bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Potential methods of adjustment to declining imports of Russian roundwood for the Finnish pulp and paper industry
Authors: Palander Teijo , Vesa Lauri
Published: August 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate optimal strategic decision alternatives for Finnish pulp production companies in response to rising export tariffs on Russian roundwood. Traditionally, increasing the domestic or Russian supply to pulp mills satisfied their wood requirements. However, once this conventional strategy could no longer be implemented (in 2008), the wood requirements were met by adjusting pulp production (reducing) and wood procurement (increasing domestic procurement).

Design/methodology/approach

As the primary research data for the study, the procurement situation in 2005 was used to describe the conventional business strategy for purchasers of Russian or domestic roundwood. Possible business strategies were then simulated for changing pulp production by Stora Enso, with the goal of adjusting roundwood requirements, to develop a globally‐optimal strategy to solve the procurement problem.

Findings

After removing production by the northernmost Finnish pulp mill, the authors could not find a globally optimal solution for the wood‐procurement problem. It was found that Russia's tax policy (high export tariffs on roundwood) will have large implications for Finnish wood procurement (i.e. the use of domestic wood vs imported Russian roundwood), and can dramatically change the basis, type, and location of pulp mills. The reduction or total elimination of imported Russian roundwood caused severe supply shortages and reduced pulp production.

Originality/value

Based on the results of analysis, the authors recommend adjustment methods to assist strategic wood‐procurement decisions, given the need to adapt wood‐procurement logistics to an unpredictable and complicated pulp production environment that requires continual optimization of the wood flow.
Primary principals' leadership styles, school organizational health and workplace bullying
Authors: Cemaloğlu Necati
Published: August 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the relationships between leadership styles of primary school principals and organizational health and bullying.

Design/methodology/approach

Two hypotheses were formulated in relation to the research. Three instruments were used – a multi‐level questionnaire for measuring leadership, an Organizational Health Inventory (OHI‐S), and a negative acts questionnaire (NAQ) for measuring workplace bullying. The questionnaires were administered to 500 teachers working in primary schools in Turkey. Path analysis was conducted using the AMOS programs; other statistical analyses were conducted via LISREL and EQS 6.1 programs.

Findings

There is a positive relationship between transformational leadership acts of principals and organizational health and a negative relationship between the transformational leadership acts of principals and workplace bullying. While a reverse relationship between organizational health and workplace bullying is identified, there is a relationship between transactional leadership acts of principals and organizational health. No relationship between transactional leadership acts of principals and workplace bullying is found.

Practical implications

These results suggest the desirability of principals striving to improve transformational leadership behaviors in order to develop their schools as healthy organizations and to solve the problem of bullying therein.

Originality/value

Several resources are provided as tools, such as the NAQ, the OHI‐S, and the multifactor leadership questionnaire. These may be profitably used in similar studies.
Aspiring principal development programme evaluation in New Zealand
Authors: Piggot‐Irvine Eileen , Youngs Howard
Published: August 2011

Purpose

The New Zealand Ministry of Education has constructed a wide‐ranging “Professional Development Plan” providing a four‐stage national pathway for progression to principalship; the first stage has been the conduction of the National Aspiring Principals Pilot (NAPP) programme in five regional locations. The purpose of this paper is to outline the evaluation of the programme.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed method approach for evaluation was employed where qualitative and quantitative data were collected almost simultaneously, and compared and contrasted.

Findings

Key findings indicated overall sound programme delivery, curriculum coherence, high relevancy to stakeholders and good rates of principal appointments. Greater emphasis is placed on distinctive findings that have not been reported elsewhere. These included: primary‐sector participants rating course facilitation, online learning, and “relevancy of the course for principal development” more positively than their secondary counterparts; aspirants who had partial or full completion of a relevant post‐graduate leadership qualification rating eight aspects of NAPP lower than those without such qualifications; and aspirants who were approached and encouraged to apply for NAPP by their principal and subsequently supported by them, finding the programme more relevant and applicable.

Research limitations/implications

The multiple positive outcomes reported reveal short‐term programme adequacy and effectiveness against a range of indicators. Long‐term impact (including capacity to change leadership practice, student learning and school improvement) evaluation is required to determine sustained effectiveness.

