through the variety of situations they may encounter. Accordingly, its development should be an integrated core aspect of today’s engineering education. Acknowledging the problems with current approaches to doing so – in particular, the vagueness of the concept and the issues of prioritizing learning content in already crowded curricula - this paper compares the perceived need and value of specific competencies according to key stakeholders. Based on a previous literature review, a survey focusing on a set of 15 frequently mentioned competences was developed and distributed internationally. The perspectives of three types of stakeholders - engineering professionals (n=339), educators (n=200), and students (n=331) – were collected and broadly analyzed according to the perceived importance of the competencies. Overall, we found agreement among the stakeholder groups, and the majority of our proposed competences were perceived as either important or very important by the respondents. Among the competences, teamwork and collaboration and English language skills stood out, while other language skills were perceived as less important. Comparing the groups, we found that professionals tended to value several social competences more highly and subject-specific competences less highly than academic stakeholders. In our discussion, we offer possible explanations for these findings, which allow inferences for educational change towards a more globally competent higher engineering education., QC 20231207 Part of ISBN 978-823036186-3

IntroductionMeaningful patient involvement in health technology assessment (HTA) is essential in ensuring that the interests of the affected patient population, their families, and the general public are accurately reflected in coverage and reimbursement decisions. Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries are generally at less advanced stages of implementing HTA, which is particularly true for patient involvement activities. As part of the Horizon2020 HTx project, this research aimed to form recommendations for critical barriers to patient involvement in HTA in CEE countries. MethodsBuilt on previous research findings on potential barriers, a prioritisation survey was conducted online with CEE stakeholders. Recommendations for prioritised barriers were formed through a face-to-face workshop by CEE stakeholders and HTx experts. ResultsA total of 105 stakeholders from 13 CEE countries completed the prioritisation survey and identified 12 of the 22 potential barriers as highly important. The workshop had 36 participants representing 9 CEE countries, and 5 Western European countries coming together to discuss solutions in order to form recommendations based on best practices, real-life experience, and transferability aspects. Stakeholder groups involved in both phases included HTA organisation representatives, payers, patients, caregivers, patient organisation representatives, patient experts, health care providers, academic and non-academic researchers, health care consultants and health technology manufacturers/providers. As a result, 12 recommendations were formed specified to the CEE region's context, but potentially useful for a broader geographic audience. ConclusionIn this paper, we present 12 recommendations for meaningful, systematic, and sustainable patient involvement in HTA in CEE countries. Our hope is that engaging more than a hundred CEE stakeholders in the study helped to spread awareness of the importance and potential of patient involvement and tha

This study aimed to identify the current experiences with and future preferences for payment and reimbursement models for high-priced hospital therapies in the Netherlands, where the main barriers lie and assess how policy structures facilitate these models. A questionnaire was sent out to Dutch stakeholders (in)directly involved in payment and reimbursement agreements. The survey contained statements assessed with Likert scales, rankings and open questions. The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Thirty-nine stakeholders (out of 100) (in)directly involved with reimbursement decision-making completed the survey. Our inquiry showed that currently financial-based reimbursement models are applied most, especially discounts were perceived best due to their simplicity. For the future, outcome-based reimbursement models were preferred, particularly pay-for-outcome models. The main stated challenge for implementation was generating evidence in practice. According to the respondents, upfront payments are currently implemented most often, whereas delayed payment models are preferred to be applied more frequently in the future. Particularly payment-at-outcome-achieved models are preferred; however, they were stated as administratively challenging to arrange. The respondents were moderately satisfied with the payment and reimbursement system in the Netherlands, arguing that the transparency of the final agreements and mutual trust could be improved. These insights can provide stakeholders with future direction when negotiating and implementing innovative reimbursement and payment models. Attention should be paid to the main barriers that are currently perceived as hindering a more frequent implementation of the preferred models and how national policy structures can facilitate a successful implementation.

