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Article
Publication date: 20 May 2021

Jörg Räwel

Given the form of functional differentiation of modern society, a far-reaching coordination of functional systems as a dissolution of their heterarchical relationship to each…

Abstract

Purpose

Given the form of functional differentiation of modern society, a far-reaching coordination of functional systems as a dissolution of their heterarchical relationship to each other, as was apparently possible in the social “lockdown” during the corona pandemic, should have been extremely unlikely. The purpose of this study is to explain how this was nevertheless achieved.

Design/methodology/approach

From the perspective of systems theory, social action in principle does not present itself as a problem but as a solution to (latent) social problems. In the sociological analysis presented here, it is therefore precisely a matter of uncovering or pointing out those (changed) social structures in which a social “lockdown” appears as a solution.

Findings

The paper explains that with the emergence of social media through applications such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok, a new force is establishing itself at the level of society as a system. It is one that is characterized by being highly vulnerable to moral communication. A susceptibility to morality manifests, on the one hand, through an individual differentiation of society made possible by social media – for example, in the emerging Chinese social credit system – and, on the other hand, through the specific communicative structures of the social media themselves. It is argued that social media, in the form of a moral authority with a lasting effect on society as a whole, make a significant contribution to realizing the social “lockdown.”

Originality/value

The originality of the paper results from the fact that the emergence of a new social phenomenon (“lockdown”) is explained.

Article
Publication date: 21 July 2022

Sotiris Lainas and Christos Kouimtsidis

Evidence suggests that the percentage of men seeking treatment for substance use disorders and other addictive behaviours is significantly higher than that of women. This fact…

Abstract

Purpose

Evidence suggests that the percentage of men seeking treatment for substance use disorders and other addictive behaviours is significantly higher than that of women. This fact raises several crucial questions concerning the field of addictions. This paper aims to emphasize to the study of addiction in the light of gender studies and especially in the light of theories of dominant/hegemonic masculinity.

Design/methodology/approach

The perspective of dominant/hegemonic masculinity in the field of addictions raises a number of questions: Can the dominant/hegemonic masculinity perspective contribute to the understanding of the phenomenon of addiction? What are the implications of male-dominated and male-centred treatment services on meeting the needs of other populations? Are androcentric approaches ultimately helpful for heteronormative men? This paper investigates the emerging questions through a critical review of the literature including the disciplines of psychology, sociology and anthropology.

Findings

The perspective of hegemonic masculinity can make an important contribution to the understanding of addiction as it sheds light on a dimension that is not well researched and used in the field of addictions. The influences of the androcentric approach to addiction treatment are significant and pose problems both in accessing and serving the needs of other populations. The androcentric approach to treatment is not helpful for heteronormative men either as there is a risk of not addressing the toxic dimensions of dominant/hegemonic masculinity that are directly linked to the problem of addiction.

Research limitations/implications

This paper poses interesting research questions for further research in the field.

Practical implications

This paper raises important issues for practitioners in the field and at the same time suggests alternative perspectives on the interpretation and treatment of addiction.

Social implications

The gender perspective that should further enrich psychosocial interventions is crucial for the equal access of all people with an addiction problem to appropriate support structures.

Originality/value

Gender studies can make an important contribution to further understanding of addiction problems and to the development of effective practices for dealing with it. The fact that in substance abuse treatment programmes the vast majority of participants are heteronormative men raises a number of concerns. These concerns relate to the extent to which structures are directed at meeting the needs of these men and whether because of this orientation the needs of other populations such as heteronormative women and those who do not meet the norms of heteronormativity are left uncovered. These concerns are linked to broader considerations of the role that dominant/hegemonic masculinity plays in the aetiology of addiction and in creating barriers to help-seeking for heteronormative men themselves.

Article
Publication date: 13 February 2017

Hamish Robertson

The purpose of this paper is to explore the potential value of applying spatial science and technology to the issue of care integration across what are the often fragmented…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the potential value of applying spatial science and technology to the issue of care integration across what are the often fragmented domains of health and social care provision. The issue of focus for this purpose is population ageing because it challenges existing information and practice silos. Better integration, the author proposes, needs to adopt a geographic approach to deal with the challenges that population ageing present to health and social care as they currently function in many countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach utilised here explores the role that could be played by enhancing spatial perspectives in care integration. Spatial and temporal strategies need to be coordinated to produce systems of integrated care that are needed to meet the needs of growing numbers of older people.

