bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Teaching madness and literature in a healthcare context: an enquiry into interdisciplinary education
Authors: Flood David , Farkas Carol‐Ann
Published: October 2011

Purpose

This paper seeks to examine the value of teaching about mental illness through the use of literature.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the examples of two colleges in eastern USA that focus on educating students for healthcare careers, the paper examines two different course formats for using literature to teach about mental illness: a course that places the topic within the larger context of medicine and literature; and a freestanding madness and literature course.

Findings

While professional education tends towards specialization, it can lead to a monocultural vision that limits approaches to patients and problems alike. Courses integrating mental illness and literature were found to be effective means of counteracting this trend.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited to two healthcare‐centred colleges in eastern USA.

Practical implications

For mental health clinicians and healthcare professionals in general, literature broadens the scope of both perspectives and analytical tools for understanding mental disorders and responses to them.

Originality/value

While literature courses often contain such themes as mental illness, courses that truly integrate literature with mental illness meet a growing need for interdisciplinary education as a means of preparing more flexibly thinking healthcare professionals.
Why internet users are willing to pay for social networking services
Authors: Hsiao Kuo‐Lun
Published: October 2011

Purpose

In recent years more and more users have begun to use social networking sites (SNSs). Visiting these sites has become a regular habit of many users. However most of the users only use the free services of the sites and are unwilling to pay for services. Therefore, in order to understand what factors affect users' intention to continue to pay for services, this study proposes a research model based on value theory and the academic literature on switching barriers.

Design/methodology/approach

An online questionnaire was developed and used to collect research data. The responses of 211 SNS members who pay subscription fees for advanced services were used to test the hypotheses in the research model.

Findings

All of the seven study hypotheses were supported. The results indicated that perceived value and service degradation barriers are the main factors which directly influence the intention to pay. Together they account for 37.4 per cent of the variance in intention. Additionally the results demonstrated that sunk costs and lost performance costs both had significant impact on service degradation barriers while enjoyment, social value, and perceived fees were the main determinants of the intention to pay.

Practical implications

SNS managers could raise users' perceived value by enhancing the social value and enjoyment of SNSs. In addition they can provide paid members with exclusive member services to increase the barrier. To sum up, in order to increase customers' perceived value, SNS service providers need to understand the real needs of their major customers. These users will be more willing to pay for the services they prefer and feel they need and then recommend that other users use or pay for the services.

Originality/value

This study provides a comprehensive framework of the influence of perceived value and service degradation barriers on users' intention to continue to pay for SNSs. The research results could be generalised to other social Web 2.0 services.
An empirical study on determinants of web based question‐answer services adoption
Authors: Deng Shengli , Liu Yong , Qi Yuanyuan
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the driving factors of web based question‐answer services (WBQAS) adoption. As an emerging knowledge acquisition method and service there are currently few studies addressing the antecedents of the service's acceptance, in particular concerning Chinese users.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper employs the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology as its theoretical background and applies it to the field of WBQAS. A survey was conducted.

Findings

Based on 169 useful questionnaires the results show that both performance expectancy and effort expectancy are significant predictors of the intention to use WBQAS. Additionally behavioural intention, together with facilitating intention, significantly influences the actual use of WBQAS. Social influence has no significant impact on the intention to use the service.

Originality/value

As research on WBQAS is in its infancy this paper is among the first in the field, in particular regarding Chinese users. In addition the research applied the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology model to the context of WBQAS and validated the adoption model using structural equation modelling.
Learning and development functions still don't get it: beyond fads and sameness
Authors: Cunningham Ian
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The article aims to exposes error in practice in HR and learning and development (L&D), particularly the habit of following the crowd and the lack of company specific practice.

Design/methodology/approach

The article draws on a specific case of a highly successful company that did not follow the crowd.

Findings

The case shows what can be done in practice.

Research limitations/implications

Research was based on one case but it exemplifies an important issue.

Practical implications

The implications for practice are the need for organization‐specific approaches to learning and development and the need to integrate individual development with organizational development.

Originality/value

The article is new in using a real, unpublished case to expose the errors in HR and L&D strategy and practice.
Measuring an organization's innovation climate: a case study from Singapore
Authors: Loon Hoe Siu
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The article aims to discuss the six key factors that were proposed and included in the design of a customized innovation climate questionnaire.

