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1 – 10 of 275Patricia Evans and Sheila Bellamy
At all levels of the Australian public sector, cost constraints,coupled with the adoption of a total quality culture and associatedperformance evaluation techniques, have turned…
Abstract
At all levels of the Australian public sector, cost constraints, coupled with the adoption of a total quality culture and associated performance evaluation techniques, have turned the attention of senior management away from financial accounting to the management of costs within a strategic framework. Argues that management accounting, planning and control systems can play a leading role in today′s dynamic and challenging public sector environment. Unlike traditional costing systems, which are often historical in focus and price‐based, new costing systems – such as activity‐based costing (ABC) – operate on the premiss that it is the activities and processes undertaken within the organization which add costs and value to the products and services. An ABC system also focuses management′s attention on the underlying causes of costs. However, warns that, in applying total quality management and ABC approaches, it is important to recognize the fundamental differences between the manufacturing industries in which they originated and the service industries which dominate the public sector.
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Gary D. Barber and Carol Burroughs
This seventh annual survey of American history reference sources is the largest yet; 23 books have been selected for review, while past surveys averaged about 15 titles. The…
Abstract
This seventh annual survey of American history reference sources is the largest yet; 23 books have been selected for review, while past surveys averaged about 15 titles. The reviews include 14 titles published in 1983, eight published early in 1984, and one 1982 title. The 1982 imprint, Proceedings and Debates of the British Parliaments Respecting North America, was overlooked before. Since it is still in progress it is included in this survey.
We have all heard about the exponential growth in government during the past decade. What the media do not point out is the concomitant growth in the body of laws, rules, and…
Abstract
We have all heard about the exponential growth in government during the past decade. What the media do not point out is the concomitant growth in the body of laws, rules, and regulations created by this “bigger” government. Certainly, reference librarians—in public and academic libraries—are aware of this trend. Average citizens, businesspeople, and students are asking more and more legal reference questions. Moreover, in my experience, the nature of these questions is shifting from the traditional areas of government and politics or even international relations, into newer areas of labor relations, the environment, and ethics.
Lois Evans, Patricia Franks and Hsuanwei Michelle Chen
This study aims to examine how 20 local governments in Canada and the USA operationalize the government–citizen trust relationship through the administration of social media by…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine how 20 local governments in Canada and the USA operationalize the government–citizen trust relationship through the administration of social media by answering two questions: Can local governments use social media to increase citizen trust? and if local governments can use social media, what can be learned about the administration of social media that results in an increase in citizen trust of government?
Design/methodology/approach
Based on a normative belief that increasing the trustworthiness of government is a desired outcome, the working proposition is that social media may offer a low-barrier method for engaging citizens and supporting trust-based relationships, if social media programs are administered in a way that operationalizes this objective. Using content analysis of data collected from interview transcripts and documentary sources, this exploratory, process-oriented study emphasizes the social, organizational and functional contexts of social media and social media as records.
Findings
The study found that most cities had extensive programs featuring multiple accounts on a number of common platforms. The cities maintained tight control over content, account creation and employee and audience participation to ensure compliance with federal and provincial or state legislation and to mitigate technology and content-based risks. The cities used social media to broadcast information, respond to service requests and provide issue management. Social media results were measured sporadically on an ad hoc basis for operational purposes and only two cities had dedicated procedures in place for managing social media as records. Contrary to previous research, this study indicates that fiduciary trust relationships do require trust by the agent (i.e. institution) and the principal (i.e. citizen).
Research limitations/implications
To increase generalizability, an effort was made to select cities that were demographically and geographically diverse by selecting a range of population sizes and locations. However, selection was skewed towards cities with well-developed social media programs, and as a result, over half of the cities were national, provincial or state capitals or larger population centres. While these cities experienced economic advantages, the participants in the study identified challenges around resourcing and capacity, and their responses are expected to be of value to cities operating under similar constraints. Additionally, this study represents a point in time, as social media use at the local governments continued to expand and evolve during and after the data collection period.
