bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Finite point based numerical study on the unsteady laminar wake behind square cylinders
Authors: Mendez B. , Velazquez A.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present numerical study on the behaviour of 2D unsteady incompressible laminar wakes behind square cylinders.

Design/methodology/approach

The numerical method that has been developed is based on a finite point formulation characterised by its weak connectivity requirements. This formulation allows for a patched unstructured approach to computational domain modelling that is of interest for industrial applications. Time evolution of pressure is computed by using a pseudo‐compressibility relaxation model that is based on physical considerations.

Findings

This model is characterised by the fact that no sub‐iterations on a numerical pseudo‐time are required so that computational efficiency is increased. Algorithm stability requires the use of second and fourth order artificial viscosity operators that effectively change the order of the equations. A discussion is included regarding the boundary conditions for these operators that do not influence vortex shedding behaviour.

Research limitations/implications

Bearing in mind the industrial drive (MEMS design) that the authors have in mind, solver validation has been addressed at two levels: global coefficients (lift, drag and Strouhal number) were compared with those published in the specialised literature, while local velocity and rms profiles were compared with those obtained after performing a specific low velocity wind tunnel testing campaign (Reynolds numbers in the range from 110 to 268).

Practical implications

A sensitivity analysis of the results obtained is presented and it shows that the solver numerical robustness makes it amenable for project oriented applications.

Originality/value

The formulation being presented is competitive and could be considered as a potential alternative to other approaches.
Job satisfaction: empirical evidence of gender differences
Authors: García‐Bernal Javier , Gargallo‐Castel Ana , Marzo‐Navarro Mercedes , Rivera‐Torres Pilar
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Human resources management directed at improving job satisfaction has become a subject of growing interest in both the professional world and the academic world, and is justified by the impact that satisfaction has on business performance. The main objective of this work is to determine empirically the factors that have an impact on the satisfaction of Spanish workers, as well as to compare the existence of differences in the key dimensions of satisfaction according to workers' gender.

Design/methodology/approach

Of the study sample, only information pertaining to Spain was selected. Of 413 specific cases, 668 per cent were male and 33.2 per cent female. A factor analysis was conducted on those variables which could impact on an individual's job satisfaction. These aspects were considered through an 11‐item questionnaire.

Findings

The results obtained in this research show that the job satisfaction of Spanish workers is an element that is susceptible to improvement. Moreover, it is observed that the level of job satisfaction is determined by four factors: “economic aspects”, “interpersonal relations”, “working conditions”, and “personal fulfilment”. A subsequent analysis according to workers' gender shows that although men and women take into account the same dimensions, the degree to which each dimension has an impact is different for each sub‐sample.

Research limitations/implications

The sample used refers to a Spanish case. In the future it would be interesting to extend this and include other countries.

Practical implications

The main results of this study are a knowledge of the variables that affect the level of employee satisfaction, which should be useful to the management of companies, and those that should be considered in order to take better advantage of the competitive opportunities that can provide a company with motivated to committed staff.

Originality/value

This study analyzes factors that determine job satisfaction according to the worker's gender.
Gender, work, and equal opportunities in central and eastern Europe
Authors: Dawn Metcalfe Beverly , Afanassieva Marianne
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This paper examines gender, work and equal opportunities in central and eastern Europe (CEE) countries. The worker‐mother contract in socialist systems is discussed and reveals how transition from a communist economic system to a market economy has eroded women's equality within the workplace claimed with the Communist and economic social legacy. The aim is to explore the opportunities and constraints on women's professional career advancement in post‐socialist societies.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper consolidates research on gender and work within CEE countries and draws on international datasets including, the Gender Development Index and Gender Empowerment Index.

Findings

The results show that women's high representation in management and professional occupations, once the hallmark of socialist employment structures, is now being threatened by the erosion of state childcare services and the increasing level of discriminatory practices in recruitment, selection and development. It is suggested that the formal state structures have acted to foster neo‐traditionalism and a traditional gender identity. Economic and political transition is argued to be a process of remasculinisation, which reaffirms gendered hierarchies and gendered power relations in public and private realms.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the limited subject of equal opportunities and gender issues within an organisation context within CEE regions. The paper examines gender‐mainstreaming methodologies and considers implications for the development of equal opportunity and diversity management policies at state and organization level.
“My father knows the minister”
Authors: Neal Mark , Finlay Jim , Tansey Richard
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to fill a gap in the literature on Arab women's conceptions of leadership. By comparing women's leadership authority values in three Arab countries, the paper aims to refine existing gender‐neutral research on leadership in the “Arab world”.