Originality/value

The paper provides distinctive findings that have not been reported previously for principal development and more general findings that should inform such development programmes.
Academic optimism and community engagement in urban schools
Authors: Kirby Misty M. , DiPaola Michael F.
Published: August 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships among academic optimism, community engagement, and student achievement in urban elementary schools across one district.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from all 35 urban elementary schools across one district in Virginia, USA. Correlation, multiple regression, and factor analyses were used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

In schools where the faculty are optimistic that their students can succeed despite the obstacle of low socioeconomic status (SES) and where the community is engaged, students are more likely to achieve at higher levels. Findings of this study also supported that community engagement, collective efficacy, trust in clients, and academic press do act as predictors to collectively influence student achievement.

Research limitations/implications

The Goddard measure for collective efficacy was replaced with one developed for more challenging settings such as urban schools.

Practical implications

Academic optimism and community engagement were found to work in ways that improve student achievement. Understanding the social contexts in classrooms and schools allows education leaders to work with faculty in examining current practice, in an effort to improve the educational outcomes for all students, even those who must overcome the obstacles to learning posed by their low SES.

Originality/value

With only one previous study of this construct in an urban elementary setting, the current study sought to test those findings in an effort to continue pushing this research agenda into urban settings.
Web sites for e‐electioneering in Maharashtra and Gujarat, India
Authors: Gadekar Rahul , Thakur Kiran , Hwa Ang Peng
Published: August 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this exploratory study is to look at how the Internet was used by political parties and candidates during the Indian parliamentary elections of 2009.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 31 web sites belonging to political parties and their candidates in the Indian states of Maharashtra and Gujarat were examined for how they were used to mobilize volunteers and voters. An online questionnaire and in‐depth interviews were administered to the web site coordinators/designers and politicians.

Findings

The study found that sites were not used to their maximum potential but instead, merely for publicity, online presence, and to explore the new medium. There was greater reliance by most candidates on traditional media such as rallies and face‐to‐face interaction. The reason may be due to the limited Internet penetration in India, which also means the Internet may have less influence on voters. Some candidates have shown the way to the potential use of the medium for fund raising and recruiting volunteers. But Indian politicians will likely continue to be cautious in using the Internet.

Research limitations/implications

This study was limited to the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat and did not consider the impact or the effectiveness of the Internet.

Originality/value

This is the first such study of the use of web sites for electioneering in India. It also documents the development in the use of the new medium for campaigning in 2009 as compared with the elections of 2004.
Pedagogy and praxis: simulations and skill sets
Authors: Pettine Susan B. , Cojanu Kevin A. , Walters Kimberly
Published: August 2011

The purpose of this paper is to examine the expectations of human resource management professionals as they relate to reality‐based learning experiences that can shape college graduates' education. Computer‐based simulations can provide a strong opportunity for learning‐by‐doing, so it would be important to understand what skill sets should be targeted for these.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was used for the research question: what work‐related skill sets will human resource management (HRM) professionals value in recent college graduates who are starting in entry‐level HRM positions? The respondents were from the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM).

Findings

The respondents targeted specific skill sets that they value, and the data provided can now be applied in creating reality‐based learning opportunities using educational simulations in an online environment.

Research limitations/implications

The potential for future research includes the opportunity to collect data on student use of educational simulations that focus on providing the subject HRM skill sets in this paper.

Practical implications

The implications for pedagogy include the use of educational simulations that target the reinforcement of specific HRM skill sets that have been identified. These can provide college students with a unique opportunity for praxis.

Originality/value

This paper examines the underlying value of reality‐based learning and how the use of educational simulations can add value in praxis. Additionally, it identifies several HRM skill sets for recent college graduates seeking to enter the HRM field. This paper will be of value to university educators, curriculum management professionals, university administrators, and university technology management professionals.
Prosocial behaviour in avatar‐mediated interaction: the influence of character gender on material versus emotional help‐giving
Authors: Lehdonvirta Mika , Lehdonvirta Vili , Baba Akira
Published: August 2011

Purpose

Research on prosocial behaviour shows that help‐giving differs between the sexes. Gender role theory posits that males specialise in material aid, while females specialize in emotional support. Today, people increasingly help and support each other via online environments. The purpose of this study is to examine whether the genders of avatars used in online interactions influence help‐giving behaviour in similar ways as physical sex does in face‐to‐face situations.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical study was conducted using a unique observational data set from a Japanese massively‐multiplayer online game. Instances of help‐giving were identified from conversation logs, coded, and analysed statistically to discover differences between male and female avatars and different help types.

Findings

Avatar gender is found to influence help‐giving in ways that deviate from expected gender roles: female avatars are more likely than males to provide assistance in the form of material support and labour, and no more likely than males to provide emotional support. Female avatars are more likely to give help to male avatars than other females. The results are explained using behavioural confirmation and self‐perception theory.