Findings

The author’s premise is that, with some rare exceptions, geographies of care are needed to address important shifts in demography such as population ageing and their epidemiological consequences. The rising intersection between the ageing and disability concepts illustrates how the fluid nature of health and social care client groups will challenge existing systems and their presuppositions. Health and medical geography offer a theoretical and practical response to some of these emerging problems.

Research limitations/implications

This is a brief conceptual piece in favour of integrating geographic concepts and methods in the context of changing demography and the social, economic and service implications of such changes. It is limited in scope and a more detailed explanation would be required for a proof of concept.

Practical implications

Practically we know that all human services vary across space as do both healthcare and related social services and supports. Issues of quality and safety are numerous in these policy domains generally, with aged care evidencing a growing number of problems and challenges. Being able to inquire on significant challenges in health and social care through a spatial lens has the potential to provide another, highly practical, kind of evidence in this field of work. This lens is, the author contends, very poorly integrated into either health or social care at present. However, doing so would have a variety of useful outcomes for monitoring and intervening on real problems in care integration. An example could be “frequent flyers” in emergency departments as has been done in Camden, New Jersey through patient mapping.

Social implications

The author’s position in this paper is that the challenges we face in providing integrated care to ageing and increasingly disabled (including both physical and cognitive impairments) populations will only grow in the face of variable governmental responses and increasingly complex funding and service provider arrangements. Without a geographical perspective and the concepts and tools of spatial science the author does not see an adequate response emerging. The shift to community-based care for many groups, including the aged, means that location will become more important rather than less so. This is a societal concern of major proportions and the very concept of integrated care requires of us a geographical perspective.

Originality/value

This is a short but, the author believes, conceptually rich piece with a variety of potential practical implications for health and social care service provision. Issues of equity, quality, safety and even basic access can only grow as population ageing progresses and various forms of chronic disease and disability continue to grow. Knowing where the most affected people and their social and service connections are located will support better integration. And better integration may resolve some of the financial and related resource problems that are already evident but which can only continue to increase. In this context, the author suggests that the integrated care of the future needs to be geographically informed to be effective.

Details

Journal of Integrated Care, vol. 25 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1476-9018

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 October 2010

David Collison, Colin Dey, Gwen Hannah and Lorna Stevenson

This paper seeks to consider the impact and potential impact of social accounting at the macro level. It aims to explore the potential for “silent” or “shadow” social accounting…

5376

Abstract

Purpose

This paper seeks to consider the impact and potential impact of social accounting at the macro level. It aims to explore the potential for “silent” or “shadow” social accounting to hold Anglo‐American capitalism to account for its social outcomes relative to other “varieties of capitalism”.

Design/methodology/approach

The role of accounting in spreading Anglo‐American capitalist values is outlined. This is followed by a discussion of macro social indicators and their potential to problematise social outcomes. In particular the paper reports on, and updates, an investigation of comparative child mortality figures in wealthy countries that appeared in the medical literature. This evidence is used both as an exemplar and as a substantive issue in its own right.

Findings

The specific empirical evidence reported, based on a cross‐sectional and longitudinal analysis of child mortality and its relationship to income inequality, exemplifies the consistently poor and relatively worsening performance of the Anglo‐American capitalist model. A rationale, and evidence, is also presented for the potential of such social reporting to act as an accountability mechanism.

Originality/value

The paper introduces to the accounting literature specific evidence of poor social outcomes associated with Anglo‐American capitalism. It considers the wider potential role of social indicators, as a component of silent and shadow reporting at a macro‐level, in problematising dominant forms of economic and social organisation.

