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Article
Publication date: 1 May 2005

Brenda Coldwell

Offering controlled drinking as opposed to abstinence‐only treatment continues to cause controversy in the alcohol field. Typically, the US diverges from Europe on the feasibility…

Abstract

Offering controlled drinking as opposed to abstinence‐only treatment continues to cause controversy in the alcohol field. Typically, the US diverges from Europe on the feasibility of controlled drinking as a treatment goal ‐ in the US alcohol dependence is typically depicted as a ‘recurring disease’ and the ‘successful abstainer’ as a ‘recovering’ though never ‘recovered’ alcoholic. Here Brenda Coldwell, an experienced clinician in the alcohol field, offers a critical review of the persistence of old arguments and, in doing so, proposes the provision of abstinence and controlled drinking in the name of ‘best clinical practice’. For if we don't, as Coldwell argues, people will do as they have always done and make their own choices ‐ but without the benefit of tried and tested therapeutic interventions.

Details

Drugs and Alcohol Today, vol. 5 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1745-9265

Article
Publication date: 1 April 2004

Brenda Coldwell

Harm minimisation still gets a rough ride in some circles. In the US, harm minimisation is still seen as a failure among many professionals ‐ where abstinence‐based Alcoholic and…

Abstract

Harm minimisation still gets a rough ride in some circles. In the US, harm minimisation is still seen as a failure among many professionals ‐ where abstinence‐based Alcoholic and Narcotics Anonymous still hold the sway in public and political opinion. But what about the UK? Surely we have a more balanced view and put clients' needs before professional dogma. Not so says Brenda Coldwell. She reveals why some professionals are fighting to get controlled drinking back on the agenda and advocating something the drug treatment field takes for granted ‐ she makes the case for client‐centred alcohol treatment.

Details

Drugs and Alcohol Today, vol. 4 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1745-9265

Article
Publication date: 9 January 2018

Brenda Scholtz, Andre Calitz and Ross Haupt

Higher education institutions (HEIs) face a number of challenges in effectively managing and reporting on sustainability information, such as siloes of data and a limited…

2415

Abstract

Purpose

Higher education institutions (HEIs) face a number of challenges in effectively managing and reporting on sustainability information, such as siloes of data and a limited distribution of information. Business intelligence (BI) can assist in addressing the challenges faced by organisations. The purpose of this study was to propose a BI framework for strategic sustainability information management (the Sustainable BI Framework) that can be used in HEIs.

Design/methodology/approach

The research applied the design science research methodology whilst using a South African HEI as a case study. The problems with sustainability information management were identified, and a theoretical framework was proposed. In addition, a practical BI software tool was developed as proof of concept to address these problems and to assist with the management of strategic sustainability information in an HEI.

Findings

The proposed sustainability BI tool was evaluated through heuristic and usability evaluations with senior management. The results indicated that the usability of the BI tool was positively rated and that the framework can assist in overcoming the constraints that HEIs face in effectively managing sustainability information.

Research limitations/implications

The research was limited to a single case. However, the theoretical framework was derived from and expanded on existing stakeholder theory, sustainability reporting theory and literature on BI dashboard development. The framework was implemented successfully in the Sustainable BI Tool prototype at the case study, and the results reveal in-depth information regarding information management for sustainability reporting in higher education.

Practical implications

The Sustainable BI Tool is a solution that integrates data from multiple areas of sustainability and provides a single integrated view of the information to stakeholders. The information is provided through performance dashboards, which provide predictive capabilities to enable management to report on sustainability and determine if the institution is meeting its strategic goals. The lessons learnt can also assist other HEIs considering implementing BI for sustainability reporting.

Social implications

Improved sustainability reporting for HEIs provided by the BI framework can improve the environmental and social impact of the educational community.

Originality/value

This study provides the most comprehensive framework for guiding the design of a BI tool to assist in effectively managing sustainability information in HEIs.

Details

International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, vol. 19 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1467-6370

Keywords

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