bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An exploration of policy options to assist district health authorities in attending to the health needs of African Canadians: a case study
Authors: Maddalena Victor 
Published: February 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the governing boards responsible for health care in Nova Scotia to determine the extent to which they facilitate and/or impede efforts to attend to the health needs of African Canadians.Design/methodology/approachA case study method was employed. Qualitative interview and documentary data were interpreted by means of a hybrid of methods including discourse analysis, thematic analysis, reflexive ethnography and ethnography.FindingsKey findings from this study suggest that the complex mandate of DHAs, a lack of processes to assess need and limited data (including a lack of research) to support decision‐making contribute to a limited understanding of the health needs of African Canadians among DHA board members and executive management. Policy options include improving access to, and development of, culturally competent health services, conducting research and improving access to data to facilitate decision‐making, and educating board members and executive management about black culture. DHAs need to explore new and innovative ways to engage and include the black community in decision‐making.Practical implicationsContinued public and political emphasis on the maintenance of the acute care system, limited resources devoted to “population health” and internal and external constraints that serve to limit the capacity for health boards to make independent decisions pose significant challenges for DHAs as they seek to fulfill their legislated mandate to improve the health of their catchment population. Policy options are presented to address issues such as research and information management, education and awareness, representation and building meaningful opportunities for inclusion.Originality/valueThere is a dearth of literature examining the roles and responsibilities of governing boards in attending to the health needs of minority populations.
Computer‐assisted instruction and student attitudes towards learning mathematics
Authors: Aliasgari Majid , Riahinia Nosrat , Mojdehavar Fariba 
Published: February 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to establish the effects of computer‐assisted instruction (CAI) on the attitude of students studying mathematics.Design/methodology/approachCAI in mathematics, as an alternative to traditional instruction (TI), is investigated using a sample of students in Iran. The sample consists of second grade female students of maths/science in two high schools of Hashtgerd. The study is carried out over four weeks in May 2008. The effects of the independent variable (CAI) are studied in one high school while in a second high school in the region, a control group is used to measure the effects of TI.FindingsThe findings reveal that CAI increases the learning level of students and improves their attitudes toward mathematics compared with TI.Research limitations/implicationsThe scope of the study is limited to a sample of students from two high schools in Iran. Thus, the results are indicative rather than conclusive. More work needs to be carried out involving a larger sample not confined to the Iranian setting to produce more conclusive findings.Practical implicationsNew technologies and software featuring CAI should be implemented and used in the teaching process, especially for those courses which contain abstract concepts like mathematics. For example, simulated software could help teachers utilize simulated objects, concepts, and problem solving paths in a virtual environment.Originality/valueThe study adds to the literature on the utility of CAI and is original in that it is one of the few carried out in an Iranian setting.
The effects of Islamic law on business practices
Authors: Cerimagic Sabina 
Published: February 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to give professionals working in Islamic countries a better understanding of the legal system in those countries. As a rule, multinational companies are more equipped in dealing with problems when governed by Western legal philosophies and jurisprudence. However, when certain issues fall on the jurisdiction of an Islamic country they have to address it by using the Islamic laws (Shariahlaws) maintained in theQur'an.Design/methodology/approachThe source of material for this paper is literature review based on texts and references sourced in the business environment. The literature used is Islamic literature in the Bosnian and English languages.FindingsThe findings are that Islamic laws compel companies to be wary of interest, uncertainty or risk. This means that companies that rely on compelling interest on the consumer are prohibited in operating in Islamic states. The law is there to protect the welfare of all the parties involved. The strict nature of these laws often seeks to provide justice and fairness to both parties. Thus, for organisations and international companies who intend to deal with companies based in Islamic countries and adhere toShariahlaw should always be mindful of the fairness of their offers and the fairness of the outcomes of these agreements.Research limitations/implicationsIslamic laws tend to adhere strictly on the principles and values intimated in theQur'anandHadith. This paper summaries the core of Islamic business laws. However, this research is limited to theory alone. For this reason, future research perhaps could look at case studies and see if what works in theory indeed does work in practice too. The review has been limited to Bosnian and English language texts. In addition, this paper has some limited literature review on such a complicated and sensitive topic.Originality/valueThis paper will provide important business factors that will essentially assist international businesses in their understanding of the legal standards in this region.
