bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lean and the working environment: a review of the literature
Authors: Hasle Peter , Bojesen Anders , Langaa Jensen Per , Bramming Pia 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThe effects of lean on employees have been debated ever since the concept was introduced. The purpose of this paper is to review the scientific literature on the effects of lean on the working environment and employee health and well‐being.Design/methodology/approachRelevant databases were searched for studies of lean and the working environment. In total, 11 studies with quantitative effects of lean are included in this review. The methodology and results are analysed to extract information about lean and the effects on working environment.FindingsThere is strong evidence for the negative impact of lean on both the working environment and employee health and well‐being in cases of manual work with low complexity. However, since examples of positive effects were also found in the literature, it is important to move from a simple cause‐and‐effect model to a more comprehensive model that understands lean as an open and ambiguous concept, which can have both positive and negative effects depending on the actual lean practice used on the shop floor.Research limitations/implicationsThe evidence remains limited with regard to the effect of lean on the working environment outside of manufacturing industry. The literature reflects, only to a limited extent, on the significance of implementation strategy and production context.Practical implicationsOrganizations working with lean should make efforts to avoid an impaired working environment for manual employees. Involvement of employees in lean's practical application is one possible way of developing a healthy working environment.Originality/valueThis is the first paper to make use of the existing research evidence to examine the complex and ambiguous relations between lean and the working environment.
Service quality orientation: an approach to diffusing mindfulness in SMEs
Authors: Owusu‐Frimpong Nana , Nwankwo Sonny 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to connect mindfulness with service quality constructs and apply the resultant framework, service‐mindful orientation (SMO), to the analysis of strategic perspectives and philosophical orientations of small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana towards service quality management.Design/methodology/approachThis study employed both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods: face‐to‐face interview for the purpose of illuminating inter‐subjective discourses of quality orientation; and questionnaire method that enabled parametric testing of key variables and relationships on 60 service and manufacturing SMEs.FindingsThe paper finds conceptual synergy between conventional measures of mindfulness and service‐quality, resulting in the SMO framework. When this framework is applied to gauge strategic orientations, tensions became evident in both the conceptualisation and operationalisation. That an organisation is quality‐minded does not mean that it is quality mindful. Whilst there are subtle differences between manufacturing and service SME groups used in the study, both share a basic commonality in their muddled, cluttered and sometimes confusing approaches to service‐mindful orientation.Research limitations/implicationsThe concept of SMO is yet to be fully developed to deliver generalisable measures and outcomes. There is certainly a need to advance the treatment to attain theoretic saturation. Also, the sample and design of the study should be seen from the exploratory learning and may be less‐than robust for stable generalizations.Practical implicationsThere are, potentially, far‐reaching implications arising from this paper. Conceptually, SMO is introduced, not in any taxonomical manner, but as a robust platform within which to analyse, measure and evaluate the futurism of SMEs in terms of success‐readiness and stability. Practically, the battery of measures embodied within SMO are likely to provide the fillip for internal self‐assessments of how ready an individual SME or clusters would be in facing up to both their strategic and operational challenges relating to service‐quality management.Originality/valueBy introducing mindfulness from the realm of cognitive science into the domain of service quality, this paper extends the theoretic and discursive dimensions of quality management.
Administrator preparation: looking backwards and forwards
Authors: Bridges Edwin 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper was to conduct a critical analysis of the origins and implementation of problem‐based learning in educational administration as a window into the limitations of this approach and more generally administrator preparation.Design/methodology/approachThe author reviewed the published work of the originator from 1970‐2009, as well as his preparation program for principals, and evaluated his approach primarily in light of two perspectives, emotional labor and positive emotions. The paper probes the utility of using these sociological and psychological perspectives in studying and understanding the emotional side of administration through interviews with principals.FindingsThe major finding of this analysis was to question whether sufficient attention is being paid to the emotional aspects of administration in problem‐based learning in particular and administrator preparation programs more generally. The analysis reveals several areas where more attention should be paid, and provides some insight into the nature of mental and emotional labor of principals.Originality/valueThe paper combines two theoretical approaches in a novel way to raise a series of questions that can be used to evaluate programs for preparing administrators in terms of a critical, but for the most part neglected, area – the emotional side of administration. For those who choose to incorporate this facet of administration into their preparation program, the author describes an approach that might be used.
