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1 – 10 of 365
Article
Publication date: 1 May 1993

Ala Szczepura, Carol Davies, Joy Fletcher and Aziz Boussofiane

Describes the exploratory use of a statistical technique called data envelopment analysis (DEA), which has been widely used in other parts of the service sector, to measure the…

Abstract

Describes the exploratory use of a statistical technique called data envelopment analysis (DEA), which has been widely used in other parts of the service sector, to measure the efficiency of 52 general practices in three health districts, serving 378,500 patients (78 per cent of the resident population). DEA identified over half (60 per cent) of the 52 practices as less than 100 per cent efficient, with 25 per cent potentially capable of large increases in activity without higher resource levels. There was no significant relationship between efficiency and whether partnerships were training practices, computerized, holding regular meetings, or the total list size, or age structure of practice populations except that multi‐site practices were found to be significantly more efficient as list size increased. DEA efficiency ratings were compared with a proxy for effectiveness (the ability of practices to reach target levels set in the new GP contract). Practices which were below target levels before the new contract was introduced were far less likely to be able to reach these targets once the contract was in place if they had been classified by DEA as 100 per cent efficient (i.e. judged to be unable to achieve greater outputs without increased resources). More research effort now needs to be devoted to exploring the use of DEA in measuring efficiency in general practice, and to examining the relationship between measures of efficiency and effectiveness in primary care.

Details

Journal of Management in Medicine, vol. 7 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0268-9235

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 February 2023

Shelley Haines, Omar H. Fares, Myuri Mohan and Seung Hwan (Mark) Lee

This study aims to examine YouTube comments relevant to sustainable fashion posted on fashion haul videos over the past decade (2011–2021). It is guided by two research questions…

2264

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine YouTube comments relevant to sustainable fashion posted on fashion haul videos over the past decade (2011–2021). It is guided by two research questions: (1) How have sustainable fashion-related comments posted on YouTube fashion haul videos changed over time? and (2) What themes are relevant to sustainable fashion in the comments posted on fashion haul videos?

Design/methodology/approach

A data set of comments from 110 fashion haul videos posted on YouTube was refined to only include comments with keywords related to sustainable fashion. Leximancer, a machine learning technique, was employed to identify concepts within the data and co-occurrences between concepts. Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count software was employed to assess the prevalence of concepts and identify sentiment over time.

Findings

Over the decade, the authors identified increased comments and conversations relevant to sustainable fashion. For instance, conversations surrounding sustainable fashion were linked to “waste” and “addicted” between 2011 and 2013, which evolved to include “environment” and “clothes” between 2014 and 2016, to “buy” and “workers” between 2017 and 2019 and “sustainable” between 2020 and 2021, demonstrating the changes in conversation topics over time.

Practical implications

With increasing engagement from YouTube viewers on sustainable fashion, retail-affiliated content that promotes sustainable fashion is proposed as one approach to engage viewers and promote sustainable practices in the fashion industry, whereby content creators can partner with retailers to feature products and educate viewers on the benefits of sustainable fashion.

Originality/value

The findings suggest that consumers are becoming more aware of and responsive to sustainable fashion. The originality of this research stems from identifying the source of this interest.

Details

Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management: An International Journal, vol. 27 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1361-2026

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 September 1996

Carol Davies, Joy Fletcher, Ala Szczepura and John Wilmot

Since 1990, the changes introduced in UK general practice, such as fund holding and national incentives, have altered the process of care. Audit, defined as “the systematic…

793

Abstract

Since 1990, the changes introduced in UK general practice, such as fund holding and national incentives, have altered the process of care. Audit, defined as “the systematic critical analysis of the quality of medical care, including the procedures used for diagnosis and treatment, the use of resources, and the resulting outcome and quality of life for patients”, is one method of monitoring change and raising standards. Presents a successful co‐ordinated audit in Warwickshire, 1991‐1993, involving 53 general practices. Highlights the influence of attitudes and communications within practices on the success of audit strategies. Associates aspects of practice culture, such as team working and decision‐making processes, with successful audit. Postulates six descriptive practice types, largely related to cultural factors. Suggests that if cultural factors within practices are identified, external assistance with audit may be more focused and effective.

Details

International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, vol. 9 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0952-6862

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 2004

Ronald J. Burke, Zena Burgess and Fay Oberrlaid

This study examined the relationship of male psychologists’ perception of organizational values supporting work‐personal life balance in their workplace and their work…

1078

Abstract

This study examined the relationship of male psychologists’ perception of organizational values supporting work‐personal life balance in their workplace and their work experiences, indicators of work and life satisfaction and psychological well‐being. Data were collected from 134 men using anonymous questionnaires. Male psychologists reporting organizational values more supportive of work‐personal life balance also reported more joy in work, less job stress, lower intentions to quit, greater job, and career and more optimistic career prospects, satisfaction, fewer psychosomatic symptoms and more positive emotional and physical well‐being. Interestingly, organizational values supporting balance had no relationship with hours worked on job involvement.

