bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving Audit Effectiveness: Cheshire County Council's Experience
Authors: Waterhouse R.J.
Published: January 2008

Internal audit must seek to improve its own effectiveness. Cheshire has approached this through three key developments: a review of the function itself, a total system framework and an emphasis on training. Each of these developments is described. Views on possible future developments and changes in the role of internal audit are given.
System Considerations for Managerial Auditing of Governmental Units
Authors: Hughes Jesse W.
Published: January 2008

The design of accounting systems for government tends to neglect the needs of managerial audit and evaluation of performance. Against the background of local government practice in the USA, the case is outlined for the design of operational and decision‐making information support systems which take fuller account of requirements conducive to improved performance, the interests of a well‐informed electorate and more effective audit and evaluation.
Health Care Internal Auditing: A Critical Analysis
Authors: Gavin Thomas A. , Hammer Edson G. , McGann Stephen M. , Sumners Glenn E. , Barret Meade Frank
Published: January 2008

Surveys by postal questionnaire (174 responses) the range of activities in internal auditors in health care organizations across the USA. Covers characteristics of organizations, structure of internal audit function and audit activities.
Statistical Risk Control Strategies Used to Evaluate Substantive Audit Tests
Authors: Thompson James H. , Ward Bart H.
Published: January 2008

Discusses alternative strategies which may be employed when differences arise between achieved audit‐sampling results and planned results, which means that risk levels used in ex post decision making may be different from planned levels. Contrasts a conventional strategy — which is to fix the risk of incorrect acceptance at a planned level and to ignore the risk of incorrect rejection or to accept the minimum available level of that risk which is consistent, after the fact, with the planned level of risk of incorrect acceptance — with a theoretically appealing strategy which balances both risk levels in proportion to their perceived disutility. Reports on the results of an experiment involving these two strategies, in which all subjects were auditors with statistical audit experience. Suggests that the most important statistically significant finding is that, in certain circumstances, these auditors are more willing to base audit decisions on statistical evidence after the alternative strategy is explained and available for their use.
Control of European Community Agricultural Expenditure, Regulation 4045/89
Authors: Paul Coulson Bernard
Published: January 2008

EC Common Agricultural Policy expenditure is substantial, about £22 billion a year. Its objective is to support the market and to “guarantee” EC producers, processors, importers and exporters a reasonable return. The individual market support arrangements are defined by many hundreds of EC Council and Commission regulations which either specify or imply the need for control measures such as guarantees, indemnities, product descriptions, processes: technical, legal and administrative, and the checking of them. Checking in this specific but fragmented way has to be reinforced by control at an “aggregate” level, which is achieved by the examination of a claimant's transactions in the context of its suppliers, markets, associated companies and key third parties. Provision for this to be done is given by EC Council Regulation 4045/89, but argues that the Regulation itself militates against effective control at this “aggregate” level on at least three counts.
Changing clinical behaviour on a city‐wide scale: lessons from the FACTS project
Authors: Hodgkin Paul , Eve Rosalind , Golton Ian , Munro James , Musson Gill
Published: January 2008

This paper dicusses the experience of a team in Sheffield who have established a 3‐year programme, the FACTS project, which aims to develop a framework for changing clinical practice in primary care. The lessons learnt from the project, which involves a variety of change techniques, are described including the need to tailor programmes to local needs and cultures as well as the use of marketing as a strategy for change.
Achieving clinical effectiveness: just another initiative or a real change in working practice?
Authors: Batstone Gifford , Edwards Mary
Published: January 2008

The move to develop evidence‐based health care requires an integrated approach to using information in clinical practice. This paper discusses the issues involved in accessing appropriate information and enabling clinical staff to use this information at three levels; firstly in solving immediate clinical problems, secondly in developing clinical guidelines and finally in making resource allocation decisions. The need to use educational processes and change management to achieve improved clinical care based upon evidence is also discussed as well as how this change can be evaluated through clinical audit and outcome measurement.
Active research dissemination in the West Midlands
Authors: Hyde Chris
Published: January 2008

The need to make better use of research evidence in delivering health care is undeniable. Primary and secondary research of greater quality and relevance will help. However, without improvements in the understanding and skills of using research evidence, the investment the Health Service makes in research will continue to yield a poor return.
A centre for evidence‐based dentistry
Authors: Richards Derek
Published: January 2008

Dentistry like medicine is beginning to come to terms with the pressures and challenges of providing health care now and in the future. The need for more effective interventions in Dentistry are being increasingly appreciated. The aims and role of the Oxford based Centre for Evidence‐Based Dentistry in helping to achieve this are outlined.
Perceptions of clinical audit: a preliminary evaluation
Authors: Millard Andrew
Published: January 2008

The purpose of this study was to identify the priorities for evaluation and development using the perceptions of a sample of participants in clinical audit in Scotland. Semi‐structured interviews were held in four health board areas. The study indicated that the priorities for evaluation were: 1) the validity of the measures used in audit; 2) communications — both top‐down, bottom‐up, and across units and professions; 3) the systematic approach to planning programmes and projects; 4) implementation of change; 5) showing the improvement in patient care by closing the audit loop.
Clinical guidelines: involving patients and users of services
Authors: Duff Lesley A. , Kelson Marcia , Marriott Sarah , Mcintosh Aileen , Brown Shona , Cape John , Marcus Nella , Traynor Michael
Published: January 2008