Managing supply chain performance is essential for value generation to stakeholders. Nonetheless, this process has become overly complicated due to environmental concerns that lead to policy changes, customer preferences, and business activities. Reverse logistics is an environmentally friendly practice that can be critical in improving the environmental performance of construction operations. This paper examines the perceived role of reverse logistics practices on supply chain performance criteria—for example, cost, quality, time, flexibility, and environment. Semistructured in-depth interviews were conducted with 15 senior industry experts from South East Queensland, Australia. Interview transcripts were analyzed by coding, categorizing, and identifying the interconnected relationships among concepts. In general, the experts perceive that reverse logistics practices significantly reduce the sourcing cost of materials compared with new materials. When used materials meet industry specifications, they are expected to have a similar performance without affecting the construction time or the overall quality of the project while protecting the environment. Nevertheless, the flexibility is found to be somewhat difficult. It is likely that reverse logistics can be instrumental in construction should the industry uptake be substantial with an emphasis on used material quality and acceptance criteria. Hence, a quantitative analysis is encouraged for future research.

Stakeholder groups engage in ecosystem services coproduction as both coproducers and beneficiaries. Stakeholder group perceptions of their own and each other's roles in ecosystem services coproduction therefore influence how ecosystem services are provided in a given landscape. However, only a few studies have investigated self-perceived and attributed stakeholder group roles in this context. The aim of this paper is to assess the selfperceived and attributed engagement and importance of stakeholder groups in the coproduction of ecosystem services in a case study of the Lahn River landscape in Germany. The research questions address (i) local stakeholder group perceptions of their own engagement in the coproduction of ecosystem services and (ii) differences and commonalities between self-perceived and attributed stakeholder group importance in ecosystem services coproduction. Our method involves a survey local stakeholder groups regarding involvement in the coproduction of twelve ecosystem services and social network analysis to assess the survey data concerning network structures. Our findings indicate that self-perceived and attributed perceptions differ mainly regarding the central role of stakeholder groups in collaborative networks. We further identify differences in the selfperceived levels of importance of stakeholder groups within collaborative networks but similarities in the understanding of the overall stakeholder group network structure. We conclude by highlighting key implications for ecosystem services governance, including the need to address power imbalances and the need to foster collaborative engagement to ensure sustained and just ecosystem services delivery.

Stakeholder groups engage in ecosystem services coproduction as both coproducers and beneficiaries. Stakeholder group perceptions of their own and each other's roles in ecosystem services coproduction therefore influence how ecosystem services are provided in a given landscape. However, only a few studies have investigated self-perceived and attributed stakeholder group roles in this context. The aim of this paper is to assess the self-perceived and attributed engagement and importance of stakeholder groups in the coproduction of ecosystem services in a case study of the Lahn River landscape in Germany. The research questions address (i) local stakeholder group perceptions of their own engagement in the coproduction of ecosystem services and (ii) differences and commonalities between self-perceived and attributed stakeholder group importance in ecosystem services coproduction. Our method involves a survey local stakeholder groups regarding involvement in the coproduction of twelve ecosystem services and social network analysis to assess the survey data concerning network structures. Our findings indicate that self-perceived and attributed perceptions differ mainly regarding the central role of stakeholder groups in collaborative networks. We further identify differences in the self-perceived levels of importance of stakeholder groups within collaborative networks but similarities in the understanding of the overall stakeholder group network structure. We conclude by highlighting key implications for ecosystem services governance, including the need to address power imbalances and the need to foster collaborative engagement to ensure sustained and just ecosystem services delivery., SCOPUS: ar.j, iiTSE, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

The Canary Islands are heavily dependent on fossil fuels which intensifies the need for a decarbonisation pathway by 2050. Our study provides a comprehensive approach to identify possible energy transition pathways in line with different stakeholder perspectives. We conducted two rounds of 16 foresight interviews in the region with stakeholders representing different groups. The first round focused on understanding the current challenges and opportunities of the energy system, while the second round aimed at identifying the overall vision of the stakeholders for their local energy system. We have found that there are still significant regulatory difficulties that hinder implementation of technologies and innovative business models. However, the main challenges highlighted were achieving a transition without energy justice and the lack of collaboration between stakeholders. Different pathways have been identified but all interviewees emphasised that the future energy system needs to be human-centred and support citizen participation, prosumers, and energy communities.

