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21 – 30 of over 1000Martin Quirke, Michael J. Ostwald, Richard Fleming, Mark Taylor and Anthony Williams
The independence and well-being of people with dementia can be significantly influenced by the design of the physical environments around them. Several assessment tools exist to…
Abstract
Purpose
The independence and well-being of people with dementia can be significantly influenced by the design of the physical environments around them. Several assessment tools exist to evaluate the dementia design quality of existing residential aged care facilities but, to date, none have been formally identified as suitable for use during the design process. This paper aims to examine the feasibility of re-purposing existing post-occupancy tools for use during the design process, while mapping the influence of design stages on resulting dementia design quality.
Design/methodology/approach
Literature searches identified audit tools for residential aged care settings. After reliability screening, three tools were analysed in-depth, mapping their suitability for use during the design process.
Findings
The study confirmed that existing tools can be re-purposed for design stage use and identified that early design stages have a larger influence on overall dementia design quality than previously thought.
Research limitations/implications
Non-English language publications were not reviewed. Searches may not have identified other existing audit tools for residential care environments.
Practical implications
The ability to assess proposals at key stages of design may help improve the dementia design quality of future residential aged care environments – potentially enhancing the lives of ever-larger numbers of people with dementia.
Originality/value
According to the authors’ knowledge, this is the first known paper to consider formal design-stage evaluation of dementia design quality and the first to identify the relative influence of key stages of design on the resulting dementia design quality.
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This paper's purpose is to show how literary texts can be used as a source for gaining insights into social practices, including accounting. It aims to deepen our understanding of…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper's purpose is to show how literary texts can be used as a source for gaining insights into social practices, including accounting. It aims to deepen our understanding of such social practices in their cultural, social, economic and political contexts by examining portrayals of business and accounting transactions and of reflections of social and economic concerns in two German novels set during a time of economic and political crisis, namely the Weimar Republic's hyperinflation period.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper analyses, against the historical, social and economic backgrounds of the inflation period, the novels' authors' social and political perspectives as reflected in the novels; the literary devices employed; the way in which the description of business and accounting matters aids our understanding of everyday inflation period transactions and underlying economic and social concerns; and the links made between accounting/business, money and inflation on the one hand, and morality and rationality on the other hand.
Findings
The paper finds that in this exceptional economic situation, the relationship between accounting and morality as explored by Maltby is reversed. The portrayal of (often unusual and creative) economic transactions is used to illustrate the lack of economic, legal and moral certainty experienced by individuals and to evoke and critique the damage caused by the hyperinflation on German society and on human relationships, including the commoditisation of all aspects of life and the resulting moral decline.
Originality/value
The paper contributes to the literature exploring the role of representations of business/accounting and finance in narrative fiction. The novels examined here provide an alternative means for observing, interpreting and critiquing social phenomena, specifically in a setting where financial considerations dominate human interaction and social relationships.
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Philip J.D. Bramall and Lindsay Corbett
The Workshop, promoted by the Aslib Computer Applications Group and held within the overall framework of SCOLCAP (Scottish Libraries Cooperative Automation Project), gave invited…
Abstract
The Workshop, promoted by the Aslib Computer Applications Group and held within the overall framework of SCOLCAP (Scottish Libraries Cooperative Automation Project), gave invited Scottish librarians an opportunity to discuss the exploitation of computer‐based cataloguing services. Descriptions of the services available from the British Library, Birmingham Libraries Cooperative Mechanisation Project, Oriel Computer Services, Blackwell Bibliographical Services, ICL DILS, and Telecomputing's TeleMARC, were followed by general open discussion and then the discussion of specific topics (input techniques; output techniques; integrated systems; problems of local classification schemes when using MARC records; pre‐publication cataloguing). The report concludes that automation is accepted as beneficial; collaboration can help to cut costs; automation provides an opportunity to define requirements afresh, but new systems should be as flexible as possible.
James Richards, Kate Sang, Abigail Marks and Susannah Gill
The purpose of this paper is to address a significant gap in the line manager, HRM and the diversity management literature, that of exploring the role and significance of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to address a significant gap in the line manager, HRM and the diversity management literature, that of exploring the role and significance of emotional labour (EL) in relation to the lived experienced of line managing neurodiversity.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative approach was used to explore lived experiences of line managers responsible for managing neurodiverse employees. Interviews were conducted with line managers employed in the UK transport industry.
Findings
The findings provide rich insights into line managing neurodiversity. A key overall finding is reasonable adjustments deemed essential to support neurodiverse employees require a myriad of hidden, complex, time consuming and often emotionally draining interactions with disabled employees, the employee’s wider team, and HRM and occupational health (OH) practitioners.
Research limitations/implications
This is an exploratory study and therefore limited by nature of the research design, industry focus, scope of study and sample size.
Practical implications
The findings have the potential to inform HRM and OH practitioner support for line managers responsible for managing neurodiverse employees.
Social implications
The study contributes to wider societal attempts to make employment more inclusive to a range of historically disadvantaged groups.
Originality/value
The study fills an important gap in the HRM literature on line managing neurodiverse employees. The study makes a specific and unique contribution to extensive literatures on line management, disability and EL.
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The purpose of this paper is to respond to the Special Issue call by developing the case for enhancing understanding of entrepreneurial marketing by utilising biographical…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to respond to the Special Issue call by developing the case for enhancing understanding of entrepreneurial marketing by utilising biographical research. This builds on the limited existing research in entrepreneurial marketing using this approach.
Design/methodology/approach
Five entrepreneurial marketers are assessed using biographical research.
