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1 – 10 of 857Uma Jogulu, Nicola Green, Esme Franken, Alexis Vassiley, Tim Bentley and Leigh-ann Onnis
This study explored one form of remote working – work from home – to understand the impact of work disruptions on workers and human resource management (HRM) practice and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study explored one form of remote working – work from home – to understand the impact of work disruptions on workers and human resource management (HRM) practice and therefore how to adapt to future crises. Specifically, the purpose is to understand the impact of events on employees when they are forced to move back and forth (yo-yoing) between work from home and a central office, using the case of Perth, Western Australia (WA).
Design/methodology/approach
Thirty-nine interviews with leaders, managers and co-workers working in private and public organisations suggest that forced changes to work arrangements affect job content and demands, well-being and potentially career trajectories.
Findings
The authors critically applied and developed the tenets of event system theory (EST) (novelty, disruption and criticality) by analysing an ongoing or “long” event rather than a discrete or time-limited one. The study found that the work-from-home experience influenced the individual perception of whether remote working would suit employees in the future, potentially influencing career paths. In addition, the selection of locations to live, preferred properties (e.g. home office space) and access to services (e.g. broadband infrastructure) has also become dominant features of work decisions.
Research limitations/implications
While the study generated rich data, it is not without limitations. The participants were from one Australian state which may not reflect the COVID-19 experiences of other jurisdictions. In addition, the participants were mostly female so this may offer a different perspective than a more gender-balanced sample. The study was limited to the perspectives of employees and middle managers.
Practical implications
The authors note three areas of implications for practitioners. First, the findings suggest that strong organisational and HRM support assists employees to cope well with change. Second, the importance of technological and social preparedness in improving employee experiences highlights the role of HRM in job design. Third, it is key that salient events are recognised as potential determinants of career pathways.
Originality/value
The evidence from this research broadens the application of EST showing that forced flexibility has an influence on work arrangements by influencing a series of changes in features of work and experiences of employees. As such, this impacts employee's well-being and potentially future career decisions.
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Martha Givaudan, Marco Barriga, Jacquelyn Kercheval and Susan Pick
The purpose of this paper is to present a sustainable, community-based action model to improve the care and protection of children between the ages of zero and eight years who…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a sustainable, community-based action model to improve the care and protection of children between the ages of zero and eight years who have been left behind due to migration. One facet of the program is to train community leaders to teach an experiential program to facilitate and increase the likelihood of the development of life habits in children, caretakers, teachers, mothers, and fathers that will improve the caretaker-infant relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
Community leaders were evaluated via a pre-training questionnaire and a post-training questionnaire.
Findings
The evaluation of the training of the community leaders revealed the following statistically significant results: an increase in the level of a number of life habits, which include self-awareness, management of emotions, empathy, assertive communication, decision-making, critical thinking, conflict negotiation and resolution, and teamwork; a reduction in the degree to which psychosocial barriers hinder personal development; an increase in the level of autonomy and self-efficacy; an increase in the level of knowledge that participants have about the topics of the workshops: child development, child-rearing and academic potential, as well as migration; and positive changes in the attitudes that they have regarding certain topics related to child development.
Originality/value
The program was conducted in Hidalgo, Mexico, a state whose high rates of migration put the children at greater risk for developmental delays if they lack adult support.
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Teresa Silva Dias, Katerina Novotná, Helder Zimmermann Oliveira, Carlos Azevedo, Nuno Corte-Real, Pavel Slepička and António Manuel Fonseca
The purpose of this paper is to perceive the perspective of Portuguese and Czech’ talented athletes regarding: the main reasons pointed to drop out of sport, putting into analysis…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to perceive the perspective of Portuguese and Czech’ talented athletes regarding: the main reasons pointed to drop out of sport, putting into analysis motivational factors; the conciliation of School and Sport, and how the organization of schools and sports contexts are articulated in relation to the training and promotion of students, athletes and citizens; and the contributions (positive/negative) of sports to daily life and society.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses a qualitative approach to interview eight talented athletes from different sports that had to drop out the practice of sport and explores their narratives regarding experiences and the relational dynamics between sports contexts and schools.