Perceptions of the accountant held by business students and business professionals in an emerging country
Authors: Hammami Helmi , Hossain Mohammed 
Published: February 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate how business students and business professionals in Qatar perceive the accountancy profession.Design/methodology/approachThe paper designs a survey based on Osgood semantic differential theory of attitude assessment (30 bipolar pairs). The survey is administrated to 400 respondents. Factor analysis reduces variables to five and analysis of variance is employed to study the main differences between groups.FindingsFindings show that professionals and students, taken together, report a fairly positive image of the accountancy profession. However, students' perceptions are more positive compared to professionals. Among students, other demographics affect how students view the accountancy profession.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample is limited. Larger samples would confirm or otherwise the findings of this study. Future research could enlarge the scope by including other actors such as educators. Also, exploring other Arab countries would contribute to building knowledge of the subject matter.Practical implicationsThe study has implications for the accounting profession regulatory bodies who would certainly benefit from knowledge of the general perception of the profession. Such knowledge could give rise to specific initiatives aimed as enhancing aspects of the profession that are perceived less than positively.Originality/valueThis paper builds on research commencing in the early 1970s concerning perceptions of the accountant and the accounting profession in general. So far, most of the studies have been conducted in developed countries. This study makes a moderate contribution by being one of the few that focuses the research on a new emerging country, namely Qatar.
It is good to be green
Authors: Brown Douglas 
Published: February 2010

PurposeThis paper aims to discuss how the influence of consumer and investor opinions for green corporate accountability and the creation of new government regulations in favor of protecting the environment have pushed green issues onto the boardroom agenda and onto outsourcing vendors' growing plate of priorities.Design/methodology/approachThe data presented and the opinions discussed in this paper are based on the on‐going research behind The Black Book of Outsourcing, by Douglas Brown and Scott Wilson.FindingsThe paper presents a wealth of data that clearly highlight how environmental issues and the ability to display an environmental‐friendly culture are becoming vital to all outsourcing stakeholders. Also, using the data analysis, it delivers a 13 steps process to develop a green outsourcing initiative.Originality/valueThis paper discusses one of the latest trends in outsourcing, and it does so by providing numerous relevant data. As such, it contributes to setting a relevant research agenda. At the same time, it provides an in‐depth analysis of various industry first‐movers, and based on that it delivers a process that can be used by practitioners to develop green outsourcing offerings.
Management perspectives of high technology strategic alliance outcomes
Authors: Powers Thomas L. , Wilson Rachel C. 
Published: February 2010

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to identify the benefits seen by management in high technology strategic alliances using a means‐end framework.Design/methodology/approachQualitative interviews with firm executives were conducted and a survey was then administered. Structural equation modeling was used to test hypotheses derived from the qualitative stage of the research.FindingsThe results indicate that managers perceive that social, operational, and financial alliance attributes contribute to new product opportunities and increased profitability, which in turn enhances both shareholder value and the opportunity to create societal value.Originality/valueIn addition to the specific findings related to strategic alliances, the study represents an initial use of a means‐end framework to gather both firm‐level qualitative and quantitative data from executives.
Business cycle management and firm performance
Authors: Navarro Peter , Bromiley Philip , Sottile Pedro 
Published: February 2010

PurposeBusiness cycles strongly influence corporate sales and profits, yet strategy research largely ignores the possibility that corporate management practices related to the business cycle influence profitability. This paper aims to offer initial empirical support for the view that high peformance firms use a variety of business cycle management (BCM) practices that low performance firms do not.Design/methodology/approachThis exploratory study examines the association of firm performance with business cycle management behaviors identified in the prescriptive literature and further developed from a set of case analyses. The empirical analysis uses a matched sample of 35 pairs of high vs low performers from the S&P 500.FindingsDiscriminant and conditional logit analyses provide preliminary evidence that business cycle‐sensitive behaviors such as countercyclical hiring and investment associate positively with firm performance.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research should use larger data sets and strictly archival data to overcome the limitations of the small sample size and data coding with some subjective elements.Practical implicationsThis research suggests a variety of business cycle related practices dealing with staffing, capital investment, acquisitions and divestitures, capital financing, credit policy, pricing, and advertising may improve firm performance.Originality/valueThis is the first paper to offer evidence of the impact of business cycle related practices across a range of practices and industries.