Details

Equal Opportunities International, vol. 23 no. 1/2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0261-0159

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 August 2022

Edward C. Fletcher, Erik M. Hines, Donna Y. Ford, Tarek C. Grantham and James L. Moore III

This paper aims to examine the role of school stakeholders (e.g. advisory board members, school administrators, parents, teachers and school board members) at a 99% black academy…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the role of school stakeholders (e.g. advisory board members, school administrators, parents, teachers and school board members) at a 99% black academy in promoting the achievement and broadening participation of high school black students in engineering career pathways.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors followed a qualitative case study design to explore the experiences of school stakeholders (e.g. students, district and school personnel and community partners) associated with the implementation of the career academy (Stake, 2006; Yin, 1994).

Findings

The authors found that the school relied heavily on the support of the community in the form of an advisory board – including university faculty and industry leaders – to actively develop culturally responsive strategies (e.g. American College Test preparation, work-based learning opportunities) to ensure the success of black students interested in pursuing career pathways in engineering. Thus, school stakeholders in the academy of engineering served as authentic leaders who inspired academy students by serving as role models and setting examples through what they do as engineering professionals. It was quite evident that the joy and fulfillment that these authentic leaders gained from using their talents directly or indirectly inspired students in the academy to seek out and cultivate the talents they are good at and passionate about as well (Debebe, 2017). Moreover, the career academy provided environmental or sociocultural conditions that promoted the development of learners’ gifts and talents (Plucker and Barab, 2005). Within that context, the goals of career academy school stakeholders were to support students in the discovery of what they are good at doing and to structure their educational experiences to cultivate their gifts into talents.

Research limitations/implications

It is also important to acknowledge that this study is not generalizable to the one million career academy students across the nation. Yet, the authors believe researchers should continue to examine the career academy advisory board as a source of capital for engaging and preparing diverse learners for success post-high school. Further research is needed to investigate how advisory boards support students’ in school and postsecondary outcomes, particularly for diverse students.

Practical implications

The authors highlight promising practices for schools to implement in establishing a diverse talent pipeline.

Social implications

On a theoretical level, the authors found important insights into the possibility of black students benefiting from a culturally responsive advisory board that provided social and cultural capital (e.g. aspirational, navigational and social) resources for their success.

Originality/value

While prior researchers have studied the positive impact of teachers in career academies as a contributor to social capital for students (Lanford and Maruco, 2019) and what diverse students bring to the classroom as a form of capital Debebe(Yosso, 2005), research has not identified the role of the advisory board (in its efforts to connect the broader community) as a vehicle for equipping ethnically and racially diverse students who come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds with social capital. Within that sense, the authors believe the advisory board at Stanton Academy relied on what the authors term local community capital to provide resources and supports for black students’ successful transition from high school into science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)-related college and career pathways.

Article
Publication date: 1 March 1992

John Conway O'Brien

A collection of essays by a social economist seeking to balanceeconomics as a science of means with the values deemed necessary toman′s finding the good life and society enduring…

1171

Abstract

A collection of essays by a social economist seeking to balance economics as a science of means with the values deemed necessary to man′s finding the good life and society enduring as a civilized instrumentality. Looks for authority to great men of the past and to today′s moral philosopher: man is an ethical animal. The 13 essays are: 1. Evolutionary Economics: The End of It All? which challenges the view that Darwinism destroyed belief in a universe of purpose and design; 2. Schmoller′s Political Economy: Its Psychic, Moral and Legal Foundations, which centres on the belief that time‐honoured ethical values prevail in an economy formed by ties of common sentiment, ideas, customs and laws; 3. Adam Smith by Gustav von Schmoller – Schmoller rejects Smith′s natural law and sees him as simply spreading the message of Calvinism; 4. Pierre‐Joseph Proudhon, Socialist – Karl Marx, Communist: A Comparison; 5. Marxism and the Instauration of Man, which raises the question for Marx: is the flowering of the new man in Communist society the ultimate end to the dialectical movement of history?; 6. Ethical Progress and Economic Growth in Western Civilization; 7. Ethical Principles in American Society: An Appraisal; 8. The Ugent Need for a Consensus on Moral Values, which focuses on the real dangers inherent in there being no consensus on moral values; 9. Human Resources and the Good Society – man is not to be treated as an economic resource; man′s moral and material wellbeing is the goal; 10. The Social Economist on the Modern Dilemma: Ethical Dwarfs and Nuclear Giants, which argues that it is imperative to distinguish good from evil and to act accordingly: existentialism, situation ethics and evolutionary ethics savour of nihilism; 11. Ethical Principles: The Economist′s Quandary, which is the difficulty of balancing the claims of disinterested science and of the urge to better the human condition; 12. The Role of Government in the Advancement of Cultural Values, which discusses censorship and the funding of art against the background of the US Helms Amendment; 13. Man at the Crossroads draws earlier themes together; the author makes the case for rejecting determinism and the “operant conditioning” of the Skinner school in favour of the moral progress of autonomous man through adherence to traditional ethical values.