Findings
Athletes identify factors that led to drop out: the coach profile or the methodology and dynamics of practicing/training; time consuming; and the impossibility of reconciling sports with school/job. Athletes can identify the sport’s culture, self-development and health being as positive contributions of sports, whereas injuries were referred as the main negative factor of sport. As proposal of changes, athletes referred to the need of a more professional organization of the sport contexts and to more proximity between school policies and sport policies allowing conciliating both.
Research limitations/implications
One limitation that could be pointed to this research is the difference between the Czech and Portuguese socio-cultural and political situation, not only in the concept and organization of sports activities (since scholar years) but also in the general society. This difference could have more visibility when interpreting the data that led to this fact referred above.
Practical implications
It is recommended a more proximity relationship between researchers and the contexts of practice (sport contexts) being that it is important that these contexts should have feedback from the investigations carried out. Only in this way coaches, federations and confederations can be aware of the motivational factors that lead to talented athletes drop out, and make a greater investment in initial formation of the coaches and propose policies that try to establish partnerships with schools or professional contexts which could help the management of athletes’ times outside of sport.
Originality/value
Departing from the athletes’ feelings, concerns and motivations related to sport and the reasons that led to their drop out, we argue for the definition of public policies, in both countries, that promote non-discrimination of young people who wish to maintain a path linked to sports in articulation with other areas of their lives.
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An alternative title to this article would be “Truth is Stranger than Fiction”. The characters and their antics, devoted to storing and dispensing lubricants, are almost true and…
Abstract
An alternative title to this article would be “Truth is Stranger than Fiction”. The characters and their antics, devoted to storing and dispensing lubricants, are almost true and are not mere figments of the author's imagination. There are many instances of works which the author has visited where Fred and Yo Yo really exist and need help.
Danusia Moreau, Jonathan Besney, Angela Jacobs, Dan Woods, Mark Joffe and Rabia Ahmed
Facility-based Varicella zoster virus (VZV) transmission is reported in a Canadian youth offender correctional centre (YOCC). Transmission occurred from an immunocompetent youth…
Abstract
Purpose
Facility-based Varicella zoster virus (VZV) transmission is reported in a Canadian youth offender correctional centre (YOCC). Transmission occurred from an immunocompetent youth offender (YO) with localized Herpes zoster to another immunocompetent single dose vaccinated YO, resulting in Varicella zoster (VZ) breakthrough disease. The purpose of this paper is to identify infection prevention and control (IPAC) measures utilized in this setting.
Design/methodology/approach
A retrospective chart and immunization record review was conducted for two VZV cases and 27 exposed YO contacts in order to obtain demographic, clinical and immunization data. Descriptive data analysis was performed.
Findings
All VZV cases and exposed contacts were male with an average age of 14.2 and 15.6 years for cases and contacts, respectively. Both cases shared the same living unit in the YOCC. There were 28 identified YO contacts, of whom 70 percent were single dose vaccinated with univalent vaccine, followed by 22 percent with a previous history of Varicella disease. All cases and contacts were born in Canada. No foreign-born populations were involved with this event. Infection control measures included additional precaution management, enhanced surveillance and environmental cleaning. As such, no hospitalizations or post-exposure immunizations were required.
Originality/value
This report highlights the role that VZ breakthrough disease could play in fueling an outbreak in a high-risk environment without rapid recognition and implementation of preventative measures. It also underscores the importance of IPAC presence and public health immunization programs within correctional centers to avoid infectious disease threats.