There are many normative answers on the question how to realize climate adaptation, ranging from pleas for the government to play a decisive role, to calls for refrainin

Stakeholders in vocational education have difficulties communicating and collaborating on the design of education because they often lack a shared understanding of what constitutes effective student learning. The aim of this study is to investigate whether the perspectives of teacher educators, teachers and students on good education in vocational education are aligned with what literature says about Powerful Learning Environments (PLEs) and to what extent the perspectives of different groups of stakeholders are mutually aligned. Results of nine focus group interviews showed that perspectives are mostly similar in the three groups. They strongly favoured authentic and challenging pathways, endorsed the importance of supporting opportunities for developing key competences and, although not univocal by students, adaptive teaching and learning support, within a positive and safe learning community. Differences between preferences of different stakeholders on some of the design characteristics of PLEs underline the importance of developing a shared understanding about learning and teaching among stakeholders.

Learning Analytics (LA) is perceived to be a promising strategy to tackle persisting educational challenges in Latin America, such as quality disparities and high dropout rates. However, Latin American universities have fallen behind in LA adoption compared to institutions in other regions. To understand stakeholders' needs for LA services, this study used mixed methods to collect data in four Latin American Universities. Qualitative data was obtained from 37 interviews with managers and 16 focus groups with 51 teaching staff and 45 students, whereas quantitative data was obtained from surveys answered by 1884 students and 368 teaching staff. According to the triangulation of both types of evidence, we found that (1) students need quality feedback and timely support, (2) teaching staff need timely alerts and meaningful performance evaluations, and (3) managers need quality information to implement support interventions. Thus, LA offers an opportunity to integrate data-driven decision-making in existing tasks. © 2020 Elsevier Inc.

This paper examines the current state of project cultures in the German turnkey construction industry and the ideal project cultures in terms of partnering from the perspective of various key stakeholders (i.e., Investors, General Contractors, (Sub-)Contractors and Designers). To investigate the current and ideal cultures, data were gathered among the key stakeholders by means of a survey study with 72 respondents divided over 12 companies. The respondents rated the current and desired cultures by using the Organizational Culture Assessment Instrument, which belongs to the Competing Values Framework. The investigations show many similarities and differences between the stakeholder perspectives of the current and the idealized partnering project cultures. Mainly, the General Contractors desire more cooperative behaviors than the (Sub-)Contractors, and the Investors desire more pronounced flexibility than the General Contractors. All stakeholders desire a cultural change from highly competitive behaviors toward more cooperation. Changes in terms of clear procedures or more flexibility are only desired by the Designers. Defining both the current and an ideal partnering project culture enables academics and project managers to compare their actual project cultures to an ideal situation. With such an approach, academics and project managers could measure whether new tools or changes in resources affect their project cultures toward a partnering project culture., Green Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository ‘You share, we take care!’ – Taverne project https://www.openaccess.nl/en/you-share-we-take-care Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public., Integral Design & Management

BACKGROUND: Conditional financing (CF) of hospital drugs was implemented in the Netherlands as a form of managed entry agreements between 2006 and 2012. CF was a 4-year process comprising 3 stages: initial health technology assessment of the drug (T = 0), conduct of outcomes research studies, and reassessment of the drug (T = 4).OBJECTIVES: To analyze stakeholder experiences in implementing CF in practice.METHODS: Public and private stakeholders were approached for participation in stakeholder interviews through standardized email invitations. An interview guide was developed to guide discussions that covered the following topics: perceived aims of CF, functioning of CF, impact of CF, and conclusions and future perspectives. Extensive summaries were generated for each interview and subsequently used for directed content analysis.RESULTS: Thirty stakeholders were interviewed. Differences emerged among the stakeholders on the perceived aims of CF. Conversely, there was some agreement among stakeholders on the shortcomings in the functioning of CF, the positive impact of CF on the Dutch healthcare setting, and improvement points for CF.CONCLUSIONS: Despite stakeholders' belief that CF either did not meet its aims or only partially did so, there was agreement on the need for new policy to address the same aims of CF in the future. Nevertheless, stakeholders diverged on whether CF should be improved on the basis of learnings identified and reintroduced into practice or replaced with new policy schemes.

