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Open Access
Article
Publication date: 6 April 2022

Orla Dolan, Joanne O’Halloran, Micheal O’Cuill, Atiqa Rafiq, Jennifer Edgeworth, Michael Hogan and Agnes Shiel

Dementia is a complex, progressively degenerative condition. It results in loss of cognitive and functional capabilities, along with a significant increase in the level of…

1402

Abstract

Purpose

Dementia is a complex, progressively degenerative condition. It results in loss of cognitive and functional capabilities, along with a significant increase in the level of dependency. A reduction in the use of pharmacological interventions correlates with an increased in good quality non-pharmacological interventions in dementia care. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of 14-session face-to-face cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) and Sonas group interventions on individuals living with dementia with moderate cognitive impairment, from pre-intervention to post-intervention in terms of their cognition, communication, neuropsychiatric symptoms, activities of daily living and quality of life.

Design/methodology/approach

A pilot single blind prospective controlled trial evaluated two group intervention approaches, cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) and Sonas, with 28 participants with moderate dementia. Pseudorandomisation and single blinding were implemented. CST has a solid evidence base. Sonas is a widely used multi-sensory intervention in Ireland with an emerging evidence base. Participants were recruited from a mental health service. Participants who had a formal diagnosis of dementia, moderate cognitive impairment and some ability to communicate and understand communication were included.

Findings

Results supported CST to a greater extent than Sonas. The CST group showed significant changes in cognition (p = 0.032) and communication (p = 0.006). Both groups had significant changes in carer quality of life (CST, p = 0.019; Sonas, p = 0.035). Results support the recommendations for a future definitive trial.

Research limitations/implications

Rehabilitation potential of individuals living with moderate dementia was demonstrated. This study suggests that group interventions like these impact on the trajectory of dementia.

Practical implications

Rehabilitation interventions impact on the trajectory of dementia. CST and Sonas have no impact on activities of daily living. Future studies with larger sample sizes, 16 weeks intervention period and control groups are required.

Social implications

This pilot study supports CST over Sonas interventions for individuals living with moderate dementia. Multiple outcome measures demonstrated trends towards significance for both interventions. Future definitive trials may detect a significant effect of both interventions.

Originality/value

A dementia diagnosis is devastating and generally creates negative perceptions and associations (Alvira, 2014). In contrast, the outcomes of this study are positive. This study provides evidence that occupational therapist intervention can impact on the trajectory of the condition with people with dementia demonstrating that they do have rehabilitation potential by responding to treatment and improving and maintaining their abilities as they progress through the condition.

Details

Irish Journal of Occupational Therapy, vol. 50 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-8819

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 May 2011

Diana Simona Damian, José Dias Curto and José Castro Pinto

The purpose of this paper is to determine the impact of anchor stores on the performance and results of shopping centres and on the prices practiced by other stores. It analyses…

3087

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the impact of anchor stores on the performance and results of shopping centres and on the prices practiced by other stores. It analyses the customer spill‐over effect of the anchor stores on the Sonae Sierra shopping centres. Incorporated in Portugal in 1989, Sonae Sierra is an international corporation specializing in shopping centres. It is co‐owned by Sonae (Portugal) and Grosvenor (UK) who each own 50 per cent.

Design/methodology/approach

The data collection targeted 35 shopping centres in Portugal and Spain with 1,200,000 square feet (or more), for three consecutive years (2005‐2007). The anchor stores provide about 41 per cent of the total gross lettable area and on average pay only 18 per cent of the total rent collected by the developer. The ordinary least squares and Kruskal‐Wallis statistic (in order to avoid ANOVA assumption violations) are used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The empirical analysis shows that a greater presence of anchors in a mall directly increases the sales, and consequently the rents of non‐anchor stores in a mall. The authors demonstrate that externalities are internalized by efficient allocation of space and incentives across stores, and also show that the anchor stores increased the malls' customer drawing power, measured as the number of people who visited the mall at a given time, although lately they have had less impact on the sales per person visiting the centres.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited in that it surveyed only Sonae Sierra shopping centres, hence the results can only be generalized using this model as a basis. Other limitations were an inability to gather data on customer purchasing power in the areas surrounding the Sonae Sierra shopping centres, and the need to safeguard the confidentiality of the information, which did not allow the use of more independent variables for the models.

Practical implications

It is demonstrated that the total sales of the shopping malls are directly influenced by the number of anchors, and that the area allocated to them is a strategic tool.