Practical implications
This paper identifies three scenarios where social media content from local government accounts should be managed as records, including: the documentation of incidents, the on-going collection of city content from high-profile accounts and the “on demand” collection of citizens’ content where cities have asked for citizen input on topics or issues.
Social implications
This study provides an in-depth characterization of social media administration and use by 20 local governments in Canada and the USA. Considering the progress made by cities in e-government using their websites as a base, cities can develop greater capacity for open government, meaning wider participation by citizens in the decisions that affect them on a daily basis. To achieve goals of transparency, accountability and civic participation, cities will need to develop capacity around social media measurement, reporting and procedures for managing social media as records.
Originality/value
In providing a detailed and complete description of social media use in 20 cities in two countries, this study moves beyond a compliance- and requirement-driven approach to consider the larger question of government–citizen trust and the relevance of records within this relationship.
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Patrícia Ianelli Rocha, Marina Lourenção, Adriano Alves Teixeira, Elton Gean Araújo, Janaina de Moura Engracia Giraldi and Jorge Henrique Caldeira de Oliveira
This paper aims to analyze the visual attention, transparency perception and attitude of Brazilian women from generation Z toward sponsorship disclosures with a different number…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to analyze the visual attention, transparency perception and attitude of Brazilian women from generation Z toward sponsorship disclosures with a different number of text messages used in native advertisements made by a digital influencer.
Design/methodology/approach
A quantitative and multi-method experiment was conducted through a within-subjects experimental design with 149 women. The eye-tracker assessed visual attention and questionnaires measured transparency perception of sponsorship and attitude toward native advertisements. To analyze eye-tracking and transparency perception data, Friedman’s analysis of variance was used. Structural equations were modeled for analyzing attitude data.
Findings
The quantitative results indicate that disclosures with a single textual message obtain more visual attention than multiple textual messages. However, sponsorship disclosures with multiple textual messages obtain the best transparency perception and generate a better attitude toward native advertisements.
Research limitations/implications
This study extends the theory by investigating the relationship between visual attention to sponsorship disclosure with a different number of textual messages and the target audience's responses to them.
Practical implications
The analysis of Brazilian generation Z women's responses to native ads might contribute to companies, marketing professionals and digital influencers obtaining great visual attention, transparency perception and attitude toward ethical and transparent ads to this audience.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to analyze Brazilian generation Z women's visual attention, transparency perception and attitude toward sponsorship disclosure with single and multiple textual messages in native advertisements.
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Provides a brief review of trends in library management in 2000, indicating issues of current concern.
Abstract
Provides a brief review of trends in library management in 2000, indicating issues of current concern.
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Amy Paros, Patricia S. Kelly and Therese A. Sprinkle
This paper seeks to enhance team performance by intersecting two existing literature streams, generational influences and working teams. This paper aims to boost project objective…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper seeks to enhance team performance by intersecting two existing literature streams, generational influences and working teams. This paper aims to boost project objective achievement through the instrumental use of generational competencies despite temporary and provisional project team environments. This supports project team leaders in harnessing diverse generational competencies of contributors to maximize outcomes.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors adopt the simultaneous use of social categorization and information processing to connect these diverse literature streams, highlighting the value system and skills of each generation to maximize working benefits.
Findings
Project team leader’s tactical deployment of generational competencies may positively contribute to execution and increased goal achievement. The increasingly provisional nature of workforce teams magnifies the need for intentional team management. Embracing generational competencies may elevate team members, increase productivity and decrease turnover.
Practical implications
This paper offers a pathway to couple team execution and generational differences by identifying generational traits which may benefit execution-focused, but provisional teams.
Social implications
Rather than managing team members to fit into a specific work process, this paper explores the benefits associated with team leader acceptance and strategic use of diverse generational behaviours.
Originality/value
The authors expand upon team diversity by intersecting execution-based and provisional project teams with the intentional use of generational influences to build trust and further positive outcomes.