Design/methodology/approach

The study involved administering a survey, which had been developed based on Weber's work on authority (1978) and contemporary discussions of implicit leadership theories (ILT). The data (n=320) were drawn from female subjects who were enrolled in upper‐division business major classes in three countries, Oman, Lebanon and the UAE The women thus constituted educated entrants to their respective labor markets. The data were subjected to an analysis of group means on each of the questions, using the Scheffe option available in ANOVA.

Findings

The analysis found evidence of common leadership authority values in the Gulf countries (Oman and the UAE). Lebanon, meanwhile, was distinguished by relatively low levels of “traditional” authority, and very high levels of “charismatic” authority. The findings demonstrate important regional similarities and difference in leadership authority values in the “Arab world.”

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited by the number of countries studied. It is thus anticipated that future comparative research will be extended to include other countries (both Arab and non‐Arab), and men.

Practical implications

Leadership training in the Arab region must be sensitized and tailored to address regional and gender‐specific conceptions of leadership.

Originality/value

The paper challenges and refines widespread meta‐notions and analyses of the “Arab world” and “Arab leadership.”
Gender and race differences in leader behaviour preferences in South Africa
Authors: Littrell Romie F. , Nkomo Stella M.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This research was undertaken to investigate the differences in preferred managerial leadership behaviour among genders and racial groups in South Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from part time MBA students in South Africa, and subjects' preferences for explicit leader behaviour was assessed by the Leader Behaviour Description Questionnaire XII, with samples of Asian[1], black, coloured[2], and White South Africans further categorized by gender.

Findings

Coloured sample subjects were most dissimilar from the other samples as to preferred leader behaviours. The most similar grouping was black males with white males and females.

Research limitations/implications

Different results were obtained than predicted by past studies comparing only black and white subjects. Studies comparing only those two racial groups could yield misleading interpretations of the actual managerial leader race and gender dynamics in South Africa. Owing to the small samples obtained for coloureds and Asian women, a follow‐up study is underway to increase these sample sizes.

Practical implications

Implications of this study for practice are that programmes of managerial leadership development and practice need to consider that the race and gender dynamics in South Africa extend beyond the majority blacks and whites, and need to be more inclusive of all groups.

Originality/value

The results tend to contradict the interpretations of past studies of management and leadership that have indicated significant differences between the behaviours of blacks and whites in the business environment. These two groups were found to be most similar in preferences.
An alternative view through the glass ceiling
Authors: Cornelius Nelarine , Skinner Denise
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To introduce the reader to a new way of understanding how the glass ceiling, the informal mechanisms and structures that slow or prevent women's advancement, may be configured, using capabilities theory.

Design/methodology/approach

Capabilities theory is used as an analytical lens to evaluate the nature of interaction between the senior women's “internal capabilities” (their readiness to act), and the external “work environment” (work and non‐work factors) that in combination with internal capabilities, constitute combined capabilities. In particular, we reflect on how the character of combined capabilities might effect senior women's perception of ambition and risk and the choices that are made during the “career journey”.

Findings

From a capabilities perspective, it can be argued that the remit of HRM policy makers regarding the careers of women attempting to break through the glass ceiling needs to be broadened, particularly by those organisations not only wishing to enhance their corporate social responsibility with regards to existing and potential employees but also those wishing to deepen their understanding of workplace inequality.

Originality/value

This paper adds to our understanding of women's career journeys, and is likely to be of interest also to those researching the in areas of workplace equality and diversity and HRM policy and practice.
The glass ceiling: some positive trends from the Lebanese banking sector
Authors: Jamali D. , Safieddine A. , Daouk M.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the salience of glass ceiling type barriers in the Lebanese banking sector, based on the perceptions of a sample of Lebanese top and middle level women managers.

Design/methodology/approach

Literature review and survey type questionnaire molded after the women workplace culture questionnaire developed by Bergman and Hallberg. The questionnaire was administered to a sample of 61 top and middle level women managers, drawn from the context of 12 different banks in the Lebanese context.

Findings

The findings suggest that the common precepts of the glass ceiling theory are not supported in the context of Lebanese banks with overall positive inferences and perceptions reported by Lebanese women managers in relation to their work environment and daily work experiences. These findings are explained by the progressive evolution of the Lebanese banking sector over the past few decades.