Details

International Journal of Social Economics, vol. 19 no. 3/4/5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0306-8293

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 24 July 2019

Kerry McGannon

To explore the discursive construction of disordered eating and athlete identity meanings within elite female athlete’s stories. Published athlete autobiographies were…

Abstract

Purpose

To explore the discursive construction of disordered eating and athlete identity meanings within elite female athlete’s stories. Published athlete autobiographies were interrogated as cultural sites of analysis to accomplish this aim.

Approach

A critical social constructionist perspective on disordered eating is outlined along with narrative research findings on female athletes and disordered eating. A discursive psychological approach and critical discourse analysis (CDA) is then discussed to theorize and study meanings of disordered eating and athlete identities/subject positions. Next, the utility of studying two elite female athlete’s autobiographies is outlined followed by examples from a CDA of two athlete stories.

Findings

Two discourses and two identity/subject positions within each are outlined: discourse of performance and the “committed, controlled athlete” and a discourse of personal growth and the “empowered athlete in transition.” The features of each discourse and subject position are outlined and examples from each athlete’s story. The intention is to show the ways in which discursive resources construct the body, food and identities in sport and the implications.

Implications

The chapter is concluded with why studying “disordered eating and body talk” within discourses is useful to expand understanding of constraining and emancipative aspects of athlete identities, struggle and recovery.

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 21 May 2024

Michelle L. Damiani, Brad V. Unick and Karen-Joy Schultz

Professional development (PD) is an essential component of continuing learning for in-service teachers. This paper discusses a school-based example of using the best practice of…

Abstract

Purpose

Professional development (PD) is an essential component of continuing learning for in-service teachers. This paper discusses a school-based example of using the best practice of coaching in early childhood education supported by a professional development school partnership. We explain how a teacher identified need led to a collaborative, multistep approach to meeting that need in connection to State mandates.

Design/methodology/approach

In this research, we used a case study methodological approach with a team of preschool teachers at one school. The model combines use of PD sessions, classroom coaching, classroom observation and reflection.

Findings

Teachers’ feedback indicates that using the strategy positively impacted most of the participants’ ability to support communication, community-building and inclusive practices in their classrooms. The data that emerged in the following year evidenced increased use of visual supports in classrooms, use in connection with literacy goals and interest in creating new uses in the school.

Originality/value

This article contributes an action-oriented school-based example of bridging research to practice to support teachers’ needs through PD and coaching in a PDS. The design and practical implications may interest preschool educators, instructional coaches, administrators, professional development schools and others involved with monitoring teacher development initiatives.

Details

School-University Partnerships, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1935-7125

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 March 2010

Ronald Burke

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship of managerial and professional men's perception of organizational values supporting work‐personal life balance in their…

2411

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship of managerial and professional men's perception of organizational values supporting work‐personal life balance in their workplace and their work experiences, indicators of work and life satisfaction and psychological wellbeing.

Design/methodology/approach

Data are collected from 283 men using anonymous questionnaires.

Findings

Managerial men reporting organizational values more supportive of work‐personal life balance also report working fewer hours and extra hours, less job stress, greater joy in work, lower intentions to quit, greater job career and life satisfaction, fewer psychosomatic symptoms and more positive emotional and physical wellbeing.

Originality/value

This paper provides useful information on the relationship of managerial and professional men's perception of organizational values supporting work‐personal life balance in their workplace and their work experiences, indicators of work and life satisfaction and psychological wellbeing.

Details

Gender in Management: An International Journal, vol. 25 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1754-2413

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 2000

Ronald Burke

This study examined the relationship of managerial and professional men’s perception of organizational values supporting work‐personal life balance in their workplace and their…

3672

Abstract

This study examined the relationship of managerial and professional men’s perception of organizational values supporting work‐personal life balance in their workplace and their work experiences, indicators of work and life satisfaction and psychological wellbeing. Data were collected from 283 men using anonymous questionnaires. Managerial men reporting organizational values more supportive of work‐personal life balance also reported working fewer hours and extra hours, less job stress, greater joy in work, lower intentions to quit, greater job career and life satisfaction, fewer psychosomatic symptoms and more positive emotional and physical wellbeing.

Details

Women in Management Review, vol. 15 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0964-9425

Keywords

1 – 10 of 365