National clinical guidelines can provide a way for health professionals, patients and users of services to work together to make decisions about care. For guidelines to have a positive impact on the quality of care, however, it is important that they are valid. The validity of a guideline is determined by its evidence base. Patients and users of services can contribute evidence about the quality of care and its outcomes which can be used to enhance a guideline's validity. Patient evidence can be accessed from existing research studies, from studies designed expressly to examine patient views or from the direct contribution of patients and users of services to guideline development. A seminar was held to debate the timing and ways in which patients and users of services are most effectively, and to the satisfaction of all, involved in developing clinical guidelines. They key factors influencing the success of health care professionals, patients and users of services collaborating to develop guidelines were identified. These include: deciding who should represent an identified patient community, supporting patient representatives by ensuring that more than one representative joins a group, ensuring there are links with patient representative groups, and that all participants feel prepared and so on. The seminar also identified questions about collaborative working requiring further research.
The future of clinical audit: the outcomes of a consensus conference
Authors: Exworthy Mark , Steiner Andrea , Barnard Sue
Published: January 2008

Clinical Audit has reached a crucial point in its development. In this article, we report the results of a multi‐professional consensus conference held to consider the likely direction of Clinical Audit in the future. In a structured exercise, small groups identified four priority areas: integration of Clinical Audit with research and development, clinical effectiveness and evidence‐based medicine; development of audit methodologies; emphasis on multi‐professional approaches; and incorporation of Clinical Audit into purhasers' and providers' business planning cycles. Reconfigured groups then formulated specific recommendations in each priority area, to be addressed to clinicians, provider managers, purchasers, and the DoH/NHS Executive. Recommendations were validated by all conference practicipants post‐hoc.
Evidence‐based medicine and rational rationing
Authors: Hunter David J.
Published: January 2008

There has been significant investment in NHS research and development aimed at strengthening the knowledge base of decision‐making. But evidence‐based health care is no panacea. What is effective or ineffective is vigorously contested. Nor does evidence‐based decision‐making offer a tidy solution to matters of a more sensitive political nature. In particular, it is not a solution to the rationing dilemma.
NCCA audit database: now it's your turn
Authors: Charny Mark
Published: January 2008

The National Centre for Clinical Audit (NCCA) has worked with a wide range of practitioners and specialist audit staff to develop consensus criteria for good audit. These have recently been distributed as part of an Audit Action Pack. Submissions to the NCCA's audit database are now invited. The paper answers common questions prompted by the Pack. Feedback on the Pack will also help to inform the second version, due to be published in Spring 1997.
Evidence‐based child health and the health care research and development industry
Authors: Gilbert Ruth , Logan Stuart
Published: January 2008

What does evidence‐based health care add to the numerous initiatives in the UK over the last 10 years to improve the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of health care? The health care research and development industry has evolved into a patchwork of activities — clinical audit, clinical effectiveness, health services research, health outcomes, health technology assessment, quality in health care, clinical guidelines, systematic reviews, and medical informatics — with many blurred boundaries. Is evidence‐based health care just an old product in a new package, or does it offer new concepts?
A pragmatic approach to user involvement in clinical audit — making it happen
Authors: Judd Marion
Published: January 2008

The quality of clinical care is a fundamental issue for both providers and recipients. It seems logical for the parties to collaborate. Increasing understanding of each other's values and perceived needs with commitment to incorporating both users' and clinicians' unique perspectives on clinical quality and effectiveness is a new venture which will further contribute to improving the quality of health care in the NHS.
Total hip replacement: not just for Christmas
Authors: Sochart David H. , Porter Martyn L.
Published: January 2008

The decision to offer joint replacement surgery should be viewed as entering into a long‐term relationship rather than a brief encounter. The rise of consumerism allied to the expansion of general practitioner fund‐holding and implementation of the ‘Patients' Charter’ has resulted in increased pressures on outpatient clinics, and the interface between primary and secondary care is central to the development of the NHS. The NHS reforms have produced guidelines on waiting times for outpatient attendances and operations, with the emphasis on a consultant‐based service. There are, however, no such guidelines for postoperative follow‐up.
Breast cancer: development of a patient‐focused audit tool
Authors: Round Alison , Brackenridge Ann , Stead Jonathan W.
Published: January 2008

Aims: To produce an audit tool which incorporates patient views on the whole process of care, for use in any district. Design and methods: A steering group with multi‐professional and lay representation, from primary and secondary care, was set up to oversee the project. A representative sample of 123 women with breast cancer was identified from participating practices. Audit of care as described in general practitioner notes was combined with patient questionnaires and interviews. Results: Worthwhile information of patients' concerns and the process of care can be collected by this combined approach. A questionnaire format is suitable for many aspects; offering an interview as an alternative encourages some women to participate who would otherwise refuse. The information collected by both techniques is broadly similar, and interface issues are well covered. Conclusions: This audit tool can be used by different providers or purchasers to give comparative information that addresses both patient and professional concerns.
Patient‐specific deterrents and GP referral for radiographic examination: a comparison between two distinct general practice communities
Authors: Summerton Nick , Paes Rabi , Parker Judith
Published: January 2008