Originality/value

The value added of this research is to revisit the salience of the glass ceiling in a non‐traditional context, namely Lebanon. While the findings encountered in the banking sector cannot be generalized to the entire Lebanese society, they nevertheless present an unexpected trend and potentially interesting implications stemming from an Arab‐Middle‐Eastern context.
Perceived organizational support for women's advancement and turnover intentions
Authors: Jawahar I.M. , Hemmasi Pegah
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine if organization's failure to support women's advancement increases turnover intentions of well qualified and experienced professional women, as asserted by many scholars and the mediating influence of job satisfaction and employer satisfaction on the relationship between organizational support and turnover intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 332 female executives (Study 1) and 186 female managers and professionals (Study 2) were surveyed to examine specific, heretofore, untested hypotheses. Such replications ensure that the results are repeatable and not artefactual to particular samples/or settings.

Findings

Results of both studies were identical. Perceptions of support were related to turnover intentions. Employer satisfaction had a stronger effect on turnover intentions than job satisfaction, and fully mediated the relationship between support and turnover intentions.

Originality/value

Drawing on the social exchange theory, it was expected that perceived organizational support (POS) for women's advancement would be negatively related to turnover intentions. POS for women's advancement is more specific and relevant to professional women than POS per se. Another new construct was introduced – employer satisfaction – and as hypothesized it was found that employer satisfaction was more strongly related to turnover intentions than job satisfaction; it also mediates the support‐turnover relationship more strongly than job satisfaction. Implications of results are discussed and directions for future research are offered.
A gender‐sensitive study of McClelland's needs, stress, and turnover intent with work‐family conflict
Authors: Lilly Juliana D. , Duffy Jo Ann , Virick Meghna
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to study gender differences in the relationship between McClelland's needs, stress, and turnover intentions with work‐family conflict.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data were collected from 383 individuals representing 15 different industries. Multiple regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Results suggest that McClelland's needs act as an antecedent of work‐family conflict, and that they have a differential impact on work‐family conflict for women and men.

Research limitations/implications

The subjects were college graduates, hence it was a self‐selected sample, and the results may not generalise to other populations.

Practical implications

Women are more affected by family obligations than men and this may impact the performance and turnover intentions of women in organisations.

Originality/value

This paper enhances understanding of work‐family conflict by specifically examining individual differences such as need for power, need for achievement and need for affiliation and evaluating their impact on turnover intention and job tension.
Women in management: gender stereotypes and students' attitudes in Greece
Authors: Mihail Dimitrios M.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Women are vastly underrepresented in corporate Greece. One widely accepted explanation for this situation is the negative stereotypes about women as managers. Given the apparent influence of business students' stereotypes on future discriminatory behaviour toward women in management, and given the dearth of empirical research on this issue for the Greek case, this study aims at measuring and assessing gender‐based attitudes of surveyed students.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted involving 323 undergraduate students majoring in business administration at the University of Macedonia, Greece.

Findings

The main finding is that business students' attitudes toward women in management are primarily shaped by their own gender. This study, employing the Women as Managers Scale, found that male business students hold relatively negative stereotypic attitudes compared to their female counterparts. In addition, it was found that gender was by far the most influential factor in accounting for the difference in attitudes. No significant differences on other sample characteristics such as age, work experience and cooperation with female supervisor were detected.

Research limitations/implications

Further research to extend the current investigation to full‐time employees and managers would allow for a more articulated discussion of the main sources of influence on stereotypical attitudes toward women in management.

Originality/value

Given the dearth of empirical research on stereotyping and women's career prospects in Greece, this study contributes to debates in the wider academic community on the issue of analyzing empirically stereotypic attitudes toward women as managers.
The accident of m/v Herald of Free Enterprise
Authors: Goulielmos Alexander M. , Goulielmos Markos A.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether the Herald of Free Enterprise disaster was due to the ship or the management, using the modern management theory of complexity.

Design/methodology/approach

The 75 pages investigation of the court has been studied and codified to the main aspects and mistakes producing the accident. After the mistakes were identified, a procedure adopted in analysis B to show how these could be avoided if a different management theory has been adopted.

Findings

The main finding was that management was responsible for the accident on shore mainly and on board and that a special communication mean which is called “dialogue” in complexity theory parlance had to be adopted.