Design/methodology/approach

The implementation case study of an innovation climate survey for a Singapore‐based real estate group is presented. In particular, the design of the questionnaire and selection of key factors to be measured are discussed.

Findings

While not a “rigorous” instrument in the academic sense, the article can guide managers and organization development professionals to better gauge an organization's innovation climate and deepen the understanding of innovation culture.

Originality/value

This article contributes to the existing innovation culture literature by providing a case study and deeper understanding of key factors to be measured in an innovation climate survey. These factors include shared vision, management support, community, individual creativity, implementation and motivators.
Advancing staff training: transforming a paper‐based role play into a workflow management system
Authors: Moormann Jürgen , Börner René , Wang Minhong
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The paper aims to explore how the transformation of a paper‐based role‐play into a workflow management system (WfMS) influences objectives and proceedings of training seminars for staff members in the context of business process improvement initiatives.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is based on a case study. A professional role‐play is used to simulate a loan approval process that has to be improved by participants. Observation of the participants' behavior before and after the introduction of a WfMS reveals strengths and challenges associated with computer support.

Findings

The paper finds that software can support and enhance staff training. However, the introduction of a workflow management system changes the participant's interaction and way of learning. The holistic perspective that was originally envisaged by the role‐play is partly replaced by more detailed and technical aspects. Depending on the purpose of the training seminar, software has to be used appropriately. Otherwise, it could even undermine the seminar's objectives.

Practical implications

The research reveals that role‐plays can be effectively supported by software. Yet, the trainer should be aware that he/she not only requires some basic technical knowledge. Additionally, the role‐play might raise concerns regarding possible layoffs. Thus, the trainer should be prepared to cope with these potential issues.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to existing research in analyzing the effects of computer support on staff training. Six advantages compared to the paper‐based role‐play support the usage of WfMS.
Private placement variable life insurance and annuities invested in hedge funds: due diligence issues for all parties to the transaction
Authors: Lorence Roger , Zhang Steven Q.
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight not only the pre‐closing, but also the continuing due diligence required of all parties in private placement life insurance or annuities invested in hedge funds.

Design/methodology/approach

This technical paper describes the due diligence process for these high‐end offerings, illustrating key concerns through case studies.

Findings

Recent events have caused the advantages, disadvantages and timing issues to crystallize, together with what issues require pre‐closing and post‐closing due diligence.

Originality/value

This paper provides timely guidance from experts approaching the issues from multiple disciplines – law, accounting, and financial analysis – to yield a comprehensive analysis of the position of all parties to the transaction.
SEC holds roundtable on money market funds and systemic risk
Authors: Haskin Benjamin J. , Barbash Barry P. , Hall Brian M.
Published: October 2011

Purpose

This paper seeks to describe the recent SEC Roundtable on Money Market Funds and Systemic Risk and the context behind the roundtable.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper discusses the SEC's roundtable on money market funds. Context to the roundtable is provided by describing recent steps taken by regulators to address risks posed by money funds. The paper also examines the principal topics discussed at the roundtable, including the debate on the systemic risks posed by money funds and potential regulatory changes that could mitigate those risks.

Findings

A number of regulatory proposals that were raised at the roundtable could, if adopted by the SEC, significantly alter the operation of money market funds as we know them, including requiring money market funds to institute market‐based net asset value (“NAV”) instead of stable NAV, be subject to banking regulations, create an industry‐funded private liquidity bank, or maintain liquidity reserve requirements.

Practical implications

The roundtable is significant as it is likely to influence the future discussion of the regulation of money market funds, which has potential implications for both the money management industry and entities financed by money market funds.

Originality/value

The paper provides information on money market reform for investment advisers, broker‐dealers, regulatory lawyers, institutional investors, and investment companies.
SEC approves FINRA's overhaul of its Discovery Guide
Authors: Lawrence Polk S. , Stadler Avital
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explain FINRA's recent overhaul of the Discovery Guide for arbitrations.

Design/methodology/approach

THe paper explains the new Discovery Guide, the consolidated document production lists, and FINRA's modification of the scope of documents that are to be exchanged by the parties in customer cases, particularly with regard to requiring the production of electronic records.