Within Calderdale and Kirklees Health Authority area there are two distinct groups of general practitioners (GPs) ‐Huddersfield and Halifax. Following a small pilot study, a modified X‐ray request form was developed for sole use by the Huddersfield GPs. This X‐ray request form encouraged the local GPs to specify their reasons for referral. During the year in which the modified X‐ray request form was circulating within Huddersfield, the GP community was 0.66 times as likely (less likely) to request lumbar spine X‐rays in comparison with the community in Halifax. The 95% confidence intervals were 0.57–0.77, indicating that this is a highly‐significant result.
Electroconvulsive therapy audit
Authors: Bentham Peter , Callinan Liam , Rodriguez‐Fererra Sylvia , Stevens Martin
Published: January 2008

An audit of ECT practice against Royal College of Psychiatrists guidelines was conducted within a health authority with a known high rate of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) administration. The audit was conducted in two phases and included a retrospective case note review, plus concurrent observation of ECT practice. An education and training programme designed to correct practice deficiencies was implemented between the phases. ECT practice was generally of good standard. The training programme led to some changes in clinical practice. In particular there was a significant reduction in sub‐optimal ventilation and a significant reduction in unsatisfactory seizures. Introduction of a formal privileging system is a potential strategy for improving practice further.
Variations in general practice prescribing: a multilevel model approach to determine the impact of practice characteristics, including fundholding and training status
Authors: Houghton Guy , Gihhorpe Mark S.
Published: January 2008

Monthly prescribing behaviour is assessed over a 3‐year period, 1 April 1992 to 31 March 1995. Total monthly number of items prescribed and overall net ingredient cost are analysed for 263 general practices, serving the 1 million residents of Birmingham, UK. Patients aged over 65 years play an important role in elevated prescribing activity. Practice composition varies considerably between training and non‐training practices, and between fundholding and non‐fundholding practices. Accounting for these differences, fundholders expend less and prescribe fewer items than their non‐fundholding counterparts. This is observed against a steady increase in prescribing activity over the study period. There are, however, marked downward shifts in both the number of items prescribed and overall monthly expenditure occurring with every new wave of fundholding. The magnitude of these changes raises doubts about the efficacy of the transition to fundholding and the impact of such large changes upon patient care.
Participation levels in local clinical audit: a pilot study comparison between health care professionals
Authors: Millard A.D. , MacArthur S. , McLackland D.
Published: January 2008

The aims were to evaluate the impact of clinical audit on health professionals' clinical practice by measuring baseline participation levels for comparison with future studies of audit activity in Scottish health service trusts. A survey questionnaire on audit participation in the last year was distributed to a random sample of health professionals from an acute trust in central Scotland. The response rate was 73%. • Overall, 28.8% of respondents had some participation in uniprofessional audit and 23.1%. had some participation in multiprofessional audit. • A greater percentage of doctors participated compared with other professions. • The lowest levels of participation were among professions allied to medicine. • Participants are not normally involved in all the audit stages of a project. • The most usual type of involvement was in collecting data. • The most commonly mentioned benefits of audit were the educational ones. • Educational benefits were most highly valued by health professionals. • Participation in clinical audit projects in this 12‐month period was higher for uniprofessional than for multiprofessional audit. However 70‐80% of health professionals did not participate.
Pain relief in the recovery room: an audit of current practice and a proposed solution
Authors: Simmonds Mark , Peggy Edwards Mrs
Published: January 2008

For this study 334 patients during their stay in the recovery room were assigned to the following groups: ‘comfortable’, in ‘pain’ and in ‘severe pain’. Fourteen per cent of patients awoke from anaesthesia in ‘pain’ and 10% were discharged to the ward in ‘pain’. Thirty‐seven per cent of patients using patient‐controlled analgesia (PCA) in the recovery room were discharged in ‘pain’; 63% of these patients had neither been prescribed nor given a ‘loading dose’ in the recovery room. Forty‐eight per cent of patients receiving sole intramuscular opioid analgesia were discharged in ‘pain’. Ninety per cent who received nurse‐administered ‘prn’ intravenous bolus opioids were discharged ‘comfortable’. An algorithm was therefore developed for the administration of loading doses of intravenous opioids in the recovery unit to be used by recovery nursing staff prior to PCA or other analgesic methods. An early re‐audit established that the algorithm became widely adopted by anaesthetists, was safe and produced comparable discharge pain scores.
Guidelines for coronary heart disease in general practice. Practice‐based audit: results from a dissemination and implementation programme
Authors: Mott Sarah F. , Feder Gene S. , Griffiths Christopher J. , Donovan Sheila M.
Published: January 2008