Practical implications

Any shipping company and ship can identify itself through the common mistakes mentioned and adopt the proposed theory to improve safety and management's effectiveness.

Originality/value

The paper provides a concise analysis of the accident. A new theory is presented and linked to this case study. The study will be useful to management on shore and on board and for IMO of Flag administrations and departments of transport and others.
Open source geographical resources analysis support system (GRASS) for landslide hazard assessment
Authors: Firuz Ramli Mohammad , Nor Azmin Sulaiman Wan , Kamil Yusoff Mohd , Yee Low Yoke , Manap Mohamad Abd.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The primary aim of this research is to investigate the application of open source geographic information system software, geographical resources analysis support system (GRASS) for landslide hazard assessment.

Design/methodology/approach

Five parameters affecting landslide occurrence derived from topographical, geological and land use maps of Cameron highland were used for the assessment.

Findings

The results showed that about 93 percent of the study area falls under zone II that is of low hazard, with less than 7 percent on zone III with moderate hazard and only less than 1 percent falls under zone IV, which is of high hazard.

Research limitations/implications

The accuracy of the landslide hazard map needs to be assessed by cross‐correlation with landslide occurrence in the field.

Practical implications

The map produced showed the potential application of GRASS as a tool for producing landslide hazard assessment map.

Originality/value

The major outcome of this research is the possible use of open source GIS software in the application of landslide hazard assessment. The capability of GRASS in performing such environmental assessment will certainly attract many researchers and organizations with limited budgets, especially in developing countries such as Malaysia.
A systemic perspective of situation awareness
Authors: Masys A.J.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Maintaining a high level of situation awareness (SA) is considered one of the most essential elements for safe and effective flight operations. In a study of accidents among major air carriers, 88 per cent of those involving human error could be attributed to problems with SA. In complex domains such as aviation, SA is inherently distributed over multiple people and groups and over human and machine agents. The purpose of this paper is to present an alternative perspective to the hegemony of the cognitive approach to SA that focuses on the systemic nature of SA.

Design/methodology/approach

An alternative approach to the hegemony of the cognitive perspective of SA has been presented, that focuses on a systemic or holistic conceptualisation of SA through the application of Somerville's actor network theory (ANT). By advocating a seamless web composed of actors, the actor network approach dissolves the dichotomous relationship between humans and machines and society and technology into a non‐anthropocentric framework. This paper further develops this systemic perspective of SA through an analysis of the tragic 2002 mid‐air collision over Überlingen, Germany case study.

Findings

The application of ANT to this case study brings to light some insights with wide ranging consequences for how we think of SA and accident aetiology.

Practical implications

The systemic perspective of SA has far‐reaching design implications with regard to complex socio‐technical systems.

Originality/value

This paper facilitates the perspective that looks at the inter‐connectedness of the heterogeneous elements characterized by the technological and non‐technological (human, social, organizational, political) elements of complex socio‐technical systems.
Beyond training: new firefighters and critical reflection
Authors: Childs Merilyn
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to initiate a conversation within the disaster community about the applicability of “critical reflection” to the professional work of firefighters. “Critical reflection” is a term commonly used within the nursing and teaching professions. Although it has contested meanings, it generally conveys the sense of purposeful enquiry about one's professional conduct, ethics and decision making. Fire fighting labor is no longer blue collar, and firefighters in western fire fighting agencies require increasingly complex capabilities and accountabilities. Could “critical reflection” be added to post‐incident debrief as a core professional capability?

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on the concept of “critical reflection” as it has been developed within the professional fields of nursing and teaching. It then considers the applicability of and importance of this concept to the professional field of firefighting.

Findings

The meanings and applications of “critical reflection” vary, but the inclusion of dialogue about it exists within many nurse and teacher education courses. It can be argued to provide professionals with an opportunity to engage in dialogue about their labor, and thereby scrutinise their professional conduct and the ethical dilemmas of their work.

Practical implications

This paper calls for a paradigmatic shift in the approach taken by educators who work with firefighters. It argues that instructional methods based on rote learning, chalk and talk, and show and tell training are insufficient as a means of developing firefighters capable of responding and adapting to the complex demands implicit within increasingly professionalized firefighting labor. Future firefighters will need to be adaptive, reflective and accountable; able to demonstrate discursive and inquisitive capabilities; and engage in reflected actions both on and off the incident ground.