Findings

FINRA's new rule consolidates the lists of presumptively discoverable documents and modifies the scope of documents that are to be exchanged by the parties in customer cases, particularly with regard to requiring the production of electronic records. The new Discovery Guide expands many of the categories of documents deemed to be, presumptively, discoverable for both respondents and claimants in arbitration.

Practical implications

Parties will be forced to re‐visit the types of documents that are presumptively exchanged in a FINRA arbitration. The new Discovery Guide requires parties to exchange electronic records and new categories of documents that were not presumptively discoverable under the prior Discovery Guide. As a result, Firms should consider re‐evaluating their processes for collecting standard documents when defending FINRA arbitration claims.

Originality/value

The paper presents practical guidance from experienced financial services lawyers.
Knowledge management in tourism – the application of Grant's knowledge management model to Austrian tourism organizations
Authors: Zehrer Anita
Published: October 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the pertinent issues of knowledge management in tourism using the example of tourism organizations in Austria.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper undertakes a review of the relevant literature before applying Grant's model of knowledge management to Austrian tourism organizations. Data are gathered by means of a standardized online questionnaire.

Findings

The results of the study show that the majority of Austrian tourism organizations have implemented knowledge management according to Grant's model. However, there is potential for development and further improvement.

Practical implications

The implications for knowledge management in tourism organizations are provided in terms of general prerequisites for knowledge management as well as practical implications and suggestions relating to the identification, measurement, storage, sharing and integration of knowledge.

Originality/value

The use of knowledge has long been of interest to academics and practitioners, but research on it has been under‐developed in tourism. Despite the increasing conceptual studies on knowledge management in tourism in the last few years, this research uses a knowledge management model to assess the current status of knowledge management in Austrian tourism organizations and provides practical implications.
The impact of culture and social interaction on weblog design: a Malaysian case
Authors: Ali Maimunah , Lee Habin
Published: October 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate any cultural impacts on end‐users' web page design in weblogs.

Design/methodology/approach

The design preferences of 201 weblogs in Malaysia have been collected using content analysis method and the existence of Malaysian cultural traits on the web pages tested.

Findings

The results confirm that there is no cultural impact on weblog designs, which is contrary to existing studies that reported cultural traits in static web page design. This paper concludes by suggesting the increased social interaction among webloggers as one of reasons of weakened cultural impacts in weblog design behaviour.

Originality/value

Culture has been considered as one of major factors that affect the design behaviour of static web pages which mostly support one‐way interaction between information providers and information consumers. On the other hand, the recent adoption of Web 2.0 technology enabled bi‐directional interaction between information providers and consumers and it is not known if there is still a strong cultural impact on web page design based on this new technology.
School‐based mental health service for refugee and asylum seeking children: multi‐agency working, lessons for good practice
Authors: Chiumento Anna , Nelki Julia , Dutton Carl , Hughes Georgina
Published: October 2011

Purpose

Following a description of the Haven Project: a school based Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) for refugee children in Liverpool, this paper aims to raise awareness of a multiagency model for replication across community mental health services.

Design/methodology/approach

Using semi‐structured interviews with school head teachers and outcome measures of group therapeutic sessions, a short service review has been conducted, set against background literature, identifying refugee statistics and highlighting mental health policy imperatives that advocate multi‐agency working.

Findings

The findings illustrate that refugee children are more likely and prefer to access a school based mental health service than a CAMH clinic. Links between schools and CAMHS facilitate mutual understanding of different agencies working in the interests of all children and, using outcome measures and quotes, the evidence indicates that the service achieves its aim: improvement in refugee children's mental health.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations to the findings are recognised in the small numbers presented, methodological restrictions, and the lack of routinely collated statistics on refugee populations.

Originality/value

Combining description and evaluation, this paper appraises service design and delivery methods to present an overview with policy and practice implications; addressing key mental health and public health policy priorities; and exemplifying multiagency collaboration between the health and education sector to meet the needs of an often invisible and neglected group: refugee children. It is anticipated this information will inform future service design, meeting policy priorities and the needs of service users as an accessible and responsive way to deliver CAMHS to vulnerable populations.
Promoting innovation in China by sharing resources in clusters: the new firm perspective
Authors: Liu Qing
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe research on the relationship between the shared resources of entrepreneurial clusters and the innovative performance, from the perspective of resource acquisition of new firms.