Research limitations/implications

Physical sex was not controlled for, but most players were male. The study should be repeated in other environments.

Practical implications

The results suggest that designers can prime users towards prosocial behaviours by tuning the available line‐up of avatars.

Originality/value

The research question and use of observational data are novel. The study is valuable to online educators, companies seeking to reduce customer support costs through peer help, and policymakers dealing with ICTs and societal change.
Evaluation of the importance of professional competences: the case of Spanish trainers
Authors: Mamaqi Xhevrie , Miguel Jesus , Olave Pilar
Published: August 2011

Purpose

Education and training are critical factors for achieving the Lisbon strategy's objectives of encouraging economic growth, competitiveness and social inclusion in the European Union (EU). The role of continuing vocational training (CVT) and its contribution to personal development and fulfilment is increasingly recognised in EU Member States' National Reform Programmes. In this context the main objective of this paper is to establish a ranking of the importance of the competences required by CVT trainers in Spain according to national lifelong learning (LLL) standards.

Design/methodology/approach

A combination of literature review analysis and evaluation of experts' participation is used, based on two‐round e‐Delphi techniques. The literature review analysis identified the criteria, sub‐criteria and indicators that describe the trainers' basic (pedagogical) and specific (skills, abilities, aptitude/attitude and attributes) competences. The questionnaire summarises a wide range of competences and skills related to Spanish trainers. It was distributed among 20 national experts (with experience ranging from three to 30 years in informal and non‐formal training and professional profiles such as training manager, high manager, training programmer, trainers and tutors among others) in order to evaluate the importance of different competences.

Findings

The analysis of the e‐Delphi expert evaluation yields two main findings. First, it provides a unique e‐Delphi draft that contains trainers' professional competences in a non‐formal permanent learning context. Second, it also includes the evaluation of their importance by 20 Spanish experts who are considered to be a qualitative national sample.

Practical implications

The role of European and Spanish trainers has changed in the last two decades. Trainers need wide recognition of their professional profile in a LLL framework. This requires the recognition of new and renewal of traditional competences, so that they can work as professionals of non‐formal education and assume responsibilities.

Originality/value

CVT takes on a variety of forms in different countries and also within a given country. Thus the identification and anticipation of competences and skills required by trainers as important actors on whom training quality and efficiency depends is important. In this case study, the analysis of the expert evaluations shows that specific competences/skills (personal abilities, attitudes in classroom and workshop), are very important in developing a trainer's professional figure. Traditional pedagogical competences (planning, imparting and evaluation) are not forgotten, but new skills have additional characteristics such as “identification, and analysis of training needs”, “training management”, “training implementation” and participant focus.
Questioning the assumption that contingent work arrangements reshape organizations and relationships
Authors: Lemmergaard Jeanette
Published: August 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this editorial is two‐fold: first, to provide an overview of team‐related issues in the particular realm of contingent work arrangements, and second, to introduce the collection of articles encompassing this special issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The editorial is a general literature review that provides the readers of this special issue with a broader scholarly literature framework. The editorial also provides a historical context of the field. First, the phenomenon of contingent work arrangements is discussed. Second, attention is given to identification of major strategic factors, which have been contributing to the growth of contingent work arrangements. Third, team‐related issues of differentiation, integration, and cooperation are discussed.

Findings

The overview of research in the area of contingent work arrangements demonstrates that such work arrangements are diverse in their contractual structure. The rationale for which organizations use contingent work arrangements are diverse, as are the reasons why employees undertake such work outside the scope of the traditional employment model. Research in this area has grown primarily with the focus on economic, legal, and social factors influencing the expansion of non‐standard work arrangements. Less research is found in the area of individual, managerial, and organizational consequences of this expansion.

Originality/value

This editorial – and the special issue in particular – gives attention to understanding the array of experiences associated with contingent workers with the purpose of accumulating theoretical knowledge in this field, but also – and perhaps more importantly – to add to the transition from evidence‐based knowledge to practical advice.
Computer simulation exploring organizational identification for contingent workers
Authors: Ekmekci Ozgur , Casey Andrea
Published: August 2011

Purpose

Very little is known about how contingent workers' identification with an organization evolves over time. This study seeks to contribute to the literature by investigating how the emergence and strength of organizational identification is affected by four variables: duration of primacy; duration of recency; frequency of interaction with other members of the organization; and frequency of information received about the organization.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a cognitive model of organizational identification grounded in memory, agent‐based modeling and NetLogo language were employed to form a model in which two groups of 567 contingent workers joined 1,134 different organizations and worked for 365 days. Correlation and multiple linear regression were used to analyze the data.

