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1 – 10 of 92
Article
Publication date: 16 August 2021

David S. Timmons and Benjamin Weil

Many institutions of higher education have committed to carbon neutrality. Given this goal, the main economic issue is minimizing cost. As for society as a whole, dominant…

Abstract

Purpose

Many institutions of higher education have committed to carbon neutrality. Given this goal, the main economic issue is minimizing cost. As for society as a whole, dominant decarbonization strategies are renewable electricity generation, electrification of end uses and energy efficiency. The purpose of this paper is to describe the optimum combination of strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

There are four questions for eliminating the primary institutional greenhouse gas emissions: how much renewable electricity to produce on-site; where and at what price to purchase the balance of renewable electricity required; how to heat and cool buildings without fossil fuels; and how much to invest in energy efficiency. A method is presented to minimize decarbonization costs by equating marginal costs of the alternates.

Findings

The estimated cost of grid-purchased carbon-free energy is the most important benchmark, determining both the optimal level of campus-produced renewable energy and the optimum efficiency investment. In the context of complete decarbonization, greater efficiency investments may be justified than when individual measures are judged only by fossil-fuel savings.

Practical implications

This paper discusses a theoretically ideal plan and implementation issues such as purchasing carbon-free electricity, calculating marginal costs of conserved energy, nonmarginal cost changes, uncertainty about achieving efficiency targets, and dynamic pricing. The principles described in this study can be used to craft a cost-minimizing decarbonization strategy.

Originality/value

While previous studies discuss decarbonization strategies, there is little economic guidance on which strategies are optimal, on how to combine strategies to minimize cost or how to identify a preferred path to decarbonization.

Details

International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, vol. 23 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1467-6370

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 July 2010

Pauline Gill, Paul McKenna, Helen O'Neill, Johnny Thompson and David Timmons

The Central Mental Hospital in Ireland is one of the oldest forensic mental health units in Europe. The hospital is currently in the process of transforming from a single…

Abstract

The Central Mental Hospital in Ireland is one of the oldest forensic mental health units in Europe. The hospital is currently in the process of transforming from a single inpatient site to a modern national forensic mental health service. Central to this transformation is the need to move from the traditional security‐focused model of care to a model of recovery. The challenge incumbent within this transformation is to incorporate a sophisticated amalgamation of the patients' needs while recognising the broad range of security requirements in a forensic setting. This paper considered that adopting an integrated care pathway (ICP) approach would provide the service with a vehicle to re‐engineer our principles and systems of care. Likewise we hypothesised that the ICP would enable us to consolidate best practices such as multi‐ disciplinary working, structured professional judgement and the involvement of the patient and their carers. Thus far it has afforded us the opportunity to examine many aspects of the care delivered within the service. It has provided a shared understanding of key standards among clinicians, service users and carers that are necessary to implement a quality care pathway. It has certainly not been a stagnant process, and the initial work often bears no resemblance to the current process. In turn, we expect that it will continue to change as the path travelled is as important as the outcome and the ICP becomes a dynamic part of the organisation.

Details

The British Journal of Forensic Practice, vol. 12 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-6646

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 1994

David J. Brophy and Michael R. Haessler

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how probabilistic simulation can be used to assist prospective general partners (GP) and limited partners (LP) of a venture capital…

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how probabilistic simulation can be used to assist prospective general partners (GP) and limited partners (LP) of a venture capital limited partnership fund to evaluate alternative investment strategies for the proposed fund. The model presented in the paper is based upon observed characteristics of the venture capital market reported in the finance, economics, and management science literature. The body of the paper is organized as follows. In Section II we review the structural characteristics of the model. In Section III we present the results, in terms of ending wealth, obtained from simulating the fund's operations over its life under selected alternative investment strategies. In Section IV we show evaluations of the fund's simulated results under expected return, mean/variance and four moment approaches. In Section V, we present conclusions and implications of the results for financial management.

Details

Managerial Finance, vol. 20 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0307-4358

Article
Publication date: 1 April 2002

Jon Newton and David Gary Shreeve

A study of “the relationship between the characteristics and life experiences of entrepreneurs” has just been completed at the University of Derby. The four‐fold purpose of this…

Abstract

A study of “the relationship between the characteristics and life experiences of entrepreneurs” has just been completed at the University of Derby. The four‐fold purpose of this study, was to: identify and evaluate from existing literature the personal traits and characteristics of entrepreneurs and the main factors or life experiences which may affect their characteristics; identify from the authors primary research, the personal traits and characteristics of entrepreneurs; to identify from the authors primary research which factors or life experiences affect particularly the characteristics of entrepreneurs; and, finally, to assess whether there is any correlation between the characteristics and life experiences of the entrepreneurs investigated in this study and those identified by other academic studies.

Details

Journal of Research in Marketing and Entrepreneurship, vol. 4 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1471-5201

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 July 2000

Audrey Gilmore and David Carson

This paper advocates the merits of a holistic qualitative research method and analysis as being the most penetrative method for determining the decision making process of SME…

667

Abstract

This paper advocates the merits of a holistic qualitative research method and analysis as being the most penetrative method for determining the decision making process of SME owner‐managers. This holistic method is refined in use and illustrated in an example of assessing the processes and outcomes of SME decision making in respect of the “product” aspects of marketing activity. The methodology allows the range of important issues that may be expected to be inherent in how entrepreneur owner‐managers DO marketing to be identified; and to determine the quality of this decision making. This methodology could be used for other applications in a variety of marketing circumstances, and, indeed, a key feature of the methodology outlined in this paper is its flexibility and adaptability.