Originality/value

High originality. This is the first time the intellectual traditions and debates implicit within “critical reflection” have been linked to the work of firefighters.
A US view of terrorism
Authors: Kondrasuk Jack N.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To analyze recent and future terrorism in the world from the viewpoint of the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

Actions companies can take to help prevent and manage the negative effects of terrorist attacks are also discussed. A review of the literature from journals, the popular press and government sources was stressed to provide an official and public view of terrorism.

Findings

It was found that “terrorism” is pervasive around the world although maybe more concentrated in the Middle East at present. It is seen as annually increasing in number and severity of events. There were minor terrorist events in the USA in the 1990s, but the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 in New York forever changed the view of terrorism by US citizens. The USA subsequently changed its administrative structure, economic infrastructure, beliefs, behaviors, and relations to others in the world. The USA is seen as the main terrorist target in the world and Al‐Qaeda, one of 40 foreign terrorist organizations, is seen as the main group attacking it. Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Sudan, Cuba, Libya, and Syria are seen as the main countries supporting terrorism. The main terrorist weapons are explosives, guns, biological, chemical, radiological, psychological, and to a lesser extent, nuclear.

Research limitations/implications

Although future events and subsequent research must bear it out, it appears that cyber terrorism and radioactive explosives may be used more in the future. Executives can improve their odds of withstanding terrorist attacks by understanding past and present aspects of terrorism. Future dealings with terrorists are seen as problematic, but there are actions companies can take, such as adding working crisis management plans, to help prevent and manage the negative effects of terrorist attacks.

Originality/value

This paper is an attempt to present and understand “terrorism” from a US perspective so that others in the world can better understand US motivations, actions, and rationale.
Unity of purpose/unity of effort: private‐sector preparedness in times of terror
Authors: Alavosius Mark P. , Houmanfar Ramona , Rodriquez Nischal J.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider the analysis of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks provided by the US National Commission on Terrorist Attacks upon the USA from the points of view of behavior analysis and systems analysis. The 9/11 Commission provides a detailed and provocative account of the structural flaws in the US security systems that enabled the 9/11 terrorists to completely subvert efforts to detect and prevent their attack. This paper considers the role of private‐sector organizations in prevention of future attacks.

Design/methodology/approach

This conceptual/theoretical paper explores how understanding verbal networks and the nature of verbal rules might contribute to understanding the issues involved in re‐engineering work cultures in the face of continued terrorist threats.

Findings

An understanding of verbal networks and ambiguous communications aids the re‐design of management systems and emergency response processes so that adaptive organizational responses to terrorist threats are enabled.

Originality/value

Private‐sector leaders might conduct behavioral systems analyses and probe the limitations of their operations and seek to detect weak points and create contingencies that sustain more effective security and emergency response repertoires.
Three psychological principles of resilience in natural disasters
Authors: Reich John W.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this conceptual paper is to present a discussion of some of the core components of human resilience occurring in the face of natural or human‐made disasters. Resilience is often observed, but optimum responding is more than biological survival. Resilience implies the ability to bounce back and even to grow in the face of threats to survival. It is important to incorporate these key psychological principles into disaster planning.

Design/methodology/approach

Research from the social sciences suggests three core principles of resilience, the “3 Cs:” control, coherence, and connectedness. Research evidence supporting the importance of the three Cs to resilient responding is presented, followed by some elementary prescriptions for how they might be implemented.

Findings

An approach to disaster planning and management can meld these principles into already‐existing intervention techniques, creating a more comprehensive and a more integrated response, potentially resulting in improved intervention effectiveness.

Originality/value

Provides a psychological perspective on natural and human‐created disasters. Governmental and private sector responses to these tragedies have received a great deal of media attention, but there has been little systematic attention paid to the basic nature of human responding in such situations. Although it has been noted that humans are often resilient in such conditions, there has been virtually nothing written about what “resilience” is. This paper communicates the basic principles of resilience and how they would play out in future disaster planning and responding.
Disaster management strategy for mass wasting hazard prone Naitwar Bazar and surrounding areas in Upper Tons valley in Uttarkashi district, Uttaranchal (India)
Authors: Uniyal Aniruddha , Prasad C.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Naitwar Bazar in the Upper Tons valley Indian Himalaya (Uttarkashi district of Uttaranchal in India) is showing signs of an impending disaster. This settlement has witnessed active mass wastage during rainy season of 2003 which has caused damage to infrastructure (crucial road link), hospital (i.e. the sole health facility) and residential cum commercial area. The active mass wastage zone may take heavy toll of human lives during the rains. Therefore, the paper proposes examining this subject.

