bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Occupational safety and health professionals' training in Italy
Authors: Papaleo Bruno , Cangiano Giovanna , Calicchia Sara 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe the evaluation of a training course on chemicals for occupational safety and health (OSH) professionals. The study aims were to assess the effectiveness of the course; to find out what type of training met these workers' needs best, as their role is vital in the management of safety at work; and to test a qualitative assessment method using T‐LAB software for content analysis.Design/methodology/approachTogether with traditional methods for assessing reactions and learning, a qualitative method based on interviews was used, whose content was then analyzed with software for content and text analysis (T‐LAB). The interviews were designed to bring to light critical points, training needs and the participants' expectations of this course.FindingsThe questionnaires on appreciation and learning indicated that on the whole the course was appreciated and the information provided had been learned and remembered adequately. However, qualitative evaluation brought to light some specific problems: participants' main difficulty was the practical application of what they had learned. They therefore asked primarily for technical and regulatory information, particularly guidelines and procedures, but also for training in the more complex managerial and organizational skills.Originality/valueQualitative methods and tools can show up better and in more detail training needs, critical points and problems that can easily be overlooked if not specifically sought. The method proposed for qualitative assessment using content analysis software gives effective, methodologically valid feedback even on small samples; it serves for assessing aspects such as the transferability and applicability of what has been learned, and its impact on work and behavior and on organization.
Independent regulators: theory, evidence and reform proposals
Authors: Trillas Francesc , Montoya Miguel A. 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss literature and empirical evidence on regulatory independence especially in telecommunications and to suggest reforms of this institution.Design/methodology/approachThe paper comprises a survey of the literature plus new empirical evidence on de facto independence.FindingsThe study finds that independence has a positive and significant, but modest, impact on network penetration, once de facto issues and endogeneity are taken into account.Research limitations/implicationsDe facto independence can only be superficially approached with quantitative methods and the instruments used to correct for endogeneity are far from perfect.Practical implicationsRegulatory agencies may find ways to improve their effectiveness.Social implicationsThe paper provides ideas on how to solve the dilemma between expertise and accountability in the particular field of telecommunications regulation.Originality/valueThe paper provides data about the vulnerability of independent regulation in telecommunications in Latin America until 2010.
Towards a new paradigm in health research and practice?
Authors: Martin Graham P. , McNicol Sarah , Chew Sarah 
Published: May 2013

PurposeCollaborations for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRCs) are a new UK initiative to promote collaboration between universities and healthcare organisations in carrying out and applying the findings of applied health research. But they face significant, institutionalised barriers to their success. This paper seeks to analyse these challenges and discuss prospects for overcoming them.Design/methodology/approachThe paper draws on in‐depth qualitative interview data from the first round of an ongoing evaluation of one CLAHRC to understand the views of different stakeholders on its progress so far, challenges faced, and emergent solutions.FindingsThe breadth of CLAHRCs' missions seems crucial to mobilise the diverse stakeholders needed to succeed, but also produces disagreement about what the prime goal of the Collaborations should be. A process of consensus building is necessary to instil a common vision among CLAHRC members, but deep‐seated institutional divisions continue to orient them in divergent directions, which may need to be overcome through other means.Originality/valueThis analysis suggests some of the key means by which those involved in joint enterprises such as CLAHRCs can achieve consensus and action towards a current goal, and offers recommendations for those involved in their design, commissioning and performance management.
Framing quality improvement tools and techniques in healthcare
Authors: Millar Ross 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a study of how quality improvement tools and techniques are framed within healthcare settings.Design/methodology/approachThe paper employs an interpretive approach to understand how quality improvement tools and techniques are mobilised and legitimated. It does so using a case study of the NHS Modernisation Agency Improvement Leaders' Guides in England.FindingsImprovement Leaders' Guides were framed within a service improvement approach encouraging the use of quality improvement tools and techniques within healthcare settings. Their use formed part of enacting tools and techniques across different contexts. Whilst this enactment was believed to support the mobilisation of tools and techniques, the experience also illustrated the challenges in distributing such approaches.Originality/valueThe paper provides an important contribution in furthering our understanding of framing the “social act” of quality improvement. Given the ongoing emphasis on quality improvement in health systems and the persistent challenges involved, it also provides important information for healthcare leaders globally in seeking to develop, implement or modify similar tools and distribute leadership within health and social care settings.