Design/methodology/approach

For the purpose of this empirical research, the author chose a high‐tech and development district in China as the cluster sample. First, 240 firms were identified from a district list of firms. The next week, prior to interview, each of the firms listed was called. After this contact there were 156 firms willing to be interviewed. Finally, 93 responses indicated availability. For analyzing the data, structure equation model was employed, and Amos software used for solving the equations.

Findings

The findings show that, as shared resources, the common reputation and participation of local institutions play a positive role on new venture resource acquisition. Meanwhile, this mechanism appears to promote innovation within the cluster firms.

Originality/value

The research explored the mechanism of share resources and innovation in China's new firm cluster. Suggested advice to the policy makers would be that merely supporting a good policy environment is not enough; governing the network, making institutions play a positive role in strengthening the connection between firms, and building up a knowledge resources exchange base, are all necessary for the creation and growth of new ventures in new firm clusters.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light: Lyndall Urwick's scientific management
Authors: Parker Lee D. , Ritson Philip
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse and critique Lyndall Urwick's long‐term advocacy of scientific management and its influence upon management thought.

Design/methodology/approach

An analysis and critique of Urwick's published writings across 60 years, on the subject of scientific management and organizations, particularly linking his work and arguments to the influence of Frederick Taylor, also positioning him relative to the thinking of leading thinkers such as Henri Fayol.

Findings

This paper argues that the key to understanding his legacy lies in his unique and changing definition of “scientific management”. This was broader than the definition applied by most of his contemporaries and inspired his integrationist project of assimilating Taylorist scientific management into a raft of developing schools of management thought.

Research limitations/implications

Urwick's legacy included a lifetime campaign to reconcile scientific management with succeeding schools of thought, today's management literature stereotyping of some of his contemporary thinkers, and a contribution to management literature's predilection for the labelling of theories and principles.

Practical implications

The paper argues for returning to original sources to accurately understand the intentions and arguments of early founders of many aspects of today's management practice. It also alerts us to the proclivity of management theory and practice to opt for convenient labels that may represent a variety of historical and contemporary meanings.

Originality/value

The paper offers a critical reflection and assessment of the longest standing advocate of scientific management in the management literature.
A challenge to Marshallian orthodoxy on industrial clustering
Authors: Akoorie Michèle E.M.
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the antecedents (the medieval guild) of modern day industrial clustering. The paper challenges the notion that work of Alfred Marshall provides the intellectual underpinning of cluster thinking.

Design/methodology/approach

The source material uses archival research on medieval guilds and historical texts. In tracing the development of forms of co‐operative association this paper employs the technique of genealogical spanning. The prism of forms of co‐operative association is used to examine the rise and fall of the medieval guild.

Findings

Medieval guilds have been largely ignored by modern proponents of cluster theory and Italianate industrial districts. Guild activity in technological invention and innovation, in skills transfer and knowledge (both codified and tacit) had many of the same positive attributes that are found in neo‐Marshallian industrial districts. The long history of cooperative behaviour in geographically concentrated firms in industrial districts had its genesis in the medieval guild.

Research limitations/implications

The paper suggests that collaboration (in craft guilds) and clusters (cooperation and relationships) have been a dominant paradigm since the Middle Ages; a viewpoint which is commonly ignored by the dominant US‐centric view of individualism, competition and arms lengths relationships in business. Cooperation and relationships have attracted significant scholarly attention and most recently the studies in the cluster literature have tended to favour the social and knowledge‐based approach. This phenomenon suggests that the future social, political and economic dynamics in Europe will remain firmly rooted in the creation of areas of regional specialization, as has been the case in the past.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to our understanding of the embeddedness of cooperation by comparing the characteristics of the medieval guild with the characteristics of modern day (Porterian clusters). Cooperation rather than competition is the dominant paradigm of industrial activity. The competitive divide between employers and employees was an aberration of the Industrial Revolution and promoted by political economists as a means of facilitating the mobility of labour by diffusion.
Human capital, migration and rural entrepreneurship in China
Authors: Liu Jialu
Published: October 2011

Purpose

Many countries have experienced, or are experiencing, urbanization. One such example is China. Even though the large‐scale rural‐urban migration seems chaotic on the surface, there are certain underlying forces driving individual decisions. The purpose of this paper is to provide some understanding of the relationship between human capital, migration, and occupational choices.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper starts with an overlapping generations model. Human capital plays various roles across different occupations – it does not affect the income of farmers, it affects income of workers linearly, and it has increasing returns in rural non‐farm business. The paper then derives income profiles for individuals with heterogeneous human capital, and finds the human capital thresholds of occupations. The paper calibrates the model to China, and simulates the model to answer two questions: how does an improving human capital distribution affect rural wages, quantities of migrants and return migrants? How does a fast‐growing urban wage rate affect rural wages, quantities of migrants and return migrants?