Staff involvement in leadership decision making in the UK further education sector
Authors: Maringe Felix 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to explore the quality of leadership decision making at various leadership levels in the further education (FE) sector. Using Hoffberg and Korver's model for integrated decision making, the paper aims to examine how staff in five UK FE colleges perceive the quality of their involvement in decision‐making teams and groups and the extent to which decision‐making processes meet Tatumet al.'s criteria for fair and just organisational decision makingDesign/methodology/approachThe paper utilises data from the Integrating Diversity in Leadership Project sponsored by the Centre for Excellence in Leadership. It draws on responses made by 67 staff in five FE colleges in the UK to a series of qualitative questions in individual interviews. The paper also draws on observations of the level and quality of interaction and contribution made by 147 staff in 15 leadership decision‐making groups. The paper only draws on those responses that have relevance to the questions of leadership decision making, the quality of decision making and the perceptions of staff regarding their involvement in decision making at various levels.FindingsThe data suggest that inclusiveness in decision making decreases with the hierarchy of decision‐making groups, with the most senior groups being seen as the most exclusive, least transformed, closely guarded and offering restricted entry. Similarly, decision‐making teams at different levels are associated with different levels of justice and fairness related to the balance made between competing dilemmas of people versus process.Originality/valueThere is limited research conducted in this area. The study brings together aspects of social justice and inclusive decision making to bear on the structures and processes of leadership decision making in educational settings and uncovers a range of barriers that stand in the way of inclusive and fair decision making. These findings could indeed be a seedbed for an emerging theory of leadership decision making in educational establishments.
Cigarette smoking among medical students in China and modifiable risk factors for smoking prevention
Authors: Chen Xinguang , Tang Xiaolan , Stanton Bonita , Li Hanwu , Chen Weiqing 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThe reduction of tobacco use among medical students is a potentially powerful strategy to reduce tobacco use among future health professionals, who in turn, can have significant impact on tobacco use among patients as well as the general population in China. The goal of this study is to update information on the prevalence of cigarette smoking among Chinese medical students and to assess modifiable factors for smoking reduction.Design/methodology/approachPresented in the paper are descriptive, associative and path model analyses of survey data collected among 758 medical students in year one through year three from Hainan Medical College, Hainan, China.FindingsAmong the total 758 participants, 66.9 percent of males and 26 percent of females smoked and 26.5 percent of males and 1.6 percent of females had smoked in the past 30 days. The median monthly expenditure on cigarettes was 30 Chinese Yuan (approximately US$4.25). The likelihood of smoking increased with male gender, more advanced year group, poor academic performance, perceived peer smoking, and depressive symptoms, after controlling for covariates.Originality/valueFindings reported in this study provide further insight into the smoking prevalence among medical students in China as well as adding to knowledge about several potentially modifiable factors that are related to smoking. Data collected in this study are likely to prove valuable in prioritizing tobacco control among Chinese medical students, as they are future medical doctors, and their smoking behaviors will have strong influence on their patients as well as the general public.
Anti‐smoking practice in hospitals
Authors: Zhou Dunjin , Yan Yaqiong , Yu Huihong , Xia Qinghua , Yang Niannian , Zhang Zhifeng , Zhu Zhaoyang , Li Fang , Gong Jie 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThis study aims to examine whether, in the opinion of patients selected in 13 hospitals of Hubei province, China, hospitals are smoke free. Patients were also asked whether their physicians had inquired about their smoking status.Design/methodology/approachPatients were recruited through an intercept method (i.e. stopped by the interviewer while in the hospital); data were collected through interviews, with a response rate of 96.1 percent.FindingsAmong the intercepted patients, 48.3 percent reported having seen people smoking in hospitals; 22.3 percent had seen a doctor and/or nurse smoking; 23.8 percent had smelled tobacco in hospitals; 68.4 percent reported having seen “no‐smoking” signs in hospital settings; 42.6 percent reported having been asked about smoking status in their latest visit to a doctor and 23.8 percent reported receiving tobacco cessation counseling. Compared to hospitals in large cities, patients from medium/small city hospitals reported significantly higher levels of cigarette smoking among physicians, and poorer implementation of regulations for a smoking‐free hospital, and less smoking cessation counseling by physicians.Originality/valueFindings of this study point to the need for greater efforts to be made in promoting a smoke free environment in hospitals, as well as encouraging physicians to provide more smoking cessation counseling to smoking patients, particularly physicians in small and medium hospitals.
