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1 – 6 of 6In this article, we return to a piece of work we did with two NHS trusts in the mid 1990s that focused squarely on tackling institutional racism. We do this for two reasons…
Abstract
In this article, we return to a piece of work we did with two NHS trusts in the mid 1990s that focused squarely on tackling institutional racism. We do this for two reasons. First, because we feel that the current context for equalities may be obscuring the need to continue to find ways to tackle institutional racism. Second, we brought together very achievable survey and group work techniques in a co‐produced process, which makes tackling institutional racism less laden with rhetoric and much more of a practical proposition. This article articulates a three‐staged approach to identifying racism operating inside the trusts, an appraisal of the experience of black patients and the development of learning groups. In these learning groups, black and white practitioners and managers engaged with each other on their impacts and relationships with black patients, thereby changing their practices with all patients. What achieves equality of health service response from this experience is the creation of an environment in which practitioners can become self‐motivated in re‐working ‘with and for themselves’ the way they work with patients based on a recognition of racial identities in service relationships.
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The paper aims to present the main perspectives and conclusions of a doctoral research in the history and philosophy of science conducted in France and Austria by the author on…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to present the main perspectives and conclusions of a doctoral research in the history and philosophy of science conducted in France and Austria by the author on the project of “general systemology” (or “general system theory”) instigated by Ludwig von Bertalanffy.
Design/methodology/approach
A genealogical enquiry accounts for its scientific, philosophical and more generally cultural origins. Its genesis in Bertalanffy's works between 1926 and 1944 is explained. The process that led it to become a collective project is then discussed: the history of the Society for General Systems Research is considered, the ambivalence of its role with regard to general systemology being demonstrated. Finally, the unity of the diverse contributions to the latter's development is asserted in a framework put forward by the author in order to account for its structure and functions.
Findings
While stating a comprehensive view of its history, the paper characterizes general systemology as the project of a general science of systemic interpretation of the “real” which remains topical, although it was never fully actualized.
Originality/value
A new insight is thus provided on the scope and meaning of this hermeneutics: it meets the contemporary need for a better understanding of the foundations of systems research.
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Diseases due to nutritional deficiencies might well be considered something from the poverty and grime of Victorian times and unknown to the people of this affluent society. It…
Abstract
Diseases due to nutritional deficiencies might well be considered something from the poverty and grime of Victorian times and unknown to the people of this affluent society. It may come as a shock to many people, therefore, to learn that the rising incidence of rickets among the young in some of our big cities is causing grave concern; that iron deficiency anaemia, not altogether uncommon in women and in the undernourished but rarely of any great severity, is being found in a much more severe form in a great many West Indian infants, the hæmoglobin frequently not amounting to 50%; and that among the many skin lesions of coloured children there is at least the suggestion of riboflavin and perhaps other vitamin deficiencies. All this despite the blessings of the welfare state and a half‐century of local authority personal health services. It casts no reflection on these services, however; their work has resulted in vastly improved child health in this country, which speaks for itself.
The purpose of this paper is to identify the practical value and leadership applications of the 12 virtues of the Lakota (Sioux) nation and their importance for ethical leaders in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify the practical value and leadership applications of the 12 virtues of the Lakota (Sioux) nation and their importance for ethical leaders in the modern world.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper describes and briefly summarizes each of the 12 Lakota virtues and presents parallel insights from the leadership literature in summarizing the ethically-related nature of the Lakota virtues.
Findings
The paper demonstrates that scholars in leadership affirm that the Lakota virtues have parallel scholarly support as important factors in ethical leadership.
Research limitations/implications
The paper affirms the importance of virtue-based leadership principles as a useful approach for modern leaders and demonstrates the wisdom and practical value of traditional Lakota perspectives. The opportunity to focus on the importance of virtue-based ethical leadership is reinforced.
Practical implications
Today’s current and would-be leaders can benefit by comparing their own perspectives about leadership with the 12 Lakota virtues. By examining their own behaviors and comparing them with the Lakota virtues, leaders and those who wish to lead can increase their understanding of the value of these virtues in the leader-follower relationship.
Social implications
The Lakota (Sioux) nation represents a noble people who were feared and respected. As Native Americans, the virtues of the Lakota nation greatly influenced the culture of this once great community of people, and the virtues that guided them and that continue to influence them today have practical value for modern society.
Originality/value
Little has been written in the management literature about the practical application of Native American virtues and values and the opportunity to revisit the implications of the Lakota virtues adds to the leadership literature and provides insights about this people.
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To evaluate the chances of success for Auchan in Russia, and draw conclusions for retail internationalisation theory.
Abstract
Purpose
To evaluate the chances of success for Auchan in Russia, and draw conclusions for retail internationalisation theory.
Design/methodology/approach
Provides a comprehensive analysis of the Russian retail landscape and emerging patterns of consumption, especially in the capital Moscow.
Findings
The success of Auchan's Russian venture will depend on the extent to which the retailer is able to leverage its three sources of competitive advantage in its domestic market, namely the hypermarket concept, the channel mix, and the environmental context. This in turn will be a function of its ability to exploit its retail marketing skills, distribution abilities, unique retail formula, strong retail brand, or a combination of these.
Research limitations/implications
The paper is not built on empirical data, but is speculative.
Originality/value
The paper's primary value lies in the call which it contains for a more eclectic conceptual framework underpinning retail internationalisation theory. Such a framework would reflect the importance of a firm's capital structure, and also pay greater attention to organisational dynamics. Attention to these issues would enable researchers to reflect more accurately the reality of the retail internationalisation process in emerging markets.
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