Findings

First, depending on the initial human capital level, policies aiming to enhance human capital may have different impacts on migration. If the initial human capital level is low, these policies will yield more permanent migrants; on the contrary, if the initial human capital is at a relatively high level, then a shrinking permanent migrant class with a growing entrepreneur class can be expected. This results in an inverted U‐shaped relation between the initial human capital level and the size of the permanent migrant class. Second, even though the non‐farm business of return migrants helps raise rural wages, the income inequality between rural and urban areas is not eliminated and migration is persistent. Third, borrowing constraints limit the size of rural non‐farm businesses and slow down the development of rural industry. The fourth and final point is that, migration costs discourage labor mobility and reduce the quantities of both permanent migrants and entrepreneurs.

Originality/value

This is an original paper on this subject.
The distributional impact of common‐pool resource regulations
Authors: Ambec Stefan , Sebi Carine
Published: October 2011

Purpose

Regulating common‐pool resources is welfare enhancing for society but not necessarily for all users who may therefore oppose regulations. The purpose of this paper is to examine the short‐term impact of common‐pool resource regulations on welfare distribution.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors model a game of common‐pool resource extraction among heterogeneous users.

Findings

It was found that market‐based regulations such as fees and subsidies or tradable quotas achieve a higher reduction of extraction from free‐access than individual quotas with the same proportion of better‐off users. Also, they make more users better‐off for the same resource preservation.

Originality/value

The quota regulation has attractive fairness properties: it reduces inequality while still rewarding the more efficient users.
Interest rate discrimination, tenancy and cost sharing
Authors: Saha Bibhas , Sharma Tridib
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to develop a theory of sharecropping with cost sharing after allowing for an explicit role of a creditor. In the tenancy literature, the prevalence of sharecropping has remained an important issue. While most contributions have focussed only on output sharing, very few have studied the issue of cost sharing. Besides, the existing models have considered interactions only between a landowner and a tenant. The purpose of this paper is to extend this setup to a third player – creditor.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors adopt a static contract approach with full information and no uncertainty and model possible credit‐cum‐tenancy arrangements among a money‐lender, a landowner and a tenant under the restrictions that the money‐lender cannot charge a lump‐sum fee and the input choices are left with the tenant.

Findings

It is shown that all Pareto optimal arrangements between a creditor, a landowner and a tenant must involve interest rate discrimination between the tenant and the landowner and a share tenancy with cost sharing, or a fixed rent tenancy with cost sharing, or a mixture of the two. None of the polar contracts – wage or rent – is possible. Lending schemes that feature credit rationing or credit delegation can implement some Pareto efficient outcomes.

Originality/value

The model developed in the paper presents a framework for studying various tripartite arrangements observed in rural economies of developing countries. Also, it provides a benchmark for studying contracts under asymmetric information and uncertainty.
Monetary policy in India: is something amiss?
Authors: Cristadoro Riccardo , Veronese Giovanni
Published: October 2011

Purpose

Indian monetary policy performed reasonably well in the past, while both strategy and operational framework were evolving on par with domestic financial and monetary markets. The purpose of this paper is to document how this good track record came to an abrupt stop in recent years as inflation rose sharply and, more worryingly, expected inflation followed suit.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper has analytical, empirical and policy dimensions. Given the recent surge in inflation in India, as well as in inflation expectations, a discussion of the role of monetary policy is needed. This is presented by resorting to survey evidence on expectations as well as to indirect evidence inferred from the market reactions to macroeconomic news.