Originality/value

The paper uses unique data consisting of mall store contracts to study the complex economic issues that arise when stores co‐occupy a large shopping centre.

Details

International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, vol. 39 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-0552

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 26 August 2020

Robert Charles Capistrano and Paul Anthony Notorio

This study aims to examine the underlying statements with regard to strategic directions and action programmes on tourism found in the state-of-the-nation address (SONA) speeches…

12658

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine the underlying statements with regard to strategic directions and action programmes on tourism found in the state-of-the-nation address (SONA) speeches of six Philippine presidents – from 1987 to 2019. The researchers believe that president SONAs are usually reflective of their plans and are strong indicators of their interest, which could particularly influence the Philippine tourism planning and development. Currently, the lack of guidance in the theoretical framework and research discussion in exploring the Philippine tourism policy and development priorities using presidents’ SONA speeches are found wanting. Scenario planning approach was used as a framework.

Design/methodology/approach

Scenario planning approach requires inputs from an advisory group to create scenario drivers. As inputs, the presidents’ SONA speeches were used in this study while the researchers assumed the role of scenario thinkers. The speeches were downloaded and imported into a qualitative data software. Through a series of text search with regard to strategic directions and action programmes on tourism, underlying statements were subjected to content analysis to create nodes. The nodes were used as the basis in creating scenario drivers, which became the basis in creating the model. The models underwent the following validation procedures: researcher, concept and literature review.

Findings

Based on the data, there are three identified major drivers of the present and future of Philippine tourism; these are tourism policy, tourism development and prospects for the future (temporal element). It also indicates tourism development and temporal element as dominant, with very few on tourism policies. By combining the tourism policy and tourism development, the development of the tourism policy and development confluence model was created. Meanwhile, the addition of the temporal element provided a third scenario driver that led to the creation of the dimensions of tourism policy and development scenarios.

Practical implications

The developed model can be adapted to many contexts that extend even outside of tourism. The public tourism offices, such as the department of tourism and the regional, provincial, city and municipal tourism offices, can use the model to help them prioritise tourism development programmes and lobby for tourism policy creation.

Social implications

The model will significantly assist decision-makers and policymakers to be conscious in crafting and enacting their tourism plans and programmes. It presents tourism policy and tourism development as scenario drivers that are interrelated; hence, a mutual relationship between the executive and legislative sectors of the government can be expected.

Originality/value

The study positions its originality and value in three areas: scenario planning, tourism future and president’s interest in tourism. In terms of scenario planning, the study was able to present interaction among three scenario drivers compared to most models that only have two. In the area of tourism future studies, this study claims that qualitative historical data can also be used to predict future scenarios. Despite the limited literature examining the tourism interest of the top-level administration, using speeches made by head of state is found plausible to predict the future of Philippine tourism.

Details

Journal of Tourism Futures, vol. 7 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2055-5911

Keywords

Expert briefing
Publication date: 31 July 2017

The act, aimed at improving government efficiency by closing or merging departments and state entities, is one of the priorities President Rodrigo Duterte set in his second State…

Expert briefing
Publication date: 8 August 2018

The Philippines' economic liberalisation.

Details

DOI: 10.1108/OXAN-DB236677

ISSN: 2633-304X

Keywords

Geographic
Topical
Article
Publication date: 1 February 1994

Sona Karentz Andrews and John Grozik

The interactive cartography videodisc includes a double‐sided videodisc with one side containing full map images of over 600 maps and in excess of 30,000 tiles and close‐up pieces…

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Abstract

The interactive cartography videodisc includes a double‐sided videodisc with one side containing full map images of over 600 maps and in excess of 30,000 tiles and close‐up pieces of these maps. The database contains a wide assortment of map information and will be approximately eight megabytes in size. Not only does the database provide information about each map but a user can search fields in the database to isolate those maps that fit the intended criteria. The interface (approximately two megabytes) provides the link between the images and the data. It is designed to allow a high level of interaction and access through display environments. A printed directory is also being prepared with three indexes organized alphabetically by map title, subject, and region.

Details

Library Hi Tech, vol. 12 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0737-8831

Article
Publication date: 11 January 2011

S.K. Breja, D.K. Banwet and K.C. Iyer

This paper aims to address the issue of sustainability of excellence in today's turbulent environment and evaluates the effectiveness (to achieve objectives) of quality strategy…

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to address the issue of sustainability of excellence in today's turbulent environment and evaluates the effectiveness (to achieve objectives) of quality strategy in a DAP‐winning company.