Findings

Evolution of organizational identification for a contingent worker depends on how much the individual interacts with other members of the organization and how much information about the organization that particular individual receives over time.

Research limitations/implications

The generalizability of the simulation study's findings may be expanded if similar studies are carried out incorporating factors that mark differences in individuals, groups, organizations, sectors, industries, cultures, and geographies.

Originality/value

The existing literature on how contingent employees identify with an organization does not adequately provide a process‐based view of the phenomenon. This study extends and complements literature on contingent workers by emphasizing the social construction of time in and from memory throughout the process of organizational identification.
Traditional and non‐traditional employees in production teams
Authors: Voxted Søren
Published: August 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to illustrate how employees in self‐managing teams handle the fact that each self‐managing team includes traditional as well as non‐traditional team members.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper, based on two case studies from Post Danmark A/S, the Danish national postal service company, examines the work organization of self‐managing teams as well as the mobility of self‐managing teams' traditional and non‐traditional employees in the teams.

Findings

In terms of its contribution to research, this paper illustrates the paradox of an organization using self‐managing teams consisting of traditional and non‐traditional employees. This article argues that two characteristics contribute to this situation. First, self‐managing teams are unique in the sense that they are open to the participation of employees with different qualifications and with varying levels of contribution and, second, the position of “traditional” and “non‐traditional” employees means that non‐static mobility is allowed in both directions, contributing to cohesiveness and conflict reduction, as the empirical study shows.

Research limitations/implications

One of the limitations of the research presented is its focus on only one organization, Post Danmark A/S. Identification of this limitation is based on available indicators in the absence of quantitative evaluations of the team's performance.

Practical implications

This paper provides an example for researchers and practitioners (e.g. managers and HR personnel) on how production teams can handle the challenge of dealing with teams that consist of traditional and non‐traditional employees.

Originality/value

Based on empirical data, this paper describes the positions, internal mobility and relationships between traditional and non‐traditional employees in self‐managing teams comprising skilled and unskilled workers.
Contingent workers: needs, personality characteristics, and work motivation
Authors: Vaiman Vlad , Lemmergaard Jeanette , Azevedo Ana
Published: August 2011

Purpose

This paper seeks to challenge the claim that traditional and non‐traditional employees differ significantly in terms of their needs, personality characteristics, and work motivation patterns, by surveying management consultants in Canada.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on a quantitative online survey undertaken among 204 Canadian management consultants in 2008, representing both traditional employed consultants, contingent consultants, and company representatives.

Findings

The study demonstrated no significant differences with regard to needs, motivation, and personality characteristics between traditional and non‐traditional employed management consultants, which means that no significant changes to existing human resource management policies seem to be needed.

Originality/value

The existing literature on contingent employees' needs, personality characteristics and work motivation has mainly been devoted to the study of differences between traditional and non‐traditional work arrangements seen as single groups. This study extends and complements the understanding of the underlying dimensions of both the explicit and the implicit contract within the contingent management consultant‐organization relationship in order to explain the influence of these dimensions on the human resource management strategies. The underlying assumption is that non‐traditional work arrangements vary according to the type of job and the context in which the job is performed.
An integrated hierarchical production and maintenance‐planning model
Authors: Sitompul Carles , Aghezzaf El‐Houssaine
Published: August 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to propose and formulate an integrated hierarchical production, and maintenance‐planning model.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed model is formulated mathematically and tested for some hypothetical cases. A two‐level planning is proposed to address the hierarchical planning problem, i.e. aggregate planning and detailed planning. A preventive maintenance planning is integrated into the aggregate planning, while machine breakdowns, which require corrective maintenance actions, are investigated in the detailed planning. The proposed general preventive maintenance model is tested against cyclical preventive maintenance models for some cases, and for evaluating the performance of the models, in terms of costs, and service levels.

Findings

The proposed general preventive maintenance model gives a better solution in terms of cost than the cyclical maintenance model (i.e. 6 per cent less costly), if the maintenance planning is executed separately from the production planning. In terms of service level, however, both models perform equally well with average service levels equal to 97.6 per cent. The effect of tight capacity, long maintenance duration, and small machine parameters similarly tightens the capacity. In these cases, it is shown that a stable level of capacity is more beneficial to achieve a better service level, which is gained if the preventive maintenance actions are carried out monthly.

Practical implications

At the aggregate level, the proposed preventive maintenance model considers a non‐cyclical planning, which means that the preventive maintenance periods do not necessarily fall at equally distant times. The inventory movement constraints at the aggregate level decouple machines to operate independently; hence the detailed level problem can be solved separately for each machine. In a rolling horizon approach, only the first period of the aggregate plan is implemented and disaggregated into the production of items at the detailed level.