The East London Clinical Guidelines Project aims to improve clinical effectiveness by disseminating locally developed guidelines linked to research evidence to inner city primary health care teams. Practice‐based educational sessions combined with audit are offered to help practices implement the guidelines. This paper reports on the baseline and one‐year audit results following facilitation and implementation of coronary heart disease guidelines.
THE SME SECTOR, THE SINGLE MARKET AND THE APPROPRIATENESS OF DGXXIII POLICIES
Authors: Mulhern Alan
Published: January 2008

The European Commission has developed a formal enterprise policy with respect to SMEs. It acknowledges that the SMEs play a vital role in the Community's economy employing two thirds of its workforce and having significant cost advantages in some areas as well as having characteristics of flexibility and innovation. It proposes specific policies to help them. However the UK SME sector is also severely affected by high exit rates and instability. It is also, by all available evidence, unprepared for the single market adopting a wait and see attitude. Despite the attention given to this sector by the Commission and the UK government this paper suggests that a strategic rethink of the SME sector is required with a more active intervention policy being adopted.
THINKING ABOUT GROWTH: A COGNITIVE MAPPING APPROACH TO UNDERSTANDING SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Jenkins Mark
Published: January 2008

In the United States research undertaken by Birch (1979) produced the notable finding that firms employing fewer than 20 employees accounted for 66% of all net new jobs in the US between 1969 and 1976. The publication of this study combined with the development of the UK ‘enterprise culture’ (Kirby and Mullen, 1991) led to an impetus for further research in the UK which has been well chronicled by Curran (1986). Birch's findings have, to a certain extent, been replicated in the UK with Doyle and Gallagher (1986) noting that approximately one million jobs were created through small firms and self employment from 1982 to 1984. In a European context Storey and Johnson's review of the European research on job generation (Storey and Johnson, 1987a) noted that, with only one exception, small firms experienced positive employment growth, whereas larger firms suffered a loss on employment.
BARRIERS TO INVESTMENT: THE APPRAISAL AND FINANCING OF NEW MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGIES IN SMEs
Authors: Austin Sarah
Published: January 2008

The exploitation of new manufacturing technologies by large organisations is placing increasing pressures on the ability of SMEs to compete, since they enable large firms to compete through advantages traditionally associated with SMEs (e.g. flexibility, small production runs and specialised products). If SMEs are to maintain and improve their competitive position, a more proactive stance is required in relation to new technology investment. The identification and removal of barriers to adoption could greatly aid small firm investment in new technology. The internal investment appraisal process has been identified as one of the major barriers to the adoption of new manufacturing technologies in large firms (Price et al., 1990; Finnie, 1988). Little, however, is known about how SMEs conduct investment appraisals. Further, where SMEs seek external funds, they face additional appraisal by the funding institution. Research (Joyce et a/., 1990; Watkins and Morton, 1992) has indicated that SMEs view financing difficulties as a major barrier to investment. Given the nature of new manufacturing technologies, it is anticipated that such investments may create specific financing problems, particularly in relation to the appraisal by the financial institution. The focus of this paper, therefore, is on these two potential barriers to investment. Firstly, the paper investigates the extent to which the appraisal problems faced by large organisations are common to SMEs and establishes the extent to which the appraisal methods advocated in the literature are relevant to SMEs. Secondly, it examines external constraints on the financing of new technology investments from the firm perspective. In examining these barriers, the paper identifies the characteristics of the investment and financing decision‐making processes in SMEs. The main findings of the research project, involving case studies of 15 SMEs in the South East, are that SMEs do face problems in appraising and justifying new technology investments. However, these difficulties appear to cause fewer problems for SMEs in terms of the outcomes of the appraisal process than might be expected. Surprisingly, the financing of new technologies was not found to constitute a significant barrier to investment and few of the firms had experienced any real difficulties in raising finance for this purpose. The reasons for these apparent conditions are explored in depth and factors affecting the results are identified.
CHANGES IN THE NATURE OF UK SMALL BUSINESS RESEARCH, 1980–1990. PART TWO: CHANGES IN THE NATURE OF THE OUTPUT
Authors: Watkins David
Published: January 2008

Significant changes have taken place in the nature, organisation and management of research on the UK SME sector over the past decade. This is the second in a short series of papers documenting and analysing those changes. As in part one, the data set addressed is the published proceedings of the ‘UKEMRA’ annual research conferences, which constitute the most comparable, relevant record of such research output between the late 1970s and the early 1990s. This paper focuses specifically on changes in the nature of those published outputs in SME research, and how these are used by other academics.
COSYFEET
Authors: Ranchhod Ashok , Palmer Adam
Published: January 2008

This case study was made possible by the co‐operation of the managing director of Cosyfeet, Mr David Price, to whom we are very grateful. The case was prepared as a basis for class discussion and as an illustration of what may or may not constitute success in a small business context.
TRAINING AND ENTERPRISE COUNCILS AND SMALL‐ AND MEDIUM‐SIZED ENTERPRISES: NOT MEETING NEEDS OR JUST NOT MEETING THE CUSTOMER?
Authors: Adam‐Smith Derek , McGeever Michael
Published: January 2008

