bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Acute aggression risk: an early warning signs methodology
Authors: Meaden Alan , Hacker David , Spencer Kerry 
Published: February 2013

PurposePredicting the imminence of high risk behaviours in in‐patients with schizophrenia is an ongoing concern. The purpose of this paper is to explore the utility, validity and reliability of an adapted early warning signs methodology for dynamic risk assessment.Design/methodology/approachNursing staff were interviewed to identify operationally defined early warning signs of high risk behaviours. Frequency of occurrence of the early warning signs and the high risk behaviour were rated over a one week period to establish the predictive validity of the methodology.FindingsSupport was found for the reliability of staff ratings of the relevance of identified early warning signs and their occurrence within a specified time period. ROC analysis indicates some modest predictive validity in predicting aggressive risk behaviours but effect sizes were small, and there were high rates of false positive predictions.Research limitations/implicationsThe small sample size limits generalisability. A longitudinal prospective study to better establish the added predictive power of the method over the use of largely actuarial methods is needed.Originality/valueA dynamic risk assessment methodology to assess changes in risk for inpatients would benefit both staff and inpatients. No such methodology has been assessed to date.
Motivating young people in prison to improve behaviour
Authors: Clare Kearney Susan , Liza Sellen Joselyn 
Published: February 2013

PurposeOne of the greatest challenges facing forensic practitioners is motivating offenders to engage in treatment. Possibly one of the hardest groups to engage and comply with prison regimes are young people in prison (YPP) aged 15‐17 years. Whilst there has been research interest in adult offender treatment motivation, little attention has been paid to motivation in imprisoned juveniles. The purpose of this paper is to report the adaptation of the existing adult motivational enhancement tool – the Personal Aspiration and Concerns Inventory for Offenders (PACI‐O) – for use with a YPP population and to explore the motivational effect of the PACI‐O‐YPV (Young Person's Version) on YPP.Design/methodology/approachIn total, 18 YPP took part, with nine participants each in the control and experimental groups. All participants completed the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and their prison regime status was recorded. The experimental group completed the PACI‐O‐YPV.FindingsResults showed YPP who completed the PACI‐O‐YPV displayed an improved prison regime status, indicating improved behaviour whilst in prison and increased SWLS, compared with those in the control group. These findings support previous results with adult offender samples.Research limitations/implicationsA small sample size necessitates caution in interpreting results. Further research is needed to assess the PACI‐O‐YPV's full potential.Practical implicationsLack of motivation has been identified as a salient concern among both adult and young person offender populations. Comprehensive efforts are required to enhance motivation in forensic populations.Originality/valueThis research addresses motivation enhancement in an under‐researched offender population.
Enhanced thinking skills and the association between executive function and antisocial behaviour in children and adult offenders: scope for intervention?
Authors: Brunton Isabel , Hartley Tom 
Published: February 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate whether the Enhanced Thinking Skills (ETS) programme, prepared for the Joint Prison Probation Service Accreditation Panel, might reduce antisocial behaviour if delivered to school‐aged children.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents two studies. In the first, adult offenders' executive function was measured before and after undertaking the ETS course, using a self report form. Change in behaviour following the course was assessed using behaviour checklists completed by prison staff. In the second study, schoolchildren's executive function was measured using a self report form and their behaviour was also assessed using a comparable behaviour checklist.FindingsThe results showed an association between antisocial behaviour and poor executive function in both offenders and schoolchildren. Offenders displayed less antisocial behaviour following the ETS course. Executive function and antisocial behaviour measured before the ETS course predicted reduction in antisocial behaviour following the course.Research limitations/implicationsThe studies do not establish a causal role for the ETS programme in reducing antisocial behaviour, and it was not possible to investigate the effect of the programme in schoolchildren. However, the results indicate that further research may be fruitful.Practical implicationsThe possibility that an adapted ETS programme might lead to a reduction in antisocial behaviour in schoolchildren should be investigated. Behavior checklists and measures of executive function should guide the selection of individuals joining the ETS programme.Originality/valueThe findings suggest that the ETS programme might be effective outside a criminal justice setting, as an early intervention with schoolchildren aimed at preventing later offending.