Design/methodology/approach

A face‐to‐face interview and a literature review were carried out in a case study mode.

Findings

The paper finds that total quality management (TQM) implemented in the Deming Application Prize (DAP) framework has a positive effect on business performance. To sustain excellence, it is important to maintain strategic focus, match strategic options with aspirations, link the human resource mission with the company vision, and work for transformation.

Research limitations/implications

Information provided/reported by the case company is fully relied upon and the required data are extracted.

Originality/value

Working definitions of TQM and business excellence are presented and the issue of “transformation” is explored. The study adopts creative approach for identifying critical success factors, discovers the possibility of including “flexibility” as the fifth angle in DAP examination, and proposes a framework for further research.

Details

The TQM Journal, vol. 23 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1754-2731

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 23 November 2023

Sona Nersisyan and Lusine Tanajyan

Due to the armed conflict in Syria that commenced in 2011 and is still ongoing while writing this article, Armenia has experienced a massive inflow of Syrian-Armenian refugees…

Abstract

Due to the armed conflict in Syria that commenced in 2011 and is still ongoing while writing this article, Armenia has experienced a massive inflow of Syrian-Armenian refugees. The state was not prepared to provide the appropriate legal and logistical assistance to manage such a large flow of refugees and returning Armenians. It was also ill-prepared to ensure their resettlement and proper integration into Armenia's society. As a result, in 2012, the government put forward immigration and resettlement policies specifically designed to deal with the Syrian-Armenians fleeing the Syrian conflict. This chapter aimed to capture the results from a conceptual framework we developed to document and assess the Syrian-Armenian integration experience. The framework is based on expert interviews, in-depth interviews and document analysis. Main findings: Syrian-Armenian refugees experience different challenges and choose different ways to overcome them. The older age group tends to experience increased difficulties in integrating into their host communities, while the younger generations adapt easier to their new environment. The younger generations are better equipped for social and economic changes and are less stuck in poverty. For Syrian-Armenian women, their new environment seems safer. Most feel at ease regarding public attitudes towards them and are, for the most, satisfied with their employment choices. Those with a high school education tend to seek lower paying jobs, and the outliers from the highest and lowest socioeconomic status tend to leave Armenia. Many return to Syria as the conflict winds down in certain areas or decide to travel to another country.

Details

Migrations and Diasporas
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83797-147-3

Keywords

Expert briefing
Publication date: 1 August 2023

The speech notably identified several economic challenges facing the country, ranging from curbing inflation to creating jobs. Marcos registered high approval ratings during the…

Article
Publication date: 26 February 2021

Manickam Ramesh Kumar, Ramalingam Malathy, Sundararajan Paramasivam, Ill-Min Chung, Seung-Hyun Kim and Prabakaran Mayakrishnan

The textile industry is one of the largest and most important industrial sectors in India. Because the textile industry consumes large quantities of water and produces highly…

Abstract

Purpose

The textile industry is one of the largest and most important industrial sectors in India. Because the textile industry consumes large quantities of water and produces highly polluted water discharge, its environmental impact is high. Water is expensive to use, treat and dispose of. Therefore, water conservation and reuse are critical necessity for the textile industry because decreasing water and wastewater treatment and recycling costs can be beneficial.

Design/methodology/approach

This research neutralized the pH during dyeing industry wastewater treatment. The system should be robust to erroneous sensor measurements. A pH meter was developed and used to monitor the pH of wastewater hourly before and after HCl treatment.

Findings

HCl was used to neutralize the pH of wastewater from 9 to 7.5. The amount of HCl was optimized depending on the wastewater. Three wastewater treatment methods were used, namely, HCl, wash water and reverse osmosis (RO) treatments. The HCl treatment was the most effective for decreasing the pH; the wash water treatment was the most effective for decreasing the total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS) total hardness and chemical oxygen demand; and the RO treatment was the most effective for decreasing the biochemical oxygen demand, TDS, TSS, total hardness and Cl concentration.

Originality/value

The pH should be monitored during the textile dyeing because the addition of color to textile fabrics is the most effective at neutral pH. This study evaluated several parameters of wastewater, including pH, color, TSS and TDS. The fabricated digital pH meter provided superior results than conventional measuring devices. The goal was to maintain a neutral pH during dyeing and recycle wastewater to improve environmental sustainability. The newly developed digital pH meter was less expensive and more precise than traditional pH meters. Before reusing and recycling, wastewater underwent ultrafiltration and RO treatment.

Details

Pigment & Resin Technology, vol. 51 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0369-9420

Keywords

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