Details

Journal of Research in Marketing and Entrepreneurship, vol. 2 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1471-5201

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 1996

David Carson and Pauline Maclaran

The importance of customer service to the small firm together with how small firms can maximize their inherent strengths in this respect are considered. Current customer service…

Abstract

The importance of customer service to the small firm together with how small firms can maximize their inherent strengths in this respect are considered. Current customer service theories, which have developed with larger organizations in mind, are examined to assess how they may be adapted to have relevance for the smaller business. A conceptual model of customer service for small firms is outlined and applied to findings from an empirical study of 28 small firms.

Details

Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, vol. 3 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1462-6004

Article
Publication date: 24 March 2022

Basharat Hussain, Ada Hui, Stephen Timmons and Kennedy Nkhoma

This paper presents a thematic synthesis of mental health policies published in England from 1999 to 2020.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper presents a thematic synthesis of mental health policies published in England from 1999 to 2020.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper aims to present a thematic synthesis of mental health policies published in England from 1999 to 2020. The authors specifically focus on ethnicity-related mental health issues highlighted in policies, policy recommendations and performance measurements of policy implementation.

Findings

Findings from this synthesis demonstrate that ethnic mental health inequalities remain comparable over the past two decades. Ongoing issues include a lack of data on the ethnicity of mental health services users. Where data is available, these highlight ethnic inequalities in access to, experiences of and outcomes of mental health services, as well as a lack of cultural capability in health-care professionals. Policy recommendations have also remained the same during this time and include: collecting data on the ethnicity of service users, raising awareness of the cultural needs of Black and Minority ethnic populations amongst health-care professionals, recruiting BME staff into mental health care services and improving community engagement. The synthesis identified poor indicators of performance measurement on policy implementation and weak monitoring regimes.

Practical implications

The synthesis identified poor indicators of performance measurement on policy implementation and weak monitoring regimes.

Originality/value

This paper presents a thematic synthesis of mental health policies published in England from 1999 to 2020.

Article
Publication date: 8 February 2008

James Thomas Kunnanatt

David C. McClelland attributed India's slow economic development to the lack of people with the need for achievement (n‐ach). His argument is simple: if a nation develops a large…

1771

Abstract

Purpose

David C. McClelland attributed India's slow economic development to the lack of people with the need for achievement (n‐ach). His argument is simple: if a nation develops a large number of people – especially managers, leaders and entrepreneurs – who are driven by motives to achieve, to build and develop things, then that resource (achievement‐oriented people) will generate economic development. India today is on a growth trajectory. It has a vast repertory of engineering, technical and managerial talents. But does the country have the so‐called achievement‐oriented managers to lead its enterprises to excel and compete in the emerging world order? This study is an inquiry into this phenomenon.

Design/methodology/approach

The study draws a national sample of managers working in the banking sector and attempts to measure the distribution of achievement among them. The linkage between the achievement orientation of managers and their performance effectiveness is also explored.

Findings

Though limited by the size of the sample, the study findings reveal that Indian managers possess achievement orientation in considerable degrees and that the highest performers among them are the ones possessing the highest levels of achievement orientation. Furthermore, the study provides insights into how the attribute of achievement orientation operates in the Indian managerial work environment.

Originality/value

The findings make it possible to prognosticate that a transformation has occurred in the social fabric of India, equipping the country to be psychologically and entrepreneurially resourceful with achievement‐oriented managers. Evidence on the distribution of an achievement orientation among Indian managers could be a vital input for strategic managers and top management planning for business expansion and diversification in India.

Details

Journal of Management Development, vol. 27 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0262-1711

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 2001

David Rae and Mary Carswell

This paper summarises the conclusions from research which explores how people learn entrepreneurial behaviour. Although learning can be said to have a critical role in…

5496

Abstract

This paper summarises the conclusions from research which explores how people learn entrepreneurial behaviour. Although learning can be said to have a critical role in entrepreneurial achievement, the relationship is not well understood and, given the growing public policy emphasis which aims to stimulate entrepreneurship through formal education, there is a need for a greater understanding of how entrepreneurial capabilities are developed through life and work. The primary research method is through life story interviews with people who have demonstrated entrepreneurial attainment in running business ventures. In‐depth interviews explored their stories of the learning they experienced during their careers and business ventures. From the interpretation and analysis of these narratives, a number of significant themes emerge which suggest how the respondents made sense of their experiences and developed their entrepreneurial capabilities. From these themes, a conceptual model which relates the development of entrepreneurial learning to entrepreneurial achievement is proposed.

Details

Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, vol. 8 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1462-6004

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 October 2002

John W. Mullins, David Forlani and Richard N. Cardozo

An experimental study was conducted in a sample of America’s most successful entrepreneurs and one of comparable large company managers to examine three research questions: Why do…

Abstract

An experimental study was conducted in a sample of America’s most successful entrepreneurs and one of comparable large company managers to examine three research questions: Why do some individuals choose riskier ventures than do others? Do managers and successful entrepreneurs perceive new venture risk and potential differently? What accounts for differences, if any, in their decision‐making behavior? The findings are equally interesting for the effects we found and did not find. We found that differences in risk propensity and in situational factors like the market competencies brought to a particular venture influence risky new venture decision‐making; that perceptions of new venture risk and potential differ between managers and successful entrepreneurs, though in a direction opposite to that we hypothesized; and that individual differences, rather than group‐level differences, are primarily responsible for the degree of risk taken by managers and successful entrepreneurs. Taken together, our results call for further research at the marketing/entrepreneurship interface and research into differences between managers and entrepreneurs, using samples of highly successful entrepreneurs and comparable managers in established firms.

Details

Journal of Research in Marketing and Entrepreneurship, vol. 4 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1471-5201

Keywords

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