Towards sustainable structures for neighbourhood development?
Authors: Fröding Karin , Geidne Jonny , Elander Ingemar , Eriksson Charli 
Published: May 2013

PurposeA vehicle to reduce health inequalities and improve public health has been provided by programmes at a neighbourhood level. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the development processes in four municipalities for achieving sustainable structures in area‐based development programmes during and after a formal partnership period.Design/methodology/approachA case‐study database was compiled based on the strategic and local work of four municipalities and four municipal housing companies who cooperated in the Partnership for Sustainable Welfare Development 2003‐2009. The case‐study database includes nine in‐depth studies with interviews (n=68), participant observations (n=125), a survey (n=1,160), and documents. The data are analysed using three theoretical concepts: political support, alliances, and citizen participation.FindingsPolitical support, alliances, and citizen participation are important building blocks in neighbourhood development work. However, when the partnership ended there was little left that could function as a sustainable structure. Political support seems to be a means to reach the target, including ensuring a consistent approach and allocation of resources. However, the support must continue also after the intervention period, when the formal partnership collaboration ends, otherwise the established structure will soon decompose. Citizen participation is another precondition for a sustainable structure able to continue despite reduced municipal support. Alliances have the best chance of forming sustainable structures when they involve both the strategic and the operational level.Originality/valueEven though many evaluations have been conducted to capture the process of interventions, little attention has been given to the challenges facing the outcomes of the intervention when it comes to making permanent the activities for reducing health inequalities. This paper is an attempt to deal with these challenges.
Multi‐criteria development and incorporation into decision tools for health technology adoption
Authors: Poulin Paule , Austen Lea , Scott Catherine M. , Waddell Cameron D. , Dixon Elijah , Poulin Michelle , Lafrenière René 
Published: May 2013

PurposeWhen introducing new health technologies, decision makers must integrate research evidence with local operational management information to guide decisions about whether and under what conditions the technology will be used. Multi‐criteria decision analysis can support the adoption or prioritization of health interventions by using criteria to explicitly articulate the health organization's needs, limitations, and values in addition to evaluating evidence for safety and effectiveness. This paper seeks to describe the development of a framework to create agreed‐upon criteria and decision tools to enhance a pre‐existing local health technology assessment (HTA) decision support program.Design/methodology/approachThe authors compiled a list of published criteria from the literature, consulted with experts to refine the criteria list, and used a modified Delphi process with a group of key stakeholders to review, modify, and validate each criterion. In a workshop setting, the criteria were used to create decision tools.FindingsA set of user‐validated criteria for new health technology evaluation and adoption was developed and integrated into the local HTA decision support program. Technology evaluation and decision guideline tools were created using these criteria to ensure that the decision process is systematic, consistent, and transparent.Practical implicationsThis framework can be used by others to develop decision‐making criteria and tools to enhance similar technology adoption programs.Originality/valueThe development of clear, user‐validated criteria for evaluating new technologies adds a critical element to improve decision‐making on technology adoption, and the decision tools ensure consistency, transparency, and real‐world relevance.
Intrinsic motivation: how can it play a pivotal role in changing clinician behaviour?
Authors: Swarna Nantha Yogarabindranath 
Published: May 2013

PurposeIn the light of an increasing healthcare burden, this paper seeks to offer insight about how intrinsic motivation could play a pivotal role in improving the pre‐existing healthcare service delivery systems by altering clinician behaviour. The paper argues the case for four salient dimensions worth exploring through the lens of intrinsic motivation – non‐financial incentives, positive affective states, organizational culture and prescribing quality.Design/methodology/approachThis article reviews literature from both social sciences and health management practices to provide rationale on how intrinsic motivational approaches could optimize healthcare service delivery systems.FindingsThe scrutiny of the body of evidence leads to the assertion that there is neglect in the initiatives to reinforce intrinsic motivation as a method to address the ailing morale of doctors. This seems to have exacerbated negative outcomes that include job dissatisfaction, compromise in the quality of care and poor patient‐doctor relationships. Diminution in positive affective states amongst doctors, largely controlled by intrinsic motivation, led to strained doctor‐patient communication and poor quality of care. Barriers in a healthcare organizational culture that restricts autonomy and empowerment seem to directly undermine job satisfaction.Originality/valueThe article argues that it is crucial to shift away from the conventional tendencies promoting tangible rewards. A more holistic approach should be adopted by conducting formal research into intrinsic motivation and how it could aid the formulation of policies tailored to meet the current demands of the healthcare system.