Several model-based, analytical approaches have been developed recently to deal with the deep uncertainty present in situations for which futures studies are conducted. These approaches focus on covering a wide variety of scenarios and searching for robust strategies. However, they generally do not take the multiplicity of stakeholder perspectives into account in analytic terms, which could bring in diverse opinions and views, not only on possible futures but also on values and interests. In this study, we present an approach to incorporate stakeholder perspectives into model-based scenarios for exploring the future dynamics of the Dutch gas sector. The results demonstrate that the scenario space can be demarcated according to the perspectives. This allows for a systematic comparison of the perspectives and provides a basis for identification of robust strategies. Also, the analysis shows that incompatible elements between the model and perspectives, or within perspectives can be identified. This provides insights about the problem complexity and potential barriers to the futures envisioned by the perspectives. Future research can strengthen this approach by involving stakeholders in modelling and in the model-based representation of the perspective narratives to enhance learning and credibility, and can extend the analysis to identify (socially) robust policies., Policy Analysis

Non-compliance is a major urban planning challenge in Ghana. Based on in-depth interviews with key stakeholders, the paper examines the complex and multifaceted factors that contribute to low or non-compliance with building permit regulations and planning standards in Accra and its environs. The paper uses the interviews to assess potential responses to the problem of non-compliance and its negative impacts. In doing so the paper contributes to wider knowledge and debate about the challenges of planning enforcement in contexts where regulatory power is weak and variable. Suggestions are made for overcoming barriers to planning compliance in the Accra-Tema city-region. It is hoped that such an examination of the issues from multiple stakeholders’ perspectives will improve the knowledge of the dynamics of non-compliance so as to initiate effective planning strategies to address the problem. The paper makes specific recommendations to improve planning practices in the Accra-Tema city-region.

Concerns have been raised about the impact Australia’s national standardised testing, the National Assessment Program-Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN), has upon the well-being of students, parents and teachers. To date, research evidence is unclear as to the level and extent of emotional distress experienced by stakeholders during testing. Despite an unclear evidence base, the prevailing view is that NAPLAN has a general negative impact upon stakeholder well-being. In a pilot study that surveyed all stakeholder groups across 11 independent schools in Western Australia, we found evidence of a minimal impact from the testing. We also found evidence for a small positive association between student and parent distress during testing, and a moderate positive association between parent and teacher distress during testing and their estimations regarding how NAPLAN impacts other people. Our results are not consistent with the prevailing view that NAPLAN has a broad negative impact on well-being, and highlights the need for further research to inform debates about the usefulness and impact of NAPLAN testing.

Section of Policy, Organisation, Law and Gaming, Systems Engineering, Policy Analysis and Management, Technology, Policy and Management

Theoretically, co-management provides a fruitful way to engage local residents in efforts to conserve and manage particular spaces of ecological value. However, natural resource management, and biodiversity conservation in particular, are faced with novel sets of complexities in the rapidly urbanizing areas of Cape Town, South Africa, and in the nexus between an apartheid past, informal settlements, remnant biodiversity patches, and urban poverty. Departing from such a dynamic social and ecological context, this article first provides an historical account of the decade-long comanagement process at Macassar Dunes, and then considers, through stakeholder perceptions, what are the successes and failures of the contested process. We find that comanagement at Macassar Dunes faces serious legitimacy, trust, and commitment issues, but also that stakeholders find common ground on education and awareness-raising activities. In conclusion we argue that the knowledge generated from case studies like this is useful in challenging and rethinking natural resource management theory generally, but specifically it is useful for the growing cities of the Global South. More case studies and a deeper engagement are needed with geographical theories on the urban fringe as possibility space, to help build a firm empirical base for theorizing comanagement at the fringes, i.e., at the intersection of poverty, socioeconomic inequality, and high biodiversity and ecological values., AuthorCount:2

The question posed in this study was whether local government is held accountable for their financial management, efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability and if local government reports contribute to this. In this study perceptions of how residents form their views about the performance of their local government were gained by interviewing residents and senior managers. Three local governments differing in the size of the organisation, the demography of the residents, and their urban environment took part in the study. A qualitative methodology within the constructivist paradigm was used with the rigour of the study being judged in terms of its method and analysis, and the findings and recommendations assessed against quality criteria particularly its usefulness in the real world of local government.Using a grounded research approach, the study found that residents’ perceptions of local government are highly subjective and influenced by many factors including trust in the local government, personal experience, public perceptions and personal values. Using economics of information theory in which the cost of information is balanced against the benefits of the information, residents’ behaviour was classified into four categories: detached, vicarious, specific purpose and engaged. A tentative model of assurance emerged from the findings. The model provides a means of explaining the personal, institutional and exogenous conditions that affect the benefits and cost to residents of performance information. The emergent model was used to understand issues about the accountability of local government, and implications for community engagement, models of management and local government sustainability programmes.