Municipal solid waste management in Dessie City, Ethiopia
Authors: Rai Sharma Hardeep , Destaw Bikes , Negash Tigabu , Negussie Leulesged , Endris Yemer , Meserte Gebrie , Fentaw Berhanu , Ibrahime Ahmed 
Published: February 2013

PurposePurpose of this paper is to assess the municipal solid waste management (MSWM) system and resident practices towards municipal wastes in Dessie city of Ethiopia.Design/methodology/approachA cross‐sectional study was conducted in 2008 and the data were generated by using self‐administered questionnaire and personnel observations using checklists. MSW generation and composition at household level was calculated by sorting and weighing the wastes from ten houses consecutively for seven days.FindingsThe study revealed that Dessie municipality is mainly responsible for collection, transport and disposal of the wastes. Solid wastes generation rate at household level was found to be 0.45 kg/capita/day, having a high percentage of ash and food products. In total, 97 percent of respondents had knowledge about wastes and its management; however, the majority of them (73 per cent) believed that females are responsible for wastes management at household level. About half of the respondents (48 per cent) disposed their wastes near roadsides and vacant areas, in open sewers, bank of rivers and around bushes. Most of the respondents were not satisfied with the present service and 79 per cent of them were willing to pay service charges if there is house‐to‐house (primary) collection initiation by the local authority.Research limitations/implicationsDue to unavailability of laboratory equipment, moisture content and chemical composition was not analyzed for the collected wastes.Practical implicationsEnforcement of existing laws, composting and sanitary land filing can be feasible, useful and effective in the present situation in dealing with MSW problem.Originality/valueThe work identifies the gaps in the present MSWM system of Dessie City.
Vermicompost: alternative to urea in basil seed production
Authors: Cabanillas Carmen , Tablada Margot , Ledesma Alicia 
Published: February 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effects of two vermicompost and urea on basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) variety Catamarca INTA (wide leaf) seed production, observing the evolution of the inflorescence and seed coloration.Design/methodology/approachTreatments consisted of 50 per cent vermicompost from rumen content: 50 per cent soil (RCV); 50 per cent vermicompost from rabbit manure: 50 per cent soil (RMV); urea 100 kg/ha and soil as control. On three dates the authors determined the total number of inflorescences, harvested inflorescences and number of whorls with black seeds. In the final cycle the authors determined the weight of 1,000 seeds and the number of harvested seeds.FindingsIn general, vermicompost produced better results (p<0,0001): the total number inflorescences and whorls with black seeds and the number of seeds produced were significantly higher in vermicompost compared with those under the urea and control treatments. There were no significant differences in the weight of 1,000 seeds.Social implicationsThe use of chemical fertilizers causes environmental pollution, produces negative effects on human health and contributes to the depletion of non‐renewable natural resources.Originality/valueThese renewable amendments (vermicompost) constitute a sustainable alternative to the use of urea for inflorescence production and mature basil seed production.
The inclusion of environmental performance in transport contracts
Authors: Björklund Maria , Forslund Helena 
Published: February 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the inclusion of environmental performance in transport contracts, and to study whether differences in inclusion can be explained by managerial involvement.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on a survey of shippers and logistics service providers in Sweden. Regression and cluster analysis were used to link managerial involvement to inclusion of environmental performance.FindingsCompanies that include environmental performance in transport contracts do not necessarily consider how to measure the environmental performance and how to handle non‐compliance. The most common performance metrics to include are CO2 emissions and energy use. A higher degree of managerial involvement is related to larger inclusion of environmental performance. Findings also indicate that transportation managers play a very central role for inclusion of environmental performance in contracts.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper offers a theoretical contribution to transport contract and performance management theory by expanding it to encompass environmental performance. The authors provide some descriptive and explanatory results in a Swedish context.Practical implicationsThe managerial contribution is to show practices and provide an understanding of the use of contracts for environmental performance, which in analogy with previous research can lead to environmental performance improvements.Originality/valueFew identified studies focus on regulating environmental performance in transport contracts.
Assessment of environmental management system performance in the Algerian companies certified ISO 14001
Authors: Hariz Samia , Bahmed Lylia 
Published: February 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide an immediate image about the reality of the Environmental Management System (EMS), as experienced by Algerian companies certified to ISO 14001.Design/methodology/approachThe adopted approach focused on the evaluation of different elements concerning the requirement of the reference ISO 14001, by the audit which constitutes the appropriate tool for the evaluation of such a system of management.FindingsThe evaluation of different elements concerning the requirement of the reference ISO 14001 is highlighted by means of a statistical study supported by the use of software data.Research limitations/implicationsThis research has limitations that the authors plan to study in perspective: assessment of human and social perception of the EMS at the Algerian companies.Practical implicationsThe analysis of the obtained results allows putting forward the orientation that should be implemented by any Algerian companies, such as the selected ones in this study, for a real continued improvement of their environmental performances, with in the framework of a lasting protection of the environment.Originality/valueInterestingly, the paper shows that the success of the different elements concerning the requirements of ISO 14001, reflect the same conditions needed for the success of the improvement of the EMS.
