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Article
Publication date: 30 October 2007

Geoff Lightfoot and Simon Lilley

The purpose of this paper is to briefly explore some recent curious interlocking of the ideology of markets and the practice of policy.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to briefly explore some recent curious interlocking of the ideology of markets and the practice of policy.

Design/methodology/approach

This particular discursive combine has most visibly been apparent in the concatenated birth and death of the US Defense Department's so‐called “Policy Analysis Market” (PAM). Yet PAM is but the most notorious example of a more sustained and pervasive attempt to use the technologies and disciplines of markets to render policy both better informed and more amenable to control through robust and seemingly incontestable systems of accountability. Given its prominence, our way in is through a brief description of PAM's origins and demise.

Findings

It is found that PAM and its similar brethren of markets for use in policy formation and judgement are less concerned with the capture of reality and more with the disciplining power of a curious “objectivity”.

Originality/value

Projects such as PAM are thus not easily challengeable on grounds of their veracity. Rather research that seeks to interrogate the use of market technologies in policy must look to their context and effects.

Details

International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, vol. 27 no. 11/12
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-333X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 August 1999

T.D. Wilson

This paper presents an outline of models of information seeking and other aspects of information behaviour, showing the relationship between communication and information…

41889

Abstract

This paper presents an outline of models of information seeking and other aspects of information behaviour, showing the relationship between communication and information behaviour in general with information seeking and information searching in information retrieval systems. It is suggested that these models address issues at various levels of information behaviour and that they can be related by envisaging a ‘nesting’ of models. It is also suggested that, within both information seeking research and information searching research, alternative models address similar issues in related ways and that the models are complementary rather than conflicting. Finally, an alternative, problem‐solving model is presented, which, it is suggested, provides a basis for relating the models in appropriate research strategies.

Details

Journal of Documentation, vol. 55 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0022-0418

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 1997

Michael I. Dixon

The insurance industry both in the UK and abroad uses a variety of measures to counter fraud. This short paper, as well as examining these measures, will report on the apparent…

Abstract

The insurance industry both in the UK and abroad uses a variety of measures to counter fraud. This short paper, as well as examining these measures, will report on the apparent success the industry is having against fraudsters in the UK. In addition to this some of the more noteworthy cases will be reported upon in order to inform the reader of the differing types of frauds which may be encountered.

Details

Journal of Financial Crime, vol. 4 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1359-0790

Article
Publication date: 18 March 2021

Bokolo Anthony Jnr.

The aim of this study is to develop a model grounded by the institutional theory to investigate blended learning (BL) implementation among faculty members in higher education and…

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study is to develop a model grounded by the institutional theory to investigate blended learning (BL) implementation among faculty members in higher education and further validate the model.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative methodology was employed, and data were gathered through questionnaires among 188 e-learning directors, managers and coordinators at faculty/department in institutions, which implement BL.

Findings

Findings reveal that BL implementation by faculty members is significantly influenced by coercive, normative and mimetic pressures. Findings from this study also identified institutional initiatives that influence BL implementation. Accordingly, findings from this study provide insights into the institutional theory perspective toward BL. The findings support higher education to plan and initiate BL policies.

Research limitations/implications

Data were collected from faculty members in universities, colleges and polytechnics only. Besides, this research is one of the limited studies that explore BL deployment from the lens of faculty members.

Practical implications

This research contributes to the existing literature on the institutional theory and BL by presenting significant initiatives as practical suggestions for educationalist and policymakers. Therefore, this study provides practical implications to better understand BL initiatives by providing insights into how institutions can improve faculty members' satisfaction levels, improving course management, enriching teaching quality and enhancing learning content.

Social implications

The findings provided in this study can be employed to design practices, policies and a culture that support continuance use of BL systems among faculty members to achieve an effective institutional outcome.

Originality/value

This study contributes to existing BL adoption and develops a model to examine faculty member implementation of BL approach. This research has several suggestions for higher education in terms of practice to support adoption of BL. The developed model can also be employed by academics, administration and institutions to determine success initiatives for achieving an appropriate change in adopting BL in their institutions.

Details

Education + Training, vol. 63 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0040-0912

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 May 1939

It is a well known fact that bacteria play a large part in the success or failure of the satisfactory production of dairy products, but the role of yeasts and moulds should not be…