Originality/value

The paper proposes an integrated model of hierarchical production and maintenance planning. A general preventive maintenance is integrated into the aggregate planning, while machine breakdowns are investigated in the detailed planning. To the best of one's knowledge, such a hierarchical view of production planning and maintenance has not been addressed adequately.
What is a Good Day Project?
Authors: Read Jim
Published: August 2011

The author's experience of day services is that they offered him a friendly and accepting environment but didn't help him overcome his problems. He was left suspended delicately between two worlds: the unpalatable option of psychiatric in‐patient treatment and the unwelcoming world of ordinary activity.He finds similar problems with current day services. Medication can interfere with people's ability to engage in activities, and their original mental health crisis and people's responses to it can put obstacles in the way of them returning to their usual activities. These views are backed up by research. All too often, day services become ‘special needs’ ghettos for people who do not have a place in the wider society.The challenge is to provide daytime opportunities that prevent barriers being created between people experiencing emotional crises and their families, friends and colleagues; or which break down these barriers when they have already been created. Drawing on examples from his own experience, the author argues that what is needed is an holistic approach without an artificial distinction between health treatment and social care, utilising opportunities that are present in the everyday world.
Staff Selection
Authors: Bates Peter
Published: August 2011

The key of the door is highly symbolic in our society — keyholders are adult, trustworthy and independent. A bunch of keys represents the power in an organisation. The front door represents right of access, referral processes, greeting visitors, and use of the building out of hours. The filing‐cabinet key represents access to information, data and case records. The safe key represents access to pay and non‐pay budgets. Traditionally, all these keys and, more importantly, the power they represent, have been in the hands of paid professional staff. But no longer.Service users are increasingly taking charge of their own lives by invading and taking over the services they receive. They are unlocking buildings, recruiting staff and signing cheques. But in order to achieve these simple steps towards emancipation, a whole truckload of practical and organisational problems have to be addressed. Will property or money be stolen? Will unauthorised people sleep in the building? Will the insurance company cover the risk?The literature on user empowerment has been curiously muted on this topic. There are shelves full of books and articles on how to establish patients' councils or collect user views, but I can find nothing on the practical solutions. For example, what does a financial system look like that involves users and protects all its stakeholders from allegations of misuse?This column will be a regular feature of A Life in the Day and each edition will tackle one simple ‘key’ — one practical way of involving users in taking control of their own services. This issue takes the topic of staff selection, an area where perhaps most work has been done.
The Arts Network
Authors: Lowson Dave
Published: August 2011

There are many initiatives — by organisations and by individuals — across the UK displaying imagination in responding to mental distress. Many of us want to be enthused through awareness of this richness. This regular ‘Network’ section is a small attempt to increase opportunities to learn and be inspired by each other.In each issue, part of this section will give some brief information on contacts and ideas relating to a particular theme. The first theme is ‘Arts, creativity and mental health’. Future themes include Leisure, Employment, Support and European Partnerships.The success of the Network section will to a large extent depend on our readers. If you involved in, or know of, something which you think will be of interest to others, then do send us brief details. If it seems particularly exciting, then we may contact you and ask whether you would do a larger piece for the journal.
Rehabilitation: A Challenge for the Next Government
Authors: Bray Elizabeth
Published: August 2011

In this regular column, we aim to promote constructive debate about our curious Benefits system which deters and prevents people earning a living. Experts will cast light on the Kafka‐esque intricacies which baffle mental health service users and providers alike.This first article plunges in at the deep end with a proposal for a new benefit — ‘Rehabilitation Allowance’ — which could, if introduced, make it possible to become a wageearner with earnings of £60 per week plus. The proposed allowance and retained entitlement to other benefits would ensure that the wage earner is a bit better off as a result of working — the basic minimum incentive to getting a job. The Rehabilitation Allowance would also serve as a passport back into full benefit entitlement if the job should end — thus minimising the current risks of becoming employed.Elizabeth Bray devised this idea as part of a report on the work of the All‐Party Parliamentary Mental Health Group which this year chose as its focus the need for more and better employment opportunities. Elizabeth's background is in curriculum development and, as parliamentary assistant to her husband, Jeremy Bray MP — who has chaired the Group since 1995 — she brings a fresh approach to problems in which it is all to easy to get bogged down if you work with them every day.The Report itself takes a wide‐ranging view of disparate and sometimes contradictory policies and recommends a national framework bringing together health, social security benefits, employment training and education. A copy of the full report can be obtained by sending an s.a.e. to: Ms D. Hart, Royal College of Psychiatrists, 17 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PG.We hope that this brief version of the proposal will inspire readers to read the Report and make comments and suggestions of their own about this, the thorniest of problems for people wanting to join the labour market.
The European ‘Marienthal’ Network: New Work Opportunities for People with Mental Health Problems
Authors: Higgins Gerard
Published: August 2011