Findings

The authors documented the unhinging of inflation expectations in India in the aftermath of the financial crisis. The evidence gathered leads to the conclusion that both the monetary policy strategy and framework of the Reserve Bank of India would benefit from further evolution in the direction of a precisely defined and overarching objective (price stability), instead of the present multiplicity of goals, and of a well‐defined operating target, enhancing the transparency, communication and signalling effect of policy moves. The authors suggest that embracing a flexible inflation targeting approach is a possible solution.

Originality/value

This is a highly topical issue that has attracted a great deal of attention in policy discussions, both in India and in the region. Very few papers combine the analytical and empirical considerations in this topic.
Sickness presence, sickness absence, and self‐reported health and symptoms
Authors: Aronsson Gunnar , Gustafsson Klas , Mellner Christin
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare sickness presence (SP) and sickness absence (SA) regarding the strength of their relationship to health/ill‐health. In a previous Canadian study a stronger association between SP and health/ill‐health than between SA and health/ill‐health was shown.

Design/methodology/approach

Five Swedish data sets from the years 1992 to 2005 provided the study populations, including both representative samples and specific occupational groups (n=425‐3,622). Univariate correlations and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed. The data sets contained questions on SP and SA as well as on various health complaints and, in some cases, self‐rated health (SRH).

Findings

The general trend was that correlations and odds ratios increased regularly for both SP and SA, with SP showing the highest values. In one data set, SRH was predicted by a combination of the two measures, with an explained variance of 25 percent. Stratified analyses showed that the more irreplaceable an individual is at work, the larger is the difference in correlation size between SP and SA with regard to SRH. SP also showed an accentuated and stronger association with SRH than SA among individuals reporting poor economic circumstances.

Practical implications

The results support the notion that SA is an insufficient, and even misleading, measure of health status for certain groups in the labor market, which seem to have poorer health than the measure of SA would indicate.

Orginality/value

A combined measure of sickness presence and absence may be worth considering as an indicator of both individual and organizational health status.
Working hours and personal preference among Taiwanese employees
Authors: Lu Luo
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The aim of this research is to explore effects of hours of work and the role of personal preference on job satisfaction, work‐to‐family conflict (WFC) and overall life satisfaction among Taiwanese employees.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from a nationwide survey in Taiwan were used. A total of 1,122 full‐time employees were surveyed using structured questionnaires.

Findings

It was found that working hours were negatively related to job satisfaction and overall life satisfaction, and positively related to WFC, after effects of demographical and job‐related factors were partialled out. More importantly, it was found that the “fit” between preferred and actual hours of work had an effect upon the above strain variables. Specifically, people who had a fit between preferred and actual hours of work reported lower levels of WFC and higher overall life satisfaction, compared to those who had a misfit in working hours.

Research limitations/implications

Using single‐item measures is a major limitation, though it is a common practice in large‐scale social surveys due to constraints on length and time. However, these results have both theoretical and practical implications. It is recommended that both the actual and individual's preference for hours of work should be taken into consideration in any attempt to improve employees' quality of work and quality of life in general.

Originality/value

The use of a national representative sample is a major thrust of the present study. This study also fills the gap left by the scarcity of research on working hours and strain from a Chinese perspective.
Effects of a mail‐based intervention to improve knowledge of blood pressure and cholesterol values
Authors: Lu Chi‐Fung , Schultz Alyssa B. , Jenny Mary , Edington Dee W.
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate a mail‐based educational intervention to improve knowledge of blood pressure and cholesterol values among members of a large insurance population.

Design/methodology/approach

As part of the 2004 health risk appraisal (HRA) follow‐up program, 48,429 members of WEA Trust received at least two mailings for the mail‐based blood pressure and cholesterol intervention. These members then completed a follow‐up HRA in 2006. Change in the knowledge and risks of blood pressure and cholesterol values were analyzed among two‐time participants. A survey was also completed six to nine months after the first mailing to study participants' awareness and perception of the program.

Findings

The 2004 and 2006 two‐time HRA participants showed a 13.9 percentage point gain (p<0.05) and 12.2 percentage point gain (p<0.05) in people who knew their blood pressure and cholesterol values, respectively, as well as a significant increase in the percent of people taking medication or under medical care for their blood pressure (+2.9 for overall and +11.3 for BP≥140/90 population; p<0.05) or cholesterol conditions (+3.8 for overall and +11.4 for cholesterol≥240 population; p<0.05). Among those who knew their values (BP or cholesterol) in both 2004 and 2006, there was a 3.9 percentage point increase (p<0.05) in the number of people with normal BP (BP<120/80 mmHg) and a 4.8 percentage point increase (p<0.05) in the number of people with normal cholesterol (cholesterol <200 mg/dL) in 2006. The majority (83 percent) of survey respondents found the materials useful for improving health and 22 percent contacted a physician because of the information they received.