Aamir Hassan and Javed Ahmad Bhat
Concrete-filled double skin tube (CFDST) columns are considered one of the most effective steel-concrete composite sections owing to the higher load carrying capacity as compared…
Abstract
Purpose
Concrete-filled double skin tube (CFDST) columns are considered one of the most effective steel-concrete composite sections owing to the higher load carrying capacity as compared to its counterpart concrete-filled tube (CFT) columns. This paper aims to numerically investigate the performance of axially loaded, circular CFDST short columns, with the innovative strengthening technique of providing stiffeners in outer tubes. Circular steel hollow sections have been adopted for inner as well as outer tubes, while varying the length of rectangular steel stiffeners, fixed inside the outer tubes only, to check the effect of stiffeners in partially and full-length stiffened CFDST columns.
Design/methodology/approach
The behaviour of these CFDST columns is investigated numerically by using a verified finite element analysis (FEA) model from the ABAQUS. The behaviour of 20-unstiffened, 80-partially stiffened and 20-full-length stiffened CFDST columns is studied, while varying the strength of steel (fyo = 250–750 MPa) and concrete (30–90 MPa).
Findings
The FEA results are verified by comparing them with the previous test results. FEA study has exhibited that, there is a 7%–25% and 39%–49% increase in peak-loads in partially stiffened and full-length stiffened CFDST columns, respectively, compared to unstiffened CFDST columns.
Originality/value
Enhanced strength has been observed in partially stiffened and full-length stiffened CFDST columns as compared to unstiffened CFDST columns. Also, a significant effect of strength of concrete has not been observed as compared to the strength of steel.
Gabriele Pizzi and Daniele Scarpi
This paper aims to investigate whether and how the inclusion of the year of establishment (YOE) in the brand logotype affects consumers’ perceptions of brand heritage and…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate whether and how the inclusion of the year of establishment (YOE) in the brand logotype affects consumers’ perceptions of brand heritage and attitudes toward the brand.
Design/methodology/approach
Two studies are conducted, one on 12 service brands (universities) and the other on 12 product brands (beers), with 250 and 200 respondents, respectively, testing a model of moderated mediation to estimate the effect of YOE on brand attitude through brand heritage as moderated by brand familiarity.
Findings
Reporting YOE on the brand logo invokes heritage that in turn increases attitudes. Older YOEs are more effective than recent YOEs. YOE effects are stronger for less-known brands. The findings support full mediation of heritage and moderation of familiarity.
Research limitations/implications
YOE invokes heritage, especially when YOE is old and the brand, less known. Additional research should examine the YOE effect among product categories where old means “outdated,” as in the hi-tech industry.
Practical implications
Managers have been using YOE since long: the findings provide guidelines for leveraging heritage. YOE works but must be signaled in the logotype to be effective and is particularly helpful for less-known brands. Thus, YOE effect gives less-known brands an additional counterbalance to the market power of their known competitors.
Originality/value
Previous research showed that companies can exploit their past heritage in the present times. Nonetheless, previous studies highlighted the complexity and paucity of tools to induce heritage. This is the first study to address the YOE effect. Empirical evidence also answers recent calls for easily implementable ways to induce heritage.
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The purpose of this paper is to fulfil national guidelines for greater participation of young people within Children’s Services and specifically explored young offenders’ (YOs…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to fulfil national guidelines for greater participation of young people within Children’s Services and specifically explored young offenders’ (YOs) views and experiences of the Youth Justice Service (YJS).
Design/methodology/approach
Semi-structured interviews were used to gather qualitative evidence regarding the experiences of 11 YOs. The interviews were created with four subsections: demographic information, positive and negative aspects of the YJS, feelings regarding YJS involvement, and hindsight and future plans. Interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis.
Findings
Two main themes arose: how participants perceived their journey through the YJS, and the relationships participants had with both the professionals and activities. Overall, the genuineness and parental quality of the relationships between YOs and YJS workers, and the personal relevance of the work, both appeared more important than formal interventions.