Many of the readers of A Life in the Day will already have had some involvement with programmes funded by the European Social Fund. Some will be working actively with partners from Europe through Helios, Horizon, or another of the resonantly named initiatives which promote economic development and the inclusion of disadvantaged or disabled people into the labour market. Others are hesitating before taking the plunge, wary of the funding and the difficulties of overcoming language and cultural barriers — which always seem larger on this side of the Channel than for colleagues in mainland Europe.This journal unashamedly aims to promote the cause of partnership within Europe, believing that the gains of getting to know our European colleagues and their work far outweigh the costs and difficulties. We will, however, be taking a realistic view of the problems as well as the benefits, and we will regularly draw on the experiences of pioneers of transnational working — from Europe as well as the UK — to illustrate the ideas, the learning and the common concerns which have come out of the great European experiment.Our first article on the European dimension looks at how collaboration can extend beyond the first stage of a programme and continue to enhance the work of all the partners beyond the millennium.
The QALB Centre
Authors: Dhanjal Kiran
Published: August 2011

When approaches to the treatment of mental health involve non‐medical methods in this country they are often labelled as ‘fringe’ or some other derogatory term. What we in the ‘mainstream’ sometimes forget is that many UK citizens come from cultures which have used their spiritual traditions and values to develop holistic treatment methods which have been tried and tested for many centuries while we have been locking people up. Life in the Day aims to feature regularly projects like QALB, which are sensitive to the needs and traditions of the many cultures which make up our nation.If you know anyone who would like to contribute, please contact the editor.
Liberated by Employment?
Authors: Coleman Ron , Ellis Liz , Smith Mike
Published: August 2011

This paper is a discussion of how an organisation providing community support developed its employment strategy to focus on gainful employment, valued employment roles, citizenship and human rights, from a traditional model with support/activity workers and sheltered employment, to social firms, employment development and supported employment at differing levels.
The Therapeutic Earnings Concession today
Authors: Bray Elizabeth , Scott Judy
Published: August 2011

Elizabeth Bray has prepared a radical proposal to change the benefit system based on the brilliant idea produced by Alastair and David for the last issue of Life in the Day.Elizabeth has addressed each and every aspect of the problems created by the existing DSS regulations — her powerful arguments spell out the reasons for change.Tables of benefits, earnings and tax demonstrate with precision and clarity the bottom line takehome money. Anybody seeking change to our benefit system should get a copy of the 19‐page document without delay. To cover costs please send a cheque for £2.50 to E. Bray, at 21 Horn Lane, Linton, Cambridge CB1 6HT and an A4 SAE 39p postage.
A Day in the Life of a Service User
Authors: Gombos Gábor
Published: August 2011

Gábor Gombos had had a life with psychiatry in focus when in 1993 survived his most painful emotional crisis remaining outside from the psychiatric system, with intensive support from friends. Since then he has been engaged with self‐help alternatives in Hungary and more recently on a European level.
Hitting the Target — How Clients Establish and Move Towards Their Goals at Barnet Qest
Authors: Clogg Sam , Stewart Stephanie , Hemmings Ray , Cumlin Janette
Published: August 2011

In Richmond Fellowship Workschemes, supporting people in open employment is a team effort. Barnet's Qest team write about how they structure their work and share some of the things they have learned.
An Uncharted Journey
Authors: Webster Andrew
Published: August 2011

Andrew Webster charts his own journey from a severe mental breakdown and the loss of a successful career to running a totally new business in the non‐profit sector, creating employment for people like himself.
Educational Opportunities
Authors: Pozner Adam
Published: August 2011

In this issue we focus on how educational opportunities can be immensely valuable in enabling individuals recovering from mental health problems to rebuild confidence, develop skills and construct meaningful lives within our communities. This can be achieved through a variety of approaches. There is now a wealth of exemplary projects around to inspire us. We invited four very differing initiatives to give a profile of their approaches to supporting ‘Life in the Day’.
INCube Inc. and the TAP Programme — An Innovative Programme for Consumer‐Run Business Development in New York City
Authors: Schwarz Gerold
Published: August 2011