Design/methodology/approach

Field investigations were carried out to assess the damage during the past events, probe the causes of mass wasting hazard and to assess the elements at risk in order to evolve a disaster management strategy.

Findings

It is suggested that a series of prevention and mitigation measures (both structural and non‐structural) with the involvement of the local community are required to avoid the impending disaster in the area.

Originality/value

This paper highlights the need for hazard prognosis and vulnerability assessment in the remotest settlements of Himalayas in order to timely plan the awareness initiatives, response mechanism and structural and non structural mitigation measures. An attempt has also been made to bring forth importance of incorporating the disaster management component into the local developmental planning.
Towards the design and operation of fire safe school facilities
Authors: Hassanain Mohammad A.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The objectives of this paper are to present an assessment for the consideration of fire safety during the design stages of school facilities in Saudi Arabia; and to present the development of a fire risk assessment survey tool whereby existing school facilities can be evaluated for the purpose of identifying and eliminating fire hazards, and meeting the minimum requirements of current legislation.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper classifies the factors that make school facilities a high‐risk type of buildings to fire; reviews causes of fires in schools and identifies potential high‐risk areas to fires in school facilities; and reviews design and operation factors controlling fire severity.

Findings

Investigating the consideration for fire safety in the design phase of public school facilities in Saudi Arabia indicated that the design office at the Ministry of Education is active in providing the following fire safety requirements: fire detection and notification systems including smoke detectors and fire alarms; fire suppression and extinguishing systems including automatic sprinkler systems, standpipe and hose system and portable fire extinguishers; and means of egress and evacuation systems including exit doors, emergency lighting and directional signs. The fire risk assessment survey tool developed in this paper consists of 61 items to assess fire protection equipment, exitways/stairs, interior decorations/interior finish integrity, fire hydrants and lanes, electrical wiring, laboratories, and maintenance measures.

Originality/value

The paper provides practical value to design professionals of school projects and school staff and facilities managers responsible for the day‐to‐day operation of school facilities.
Guest editorial
Authors: Clift Stephen
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To provide a context for the contributions to the special issue.

Design/methodology/approach

An outline of key UK developments and publications.

Findings

Considerable interest and activity in the arts and health field in the UK since the late 1990s.

Originality/value

Provides a guide to essential reading for anyone unfamiliar with the arts and health field.
“You could see it on their faces  … ”
Authors: Barnes Jonathan
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Current research in both cognitive neuroscience and what has been called “positive psychology” point to the need for wholesale reappraisal of what happens in schools, especially with regard to the wellbeing of children. Seeks to examine this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

Reviews and discussion of research by the World Health Organization and current UK reports on the mental health of children together with US and European research on the optimum conditions for children's learning.

Findings

Current research findings in both psychology and cognitive neurology suggest that the condition of “positive emotion” is a prerequisite of deep, transferable learning, and also of a healthy mind and body. The author suggests that involvement in creative activity and creative thinking in any context seems to be a particularly effective way of promoting this sense of wellbeing.

Practical implications

A curriculum and school ethos designed to promote a sense of security and happiness would be a powerful means of addressing under‐achievement in large sections of UK society. It is hypothesized that the mood of distrust and unhappiness, which negatively affects both the health and learning of many young people, would be effectively addressed by a curriculum which concentrated more on the kind of creative and practical activities which provoke positive emotion.

Originality/value

Provides 12 practical recommendations arising from ongoing work of educationists, psychologists and neurologists for consideration by leaders of health education and school policy.
Gathering and communicating information about school bullying
Authors: Frey Karin S.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss multiple methods for gathering information about school bullying and provides a developmental framework for communicating the information to parents and teachers.

Design/methodology/approach

Formal assessments of bullying consisted of student surveys and systematic observations of the playground behaviors of more than 600 students. Bullying that was informally observed during survey administration, and interviews with students involved in bullying also provided insight into the magnitude of school problems.

Findings

The extent of a school's bullying problem is difficult to asses by informal observations alone. Educators are most likely to be aware of bullying that it is performed by socially unskilled, poorly regulated students. Socially skilled students are much more adept at keeping their bullying secret. Formal observations by trained coders provide an important window into the world of children, but are too costly and labor‐intensive for most applications.