Practical implications

This relatively low‐cost and easily implemented educational intervention was successful in increasing knowledge of blood pressure and cholesterol values, taking control of blood pressure and cholesterol risks and in encouraging appropriate follow‐up with a physician.

Originality/value

Knowledge of blood pressure and cholesterol numbers are an important first step in raising awareness of a person's health risks and disease status.
Gender influences on mental models of firm strategies
Authors: Xu Yang
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate gender differences in the formation of mental models of firm strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

The specific research question is how gender, social interaction, team psychological safety and synergistic knowledge development influence certain characteristics – complexity and centrality – of an individual's mental model of firm strategies. A survey was conducted on a sample of US business students enrolled in strategic management courses. Social interaction, team psychological safety and synergistic knowledge development were measured by use of multiple‐item seven‐point Likert scales. Mental models were constructed by the causal mapping method. Hierarchical regression analyses were used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The regression analyses of the survey data support most of the hypotheses. Gender directly influences complexity and centrality in mental models of firm strategies and moderates the predictive influence of social interaction on synergistic knowledge development.

Research limitations/implications

Possible limitations are the use of a student sample and of respondents as the sole data source. Future research could use managers as research subjects and multiple data sources and explore other determinants of the mental model of firm strategies.

Practical implications

The findings alert university educators about the importance of helping women develop high‐order knowledge and problem‐solving skills by understanding various business functions and synthesizing diverse perspectives. Corporate managers need to design and implement special mentoring and training programs for women with the aim of enriching their specific management knowledge. This study also suggests that women may increase their chance of developing strategic knowledge by proactively networking with senior managers.

Originality/value

This study on gender differences in accumulating management knowledge and skills helps us better understand the roots of and solutions to the gender gap in management and leadership positions. The most intriguing result is the demonstration of gender differences in the development of specific management knowledge. Biases against women not only contribute directly to the “glass ceiling”; more disturbingly, they negatively influence women's internal development of knowledge structures.
Sensory articulation speech system: SASSy – a 3D animation based therapeutic application for motor speech disorders
Authors: Cornelius Pip , Higgett Nick , Kaleem Rehan
Published: October 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to describe the development of a multimedia 3D animation based resource for speech sound training.

Design/methodology/approach

Speech sound training is historically auditory in nature and speech sound disorders often prove intractable. Sensory articulation speech system (SASSy) combines auditory and visual stimuli as a novel multimedia resource to enhance learning.

Findings

The advantages of the visual presentation of information have been described by the authors of various studies using instrumental analysis of speech as a training resource. With the further integration of a speech analysis and biofeedback mechanism, SASSy is designed to be used as a non‐invasive diagnostic and therapeutic tool.

Practical implications

Intended users are speech and language therapy clients with motor speech sound disorders (MSDs). At any one time, up to 20 per cent of the population – adults and children – have a speech disorder arising from a difficulty in producing perceptually acceptable speech sounds. Therapy is very time and resource intensive and the consultative role that speech and language therapists are now assuming means they have less capacity to deliver and assess traditional articulation therapy. Training and feedback can only be on a 1:1 basis and relies on the therapist providing an explanation and description of the speech mechanism to facilitate correct speech.

Originality/value

MSDs often prove resistant to change which is frustrating for clients and therapists alike. It is anticipated that a new, non‐intrusive instrumental analytic and therapeutic tool will improve the treatment and management of motor speech disorders. Animations of speech sounds were derived from the instrumental analysis of real speech to provide a real‐time visual sequence for users to match.
Changing the state of mind of postgraduate students about technology, disability and inclusive education: theory or practice?
Authors: Mavrou Katerina
Published: October 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to briefly describe the experiences from the design, development and implementation of a(n) (assistive) technology course in a postgraduate programme for a Master's in special/inclusive education.