Dynamic analysis of magneto‐electro‐elastic cylindrical shells by quasi‐static and fully dynamic electromagnetic theories
Authors: Biju B. , Ganesan N. , Shankar K. 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThis paper aims to present harmonic response of magneto‐electro‐elastic cylinder by quasi‐static and fully dynamic electromagnetic theories. The quasi‐static assumption uses magnetic scalar potential whereas magnetic vector potential is employed in a fully dynamic model.Design/methodology/approachThe electric field induced by time varying magnetic field is non‐conservative and can be described by electric scalar potential and magnetic vector potentials.FindingsThe magnitude of vector potential is dominant in axial and circumferential direction whereas the magnetic flux density is significant in radial direction. Magnetic scalar potential approach evaluates only the radial component of magnetic flux density and electric field intensity is reasonably the same as that of the magnetic vector potential approach.Originality/valueSemi‐analytical finite element method is used in this paper and the vector potential is formulated in cylindrical coordinates.
Shear surface waves at the interface of two magneto‐electro‐elastic media
Authors: Piliposyan D. 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the problem of the existence and propagation of a surface SH wave at the interface of two magneto‐electro‐elastic half‐spaces.Design/methodology/approachEquations of motions for magneto‐electro‐elastic materials have been used with coupling between mechanical, electric and magnetic fields. The problem is solved for four different sets of boundary conditions.FindingsThe results show that, for appropriate choice of material parameters, a non dispersive surface wave can propagate at the interface of these media. The existence condition is easier to satisfy for an electrically closed contact or no electromagnetic contact between two half‐spaces. The existence conditions can be easily satisfied for all four sets of boundary conditions if the two half‐spaces have their main symmetry axis, both parallel to the interface and perpendicular to the propagation direction, directed in the opposite directions. In this case the SH surface wave can always propagate if the two media are identical.Originality/valueThe magneto‐electric coupling effect has extensive applications, for example in electronic packaging, acoustic devices and medical ultrasonic imaging. The results of this paper give better understanding of the effects of the boundary conditions on the propagation of SH surface waves in magneto‐electro‐elastic materials.
A researcher's tale: how doing conflict research shapes research about conflict
Authors: Naima Mikkelsen Elisabeth 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to display and critically reflect upon how field experiences in the research process interacted with the author's subjectivity and shaped her construction of knowledge about organisational conflict.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on Weick's theoretical framework of sensemaking and the notion of reflexivity as a resource for dealing with research experiences, the paper presents empirical narratives that explore how research experiences of negotiating access to information and emic categories of conflict in the field, analysing events and morally deciding which stories from the field are conflict stories, and dealing with ethical dilemmas in the process of doing research about conflict constitute common factors that influenced the author's construction of knowledge about organisational conflict.FindingsThe paper shows that the way we organise and make sense of research experiences shapes our process of theorising and the actual production of knowledge in a research field.Research limitations/implicationsWe should document and display the process of theorising in our research and thoroughly pursue what we experienced in the field, because this will create thoroughness to our research and add to, not devalue, the knowledge we produce.Originality/valueThis paper highlights the process of theorising in organisational research. The empirical narratives presented in the paper contribute to the narrow display within the field of how we, as organisational researchers, mobilise our theorising and construct knowledge.
International trade and inclusive growth: a primer
Authors: Lederman Daniel 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThis article aims to provide two analytical frameworks for understanding the role of trade in promoting inclusive growth in developing economies.Design/methodology/approachA working definition of inclusive growth focuses on long‐term, sustained growth associated with productivity growth and employment opportunities for broad portions of households and firms within countries. International integration can promote inclusive growth when workers and firms are able to adjust to enter into growing economic activities and adopt technologies availed through international trade. The frameworks described in this note build on simple household and firm choice models, which require only basic knowledge of development economics.FindingsThe discussion highlights how these frameworks can help analysts focus on research and policy questions related to the impacts of international trade across the distribution of households and firms within countries. It also discusses publicly available data sets that can be used to explore some aspects of inclusive growth. In addition, the note highlights important caveats that need to be acknowledged by analysts and discusses avenues for future research, which needs to be part and parcel of the inclusive growth agenda.Originality/valueThis is a first attempt to apply an analytical definition of inclusive growth, which emphasizes second order or behavioral responses of workers and firms' profits, to understand the link between international integration and development.