A serial successful strategic transformer of businesses
Authors: O'Regan Nicholas , Ghobadian Abby 
Published: February 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how key strategic decisions are made in practice at successful FTSE 100 companies.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on a semi‐structured interview with the Chairman of Whitbread plc, Reed Elsevier plc, Mr Anthony Habgood. Mr Habgood has a track record in successfully achieving corporate strategic transformation.FindingsThe paper sheds light on ingredients of successful strategy formulation and implementation, corporate strategic transformation, key elements of successful mergers and acquisitions and leadership as a vital ingredient in corporate performance.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper presents views of a successful and highly regarded Chairman of two FTSE 100 companies. Mr Habgood was also the Chief Executive of a third FTSE 100 company. It provides an insight on how strategy is made and executed.Originality/valueThe paper bridges the gap between theory and practice. It provides a practical view and demonstrates how corporate leaders think about key strategic issues.
Does awareness to climate change lead to behavioral change?
Authors: Halady Indrani R. , Rao Purba H. 
Published: February 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate whether awareness to climate change and its adverse impacts have any significant linkages to behavioral changes amongst individual managers who undertake initiatives to minimize/mitigate the impacts.Design/methodology/approachA theoretical framework based on different aspects of awareness possibly leading to behavior change has been proposed. Subsequently, the results from an empirical research based on a survey questionnaire as research instrument, are analyzed using exploratory factor analysis and structural equation modeling to validate the framework and the research question.FindingsAwareness to the climate change phenomenon does lead to significant behavioral change amongst managers in the industry, alleviating the potential and existing threats of climate change phenomenon. In particular, the awareness to health impacts of climate change has significantly impacted individuals taking up the cause to lead climate change campaigns to counter its onslaught.Research limitations/implicationsThe research is conducted in a population confined to a single region in India. Its scope needs to be broadened to encompass the entire country.Originality/valueThe findings should lead to widespread awareness campaigns emphasizing on awareness to adverse health disorders as a direct result of climate change and its other adverse impacts, and also the individual initiatives that can be taken up as well as what the industry can do.
Defining and assessing the risk of being harmed by climate change
Authors: Pascal Briguglio Lino 
Published: February 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to assess the risk of a population in a given territory being harmed by climate change by distinguishing between: natural factors, which are associated with inherent vulnerability; and man‐made or policy‐induced factors, which are associated with adaptation. It is argued that this distinction is useful as a methodological approach and for policy making.Design/methodology/approachThe approach utilises indices of vulnerability and adaptation, and juxtaposes them to arrive at an assessment of risk.FindingsThe major findings of this paper are that the “lowest‐risk” or “managed‐risk” category of territories are mostly port cities in high‐income countries, whereas the “mismanaged‐risk” and “highest‐risk” category of territories are vulnerable port cities located in low‐income countries.Originality/valueThe originality of the paper is that it highlights the distinction between natural and man‐made risks in arriving at a total assessment of risk – a distinction of utmost importance for policy making. An important, although obvious, conclusion is that adaptation does not reduce the inherent vulnerability of the territories concerned, but it serves to enable humans to withstand, bounce back from or absorb the effects of vulnerability to climate change.
The role of afforestation programme in combating desertification in Nigeria
Authors: Idris Medugu Nasiru , Rafee Majid M. , Johar Foziah , Choji I.D. 
Published: February 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to determine the extent to which an afforestation programme as spelt out in the Forestry II programme has checked the encroachment of desert in the arid and semi‐arid zone of northern Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachThe study is carried out in the afforestation project states aimed at evaluating the success/failure of the program. Field observation and a site visit are conducted on some communities as well as policies relevant to forestry sector are reviewed.FindingsThe preliminary findings of this paper indicate that the afforestation projects had a positive impact on both biophysical and socioeconomic environment and contributed to the sustainability of the afforestation programme.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper is primarily focused on the various components of the Forestry II programme and the extent they have helped in combating desertification.Originality/valueThe paper addresses the need for sustainable afforestation projects and discusses on how the community effort and participation of women plays an important role during the afforestation programs.
Biodiversity and climate change in Kuwait
Authors: Omar Asem Samira , Roy Waleed Y. 