Data from a study of small firms are used to examine the extent to which Training and Enterprise Councils (TECs) have been successful in appealing to the needs of small firms. It explores the principles underlying the formation of TECs and suggests that insufficient attention was given to the role of such firms at this stage. The results of the study suggest that in small firms the level of awareness of TECs and use of their services remains low. It is argued that due account needs to be taken by TECs of the particular concerns of small business owners and that TEC staff should develop personal contact with their customers. It is considered whether this might be achieved through the Business Links initiative.
STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT AND THE SMALLER FIRM
Authors: Lee Gloria L.
Published: January 2008

The relevance of theories of strategic management and the approaches and techniques which they advocate is examined for managers in smaller firms attempting to gain competitive advantage. The distinctions drawn by Whittington between four generic perspectives on strategy — classical, evolutionary, processual and systemic — are considered in the light of the experiences of four small‐ and medium‐sized component manufacturers in the West Midlands. It is argued that the processual approach is likely to be most appropriate for the survival and enhanced competitiveness of such firms, but that it requires adaptation to the circumstances of smaller firms.
DEVELOPING PERSONAL BUSINESS ADVISERS: AN INSIDER'S VIEW
Authors: Bushell Michael
Published: January 2008

The development of a team of personal business advisers (PBAs) within Business Link Sandwell is considered. A practical stance is taken, looking at the issues which arose in interpreting national guidelines within a local situation. The background to the setting up of Business Links is reviewed, and in particular the placing of a personalized service at the centre of Business Link activities. The major change from the point of view of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in setting up Business Links is that there will be a customer‐centred service with a single local response. This has meant that the many different local organizations (e.g. Training and Enterprise Councils, chambers of commerce) have had to form partnerships and often co‐locate services and staff. There has been a singular lack of independent research in this field. The recruitment of a team of PBAs based on the DTI model for PBAs and the published research available on the topic is described. An intensive three‐month team‐building and product and service familiarization programme was undertaken for the opening of Business Link Sandwell in April 1995.
MANAGING THE TRANSITION: EMPLOYMENT TO SELF‐EMPLOYMENT
Authors: Cohen Laurie
Published: January 2008

This work considers women who have left jobs within organizations to set up their own businesses. The project thus explores two worlds: the world of the organization and the world of the small business owner/manager. However, it is not sufficient to limit the scope of the research to these two contexts; equally important are the spaces in‐between. An examination of the transition from employment to self‐employment is crucial in understanding the experience as a whole. Two case studies are used to illustrate how particular women managed the transition. It is then considered how this experience can be conceptualized theoretically, assessing the extent to which existing theories offer adequate frameworks for understanding. Implications for further research and the development of a more relevant conceptual model are addressed.
FACILITATING CO‐OPERATIVE NETWORKS OF HIGH‐TECHNOLOGY SMALL FIRMS: PROBLEMS AND STRATEGIES
Authors: White John E. , Gorton Matthew J. , Chaston Ian
Published: January 2008

The growing importance of small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in high‐technology innovation and the importance of innovation in maintaining competitive advantage has been acknowledged. The possibilities of co‐operation between high‐technology SMEs as a mechanism for enhancing individual firm growth is considered. The current stock of empirical evidence on high‐technology SMEs is outlined and the fact that few small firms achieve substantial growth highlighted. The major barriers to growth which lie behind this outcome are considered. The possibilities of networking, in its various forms, are considered as a facilitating medium for aiding business growth, with particular attention paid to high intensity co‐operative arrangements. The need for heterogeneous skill possession is emphasized, and how environments comprising homogeneous core competencies make networking an inappropriate solution for business growth. The existing empirical data on SME networking is considered and the relative costs and benefits of membership tabulated on the basis of network type. This leads on to an analysis of how beneficial, long‐term arrangements between actors may not occur in the market because of short‐term risks associated with other party(ies) defecting, as can be modelled within a prisoner's dilemma game theory structure. The final section discusses the possible role for network brokers in lessening these risks and aiding the development of mutually beneficial, growth‐oriented relationships between high‐technology SMEs.
EUROPEAN EXPORT STRATEGIES OF UK SMALL SERVICE FIRMS
Authors: Satchell W.K.J. , Marriott D.N.
Published: January 2008

The development of the Single European Market and the resulting publicity has persuaded many smaller firms to look to continental Europe as their first choice for market expansion opportunities. These include many UK small firms in the service sector where the economic benefits of a reduction in trade barriers are not so apparent. The approaches used by small service companies and professional practices in dealing with Europe are examined to identify the lessons learnt and to draw comparisons with Central Government advice. Semi‐structured interviews were held with managers from a randomly drawn sample of small firms in the UK with experience of exporting their services to Europe. The firms had experienced varying degrees of success with their forays into Europe. The study suggests that some small service sector firms may have greater potential in non‐EEC and/or English‐speaking nations than in Europe and that for many the experience of Europe has been expensive and erroneous. Small service firms should look to match their strengths to the market, which may be in Eastern Europe, South Africa or the Middle East, rather than tackle an EEC country where their competitive advantages are limited and market conditions may be hostile.
BS 5750/BS EN ISO 9000 IN SMEs: POISON OR POTION?
Authors: Williams Nathan
Published: January 2008

