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1 – 10 of 304Tavishi Bhasin, Charity Butcher, Elizabeth Gordon, Maia Hallward and Rebecca LeFebvre
This paper asks how values and beliefs around gender influence social norms regarding masking. Specifically, the paper explores how the gendered meme “Karen” fits into social…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper asks how values and beliefs around gender influence social norms regarding masking. Specifically, the paper explores how the gendered meme “Karen” fits into social media discussions on support for and opposition to the wearing of masks to fight the spread of COVID-19.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors analyze tweets containing the hashtags #Masks4All and #NoMasks over a three-week period, using adjacent hashtag analysis to determine the terms most associated with Karen in the pro and anti-mask communities associated with these hashtags.
Findings
Anti-maskers reference Karen more often than pro-maskers, although she is presented in negative terms with gendered overtones by those on both sides of the masking debate.
Originality/value
The paper highlights how hypermasculinity rhetoric impedes social change that normalizes mask wearing.
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Christine Danner, Katie Freeman, Samantha Friedrichsen and Dana Brandenburg
The purpose of this paper is to describe and compare the health behaviors of Karen youth with that of the other subpopulation seen at a Minnesota clinic.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe and compare the health behaviors of Karen youth with that of the other subpopulation seen at a Minnesota clinic.
Design/methodology/approach
Demographic information and data on health status, recommended health behaviors and goal-setting patterns were collected via a review of the medical records of patients seen at a family medicine residency clinic in St Paul, Minnesota during a one-year period (July 2015–June 2016). Data were summarized using descriptive statistics. Data on Karen patients were compared with data on other populations.
Findings
The study included 765 youths aged 3–17 years. The Karen youth in the study engaged in recommended health behaviors more frequently than their peers on almost every measure. There were statistically significant differences in the amount of sleep, intake of fruits and vegetables, screen time, number of active days per week and consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks between the Karen and their peers overall. Karen youth also reported consuming fewer sweets and fried or processed food than their peers, and they had lower BMI percentiles than other youth.
Research limitations/implications
The study relied on participant self-report, which is subject to potential inaccuracies in recall and reporting.
Originality/value
To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study detailing health behaviors of Karen youth in the USA. The findings suggest a window of opportunity to support and empower Karen families to maintain healthy habits in order to prevent the development of chronic disease in this community.
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Judith Harris, Karen S. McKenzie and Randall Rentfro
Using tax abatements to spur economic development can be controversial. The potential benefits are stressed when abatements are granted, but subsequent reporting may be…
Abstract
Using tax abatements to spur economic development can be controversial. The potential benefits are stressed when abatements are granted, but subsequent reporting may be insufficient for citizens to hold governments accountable for actual results. We solicited perspectives on tax abatements from three user groups (citizens representing advocacy groups, county board members, and financial analysts) and county officials involved in financial reporting, budgeting, or property tax administration. Users and preparers expressed generally similar views about the need for reporting; however, some differences were evident in the degree of support for reporting specific information items and the format for making information available. We also found that much information desired by users is not available to them currently, and governments may need to create mechanisms to collect information.
Judith A. Harris, Karen S. McKenzie and Randall W. Rentfro
Performance measurement is common in state and local governments. However, having a performance measurement system does not guarantee that results are shared with the citizenry…
Abstract
Performance measurement is common in state and local governments. However, having a performance measurement system does not guarantee that results are shared with the citizenry. This study evaluates the relative accessibility of performance information on state government websites. Drawing upon the e-government and bureaucratic paradigms developed by Ho (2002), we find that state governments are more likely to approach reporting of performance information from a bureaucratic perspective than an e-government perspective. Regardless of the paradigm used, however, locating and accessing performance information often is a difficult and frustrating process. We argue that states are missing an opportunity to better manage the government-citizen relationship when they fail to share the results of their performance measurement efforts.
Anna Marie Johnson, Claudene Sproles and Latisha Reynolds
The purpose of this paper is to provide a selected bibliography of recent resources on library instruction and information literacy.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide a selected bibliography of recent resources on library instruction and information literacy.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper introduces and annotates periodical articles, monographs, and audiovisual material examining library instruction and information literacy.
Findings
The findings provide information about each source, discusses the characteristics of current scholarship, and describes sources that contain unique scholarly contributions and quality reproductions.
Originality/value
The information may be used by librarians and interested parties as a quick reference to literature on library instruction and information literacy.
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Serena Yu, Kees van Gool, Karen Edwards, Sue Kirby, Karen Gardner, Louise Robinson, Tricia Linehan, Mark Harris and Jane Hall
The Western New South Wales Integrated Care Strategy (ICS) was rolled out from November 2014 across three rural sites. The purpose of this paper is to assess its impact on general…
Abstract
Purpose
The Western New South Wales Integrated Care Strategy (ICS) was rolled out from November 2014 across three rural sites. The purpose of this paper is to assess its impact on general practices, and examine the feasibility of implementing an ICS, within a predominantly fee-for-service delivery model.
Design/methodology/approach
Mixed methods were used to analyse the implementation of the ICS, including practice-level patient data on changes in service provision. This includes unit-record data on 130 enroled patients across three rural sites, as well as qualitative data collection from providers.
Findings
There were significant increases in both revenue-generating and non-revenue-generating activities (primarily care coordination activities) associated with implementing the ICS. Each occasion of service involved greater contact time with practice staff other than GPs, as well as greater administration time. There is evidence that ICS activities such as case conferencing and team care planning substitute for traditional GP consultations. Overall, the study found that a significant investment of resources – namely staff time devoted to a range of activities – was required to support the implementation of the ICS. Such an investment was supported both externally and through revenue-generating practice-level activities.