Practical implications

Student surveys provide alternative means of assessing the impact of bullying. Accuracy of information derived from surveys and student interviews may be improved by protecting students from coercion, starting with questions about witnessed bullying, and asking students for concrete examples.

Originality/value

Efforts to research or intervene in school bullying require accurate information about the problem. Parents and staff are more likely to support intervention efforts when educators and researchers present bullying information using a non‐stigmatizing, developmental framework
What schoolchildren should be taught about medicines
Authors: Hämeen‐Anttila Katri , Juvonen Mirja , Ahonen Riita , Bush Patricia J. , Airaksinen Marja
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This study is part of a larger project, which aims to develop medicine education materials for teachers. The aim of the present study was to discover children's interests in medicines and teachers' opinions on what should be taught about medicines to children of different ages. Furthermore, teachers' opinions were assessed about the importance of medicine education as a part of school health education. The aim of the recommendations, based on our research and the materials developed during this process, is to clarify what proper use of medicines can mean, and in this way help teachers fulfil the requirements of the new Finnish health education curriculum.

Design/methodology/approach

Twelve focus group discussions were conducted among a convenience sample of first‐graders (7‐8 years, n=23), fourth‐graders (10‐11 years, n=24) and seventh‐graders (13‐14 years, n=19). A national representative survey was conducted to gather data from the teachers (n=284, response rate 71 percent).

Findings

Children's interests and teachers' opinions on what could be taught about medicines to children of different ages were quite similar. However, fourth‐graders were interested in many topics which teachers considered suitable for older children, for example, how medicines work, how to avoid adverse reactions, and abuse of medicines. The vast majority of the teachers (93 percent) considered teaching about the proper use of medicines so important that it should be included in the national curriculum of health education. Of the children, fourth‐graders were the most interested in medicines.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies, which combine the opinions of children and teachers, on what to teach children of different ages about the proper use of medicines. During the study, evidence‐based recommendations on what to teach children about medicines and teaching materials were created.
Adolescent physical self‐perceptions, sport/exercise and lifestyle physical activity
Authors: Gilson N.D. , Cooke C.B. , Mahoney C.A.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Domain and sub‐domain physical self‐perceptions have been associated with adolescent moderate intensity physical activity although the association with different types of adolescent moderate intensity physical activity remains unclear. This study seeks to examine the relationship between personal self‐perceptions and adolescent sport/exercise and lifestyle moderate intensity physical activity frequency.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 122, 13‐to‐14 year‐old, English adolescents from Leeds, West Yorkshire (58 boys and 64 girls) had their personal self‐perceptions, sport/exercise and lifestyle moderate intensity physical activity assessed.

Findings

No significant positive relationships were found between boys' personal self‐perceptions and lifestyle moderate intensity physical activity. However, a range of weak (r = 0.34‐0.42) but significant relationships (p < 0.01) were found between personal self perceptions and boys' sport/exercise frequency. In contrast, only perceptions of strength competence were significantly related to girls' sport/exercise frequencies (r = 0.28; p < 0.05), while all personal self perceptions scales were significantly related to girls' lifestyle moderate intensity physical activity (r = 0.26‐0.32; p < 0.05).

Research limitations/implications

The use of correlation analyses by this study placed limitations on the extent to which cause‐effect relationships were established. Furthermore, girls' sport/exercise was poorly distributed, which may have led to the non‐significant relationship found between this activity type and personal self‐perceptions. The presence of a significant relationship between these two variables should therefore not be discounted.

Originality/value

This study seems to be the first to investigate and identify variations in the personal self‐perceptions – moderate intensity physical activity relationship relative to activity type. Although more research is required, findings have implications for practitioners aiming to tailor physical activity interventions to this group and researchers aiming to match specific correlates to different types of adolescent physical activity.
Training patients to ask information verifying questions in medical interviews
Authors: Li Han Z. , Lundgren Juanita
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The main purpose of the paper was to examine whether a short patient training session on various ways of requesting physicians to clarify a piece of previously elicited information during medical consultation would improve information communication, thus increasing patient satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 114 adult patients voluntarily participated in the study which was carried out at a clinic in Canada. Half of the participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group and half to the control group. Males and females were evenly distributed in both experimental and control groups. Prior to their medical visits, participants in the experimental group received 10‐15‐minute face‐to‐face training, whereas the control group did not receive any training. The purpose of the training was to facilitate information transmission, with the intention to increase communication effectiveness and patient satisfaction. Immediately after their medical visits, all participants filled out a patient satisfaction questionnaire.