Findings
The individuals assessed clearly show the connection between the telling of a life story and how a business is run using an entrepreneurial marketing approach. Biographical techniques succeed in addressing the need for situation specific understanding. Entrepreneurial marketing core competencies help establish competitive advantage through their ability to influence behaviour, market creation and growth activities.
Research limitations/implications
Biographical research contributes towards the additional theoretical and practical insight which entrepreneurial marketing requires.
Practical implications
Entrepreneurial marketers can make use of biographical research findings due to their readability and association with their own practices to help shape future strategies.
Originality/value
The biographical approach has been underutilised in entrepreneurial marketing research. These research results enhance existing understanding of the foundations of entrepreneurial marketing.
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Vivien Beattie and Sarah Jane Smith
The purpose of this paper is to explore, empirically, the contribution of human capital (HC) to value creation and the external disclosure of HC. The specific aims are to…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore, empirically, the contribution of human capital (HC) to value creation and the external disclosure of HC. The specific aims are to: investigate the relative contribution of HC to the generation of firm value; compare the differences in the perceptions of human resource (HR) directors and finance directors (FDs) in relation to this contribution; examine the relationship between the internal collation and external disclosure of HC information; investigate incentives and disincentives to the external disclosure of HC information; and investigate the most appropriate medium to externally disclose HC information.
Design/methodology/approach
A questionnaire survey of (HR) directors of UK listed companies was conducted. Responses are compared to those from FDs obtained from a previous survey on the broader concept of intellectual capital disclosure. In total, 13 follow‐up interviews were conducted. The matched views of the (HR) specialist and the FD are compared for eight case companies.
Findings
Employee skills and education, employee commitment, positive employee attitudes and behaviour, and employee motivation are considered to contribute to value creation the most. Information on employee turnover, employee training and development, and workplace safety is frequently collated. There also appears to be attempts to capture information on aspects such as employee satisfaction, motivation, and commitment. Marked differences exist between the extent to which information is internally collated and externally disclosed. External disclosure appears to be a valuable recruitment tool. However, giving away information which may harm competitive advantage is a serious concern. The annual report was considered the most effective written form of communication for disclosing HC externally. Despite some disparity in views, there is evidence to suggest recognition by FDs of the value of human capital and commitment to its external disclosure. Contrary to prior research, evidence from the small matched sample indicates no significant difference in views between the two functional specialists regarding the importance to value creation of four key HC components.
Research limitations/implications
A comparison across the full range of HC issues is not possible as the FD IC survey was unable to address HC in as much detail as the HC survey.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to the understanding of HC and its disclosure by comprehensively investigating such issues for a large sample of UK companies.
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The introduction of a competitive market into primary care means thatgeneral practitioners must consider the way in which their patientsevaluate the service which they receive…
Abstract
The introduction of a competitive market into primary care means that general practitioners must consider the way in which their patients evaluate the service which they receive. Reports the results of an exploratory study carried out in Scotland to investigate the evaluative strategies used by patients in assessing the service they receive. Identifies six particular dimensions of the care process which have implications for GPs protecting their existing patient lists and in understanding how to attract new patients. Suggests through its results that while communicating certain features of the service to potential patients is relatively straightforward, the experiential nature of primary care services leads to a reliance on word‐of‐mouth communication which depends on ensuring that existing patients are satisfied.
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Jan Pringle, Ruth Jepson, Alison Dawson, Louise McCabe and Alison Bowes
One limitation of research that assesses the effectiveness of physical activity interventions for people with dementia is that most do not describe the intervention in sufficient…
Abstract
Purpose
One limitation of research that assesses the effectiveness of physical activity interventions for people with dementia is that most do not describe the intervention in sufficient detail to ascertain a theoretical basis or mechanism of action that determines the effective components. This paper aims to identify studies which evaluate the mechanisms of action of physical activity interventions for people with dementia, to further inform effective intervention development.
Design/methodology/approach
Papers were screened for evidence of evaluation of specific forms of physical activity, using pre-defined inclusion criteria. Analysis was conducted to ascertain if mechanisms of action were corroborated by data within and between studies.
Findings
The authors identified 26 studies with a measured mechanism of action; these related to the effects of physical activity on either neurological structure or endocrinal markers, including hormones. Physical activity had potential to reduce hippocampal atrophy, increase neural recruitment, activate the noradrenergic system and improve anti-inflammatory responses. While individual studies were hampered by small sample sizes, the body of evidence indicated that physical activity may have potential to delay cognitive decline.
Practical implications
Mechanisms of action in relation to dementia and physical activity are likely to be multifaceted, and physical activity may be protective against progression in the early stages of cognitive decline. Physical activity may be of greatest benefit if incorporated into on-going lifestyle, rather than engaged in for short periods, and combined with social interaction.
Originality/value
This paper is unique in its focus on the mechanisms of action of physical activity interventions for people with dementia.
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W.M. McInnes and J.E. Stevenson
This paper examines the current framework in the UK for the prevention and detection of corporate fraud, in the light of recent figures which demonstrate that losses from reported…
Abstract
This paper examines the current framework in the UK for the prevention and detection of corporate fraud, in the light of recent figures which demonstrate that losses from reported fraud far exceed losses from other kinds of theft. The responsibilities of external auditors and corporate management for preventing and detecting fraud are explored, as is law enforcement in regard to fraud. The paper concludes that the overall framework is weak and that given the escalation of fraud levels, the Government ought to conduct a full review of the roles of auditor and management and the state of law enforcement in this area.