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1 – 10 of 568Peter James Fraser, Iain Simon Fraser and Stephen Fraser
The purpose of this paper is to reflect on the creation of a performing arts archive website, exploring impact in relation to the marketing and promotion of opera and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to reflect on the creation of a performing arts archive website, exploring impact in relation to the marketing and promotion of opera and understanding of opera history.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper sets out a case study reflection in relation to a social enterprise in the arts.
Findings
The paper confirms that development of a specialist or niche website is a slow process requiring significant effort and resource. Promotion draws on a variety of activities including networking, face-to-face selling, word of mouth and use of new media.
Research limitations/implications
The paper summarises participant experience of launching a hobby website in the cultural sector. Constraints such as patchiness of coverage are noted together with the need for collaboration. Finally, qualitative examples of impact are identified and discussed to indicate directions for further development and research.
Practical implications
A case study offering insights and potential learning points for those considering such projects or in similar positions.
Originality/value
The project described is unique yet addresses a research problem noted by many. The paper highlights some areas for future collaboration and research both nationally and internationally.
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Avi Kaplan, Joanna K. Garner and Benjamin Brock
Current motivation theory and research face serious theoretical, methodological, and practical challenges. One central challenge is the fact that research has focused mainly on…
Abstract
Current motivation theory and research face serious theoretical, methodological, and practical challenges. One central challenge is the fact that research has focused mainly on motivation for traditional achievement tasks such as graded assignments and normative educational trajectories. Arguably, current motivation theory and research may be inadequate to characterize adaptive motivation in the uncertain, changing, and unpredictable environments of the twenty-first century. How might motivation researchers conceptualize students’ motivation in such dynamic and complex contexts? How can motivational research inform educators, administrators, and policymakers in designing curricula, pedagogy, and evaluation and accountability systems to prepare students for such a world? In the current chapter, we address these challenges with a perspective on motivation as a complex dynamic system (CDS) that is based in the person’s identity. We begin with a brief review of the challenges to the current prevalent approach to motivation research, highlighting the need for a new paradigm. We then review assumptions of the CDSs approach that render it useful for understanding motivation in continuously changing and unpredictable environments. We then present a CDS conceptual model of identity and motivation that incorporates constructs and processes from a variety of identity and motivational theories – the Dynamic Systems Model of Role Identity (DSMRI). We follow with a conceptualization of the characteristics of the identity-motivation system most adaptive for growth in changing and unpredictable environments. We end by considering the implications of this perspective for motivational theory and research and for educational practice and policy.
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Kenneth M. Eades and Daniel Hake
It is recommended that this case be taught either just before or just after another Chapter 11 case. Students must to decide whether Horizon Lines should seek Chapter 11…
Abstract
It is recommended that this case be taught either just before or just after another Chapter 11 case. Students must to decide whether Horizon Lines should seek Chapter 11 protection or attempt a voluntary financial restructuring. Students have a wide range of financial restructuring alternatives to consider that should give them an appreciation of the advantages and disadvantages faced by a firm choosing to use the bankruptcy court. The case also is best taught to experienced students who understand corporate finance fundamentals and, in particular, grasp the principes of valuation and capital structure.
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Jacqueline Botterill and Stephen Kline
This paper seeks to report historical research into McDonald's public communication strategies as the corporation responded to the rising tide of “political consumerism” that…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper seeks to report historical research into McDonald's public communication strategies as the corporation responded to the rising tide of “political consumerism” that accompanied its global market expansion (1960‐2005).
Design/methodology/approach
Reviewing the brand's public relations strategies, through a content analysis of news coverage, the paper analyzes the way communication strategists took account of the anxieties about youth labour practices, community relations, globalization, environment and obesity which forced the brand to acknowledge the lifestyle risks associated with children and youth.
Findings
The case study portrays McDonald's as a figurehead of US entrepreneurial multinational capitalism. It reveals how addressing public opposition through the courts can backfire on a brand strategy so keen on defending its honour. The case study also finds that listening and engaging with critics is as effective as suing them for McDonald's.
Originality/value
The paper contributes to the historical recognition of the role that corporate communications professionals play – particularly marketing and public relations specialists – in transforming corporate practices by acknowledging consumers' growing anxieties about industrialization.