Findings

On all four dimensions of patient satisfaction (i.e. overall satisfaction, relationship satisfaction, communication satisfaction and expertise satisfaction), patients who received training scored significantly higher (were more satisfied) than patients who received no training. No consistent gender differences were found in patient satisfaction in both experimental and control groups.

Research limitations/implications

This study applied a psycholinguistics theory, conversational grounding, to the field of patient education and achieved positive results.

Practical implications

The success of the short training session provides health practitioners with a new method to help patients communicate more effectively, thus increasing satisfaction in medical interviews.

Originality/value

Focuses on a means to elicit information from patients in medical consultations.
School effects research provide new and stronger evidence in support of the health‐promoting school idea
Authors: West Patrick
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine evidence from an emerging body of “school effects” research on pupils' health and health behaviours like smoking, and how this in turn may contribute to the evidence‐base for the health promoting school concept.

Design/methodology/approach

Following on from educational research which demonstrates how schools can impact on pupil attainment over and above the characteristics of pupils attending them, this paper examines whether there is evidence for a similar “school effect” on pupils health and health behaviours.

Findings

The research shows that pupils' health does vary between schools in the same way as attainment; that this is not explained by pupil characteristics such as social class or deprivation, and that school ethos is a key factor distinguishing “healthy” from “less healthy” schools. Most studies have focussed on health behaviours, notably smoking where the evidence for a “school effect” is particularly strong.

Originality/value

The evidence from “school effects” research on pupils' health, while falling short of the gold‐standard RCT, is supportive of the health promoting school concept, and that governments are on the right lines in doing so. This paper will be of interest to those in the fields of health and education.
Evaluation of a smoking cessation club for young people
Authors: Jinks Annette , Linnell Susan
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to undertake a formative evaluation of a young person's Smokebuster club and to examine how young people's experience of being a club member can be used to inform the club's future development.

Design/methodology/approach

After seeking and being granted Local Research Ethics Committee approval to undertake the study a postal survey was conducted of all the Smokebusters members (n=2810).

Findings

The response rate achieved was 16 per cent (n=438). Quantitative data analysis showed that the majority of club members who responded to the survey were white, non‐disabled females, aged between 13‐14 years old. The majority of young people surveyed said they had “never smoked and never will” (70.3 per cent, n=308). However, over 6 per cent (n=28) of the young people surveyed said they “currently smoke but would like to give it up”. A wealth of qualitative data was also obtained that gives useful information on how the young people surveyed thought club provision could be improved.

Practical implications

The findings of this study are thought to be useful not only for future development of the Smokebuster club that is the focus of this evaluation but also for those who organise similar clubs. The findings are also of wider relevance to professionals engaged in smoking cessation initiatives for young people.

Originality/value

The value of this paper relates to issues surrounding engaging undertaking young people in such evaluation. Also reports of Smokebuster club evaluations are rarely given in the literature and therefore the findings of this study augment this limited information.
Context and “contextualisation” in sex and relationships education
Authors: Maxwell Claire
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to contribute to growing efforts to “contextualise” young people's experiences of sexual and intimate relationships in research and sex and relationships education (SRE). The study reports on which explored factors young people identified as influencing their relationships – in the past, present and future.

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory, qualitative investigation was conducted using focus groups and in‐depth interviews to elicit young people's attitudes to, and experiences of, intimate relationships. A diverse group of young men and women (N=52) were purposively sampled from a range of agencies, including supported accommodation units, a young offenders' institution and two boarding schools.

Findings

Peer groups, a need for protection and companionship, and previous negative relationships variously influenced young people's experiences in early youth. Access to potential partners, other priorities, and the degree to which young people could offer a critical assessment of a relationship played a role in explaining current relationship attitudes and experiences. Future aspirations for sexual and intimate relationships were largely influenced by young people's broader plans for their education and transition into adulthood.

Practical implications

Age‐appropriate and personally relevant forms of SRE need to be developed which focus on the various factors influencing relationships at different points in time for groups of young people.

Originality/value

Contextualising young people's sexual and intimate relationships in terms of the specific factors influencing attitudes, experiences in the past and present, together with future aspirations can usefully inform the development of SRE programmes.