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Perinatal depression is common and increases the risk of adverse outcomes for both the mother and child. Despite regular contact with midwives and GPs during the perinatal period…
Abstract
Purpose
Perinatal depression is common and increases the risk of adverse outcomes for both the mother and child. Despite regular contact with midwives and GPs during the perinatal period less than 50 per cent of women with depression are identified and treated. A number of reasons for this have been proposed; however, failure of health professionals to recognise the symptoms women present with may contribute. The purpose of this paper is twofold: to explore women’s self-report symptoms of perinatal depression and understand how the symptoms women present with might impact on identification.
Design/methodology/approach
Women were invited to post their experiences of perinatal depression on one of two online discussion forums over a nine-month period. Data were analysed using a process of deductive thematic analysis informed by cognitive behavioural therapy.
Findings
Women’s symptoms were presented using five headings: triggers (for perinatal depression), thoughts, moods, physical reactions and behaviours. Women believed having a previous mental health problem contributed to their depression. Women’s self-report symptoms included intrusive and violent thoughts; emotional responses including fear, worry and anger; and somatic symptoms including insomnia and weight changes. Women also reported aggressive behaviour and social withdrawal as part of their depressive symptomatology. Symptoms women present with may negatively impact on identification as they often overlap with those of pregnancy; may not be included in the criteria for mental health assessment and may involve undesirable and socially unacceptable behaviour, making disclosure difficult.
Practical implications
A more inclusive understanding of women’s self-report symptoms of perinatal depression is called for, if identification is to improve.
Originality/value
This paper offers an analysis of women’s self-report symptoms of depression, in the context of identification of perinatal mental health problems.
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Patricia C. Jackman and Kelly Sisson
Concerns about psychological well-being (PWB) in doctoral students have grown in recent years. The purpose of this study was to explore qualitatively doctoral students’…
Abstract
Purpose
Concerns about psychological well-being (PWB) in doctoral students have grown in recent years. The purpose of this study was to explore qualitatively doctoral students’ perceptions of factors that promoted their PWB during the doctoral journey.
Design/methodology/approach
Nine recent doctoral graduates at an English university participated in the study. Participants recalled their experience and PWB during the doctoral journey via a life grid and semi-structured interview. The life grids were visually inspected to identify high points in PWB whilst the interview data were analysed thematically.
Findings
The analysis produced the following seven themes representing factors that participants described during periods of better PWB: accomplishments; intrinsic rewards; self-efficacy; comprehension and understanding; supervisor support; wider support network; and self-care and lifestyle.
Originality/value
By adopting a positive psychology approach and exploring qualitatively factors that promoted PWB in doctoral students, this study offers an alternative perspective to research on doctoral student well-being, which has largely adopted a pathological focus. As such, the study demonstrates the utility of approaching research on doctoral students’ PWB from a positive psychology perspective. Findings are discussed in relation to the extant literature, and future directions for research are outlined.
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Melissa Kavanaugh, Patricia A. Shewokis and Jennifer J. Quinlan
The purpose of this study was to create and validate a food safety survey for older adults.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to create and validate a food safety survey for older adults.
Design/methodology/approach
The survey was designed to measure food handling and consumption behaviors related to high-risk foods. Survey questions were also designed to capture behavioral constructs from the health belief model (HBM). The first administration of the survey was completed by 349 participants, 55 years of age and older. Exploratory factor analysis was used to assess construct validity, and Cronbach’s alpha was used to assess the internal consistency of the subscales generated through factor analysis. Two weeks after the first administration, the survey was completed a second time by 149 participants from the original sample. The intraclass correlation coefficient was used to evaluate test-retest reliability.
Findings
Exploratory factor analysis yielded four factors related to the HBM (perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived barriers and cues to action) and three factors related to food handling practices (handling of processed meats, food thermometer use with poultry and washing or rinsing poultry). Inclusion in a factor meant that the related questions measured the same underlying construct. Cronbach’s alpha for these factors ranged from 0.63 to 0.77. Modification of the survey following validation resulted in the development of a 44-question instrument that can be used with older adults.
Practical implications
This survey will next be administered to a representative sample of older adults to assess relationships between HBM constructs and food handling behaviors and is available for use by other researchers.
Originality/value
There are few validated tools that can be used with older adults to evaluate food safety risks.
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