Research limitations/implications
The data collection and evaluation project is ongoing, with analysis based on the first wave of data from three sites.
Practical implications
At the practice level, a substantial commitment of resources is required to invest in, and sustain, a new model of integrated care (IC). This commitment can currently be supported both through higher revenue generation at the practice level, and externally by health system stakeholders, but changes in financial settings could impact on financial viability.
Originality/value
This paper provides evidence on the role of blended payment mechanisms in facilitating the implementation of IC in a rural setting where there are medical workforce constraints.
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Thomas L. Powers, Karen Norman Kennedy and Seongwon Choi
This paper aims to contribute industrial marketing literature by examining the relationship between market orientation and performance based on multiple perspectives and measures…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to contribute industrial marketing literature by examining the relationship between market orientation and performance based on multiple perspectives and measures. Although the relationship between market orientation and firm performance has been examined in prior research a gap in the literature exists, as this relationship has not been examined from separate perspectives of managers, salespersons and customers. In addition to this gap in the literature, a further gap exists as these multiple assessments of market orientation have not been examined relative to both subjective and objectives measures of industrial firm performance.
Design/methodology/approach
The research is based on data obtained from 111 sales branches of a Fortune 500 industrial supplier.
Findings
The results indicate that managers, salespersons and customers all indicate a positive relationship between market orientation and perceived performance. Market orientation and actual branch performance were not related when assessed by any of the three respondent groups. Only salespersons were able to significantly relate perceived firm performance to actual performance.
Research limitations/implications
These findings add a new dimensions to the existing stream of literature on the industrial marketing orientation and performance relationship.
Originality/value
These findings add new dimensions to the existing stream of literature on the industrial marketing orientation and performance relationship.
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Sasekea Harris, Cheryl Folkes, Karen Tyrell and David Brown
In an experience economy, the alternative options for higher education are varied; resulting in competition and a deliberate focus on student experience to create competitive…
Abstract
Purpose
In an experience economy, the alternative options for higher education are varied; resulting in competition and a deliberate focus on student experience to create competitive advantage. In this regard, the various constituents of the university, including the library, are required to transform the organisational culture, specifically, the service culture, to engage students in a way that creates a memorable experience. In response, The UWI, Mona Library re-launched its Customer Service programme: using an in-house inspired 10 element service model, with initiatives aimed at realising each element, the library purposed to build a service culture. This paper seeks to assess employees' perception of the impact of the initiatives of this model.
Design/methodology/approach
This survey research employed individual interviews to assess employees' perception of the impact of the initiatives of the service model, with the objective of refining the model, where needed, for continued use in the Mona Library, and for use in libraries desirous of implementing the model.
Findings
The initiatives of the service model are creating the desired customer service culture and aspects have been identified for refinement.
Research limitations/implications
The model is based on the needs, experiences, history, culture and strategic priorities of one Caribbean university library. It centres on the employees and their perception. As such, it focuses less on the product, space and the external customer; but it is hoped that by focusing on the employees (specifically creating a service culture amongst them) that this will ultimately impact product, space and the overall customer experience.
Practical implications
Provides the top priorities and considerations for a practicing Caribbean / developing country academic library manger, with an interest in a model for nurturing service culture amongst the employees.
Originality/value
This paper is of value as it centres on creating a service culture, rather than on the usual customer service satisfaction survey, offers a service model and adds to the literature on customer service in academic libraries.
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Mick McKeown, Charlotte Byrne, Holly Cade, Jo Harris and Karen Wright
Secure mental health services in one UK region have acted within a network to develop a range of involvement practices. A new quality benchmarking tool has been created to…
Abstract
Purpose
Secure mental health services in one UK region have acted within a network to develop a range of involvement practices. A new quality benchmarking tool has been created to appraise the implementation of these involvement practices. The purpose of this paper is to report upon a qualitative evaluation of this development.
Design/methodology/approach
Staff and service users involved in the co-production of the benchmarking tool were engaged in a series of focus groups and participatory inquiry approaches enacted in the course of scheduled network meetings. Data thus collected was subject to thematic analysis.
Findings
Four distinct themes were identified which were titled: Taking time, taking care; The value not the label; An instrument of the network; and All people working together. These are discussed in relation to recent theorising of co-production.
Research limitations/implications
Effectively, this study represents a case study of developments within one region. As such, the findings may have limited transferability to other contexts.
Practical implications
Staff and service users can work together effectively to the benefit of each other and overall forensic services. The benchmarking tool provides a readymade mechanism to appraise quality improvements.
Social implications
Despite a prevailing culture of competition in wider health-care policy, cooperation leads to enhanced quality.
Originality/value
The benchmarking tool is a unique development of a longstanding involvement network, demonstrating the positive implications for enacting co-production within secure services.
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Keywords
The librarian and researcher have to be able to uncover specific articles in their areas of interest. This Bibliography is designed to help. Volume IV, like Volume III, contains…
Abstract
The librarian and researcher have to be able to uncover specific articles in their areas of interest. This Bibliography is designed to help. Volume IV, like Volume III, contains features to help the reader to retrieve relevant literature from MCB University Press' considerable output. Each entry within has been indexed according to author(s) and the Fifth Edition of the SCIMP/SCAMP Thesaurus. The latter thus provides a full subject index to facilitate rapid retrieval. Each article or book is assigned its own unique number and this is used in both the subject and author index. This Volume indexes 29 journals indicating the depth, coverage and expansion of MCB's portfolio.
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