With financial support from the New York City Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Alcoholism Services, INCube Inc., a consumer‐run technical assistance agency, helps people with mental health problems to start their own businesses. Gerold Schwarz has been seconded to INCube for the past year from FAF, the German social firm support agency. Here, he gives a general overview of the activities of INCube, Inc. and describes INCube's latest business development programme — TAP.
The Social Firm — An Idea Whose Time has Come
Authors: Durie Sheila
Published: August 2011

Drawing on nearly ten years' experience of developing and managing social firms in Edinburgh, Sheila Durie makes the case for creating real jobs to complement the government's ‘Welfare to Work’ and ‘New Deal’ initiatives.
A Day in the Life of Severe Depression
Authors: Edington Colin
Published: August 2011

A Life in the day is mostly about what people do with their lives when they are well, but what happens when a black hole opens in our lives? We cannot get on and do things and the best that seems possible is for there to be someone available to listen to how we feel. Colin Edington of Voices Speak Out writes about how overwhelmingly incapacitating it is to have a bout of severe depression.
Adventures With Social Firms in Spain
Authors: Hamilton Annette
Published: August 2011

A year ago, Annette Hamilton left Network Arts in Lewisham to manage a social firm development programme in Spain. She is bilingual and, in addition to working in mental health employment schemes, she has run her own craft business. Annette's adventure has provided an ideal opportunity to see how the ideals of skills transfer and mobility of labour in Europe can work out in practice.
Italians Impressed by UK Co‐operatives
Authors: Parker David
Published: August 2011

From time to time, A life in the day will include snippets of information about events or new initiatives which we think may inspire our readers to find out more. In this issue is a report of a transnational seminar at which people from Durham met with colleagues from Italy to discuss the creation of cooperatives to provide employment for people with mental health problems. We tend to think of Italy as the home of co‐operative enterprise ‐ sometimes forgetting that our own co‐operative movement has a long and distinguished history.
Open Employment Opportunities
Authors: Pozner Adam
Published: August 2011

In this issue, we profile a number of initiatives concerned with developing open employment opportunities for individuals with mental health problems ‐ real jobs with market level wages. Four are agencies providing employment support directly to job‐seekers, one is a national association promoting the supported employment or job coach model.
Exploring Mental Health at Sandwell College
Authors: Austin Tracey
Published: August 2011

The mental health provision at Sandwell College in the West Midlands has designed a course which offers people with mental health difficulties the opportunity to explore their experience within an ‘educational’ framework.
Leros — Escape into Life
Authors: Henderson John , Grove Bob
Published: August 2011

Ten years ago the Greek island of Leros became notorious throughout Europe as one of the worst examples of the inhumanity of the ‘total institution’ still existing within the European Union. With the expansion of the Union in the next century we may well find more such examples and we will need to apply the lessons learned from the transformation of Leros ‐ both the successes and the unresolved problems. This account by John Henderson and Bob Grove ‐ both of whom were involved in monitoring the reform programme for the European Commission, is inevitably the view of outsiders. It does, however, set the scene for one of the most dramatic processes of escape into ordinary life that has been seen anywhere in the past decade. We hope that in future editions of A life in the day we will be able to persuade the participants to give first hand accounts of their experiences.
Not Just Any Old Job: a Danish initiative to get people into work
Authors: Engelholm Bibi
Published: August 2011

Appropriate Job Re‐entering (Danish abbreviation: VAP) was a project initiated by the county of Vejle in Denmark and part‐funded by the European Social Fund (ESF). It aimed to qualify people with a psychiatric diagnosis on a personal, social and professional level to re‐enter the job market following one or more periods of hospitalization and medical care. It also represented a new approach of psychiatric rehabilitation in Denmark, as it did not focus on manual but on intellectual work. The project had ten participants and ran for a year during which participants were offered job‐training of varying length in private and public firms tailored to match their qualifications and personal capacity on the one hand and the needs of the companies on the other. VAP has now been succeeded by a similar project, called the Freno Group, starting this year. This is also part‐funded by ESF and following the same principle. What is new is that the Group will do subcontracting for other firms as they aim at becoming a permanent workplace for people with mental health problems. One of the most important results of the project is that they have demonstrated that people with a diagnosis of mental illness are able to do work which demands a high level of competence.
Flittin'
Authors: Donnelly Bob
Published: August 2011

In May 1998 I was commissioned by the Mental Health Framework Employment Sub‐Group for Aberdeen to review the current mix of employment services for people with mental health problems and ‐ taking account of previous reviews and proposals for the development of new services ‐ to make recommendations for the establishment of modern, comprehensive, cost effective local services in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
Arts and Mental Health
Authors: Pozner Adam
Published: August 2011

