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This paper investigates the extent to which formal capital budgeting methods are used in small high-tech firms. We define high-tech firms by their R&D intensity. In addition, we define software industry as a special type of R&D-intensive firm. We focus on the methods that are used by the small high-tech firms in evaluating the profitability of investment projects, estimating the cost of capital and making decisions related to the capital structure. Our results based on two surveys of Finnish firms indicate that the high-tech firms use similar capital budgeting methods and estimate their cost of capital in a similar way to other small-sized firms in other industries. Moreover, high-tech firms seek external financing and co-owners.

Simply reducing numbers is not the most effective way of cutting staff costs; the secret is to match staff levels with anticipated customer flow. It not only saves money, but it gives better service to customers. Bob Forrester describes how the application of this system in a department store on Merseyside achieved staff costs as a percentage of sales 2.63% below the group figure, whilst the sales increase was the second best in the group.

One image of a buyer is of the man who leans heavily on ‘flair’, wielding limitless power and doing scrappy calculations on the back of an old envelope. With the coming of EDP and sophisticated stock control systems, has this image now been superseded by the ‘desiccated calculating machine — or docs the answer lie somewhere between? Bob Forrester has been running a course for retail buyers and found that what they had in common, the novices and the veterans, was little or no training for the job. This has prompted him to put forward some ideas on the training requirements for buyers.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of liaison and diversion services working in the lower courts (also known as Magistrates’ courts) with regard to autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and their assessment, in particular, the role of pre-sentence and psychiatric reports and interviews.

Current practice is described in the lower courts in the context of current legislation and procedures.

When writing reports, there is a need for expertise to offer an opinion on future risk, disposal and what needs to be in place to support people with ASDs. No assumptions should be made when reporting on the basis of an ASD diagnosis alone and each case must be assessed on its individual merits while ensuring that individual human rights are protected.

There is currently a sparse literature examining ASD in court settings. This paper seeks to clarify the current practice.

One of the vital roles of retail buyers is an ability to strike good deals for their companies — haggling over that precious 1% which could mean a profit increase of 20%. The foremost skill involved is the art of negotiation, and for those not born with such an aptitude, but who would benefit by achieving it, the St Helens School of Management Studies has designed a course to train buyers in such strategies. Bob Forrester reports.

The lack of negotiating skills is one of the weakest points in the armoury of the retail buyer, our authors assert, and this is largely because the buyer has never received any instruction in it. But negotiation training can be provided—and this article explains how.

This paper aims to examine effective diagnostic and treatment pathways for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in prison settings given the high prevalence of ADHD and comorbidities in the prison population.

Two studies were carried out in two separate prisons in London. Firstly, data were collected to understand the prevalence of ADHD and the comorbidities. The second study used quality improvement (QI) methodology to assess the impact of a diagnostic and treatment pathway for prisoners with ADHD.

Of the prisoners, 22.5% met the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. Nearly half of them were screened positive for autistic traits, with a higher prevalence of mental disorders among prisoners with ADHD compared to those without. The QI project led to a significant increase in the number of prisoners identified as requiring ADHD assessment but a modest increase in the number of prisoners diagnosed or treated for ADHD.

Despite various challenges, an ADHD diagnostic and treatment pathway was set up in a prison using adapted QI methodology. Further research is needed to explore the feasibility of routine screening for ADHD in prison and examine at a national level the effectiveness of current ADHD prison pathways.

Buying “flair” is like a scrumptious meringue, it may look wonderful and taste delicious, but its sustenance value is nil compared to the infinitely more protein‐packed buyer's bread and butter — training. As buying, claims Bob Forrester, is one of the most important functions of the retail trade then the training of buyers should be one of the most important training functions. That this has been dawning on retailers over the years is borne out by the thousands who have passed through the St Helens School of Management Studies, where a successful DITB scheme has been established. Here the author outlines the courses offered by the school and makes a plea for this kind of training to continue.

Does an Outward Bound type training course help young buyers and executives improve their management skills? Bob Forrester describes how a group of executives from the Clydesdale Group stretched themselves physically on a weekend course at Ormidale House, and how it affected their performance in the training room afterwards.

People in prisons have a high prevalence of poly-traumatisation throughout their life span. The behavioural and emotional sequalae of trauma are likely to be managed across the whole organisation. However, there is still a lack of clarity about the key components of a trauma-informed approach within the custodial context. This study aimed to gather in-depth knowledge of staff views on the components of an optimal trauma pathway in a prison and the organisational factors that influence its implementation.

The authors’ research design is qualitative, involving in-depth, semi-structured interviews with eight members of staff from different professional backgrounds at a single prison in the UK that houses sentenced and remand prisoners. Data was analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Three super-ordinate themes were identified within the data. Firstly, components of a trauma-informed pathway included sub-themes of asking about what has happened and knowing how to respond; providing specialist approaches; enabling residents to cope; screening and detection; and a compassionate relational approach. Secondly, organisational factors were associated with sub-themes of culture and leadership, resources and systems and processes. Thirdly, staff factors were associated with sub-themes of skills development and training, staff well-being and support and staff attitudes.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex PTSD in prisons are under-detected, and there are complex psychosocial factors within prisons that mediate the effectiveness of psychological therapies.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study represents the first exploration of staff perspectives on the components of a trauma-informed pathway within custodial settings. Future directions should involve the piloting and evaluation of the components of the trauma-informed pathway, with a focus on longer-term outcomes and exploration of the organisational factors that impact on effectiveness.