The period 1991 to 1993 provided a hostile environment for small‐medium sized enterprises (SMEs). UK business failures in 1992 alone reached a record level of 63,000. Simultaneously, the UK government began to actively support the uptake of progressive quality management practices in the UK industry. This was mainly instigated through their support and promotion of BS 5750. Central and local government agencies were also beginning to make BS 5750 registration a requirement of their suppliers. The result was that many SMEs found themselves compelled to seek BS 5750 accreditation.
THE PROSPECTS FOR THE BRITISH BARTER EXCHANGE INDUSTRY
Authors: Healey Nigel M.
Published: January 2008

The ‘barter’ of goods (or services) for goods (or services) between companies, either on a bilateral basis or (more usually) via the intermediation of a broker, has been growing rapidly in recent years. In the United States, barter transactions between US companies amounted to an estimated $9bn in 1995. While historically a US phenomenon, the practice is increasingly spreading to Europe, Asia and Australia. There is now a growing number of so‐called ‘barter exchanges’ operating in Britain and continental Europe. The primary purpose of this paper is to assess the prospects for the development of the British barter exchange industry over the medium to long term. It provides an overview of barter exchanges, examining the US barter exchange industry, which is at a much higher level of development than its British counterpart, in order to identify the way in which the industry operates and the factors which are critical to its growth. It then assesses the prospects for the British barter exchange industry, drawing upon the lessons of the US experience.
CUSTOMER SERVICE FOR SMALL FIRMS: A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK AND SOME EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE
Authors: Carson David , Maclaran Pauline
Published: January 2008

The importance of customer service to the small firm together with how small firms can maximize their inherent strengths in this respect are considered. Current customer service theories, which have developed with larger organizations in mind, are examined to assess how they may be adapted to have relevance for the smaller business. A conceptual model of customer service for small firms is outlined and applied to findings from an empirical study of 28 small firms.
EXPORT AND LANGUAGE BARRIERS IN THE WELSH SME SECTOR
Authors: Peel Michael J. , Eckart Helga
Published: January 2008

In response to recent evidence which indicates that UK companies are losing trading opportunities due to relatively poor linguistic skills, an increasing interest has been expressed by government agencies, training bodies and the business and academic community in the foreign language requirements of UK firms. Currently, however, little research has examined the importance of language barriers relative to other factors which are perceived to inhibit export performance. In addition, previous research has not focused on how these factors differ in respect of SMEs and their larger counterparts. Based on a survey of 939 Welsh manufacturing firms, from which a 22% response rate was obtained, the purpose of this paper is to present some new empirical evidence relating to language barriers, and other perceived inhibitors, to improving the export performance of domestic manufacturing firms located in Wales. A comparative analysis of small, medium and large companies was undertaken and indicates that there are significant differences in perceived export and language barriers which are related to firm size. A further key finding of the study is that a number of export impediments are considered to be significantly more problematic than language barriers. However, 21% of respondents considered that communication barriers currently presented a problematic/very problematic factor inhibiting export performance; with a larger proportion (29%) of respondents indicating that they considered that their future trading performance would improve significantly if language skills were improved within their firms.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO IDENTIFY SUCCESS FACTORS IN YOUNG, GROWING FIRMS?
Authors: Jarl Trondsen Tor
Published: January 2008

Most big firms have once been small. The seeds of success may very well have been planted in the initial phases after establishment. Company culture and professional direction, set at an early stage, may be the source of success (Collins and Porras, 1994). The organisational and professional characteristics can be identified by comparatively simple survey methods.
A REVIEW OF INDIGENOUS BANKS IN HONG KONG: IMPLICATIONS FOR SMALL FIRMS MANAGING STRATEGIC CHANGE
Authors: Yee‐kwong Chan Ricky
Published: January 2008

This paper reviews the strategic responses of successful local Chinese banks (LCBs) in the changeable Hong Kong banking sector over the past decades. Given the mixed outlook of the industry resulting from the handover of sovereignty, financial internationalization, and regional and domestic economic developments, this paper also discusses the benefits of using strategic alliance as a means for LCBs to meet current and future challenges. Based on case reviews, the paper demonstrates the values of strategic management concepts for small banks to cope with an externally oriented and politically uncertain operating environment.
NAYLOR v. YORKSHIRE ELECTRICITY BOARD
Authors: Sellers L.J. , Danckwerts L.J. , Salmon L.J.
Published: January 2008

June 30, 1966 Damages — Assessment — Loss of expectation of life— Death of healthy, happy young man — Settled prospects of employment — Decline in value of money — Extent to which to be considered — Whether Award of £500 too low — Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1934 (24 & 25 Geo. V, c. 41), s.1(1).
WHITTAKER v. MINISTER OF PENSIONS AND NATIONAL INSURANCE
Authors: Mocatta J.
Published: January 2008