Carbonomics of the Bangladesh agricultural output: causality and long‐run equilibrium
Authors: Murad Wahid , Ratnatunga Janek 
Published: February 2013

PurposeThe key purpose of this paper is to examine the causality and long‐run relationship between CO2 emission and agricultural output for an agriculture‐dependent developing country, namely Bangladesh.Design/methodology/approachIn order to attain the objective, this study has used long‐time series data and employed advanced econometric techniques of unit root test, nonlinear least square estimation, Vector Error Correction estimation and Granger causality test.FindingsThe empirical results of the study reveal that Bangladesh agricultural output is not a Granger causal for Bangladesh CO2 emission, but the country's CO2 emission is a Granger causal for its agricultural output. The results also reveal for Bangladesh that any disequilibrium between CO2 emissions and agricultural output could take approximately 17 years to converge to the long‐run equilibrium. The results further reveal that the adjustment rate for Bangladesh agricultural output is positive and quite fast at the rate of 69 percent a year. So any disequilibrium will be corrected mostly by the adjustment in Bangladesh agricultural output.Practical implicationsThe current CO2 emission in Bangladesh is still below the equilibrium level, which is considered to be an advantage for the country, particularly its agriculture sector which will reasonably not face any stricter CO2 emissions controlling policies and regulations in the near future.Originality/valueThe originality of this study lies on the extent to which an agriculture‐dependent developing country such as Bangladesh does not have greater concern about the CO2 emission for now and the near future. The originality does also lie on the fact that no other study has yet examined this issue.
Determinants of students’ loyalty in the Ghanaian banking industry
Authors: Narteh Bedman 
Published: February 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the determinants of students’ loyalty in retail banks in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachA review of the literature identified four determinants of customer loyalty which were used to survey 624 students from five universities in Ghana. Data were analysed using exploratory factor analysis and multiple regression.FindingsThe study found satisfaction with bank services, image of the bank, availability of electronic bank services and perceived service quality as the determinants of students’ bank loyalty. Perceived service quality was, however, not significant in predicting students’ loyalty to their banks.Practical implicationsThe study highlights the importance of understanding students’ behavior with regard to banking services. The three factors identified as significant predictors of students’ loyalty could be used by retail banks to design effective marketing strategies to attract and retain the student cohort in Ghana.Originality/valueThe study was the first of its kind that investigates students’ loyalty in retail banks in sub‐Saharan Africa. The study provides practical leverage to enable bank marketers to identify students’ financial needs in order to design an appropriate value proposition to satisfy them.
Root cause analysis, Lean Six Sigma and test of hypothesis
Authors: Ashok Sarkar Shri , Ranjan Mukhopadhyay Arup , Ghosh Sadhan Kumar 
Published: February 2013

PurposeIn implementing Six Sigma and/or Lean Six Sigma, a practitioner often faces a dilemma of how to select the subset of root causes from a superset of all possible potential causes, popularly known as root cause analysis (RCA). Generally one resorts to the cause and effect diagram for this purpose. However, the practice adopted for identification of root causes is in many situations quite arbitrary and lacks a systematic, structured approach based on the rigorous data driven statistical analysis. This paper aims at developing a methodology for validation of potential causes to root causes to aid practitioners.Design/methodology/approachDiscussion has been made on various methods for identification and validation of potential causes to root causes with the help of a few real life examples for effective Lean Six Sigma implementation.FindingsThe cause and effect diagram is the frequently adopted method for identifying potential causes out of a host of methods available for such identification. The method of validation depends on the practitioners’ knowledge on the relationship between cause and effect and controllability of the causes.Originality/valueThe roadmap thus evolved for the validation of root causes will be of great value to the practitioners as it is expected to help them understand the ground reality in an unambiguous manner resulting in a superior strategy for cause validation and corrective actions.
The interrelationship between service features, job satisfaction and customer satisfaction
Authors: Pantouvakis Angelos , Bouranta Nancy 
Published: February 2013

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to present a conceptual framework which explores the links between the two service features (physical and interactive), job satisfaction and their impact on customer satisfaction.Design/methodology/approachA structured questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of 168 first line employees of a major European port. Structural equation modelling and regression analysis were used to examine and test the relationships.FindingsThe empirical data verifies structural relationships between service quality, customer satisfaction and job satisfaction, treating job satisfaction as a consequence of physical features and as an antecedent of interactive features. The direct impact of employee job satisfaction on customer satisfaction, together with its indirect influence via service features, were tested and supported by the empirical data.Originality/valueThis study extends the literature by examining the distinct role that the interactive and physical features of services play in the formation of job satisfaction, which in turn influences customer satisfaction. This perspective could improve managerial understanding of the service quality‐job satisfaction relationship and lead to more focused decisions.