Design/methodology/approach

Data presented in the paper are collected documents' study, and specifically from students' assignments and final exams, with the consent of the students involved. Considerations and thoughts of the paper are based on students' work, feedback and expectations as well as the expectations of the university with respect to the programme's aims.

Findings

Findings of this review suggest that, even though the programme described does not yet have a long history in inclusive technology, it offers the potential for considerable benefits for the change in the state of mind of postgraduate students in relation to technology and disability. Theoretical background is vital in order to re‐form students' thinking, but at the same time, it seems that there is a need to provide students with opportunities to apply their knowledge in real settings, with responsibilities for technology applications for all learners.

Originality/value

The paper offers an important insight into the considerations and progress in designing a new course related to technology and disability with an emphasis on inclusive education and not technology per se.
Joint programmes – give them a second thought: the value of programmes leading to dual nursing and social work qualifications
Authors: Weinstein Jenny , Boudioni Markella
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to draw attention to the need for a more holistic approach to mental health training that brings together the medical and the social knowledge and skills required by today's practitioners.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on the authors' experience of developing, delivering and evaluating a joint mental health programme at London South Bank University between 2004 and 2008.

Findings

The authors suggest some advantages of the model as indicated by the scant literature, the findings of a small pilot evaluation study and from information recorded and shared by other university providers of joint programmes – the Joint Programmes Forum. Further investigation is recommended.

Research limitations/implications

The absence of systematic evaluation of joint programmes over the 20 years of their existence and the limitations of the evaluation undertaken by the authors is acknowledged.

Originality/value

It is suggested in the paper that a specialist holistic training that incorporates nursing, social work (and in the future possibly occupational therapy and psychology) knowledge and skills would create well‐prepared professionals to work with mental health and learning disability service user groups (and a similar model could equally be explored for older people and people with physical disabilities or long‐term health conditions). This may be considered as a more successful solution to the effective integration of interprofessional education than the current struggles to superimpose it on uni‐professional courses.
Service users' beliefs about acute in‐patient admission
Authors: Nolan Peter , Bradley Eleanor , Brimblecombe Neil
Published: October 2011

Purpose

As the beliefs people hold exert more influence over their behaviour than any other single factor, the purpose of this paper is to elicit those held by service users about being cared for in acute mental health settings.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected by means of a semi‐structured, non‐standardised, 17‐item interview schedule from an opportunistic sample of 44 respondents (18 men and 26 women) following their admission over a nine‐month period.

Findings

Findings suggest that those admitted to acute care settings harbour very different beliefs about what to expect, what is being offered and how it will affect them. While some respondents saw admission as an event simply to be endured, others saw it as a means of gaining relief, accessing better care and treatment as well as providing respite for their families. Whereas previous knowledge and experience of acute care did influence their beliefs, this was largely due to how they interpreted experiences rather than the experiences themselves. The data also suggest that service users can be assisted to reframe their beliefs by means of genuine, consistent and empathic relationships, thus putting services users in a position to derive maximum benefit from being admitted.

Originality/value

Relatively little attention has been paid to the beliefs that service users have on entry to mental health services, in comparison to that paid to problem‐identification, care planning and intervention regimens. A starting point for any health care intervention, especially mental health care, should be the identification of the beliefs held by those about to embark on treatment programmes. This area deserves much more attention than it has been given hitherto.
Association of EVA and accounting earnings with market value: evidence from India
Authors: Kumar Satish , Sharma A.K.
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the claim of economic value added (EVA) proponents about its superiority as a corporate financial performance measure, compared to traditional performance measures in non‐financial Indian companies and provide empirical evidences.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a sample of 873 firms‐year observations from the Indian market and applies pooled ordinary least square regression to test the relative and incremental information content of EVA and other accounting‐based measures in explaining the market value added.

Findings

The results about relative information content test reveal that NOAPT and OCF outperform EVA in explaining the market value of Indian companies. Incremental information content test shows that EVA makes a marginal contribution to information content beyond traditional performance measures such as NOPAT, OCF, EPS and RONW, etc. Overall the authors' results do not support the hypothesis that EVA is superior to traditional accounting‐based measures in association with market value of the firm.

Originality/value

The authors conclude that non‐financial variables such employees, product quality and community satisfaction should be considered in order to capture the unexplained variation in the market value of the firm.