July 29, 1966 National Insurance — “Insurable employment” — Trapeze artiste — Contract with circus to perform act and other duties — Injury during circus performance — Whether in insurable employment and entitled to industrial injury benefit — Whether a “contract of service” or for services — National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Act, 1946 (9 & 10 Geo. VI, c.62),s.1(2), Sch. I, Pt. I.
SILVESTER v. NATIONAL UNION OF PRINTING, BOOKBINDING AND PAPER WORKERS
Authors: Goff J.
Published: January 2008

October 27, 1966 Trade Union — Disciplinary action — Policy of union that overtime optional — Refusal to do overtime — Whether act “to the detriment of the interests of the union” — Branch committee's decision binding pending appeal — Appeal to final appeal court withheld — Subsequent charges of failing to implement branch committee's decision — Whether branch committee's decision ultra vires — Validity of proceedings.
BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION v. ASSOCIATION OF CINEMATOGRAPH TELEVISION AND ALLIED TECHNICIANS (ACTAT) AND ANOTHER
Authors: Megaw J.
Published: January 2008

November 29, 1966 Industrial Court — Jurisdiction — Question referred by Minister of Labour — Construction of Fair Wages Resolution — Licence and agreement of Postmaster‐General with British Broadcasting Corporation — Whether construable by Industrial Court — Complaint by trade union concerning employment of member — Minister referring question to Industrial Court — Action by employer for declaration — Whether employee trade union member necessary party.
PRICE v. CLAUDGEN LTD.
Authors: Reid  , of Borth‐y‐Gest Morris , Hodson  , Pearce  , Upjohn
Published: January 2008

February 16, 1967 Building — Safety regulations — Application — Neon lighting installation — Workman repairing installation affixed to cinema — Whether “repair or maintenance of building” — Whether installation part of building — Building (Safety, Health and Welfare) Regulations, 1948 (S.I. 1948 No. 1145), regs. 2(1), 24(1).
HILL v. ARCHBOLD
Authors: MacKenna J.
Published: January 2008

January 27, 1967 Master and servant — Maintenance of suit — Trade union's paid officials — Defamation action — Circular to union members containing allegations that officials unfit to be employed by union — Legal assistance to officials for libel actions out of union funds — Whether maintenance — No express power in union rules — Express provision for payment of legal assistance confined to subscribing members — Whether reasonable for good employer to support litigation — Whether implied power to support officials' litigation.
DONAGHEY v. BOULTON AND PAUL LTD.
Authors: Dilhorne Viscount , Reid  , Hodson  , Guest  , Pearson
Published: January 2008

January 20, 1967 Building — Safety regulations — “Edge of the roof” — Asbestos roof — Construction — Adjustment of badly laid sheet —Fall of workman through opening in roof — Whether fall from edge — Applicability of regulation — Subcontractors' failure to comply with statutory requirements — Injury to subcontractors' employee — Liability of contractor — Whether contractor “undertaking” operations — Whether work “performed” by contractor — Building (Safety, Health and Welfare) Regulations, 1948 (S. I. 1948 No. 1145), regs. 4, 31(1), (3).
JAMES v. HEPWORTH & GRANDAGE LTD.
Authors: Sellers L.J. , Davies L.J. , Russell L.J.
Published: January 2008

March 1, 1967 Negligence — Duty of care — Causation — Illiterate employee —Notice informing employees of availability of spats — Metal spinner's inability to read notice — Spinner splashed by molten metal — Spats not worn by majority of em‐ployees — Divergence of opinion among employees as to desirability of spats — Whether duty to provide spats fulfilled — Whether, if breach, a cause of accident.
LANE v. GLOUCESTER ENGINEERING CO. LTD.
Authors: Sellers L.J. , Davies L.J. , Russell L.J.
Published: January 2008

March 2, 1967 Factories — Lighting — Whether “sufficient and suitable lighting” — Accident in workshop before commencement of work — Shadow cast by machine — Fall over tie‐bar used for manufacture of mixer — Light from three pilot lights more than 0.5 foot candles — Whether breach of statutory standard — Whether breach of regulations —Factories Act, 1961 (9 & 10 Eliz.II, c.34), s.5(l) (2) —Factories (Standards of Lighting) Regulations, 1941 (S.R. & O. 1941, No. 94), regs.2(a), (b), 4.
BELL v. ARNOTT & HARRISON LTD.
Authors: Sellers L.J. , Davies L.J. , Russell L.J.
Published: January 2008

March 3, 1967 Negligence — Duty of care — Inspection of equipment — Electrical hand drill subject to vibration — Drill in common use — Workman injured because of loose screw —Defective cap — Drill in use for a year — Whether duty to inspect periodically.
ALLEN v. THORN ELECTRICAL INDUSTRIES LTD. GRIFFIN v. METROPOLITAN POLICE DISTRICT RECEIVER
Authors: Denning M.R. , Danckwerts L.J. , Winn L.J.
Published: January 2008

June 14, 1967 Master and servant — Wage standstill — “Rate of remuneration paid” — Whether remuneration actually paid — Whether remuneration contracted to be paid — “Rate” — “Paid” — “Same kind of work” — Ambiguity — Construction of penal statute — Prices and Incomes Act, 1966 (c. 33), ss.28(2), 29(4) — Temporary Restrictions on Pay Increases (July 20, 1966, Levels) (No. 1) Order, 1966 (S.I. 1966 No. 1365), art. 2 — Temporary Restrictions on Pay Increases (No. 2) Order, 1966 (S.I. 1966No. 1468), art. 2.
BRITISH RAILWAYS BOARD v. LIPTROT
Authors: Dilhorne Viscount , Reid  , Hodson  , Guest  , Pearson
Published: January 2008