Details

Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, vol. 23 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0951-3574

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 February 1996

Richard A.E. North, Jim P. Duguid and Michael A. Sheard

Describes a study to measure the quality of service provided by food‐poisoning surveillance agencies in England and Wales in terms of the requirements of a representative consumer…

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Abstract

Describes a study to measure the quality of service provided by food‐poisoning surveillance agencies in England and Wales in terms of the requirements of a representative consumer ‐ the egg producing industry ‐ adopting “egg associated” outbreak investigation reports as the reference output. Defines and makes use of four primary performance indicators: accessibility of information; completeness of evidence supplied in food‐poisoning outbreak investigation reports as to the sources of infection in “egg‐associated” outbreaks; timeliness of information published; and utility of information and advice aimed at preventing or controlling food poisoning. Finds that quality expectations in each parameter measured are not met. Examines reasons why surveillance agencies have not delivered the quality demanded. Makes use of detailed case studies to illustrate inadequacies of current practice. Attributes failure to deliver “accessibility” to a lack of recognition on the status or nature of “consumers”, combined with a self‐maintenance motivation of the part of the surveillance agencies. Finds that failures to deliver “completeness” and “utility” may result from the same defects which give rise to the lack of “accessibility” in that, failing to recognize the consumers of a public service for what they are, the agencies feel no need to provide them with the data they require. The research indicates that self‐maintenance by scientific epidemiologists may introduce biases which when combined with a politically inspired need to transfer responsibility for food‐poisoning outbreaks, skew the conduct of investigations and their conclusions. Contends that this is compounded by serious and multiple inadequacies in the conduct of investigations, arising at least in part from the lack of training and relative inexperience of investigators, the whole conditioned by interdisciplinary rivalry between the professional groups staffing the different agencies. Finds that in addition failures to exploit or develop epidemiological technologies has affected the ability of investigators to resolve the uncertainties identified. Makes recommendations directed at improving the performance of the surveillance agencies which, if adopted will substantially enhance food poisoning control efforts.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 98 no. 2/3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 December 2021

Amy Chan Hyung Kim, James Du and Jeffrey James

The purpose of the current research was to examine the different relationships between individuals' sense of community in sport (SCS) cultivated by participating in local sport…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the current research was to examine the different relationships between individuals' sense of community in sport (SCS) cultivated by participating in local sport leagues, social support and health-related psychological outcomes (i.e. depressive symptoms and happiness) based on the participants' involvement level in the tennis league.

Design/methodology/approach

Using participants (n = 150) from local tennis leagues in the Southeastern region of the USA, the authors first conducted an instrument validation procedure to assess the psychometric properties of the included measures, and second, the authors analyzed the proposed multigroup moderated-mediation structural model using component-based partial least squares structural equation modeling with SmartPLS 3 (Ringle et al., 2015).

Findings

The results provide adequate evidence of reliability and validity for both the included reflective and formative constructs. Further, the findings of the proposed moderated-mediation structural model indicated that SCS was positively and significantly associated with social support and happiness while negatively related with depressive symptoms. Social support only mediated the relationship between SCS and happiness. The multigroup analysis results showed significant differences in the relationship between social support and happiness between the least involved group and more involved groups.

Originality/value

The findings of this study indicated that SCS experienced through participation in local sport leagues can develop both the extent and quality of supportive social relationships with other engaging members. One conclusion from the findings is recognizing a need to develop interventions to enhance SCS, social support and health-related psychological outcomes through local sport league participation.

Details

International Journal of Sports Marketing and Sponsorship, vol. 23 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1464-6668

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 April 2020

Jacquie McGraw, Rebekah Russell-Bennett and Katherine M. White

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of masculine identity in generating value destruction and diminished well-being in a preventative health service.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of masculine identity in generating value destruction and diminished well-being in a preventative health service.

Design/methodology/approach

This research used five focus groups with 39 Australian men aged between 50 and 74 years. Men’s participation in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program informed the sample frame. In total, 12 Jungian male archetypes were used to identify different masculine identities.

Findings

Thematic analysis of the data revealed three themes of masculinity that explain why men destroy value by avoiding the use of a preventative health services including: rejection of the service reduces consumer disempowerment and emasculation, active rejection of resources creates positive agency and suppressing negative self-conscious emotions protects the self.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations include the single context of bowel cancer screening. Future research could investigate value destruction in other preventative health contexts such as testicular cancer screening, sexual health screening and drug abuse.

Practical implications

Practical implications include fostering consumer empowerment when accessing services, developing consumer resources to create positive agency and boosting positive self-conscious emotions by promoting positive social norms.

Originality/value

This research is the first known study to explore how value is destroyed in men’s preventative health using the perspective of gender identity. This research also is the first to explore value destruction as an emotion regulation strategy.