Published: February 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the various consequences of climate change on the biodiversity of Kuwait. Many world organizations have established strategic plans for climate change, such as The Global Strategy for Plant Conservation, which is adopted in 2002 by the Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity.Design/methodology/approachThe paper utlizes a wide range of research projects completed at the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR), which provide information leading to the degradding effects and risks of climate change on the biodiversity and ecosystem services of Kuwait.FindingsThe biodiversity of Kuwait is under severe stress due to natural and anthropogenic factors. The region is also threatened physically and biologically by the global warming phenomena. More severe and harsh climatic conditions will cause increase in formation of sand dunes, sand encroachment, and extreme dust storms. In 2008, Kuwait has the worst ever reported summer since 1991 with increase in intensity and frequency of dust storms. Drought will cause more water demand for local consumption and irrigation. The seawater temperature increase would affect the spawning period of fish and shrimp and would cause migration of fish to other more suitable areas. This would cause severe impact on the fish industry in Kuwait and the region. Losses in plant cover will be due to sand encroachment or erratic rainfall periods causing runoff and flooding.Research limitations/implicationsThe work is based on various projects at the KISR and by some journal publications that relate to climate change impact on biodivesity. More research work is needed to test the long‐term impact of climate change on bidivesity of Kuwait.Originality/valueThere is a need to develop a strategic plan for climate change mitigation and adaptation in Kuwait. Specific elements of the plan would include: research for identification of vulnerable species, collecting field population data, conducting modeling research to inform conservation programs; monitoring key species; ex situ conservation using living collection and ensuring representation in conservation collection; in situ conservation and increase in protected areas; education and public awareness programs; networking; and sharing knowledge.
Adapting production forests in southern Sweden to climate change
Authors: Felton Adam , Ellingson Lindsey , Andersson Erik , Drössler Lars , Blennow Kristina 
Published: February 2010

PurposeRecent climate scenarios indicate that Sweden's southern region, Götaland, will experience significant climate change over the coming century. Swedish forestry policy guidelines emphasize the need for risk spreading to reduce the potential adverse impacts of these changes. Risk spreading is defined here as reducing the vulnerability of a social‐ecological system by increasing the heterogeneity of its ecological components. Risk spreading may be achieved through the diversification of tree species currently relied upon by the forestry sector. The purpose of this paper is to consider the capacity of the socio‐ecological forest system to adapt to climate change through the use of risk spreading.Design/methodology/approachA variety of disciplines contribute to the understanding of the rate at which risk spreading is likely to take place in a system. A synthesis is conducted to unite these insights.FindingsFive key constraints on the rate at which risk spreading can take place are identified. These include constraints imposed by the silvicultural system itself, voluntary policy measures, forest‐owner perceptions of climate change, motivation among forest owners to respond to risk, and forestry consultants. Potential future directions are discussed and include the need for specifying the goal of risk spreading policy, and the need to evaluate the motivations of those forest owners already altering adopting risk spreading approaches.Originality/valueConceptual equivalents of the “risk spreading” approach are international, due to the need for many societies to adapt social‐ecological systems to climate change. The issues raised from this case study/synthesis provide value insights regarding the breadth of systemic constraints which can thwart attempts at rapid adjustment to climate change, and where solutions to these constraints may be found.
Quality of the external auditor, information asymmetry, and bid‐ask spread
Authors: Hakim Faten , Omri Mohamed Ali 
Published: February 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between information asymmetry and the quality of the external audit in the Tunisian capital market.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses panel data methodology.FindingsThe results show that the bid‐ask, a market‐based measure of information asymmetry, is negatively related to the employment of an industry specialist and big auditors; and positively related to audit firm tenure. However, further tests refine those conclusions, in that the positive association between tenure and bids‐ask spread differs between specialist and non‐specialist auditors and between Big 4 and non‐Big 4 auditors. Specifically, the paper finds that bid‐ask spreads is increasing in tenure for clients of non‐specialist and clients of non‐Big 4.Research limitations/implicationsThe difficulties in specifying correct models for determining the audit quality, the research analyze the auditor's quality such as big auditor, tenure, and specialist. The paper leaves this and other issues for future research.Originality/valueAnalyzing the effect of auditor's quality on information asymmetry and bid‐ask spreads is an emerging economy such as Tunisia is very appealing because earnings quality is the most important quality investors look for. And this research makes a link between two important areas of auditing and finance.