An investigation due to adverse outcomes in a computer incident encapsulates stakeholders acting in specific roles. These stakeholders will have a unique worldview, based upon their association with other actors or the items of evidence. The worldviews of each actor will lean either side of neutrality towards either the prosecution or defense perspective. This paper discusses the inclusion of stakeholder perspectives into a traditional university program for a digital forensic curriculum.

The safe and appropriate application of restraint in residential programs is a challenge in countries throughout the world. Efforts to minimize or regulate restraint use are often emphasized. However, little is known about restraint practice or prevention across youth residential programs. This study examined variation in restraint rate and type, stakeholders’ views, and restraint reduction efforts in these programs. Using incident report records and qualitative stakeholder interviews from nine agencies, we found substantial variation on every dimension of restraint use. While stakeholders valued restraints for maintaining safety, strategies to minimize this tool were recommended.

This is an Author's Accepted Manuscript of: Rogers, S. L., Barblett, L., & Robinson, K. (2016). Investigating the impact of NAPLAN on student, parent and teacher emotional distress in independent schools. The Australian Educational Researcher, 43(3), 327-343. The final publication is Available at link.springer.com here

Performance management of social work and social care services, complemented by effective regulation, is viewed as key to improving delivery and providing public assurance about care quality, and the value of listening to stakeholders as contributors to the knowledge base has long been recognised. The evidence base as it relates to stakeholders’ experiences of regulation, however, has not been comprehensively explored. Many studies seek the views of stakeholders in the development of individual services, yet fewer studies seek their views in shaping regulatory methodology. The rationale for this research was to contribute to a knowledge base from evidence using an empirical approach and to contribute to better understanding of regulation from the perspectives of stakeholders. The research was undertaken using an explanatory sequential mixed methods design. For the quantitative phase, a descriptive analysis of data held by the regulator in relation to the evaluations of care services, improvement in evaluations over a specified period of time and the impact of complaints, requirements or enforcements on this performance was undertaken. Data in relation to inspection satisfaction questionnaires was also descriptively analysed. Findings from the quantitative phase informed the qualitative phase. The qualitative phase began with a co-productive approach involving ten individuals: both regulatory staff and inspection volunteers. Themes arising from their responses, complemented by the findings from previous research phases, then informed the design of individual interviews with six service providers. A thematic analysis was undertaken for both parts of the qualitative phase. The research demonstrated some contradictory views between regulators and those being regulated. Regulators described building positive relationships with services within a model of responsive regulation. Service providers experienced a bureaucratic process with a compliance focus and relationships i

Performance management of social work and social care services, complemented by effective regulation, is viewed as key to improving delivery and providing public assurance about care quality, and the value of listening to stakeholders as contributors to the knowledge base has long been recognised. The evidence base as it relates to stakeholders’ experiences of regulation, however, has not been comprehensively explored. Many studies seek the views of stakeholders in the development of individual services, yet fewer studies seek their views in shaping regulatory methodology. The rationale for this research was to contribute to a knowledge base from evidence using an empirical approach and to contribute to better understanding of regulation from the perspectives of stakeholders. The research was undertaken using an explanatory sequential mixed methods design. For the quantitative phase, a descriptive analysis of data held by the regulator in relation to the evaluations of care services, improvement in evaluations over a specified period of time and the impact of complaints, requirements or enforcements on this performance was undertaken. Data in relation to inspection satisfaction questionnaires was also descriptively analysed. Findings from the quantitative phase informed the qualitative phase. The qualitative phase began with a co-productive approach involving ten individuals: both regulatory staff and inspection volunteers. Themes arising from their responses, complemented by the findings from previous research phases, then informed the design of individual interviews with six service providers. A thematic analysis was undertaken for both parts of the qualitative phase. The research demonstrated some contradictory views between regulators and those being regulated. Regulators described building positive relationships with services within a model of responsive regulation. Service providers experienced a bureaucratic process with a compliance focus and relationships i