Details

Journal of Service Theory and Practice, vol. 30 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2055-6225

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 April 2013

Margrit Magdaalena Stamm

The aim of this article is to explore the phenomenon of gifted migrants in vocational training and education. To date, migrant apprentices have been predominantly discussed from a…

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this article is to explore the phenomenon of gifted migrants in vocational training and education. To date, migrant apprentices have been predominantly discussed from a deficit perspective. Special attention has been given to competence insufficiency and underperformance, as well as to migrant adolescents’ lack of professional and educational attainment. However, recent research points to a social group of migrants who are successful educational and professional achievers.

Design/methodology/approach

The article at hand discusses five theoretical models commonly applied to explain underachievement among migrant adolescents. It then examines these models’ explanatory power to predict migrants’ educational success. To conclude, the research parameters and theoretical framework of a Swiss longitudinal study designed on the basis of these findings is presented.

Findings

Educational research has increasingly focused on migrants, as well as on vocational education and training. However, what resulted from existing research is a predominantly unfavorable image of migrant apprentices that exclusively portrays them as so called “educational losers” of socio‐economically and culturally disadvantaged backgrounds. Based on theoretical explanatory models, a number of assumptions were extracted to show how educational success among migrants could be explained and whether resilience factors play a role in it. From the resilience perspective, professional success of migrant apprentices is likely to result from a stable, long‐term attachment figure or mentor who served as a role and identification model and was of significant importance in the adolescents’ workplace, for example as professional mentor. Furthermore, it is expected that educational facilities, in particular vocational training institutions, must have excelled in demanding high educational achievement, providing clear organizational and management structures, and high teaching quality as well as good instructor‐learner relationships.

Originality/value

As has been shown, educational research has increasingly focused on migrants, as well as on vocational education and training. However, what resulted from existing research is a predominantly unfavorable image of migrant apprentices that exclusively portrays them as so called “educational losers” of socio‐economically and culturally disadvantaged backgrounds. This implies that educational and professional success is not attainable for youths from disadvantaged families. On the other hand, successful migrant careers have been exemplarily portrayed; systematic research however is scarce and virtually non‐existent in German‐speaking academia. The lack of educational policy debate about successful migrants is probably a result of this research gap.

Details

Education + Training, vol. 55 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0040-0912

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 October 2022

Maria Isaksson and Mona Solvoll

The purpose of this study is to examine the identification and collaboration rhetoric of the Norwegian government and public health authorities during the pandemic. The aim is to…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the identification and collaboration rhetoric of the Norwegian government and public health authorities during the pandemic. The aim is to show whether and how actors use strategies and themes of identification, and whether they build identification with their publics.

Design/methodology/approach

The study combines qualitative and quantitative methods. Six identification strategies were identified through manual text analysis of press statements; word counts of each strategy were registered electronically to access quantitative data of individual actors.

Findings

The three strategies reflecting values, the two strategies reflecting division and disagreement and the strategy reflecting change showed almost equal frequencies. The strategy of shaping community, serving the function of change, and the division strategy, demonstrating identification through dissociation, were the most frequent strategies. Politicians preferred the collaboration strategy, while health experts preferred the strategy of concern and recognition.

Originality/value

The six identification strategies extend the understanding of leadership crisis communication and contemporary rhetoric as community-building discourse aiming for speaker–audience collaboration. The study demonstrates that division and disagreement are equally essential components of crisis communication as values and change. When actors differ in choice of strategy, themes and publics, they may still come across as coordinated and unified in their calls for solidarity, collective efforts and common understanding.

Details

Journal of Communication Management, vol. 27 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1363-254X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 April 1983

Stuart Montgomery

The more severe cases of mental subnormality have shown a fairly random social distribution, but mild subnormality is typically a lower‐class phenomenon. Various deterministic…

Abstract

The more severe cases of mental subnormality have shown a fairly random social distribution, but mild subnormality is typically a lower‐class phenomenon. Various deterministic formulations have been offered in explanation of this, ranging from hereditarian notions of “bad stock” among the lower classes to environmentalist em‐phasis upon the debilitating effect of poor social circumstances. This article argues that such attempts to account for the social distribution of subnormality in terms of aetiology are premature, because the processes whereby people come to be labelled as subnormal are largely unexamined.

Details

International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, vol. 3 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-333X

Keywords

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