Do WTO members employ less child labour?
Authors: Beaulieu Eugene , Pakrashi Debayan 
Published: May 2013

PurposeTrade liberalization could either exacerbate or ameliorate the incidence of child labour. This paper aims to examine the effect of trade liberalization through membership in the GATT/WTO on the incidence of child labour across countries and over time. The authors examine child labour force participation data and WTO membership for 94 countries between 1980 and 1999. They find that membership in the WTO is negatively correlated with child labour. However, they do not find a statistically significant relationship between openness and child labour and therefore rule out the trade‐expanding channel of WTO membership on child labour.Design/methodology/approachThe authors' regression equations examine the effect of GATT or WTO membership on the incidence of child labour. They examine data from 94 countries from 1980 and 1999 and employ a fixed‐effects regression. They estimate different models taking different variables as control variables. They find a statistically significant effect negative of WTO membership on the incidence of child labour. They do not find a statistically significant effect of openness on child labour.FindingsThe authors find that membership in the WTO did reduce child labour. They do not find a statistically significant effect of openness on child labour.Research limitations/implicationsWTO membership does not increase the incidence of child labour as some critics claim. Membership itself is associated with reduced child labour so it may not be necessary to expand trade through international agreements in order to impact the incidence of child labour.Practical implicationsContrary to critics of the WTO, membership does not exacerbate the problem of child labour.Originality/valueThis paper presents new data on child labour in a panel across countries over time. It is the first paper to systematically estimate the impact of international agreements on the incidence of child labour.
Re‐examination of the surplus agricultural labour in China
Authors: Kwan Fung , Wu Yanrui , Zhuo Shuaihe 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThis paper aims to contribute to the pool of studies of rural underemployment in China. It is devoted to the conceptualization and measurement of surplus labour.Design/methodology/approachThe agricultural labour requirement function is estimated by the stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) with China's prefecture‐level data. Surplus labour or inefficient labour is obtained by subtracting the required labour from the actual labour participated in agriculture.FindingsThe authors' analysis indicates that the existing size of agricultural surplus labour in rural China is still significantly large with the continued practice of the household registration system and China's WTO membership. However, the size has been decreasing over the last decade.Research limitations/implicationsQuality of data might affect the authors' estimates.Practical implicationsThe phenomenon of the coexistence of surplus agricultural labour and shortage of workers in non‐agricultural production in urban China was discussed in line with the authors' research findings, as this has important impacts on the policies of rural industrialization in China.Social implicationsThis paper further argues that China is probably experiencing the second stage of the Lewis‐Fei‐Ranis dualistic economic framework.Originality/valueThe authors' paper is probably the first to use prefecture data and SFA for panel data study of surplus agricultural labour in China. The analysis is essential to the understanding of the rural labour market during its rapid transition.
Land tenure security and land investments in Northwest China
Authors: Ma Xianlei , Heerink Nico , van Ierland Ekko , van den Berg Marrit , Shi Xiaoping 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of perceived land tenure security in China on farmers' decisions to invest in relatively long‐term land quality improvement measures, taking into account the potential endogeneity of tenure security.Design/methodology/approachData from a survey held in 2008 and 2010 among 259 households in Minle County, Gansu province, covering the years 2007 and 2009, are used to estimate the factors affecting land levelling investments, irrigation canal investments and perceived land tenure security. The authors use the 2SCML technique and the IVLS method to estimate a selection model and a non‐limited regression model, respectively, and use IVP methods to examine the robustness of the results.FindingsThe authors' results indicate that perceived land tenure security significantly affects self‐governed investments but does not affect individual investments in land quality improvements. In particular, the authors find that households that consider land certificates as important for protecting land rights invest significantly more in irrigation canals construction and maintenance. The authors' results further provide evidence that individual investments in land quality improvement contribute to higher perceived land tenure security.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the available literature on the relationship between land tenure security and land investments by examining the role of perceived (instead of formal) land tenure security and by making a distinction between individual household investments and self‐governed land investments. The authors' results provide an explanation for the phenomenon that land readjustments still take place in some parts of China, but not in others.