June 20, 1967 Factory — Dangerous machinery (fencing) — “Machinery” — Mobile crane — Part of equipment of factory — Dangerous parts — Obligation to fence — Factories Act, 1961 (9 & 10 Eliz. II, c.34), s. 14 (1).
HOWELL v. A.P.V. PARAMOUNT LTD.
Authors: Sellers  , Harman  , Salmon
Published: January 2008

October 11, 1967 Negligence — Electricity — Unguarded electric wires — Electrician required to tighten wires — Mobile electric crane in course of construction — Not practice to guard wires — Whether absence of guard negligence — Electrician requiring to remove any guard to carry out work — Statutory duty — Duty to safeguard electric conductor — Fall while descending scaffolding — Whether “reasonably practicable” to guard wires — Whether employers in breach of statutory duty — Electricity Regulations, 1908 (S.R.&O. 1908, No. 1312), reg.2.
HADLEY v. DROITWICH CONSTRUCTION CO. LTD. AND OTHERS JOSEPH PUGSLEY & SONS LTD. THIRD PARTY
Authors: Sellers L.J. , Harman L.J. , Winn L.J.
Published: January 2008

October 18, 1967 Contract — Plant hire — Hirer to put competent man in charge and service — Breach of obligations — Mobile crane — Accident to hirer's workman due to faulty adjustment — Finding of negligence against both hirer and owner — Some maladjustment present when crane handed over to hirer — Whether owners negligent — Whether contractual obligation on owners to indemnify hirer for damages arising from their own breach of duty towards their workman.
WILLIAMS v. GRIMSHAW AND OTHERS
Authors: Phillimore J.
Published: January 2008

December 5, 1967 Master and servant — Safe system of work — Injury by criminals — Whether duty of reasonable care not to expose servant to unnecessary risk of injury by criminals — Club stewardess — Injury in attempted robbery of takings — Stewardess accompanied by escort — Whether precautions reasonable.
CROSS v. BRITISH IRON, STEEL AND KINDRED TRADES ASSOCIATION
Authors: Denning M.R. , Diplock L.J. , Salmon L.J.
Published: January 2008

November 27,1967 Trade Union — Membership — Rules — Provision of legal assistance “on happening of… event which would … reasonably appear” to entitle member to claim damages at common law — Accident at work — Particulars supplied by injured member passed by union to experienced solicitor — Solicitor's advice that no ground for claim against employers — Advice communicated to and accepted by injured member — Later query on claim raised by injured member — Standard of duty of union under rules — Whether duty fulfilled.
FOSTER v. FLEXILE METAL COMPANY LTD.
Authors: Paull J.
Published: January 2008

May 12,1967 Factory — Dangerous machinery (fencing) — Guard provided and ready for use — Machine being re‐set — Guard provided for operation not used by workman — Whether machine “fenced” — Workman re‐setting machine without calling on help of assistant — Whether reckless — Whether amounting to contributory negligence — Factories Act, 1961 (9 & 10 Eliz.II, c.34), ss. 14,16.
READY MIXED CONCRETE (SOUTH EAST) LTD. v. MINISTER OF PENSIONS AND NATIONAL INSURANCE MINISTER OF SOCIAL SECURITY v. GREENHAM READY MIXED CONCRETE LTD. AND ANOTHER SAME v. READY MIXED CONCRETE (SOUTH EAST) LTD. AND ANOTHER
Authors: MacKenna J.
Published: January 2008

December 8, 1967 National Insurance — Insurable employment — Owner driver — Contract for carriage of company's cement — Declaration that owner driver independent contractor — Payment on mileage basis — Exclusive provision of vehicle for company's deliveries — Compliance with company's rules — Whether contract of service or for services — Relevance of ownership of assets and opportunity for profit or loss — Whether owner driver “employed person” — Whether contract of carriage — National Insurance Act, 1965 (13 & 14 Eliz. II, c.51), ss.1(2). 3(b).
O'BRIEN AND OTHERS v. ASSOCIATED FIRE ALARMS LTD.
Authors: Denning M.R. , Salmon L.J. , Davies Edmund
Published: January 2008

March 1, 1968 Master and Servant — Redundancy — Dismissal — Employees working and living in Liverpool — Employers operating nation‐wide contract electricity business — Business divided into large areas — Work in Liverpool falling off — Employees required to work away from home within area of operations controlled from Liverpool office — Dismissal of employees refusing to work away from home area — Industrial tribunal's finding of implied term in contract of employment that employees could be required to work anywhere within area controlled from local office — Whether finding of fact or question of law — No evidence to support — Whether court entitled to review — Whether dismissals “by reason of redundancy” — “Place where … employed” — Redundancy Payments Act, 1965 (c.62),ss.l,9.