Practical implications
Implications for YJS practice suggest the need to create a context of genuine care. This includes building a relationship with, and working collaboratively with the YO, the provision of structure and boundaries, ensuring clarity in service provision and tailoring work to the individual and the offence.
Originality/value
This work satisfies Children’s Services guidance to obtain the view of the young person. It evaluates work within a specific YJS and provides implications for altering the focus of this work. The outcomes offer wider implications for all YJS provisions.
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Aaron Aw Teik Hong, Renuganth Varatharajoo and Fairuz Romli
The purpose of this paper is to develop analytic solutions for a tethered satellite system (TSS) subjected to internal tether tension moment and external aerodynamic torque for…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop analytic solutions for a tethered satellite system (TSS) subjected to internal tether tension moment and external aerodynamic torque for spin-up and spin-down manoeuvres.
Design/methodology/approach
Analytic solutions for TSS based on the approximation of Euler’s equations of motion via Fresnel integrals and sine and cosine integrals. Test simulation was performed for two cases (spin-up and spin-down manoeuvres). The conclusion is based on graphical interpretation.
Findings
The effects of angular velocities on X, Y and Z axes of the TSS under the influence of combined torques from internal tether tension and external aerodynamic drag influenced during spinning manoeuvres are shown graphically.
Research limitations/implications
This research focuses only on a circular orbit, which is one of the simplest orbits without many variables taken into account such as flight path angle and true anomaly. It could get quite complex for other orbit types like elliptic and parabolic orbits.
Practical implications
Practical implications include observing the stability rotational motion of TSS so as to perform a two-way payload exchange via momentum transfer.
Originality/value
In this paper, analytic solutions for a torque motion of a TSS comprising non-linear Euler’s equations of motion are established for spin-up and spin-down manoeuvres.
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Jaime Santos-Reyes and Tatiana Gouzeva
Studies on human behaviour during a seismic emergency in tall buildings are scant. During such emergencies, occupants need to reach a safe place. The purpose of this paper is to…
Abstract
Purpose
Studies on human behaviour during a seismic emergency in tall buildings are scant. During such emergencies, occupants need to reach a safe place. The purpose of this paper is to address some of the emotional and behavioural responses of the occupants of three multi-storey buildings during the 19 September earthquake that hit Mexico City in 2017.
Design/methodology/approach
A cross-sectional and non-probability study was conducted using a questionnaire-based survey; the sample size was n = 352, and the study was conducted from 4 October to 20 November 2017.
Findings
(1) In the 11 storey-building, women, age (18–49 years old [yo]) and participants with higher education exhibited flight behaviour, and those of the six storey-building within the age category 18–49 yo also exhibited a similar behaviour; (2) Women and age (18–49 yo) in the six and 11-storey buildings were significantly associated with fear of the earthquake; (3) Women were significantly more fearful and felt more intense the tremors than men in the 11-storey building; (4) Women were significantly more fearful of the 11-storey building collapsing; (5) The taller the building, the more fearful were the occupants of the building collapsing.
Research limitations/implications
First, the sample considered in the study was no probability; consequently, the results should not be generalised to the existing high-rising buildings in Mexico City. Second, some of the variables considered herein were of the Likert-type scale but have been assumed as continuous; in fact, some future work could be the design of a valid and reliable questionnaire to address human behaviour during earthquakes in tall buildings.
Practical implications
The presented results may be the great value to key decision-makers on how to address the lack of earthquake preparedness during a seismic emergency. Further, the results have shed light on the negative emotions (fear) experienced by the occupants of tall buildings.
Social implications
Gaining a better understanding of human behavioural in tall buildings is essential in devising measures to mitigate the impact of earthquake disasters.
Originality/value
Research on human behaviour during a seismic emergency in high-rise buildings is scant. To gain a better understanding of human emotional and behavioural response to earthquakes in tall buildings, it becomes necessary to conduct research such as the present case study. This may help decision-makers to devise measures so that the impact of earthquake disasters may be limited.
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