Decision quality by the loss cost of Type I and Type II errors
Authors: Chen Ying‐Chieh , Chen Shui‐Chuan , Chen Ying‐Hao 
Published: February 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the system requirements model. According to the concept of loss costs of Type I and Type II errors, it can define the optimal decision line, and reduce overall loss costs. Moreover, it can decrease the probability of Type I and Type II error by the systems thinking, and it can effectively reduce overall loss costs.Design/methodology/approachThe paper proposed a system demand model and constructed a decision‐making system thinking model as well as a decision‐making performance management model using the principle of system demand. Types of decision‐making errors were analyzed to set judgments on the error risk and establish a model of improvement evaluation key factors, in order to reduce decision‐making error risk and enhance decision quality. It also constructed the improved decision‐making to assess the key factors, to reduce the risk of making errors in order to improve the quality of decision‐making.FindingsOptimistic decision‐makers (risk takers) tend to make Type II errors, whereas pessimistic decision makers (conservatives) tend to make Type I errors. Financial depressions are the time for optimistic decision makers (risk takers) and boom periods are the time for pessimistic decision makers (conservatives).Originality/valueThe concept of the loss cost of two decision‐making errors and related cost function models were proposed. Decision makers could make decisions with a more stable model, taking into consideration false alarms and the cost function of errors in order to determine the position of the decision‐making line. It could effectively reduce decision‐making error costs and increase the precision of decision‐making.
The social embeddedness of business model enactment
Authors: Spector Bert 
Published: February 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the intra‐firm dynamics of business model enactment, paying particular attention to the social context in which that enactment occurs.Design/methodology/approachThe article develops its hypotheses from qualitative case studies. In particular, the article presents two exploratory cases designed to generate questions and hypotheses.FindingsThe article generates two hypotheses: first, the social capital of a firm enhances its capacity to enact its intra‐firm business model; and second, when business model redesign alters the organizational location in which activities and transactions are performed, social capital will become especially salient.Research limitations/implicationsExploratory research is both suggestive and limited. Additional descriptive and explanatory research will more fully explore the phenomenon of the role of social capital in enacted business model design, as well as present data bearing on cause‐effect relationships.Practical implicationsFor the manager, the implication of the research relates especially to building an enactment capacity for the firm's business model; attention to social relationships and investment in social capital will enhance a firm's enactment capacity.Originality/valueThe article is the first to consider the intra‐firm dynamics of business model design and to integrate the concept of social capital into an understanding of design enactment.
Reducing vulnerability of rain‐fed agriculture to drought through indigenous knowledge systems in north‐eastern Ghana
Authors: Kanchebe Derbile Emmanuel 
Published: February 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze how farmers are reducing vulnerability of rain‐fed agriculture to drought through indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) in the Atankwidi basin, north‐eastern Ghana.Design/methodology/approachThis paper draws on combined qualitative and quantitative research methods and data. First, the paper draws on qualitative data generated from in‐depth interviews and focus group discussions from purposively sampled farmers in the Atankwidi basin. It also draws on a survey conducted on 131 systematically and randomly sampled households in three communities of the basin, namely Yua, Pungu and Mirigu.FindingsThe results show that farmers are planting multiple indigenous drought resilient crop varieties and employing different rounds of seeding and or staggering planting between multiple farms. They are also applying indigenous forms of organic manure, checking soil erosion through grass strips and stone terracing and adopting paddy farming for improving soil and water conservation towards enhancing plant adaptation to drought. The paper therefore, asserts that through conscientious effort, farmers are reducing vulnerability of rain‐fed agriculture to drought through indigenous knowledge systems of drought risk management.Practical implicationsThe paper recommends that capacity for managing vulnerability to drought at the local level, including the Atankwidi basin, can be enhanced by incorporating IKS into District Development Planning (DDP) and giving priority to the strategic role of IKS in climate change adaptation planning.Originality/valueThis paper fulfills a need for researching the relevance of IKS for reducing vulnerability of rain‐fed agriculture to drought in particular, and enhancing adaptation to climate change in general in the quest for promoting Endogenous Development (ED) in Africa.