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TONY WARSHAW, LIZ BOWMAN, TERRY HANSTOCK, ALLAN BUNCH, EDWIN FLEMING and WILFRED ASHWORTH
Two new members of staff are joining BLRDD in September: Lawrence Howells, who is at present working in the Science Reference and Information service, will become a project…
Abstract
Two new members of staff are joining BLRDD in September: Lawrence Howells, who is at present working in the Science Reference and Information service, will become a project officer, and Ros Cotton, who is currently working in the Library Association Library, will be the new dissemination officer.
Andrew Sixsmith, Ryan Woolrych, Rebecca Schonnop, Stephen Robinovitch, Habib Chaudhury and Fabio Feldman
Despite the growing area of research involving falls in the residential care setting, the link between contextual and environmental factors in falls is poorly understood. This…
Abstract
Purpose
Despite the growing area of research involving falls in the residential care setting, the link between contextual and environmental factors in falls is poorly understood. This paper aims to draw upon existing research being undertaken in long-term care (LTC) in Metro Vancouver, Canada, with a particular focus on identifying contextual factors contributing to fall events.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper presents the results of a qualitative observational analysis of video-captured data collected through a network of high-quality video systems in two LTC facilities. The research comprised workshops involving experienced researchers who reviewed six video sequences of fall events. The outcome of the workshops was a written narrative summarizing the discussion and researchers’ interpretation of fall sequences.
Findings
The analysis indicates that there are a broad range of environmental, behavioral and situational factors that contribute to falls in LTC. This suggests that a limited conceptualization of a fall as an outcome of the person's impairment and environmental hazards fails to convey the complexity of potential contributory factors typical of most fall incidents.
Research limitations/implications
Broadening our understanding of falls provides the potential to make recommendations for falls prevention practice across multiple levels, including the individual, social and organizational context.
Originality/value
The paper evaluates the potential of video-based data in fall analysis and points to the development of a case study approach to analyzing fall incidents to capture the complex nature of contributory factors beyond research that focuses solely on intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors.
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Bolong He, Snezana Mitrovic-Minic, Len Garis, Pierre Robinson and Tamon Stephen
The Surrey (British Columbia, Canada) fire department has an annual cycle for hiring full-time firefighters. This paper optimizes the timing of the annual hiring period. A key…
Abstract
Purpose
The Surrey (British Columbia, Canada) fire department has an annual cycle for hiring full-time firefighters. This paper optimizes the timing of the annual hiring period. A key issue is handling workplace absences, which can be covered by overtime cost or full-time hires.
Design/methodology/approach
Short-term and long-term absences patterns are analyzed according to season and age cohorts of the firefighters. These are then used in both an explanatory and time series model to predict future absences. The hiring schedule is optimized based on these predictions and additional constraints.
Findings
The current practice fares well in the analysis. For the time period studied, moving to earlier hiring dates appears beneficial. This analysis is robust with respect to various assumptions.
Originality/value
This is a case study where analytic techniques and machine learning are applied to an organizational practice that is not commonly analyzed. In this case, the previous method was not much worse than the optimized solution. The techniques used are quite general and can be applied to various organizational decision problems.
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Stephen L. Jacobson, Lauri Johnson, Rose Ylimaki and Corrie Giles
This study aims to examine seven challenging schools in the US and the practices their principals employed in leading these schools to a measure of success in terms of student…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine seven challenging schools in the US and the practices their principals employed in leading these schools to a measure of success in terms of student performance.
Design/methodology/approach
Uses a case study methodology, a two‐stage framework is used to analyze the data. First, uses Leithwood and Riehl's three core leadership practices to determine whether these leaders were demonstrating the necessary practices for success, then develops and describes three principles that enabled these leaders to translate their core practices into school success: accountability, caring and learning.
Findings
The principals formed a diverse group, varying in gender, race, experience and education. But they shared some common characteristics, most notably, all seven demonstrated facility with the core leadership practices of direction setting, developing people and redesigning the organization. They were leaders who managed to set and maintain a sense of purpose and direction for their schools and generally exerted a positive influence on people's willingness to follow their lead, even in the face of challenging conditions.
Originality/value
Provides recommendations for the preparation and practice of school leaders.
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