Abstract

It is a well known fact that bacteria play a large part in the success or failure of the satisfactory production of dairy products, but the role of yeasts and moulds should not be overlooked. These living organisms, commonly known as fungi, are the next higher form of life in the vegetable world after the bacteria stage. Their form of growth resembles the growth of plants in that they reproduce by budding, and their spores, analogous to the seeds of plants, are the means whereby many species propagate further generations. The yeast cell is much larger than the ordinary bacterium, so that it is possible to study them with the aid of much lower magnifications. When grown on solid media the yeasts give colonies not unlike those of bacteria except that the edges of the colonies are less defined, the colonies themselves project well above the surface of the media, and their surfaces are usually of a rough appearance. A good example of mould growth is that of the ordinary “green mould.”—Yeasts usually prefer to grow on the surface of liquids, and moulds are found to grow most vigourously on solid or semi‐solid media, such as meat, cheese, butter, etc. The growth of bacteria in the media hinders the simultaneous growth of the fungi, so that it is only after the media has become too acid for the growth of bacteria that yeasts and moulds are able to grow. In support of this theory it has been found that fungi will grow on the surface of sterile milk, but ordinary fresh milk containing bacteria is not a suitable media as the fungi cannot compete with the bacteria. It is found, therefore, that only bacteria proliferate in fresh milk. However, when milk has become sour bacterial growth is arrested, and it is then that mould growth becomes perceptible. The fungi tolerate a relatively large amount of acid. Media used for their cultivation is generally standardised to a ph of about 4.5. The optimum temperature for their growth is in the region of 75°–90° F. Some species will grow at 32° F., others even below this temperature. Low temperatures are not lethal to the fungi, so that when infected products are removed from cold storage growth may occur. The temperatures required to kill them and their spores generally falls between 130°–180° F. Most yeasts are killed at temperatures above 120° F., while their spores may have to be exposed to higher temperatures.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 41 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Article
Publication date: 1 April 1951

C.W. HANSON

In an organization of medium size (say 6–10 people) the staff can reasonably include at least one qualified librarian and one person with subject qualifications. This makes…

Abstract

In an organization of medium size (say 6–10 people) the staff can reasonably include at least one qualified librarian and one person with subject qualifications. This makes possible a division of work into two broad types: library work; and technical enquiry work. Further sub‐division is possible and usually desirable, the ideal being that each person should be a specialist in one job (or group of jobs) and responsible for it, but capable of doing also (during holiday periods, etc.) at least one other person's work.

Details

Aslib Proceedings, vol. 3 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0001-253X

Article
Publication date: 1 August 1912

In the North Hiding of Yorkshire a number of samples of lardine were examined during the second quarter. Four of these samples contained water to the extent of 24, 25, and 26 per…

Abstract

In the North Hiding of Yorkshire a number of samples of lardine were examined during the second quarter. Four of these samples contained water to the extent of 24, 25, and 26 per cent. respectively. One case was taken into court, but the magistrates dismissed the information. They were of opinion that there being no statutory standard for lardine they could not fix the percentage of water that was permissible. An appeal was made to the High Court, and eventually the case was referred back to the magistrates to determine whether or not there was adulteration.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 14 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Article
Publication date: 1 July 2002

Ray Chu

This study aims to compare the customer satisfaction index (CSI) based on two approaches: stated‐importance and derived‐importance approaches. The stated‐importance approach uses…

6355

Abstract

This study aims to compare the customer satisfaction index (CSI) based on two approaches: stated‐importance and derived‐importance approaches. The stated‐importance approach uses both importance and performance scores in constructing the CSI, while the derived‐importance approach uses regression analysis to derive the betas for calculating CSI. The results show that the stated‐importance approach has achieved a higher CSI (79.1 percent) than that of the derived‐importance approach (57.4 percent). Both approaches find that the aspects of rooms and employees are the most important factors in driving customer satisfaction. Strengths and weaknesses of the two approaches are discussed.

Details

Journal of Services Marketing, vol. 16 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0887-6045

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 1976

JAMES A. HANSON

The Leading Sector interpretation of development originates from the observation that all multisectoral economies exhibit a certain degree of intersectoral interdependence…

Abstract

The Leading Sector interpretation of development originates from the observation that all multisectoral economies exhibit a certain degree of intersectoral interdependence, through either the incomes generated in each sector and the corresponding final demand for other products, or through interindustry relations. The sectors in such an economy grow at different rates, as determined by the product of the appropriate income elasticities of demand and the overall growth rate, the latter factor being the weighted sum of the sectoral rates. However in a stagnant economy, as opposed to a dynamic one, even the fastest growing sectors are undynamic. To increase the overall growth rate, the foremost proponents of the leading strategy— Hirschman and Currie—recommend an increase in the growth rate of a few, key, potentially dynamic sectors; then the rest of the economy will be pulled along through the intersectoral relations.

Details

Journal of Economic Studies, vol. 3 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-3585

Article
Publication date: 1 June 1991

P.S. Sudarsanam

Takeovers play an important role in the allocation of re‐sources to the most efficient uses and represent a mech‐anism by which corporate resources are transferred from one…

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Abstract

Takeovers play an important role in the allocation of re‐sources to the most efficient uses and represent a mech‐anism by which corporate resources are transferred from one management team to another (Jensen and Ruback, 1983). A result of this managerial displacement is expected to be an increase in shareholder wealth. This argument pre‐supposes that managers attempting takeovers are motivated to create value for shareholders. This picture of managerial disinterestedness in the service of share‐holders ignores potential agency conflicts between man‐agers and shareholders. When faced with a takeover bid, which if successful may lead to its own displacement, the management team at the target may devise ways of frus‐trating the bid.

Details

Managerial Finance, vol. 17 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0307-4358

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