Creative arts activities can be immensely valuable in enabling those of us living with or recovering from mental distress to express and interpret our experience, rebuild confidence and develop new skills. There is now a wealth of innovative arts and mental health projects around to inspire us, and a number of them profile their activities below.
Replicating Workschemes
Authors: Malcolm Katy , Bourne Matt , Wilson Ronnie
Published: August 2011

All too often creative projects are established by a charismatic worker and, despite winning golden opinions for their work, they remain essentially a jewel in their own locality rather than being replicated elsewhere. Not so with the well‐known ‘Feathers’ project which began in the vicinity of the pub of that name in downtown Greenwich, South East London. The project, which was originally set up by Ronnie Wilson and Caroline Furnivall, has been replicated in several different parts of the country. This account from Sheffield looks at the lessons for good practice from one experience of the replication process.
Mental Health and Employment — A Joint Enterprise
Authors: Scott‐Parker Susan
Published: August 2011

For employers, like many members of the general public, mental illness is a scary subject — the more so that they don't know who to turn to if a member of staff starts to show signs of abnormal distress. Susan Scott‐Parker argues that if employers are going to be persuaded that it is in the interests of their business to take on people with mental health problems, then mental health professionals and support workers must pay more attention to what employers actually need.
Employment Opportunities
Authors: Pozner Adam
Published: August 2011

In this issue we have profiles from four newly developing employment services — two are ‘winners’ in the New Deal for Disabled People — Innovative Programmes strand, one a successful bidder within the National Disability Development Initiative. The fourth service in Salford shows how elements of different models can be creatively brought together in a new approach. We also have a short entry from the Occupational Therapy in Work Practice and Productivity group.
From the Supreme Court to the British Mental Health Service: New Opportunities for Social Inclusion
Authors: Sayce Liz
Published: August 2011

As Britain moves up a gear in its determination to reduce discrimination against disabled people ‐ with the Disability Rights Commission starting work from April 2000, and the Disability Rights Task Force about to launch its final report outlining an agenda for further legislative and policy change ‐ it is worth posing the question ‘can mental health service users benefit, and if so how?’
Putting the Missing Rungs into the Vocational ‘Ladder’
Authors: Butterworth Roger , Dean Jo
Published: August 2011

The Avon & Western Wiltshire NHS Trust's Work Development Programme in Bristol is a Beacon award winner. This Department of Health award has been made for achievements in establishing a comprehensive vocational advice and support service for people with mental health difficulties ‐ starting from inside specialist mental health services. The funding attached is to enable the model and good practice to be shared more widely in the NHS. Central to the service model are close partnerships with occupational therapy as well as the employment service, further education and service providers from the voluntary sector. Roger Butterworth (who started it) and Jo Dean describe how the service was developed.
Supported Employment for People with Mental Health Problems
Authors: Allen Jonathan , Davies Huw
Published: August 2011

Although it has been implicit in previous articles (see Becky's Story in issue 3.4), supported employment as a model for enabling people to get and keep jobs has not been given as much coverage as other ways of creating job opportunities. The development of the supported employment model in the UK is mainly associated with people with developmental or learning disabilities. However, experience in the United States has shown that, with appropriate modifications, the supported employment model ‐ particularly the ‘place and train’ version ‐ can achieve outstanding results for mental health service users who want a proper job. We will return to the research evidence in a later issue, but first Huw Davies from the Bury EST (Employment, Support and Training) and Jonathan Allen from Enable in Shrewsbury have joined forces to describe the way they work and the difference it has made to their clients' lives.
The Experience of Lyndhurst Guesthouse
Authors: Reynolds Sally
Published: August 2011

One of the outcomes of European collaboration in the development of social firms has been the establishment of a network of businesses in the tourism sector called Access Tourism. These businesses range from hotels and guesthouses to travel agencies and package tour operators, all operating in a highly competitive market and aiming to provide the public with the highest standards of service. However, as well as employing disabled people, these businesses also have a social mission ‐ to make tourism accessible for people with special needs. One member of the network is Lyndhurst Guesthouse in the Lake District and a party of service users from Surrey decided to give it a try. Sally Reynolds describes the project and the team give their verdict.
A day in the life of Sandra Smith
Authors: Nettle Mary
Published: August 2011

Sandra Smith is now a patient advocate. Her ‘day in the life’ causes her to reflect on her own experiences of using mental health services and her liberation as a self‐advocate and survivor.