Framework for a global quality evaluation of a website
Authors: Rocha Álvaro 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThis paper aims to propose a high‐level structure for a global quality evaluation of a website. This structure is based on the characteristics, sub‐characteristics and attributes of three main dimensions (content, service, and technical quality) that will substantiate the development of broad website quality evaluation, comparison and improvement methodologies, according to particular sectors of activity and evaluator's perspective.Design/methodology/approachBased on the literature and the author's experience a framework is proposed for a global quality evaluation of a website.FindingsConsidering the results of some studies, as well as the systematisation of the knowledge available in several bibliographies, website quality can be grouped into three main dimensions: content quality, service quality, and technical quality. There has not yet been an evaluation methodology that focuses on these three main website quality dimensions in a broad and transversal sense.Originality/valueThe paper presents an innovative high‐level structure for a global quality evaluation of a website, based on three dimensions not previously considered together.
The effectiveness of web ads: rectangle vs contextual banners
Authors: Martín‐Santana Josefa D. , Beerli‐Palacio Asunción 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this work is to analyse the relationship between click‐through rate (CTR) and the traditional measurements of advertising effectiveness and to measure the advertising effectiveness of two less common formats of online advertising in blogs: rectangle and contextual, as well as to explore which factors influence that effectiveness.Design/methodology/approachA survey was used to gather data. Advertising effectiveness was determined using the traditional measurements employed for conventional media at cognitive, affective and conative levels and analysing the CTR.FindingsThe results reflect a direct relation between measurements of effectiveness and CTR, differences in the effectiveness of the two advertising formats, and that the factors influencing that effectiveness are attitude toward the web site, involvement with the product and duration of web site visit.Research limitations/implicationsThe main limitation of the study is that the experimental design is focused on two types of formats inserted into two types of blog and about only one product. A further limitation is the need to analyse other factors that may influence the effectiveness.Practical implicationsThe principal conclusion of the study is that managers should not evaluate the effectiveness of their online campaigns by using only the CTR.Originality/valueDespite the increase in their use, blogs have not received attention in the field of advertising research.
Success factors closing AstraZeneca's research site in Lund, Sweden
Authors: Severinsson Liv , Turunen Mikael , Fröjd Christina , Andréasson Agneta , Hultkvist Bengtsson Ursula 
Published: June 2012

PurposeAs part of the AstraZeneca R&D transformation the Lund research site with 900 employees has been closed and the research activities moved to a different geographical location in Mölndal, Sweden. The change period lasted for 22 months starting in March 2010 with the end result that 200 employees moved to Mölndal, 100 retired, 600 had to find new opportunities, and the Lund research facility was sold and transferred to a non‐profit life science foundation. This case report will present and discuss the learning from moving a research area to a different geographical location and closing a research site.Design/methodology/approachThis case study will describe challenges associated with an extensive change journey, the measures that were undertaken by the leadership team, and the results of a staff survey evaluating the success of delivered objectives.FindingsA major learning from this change process was the importance of an empowered local cross‐functional leadership team that can drive and execute major global changes at the local level. Key success factors were transparent face‐to‐face communication and engagement and motivation of employees to deliver challenging objectives. A staff exit survey showed that >90 percent of the employees felt they had been treated with respect. They left the Lund research site feeling proud of having worked for AstraZeneca and for leaving the site in a responsible way.Originality/valueThis case study describes how a difficult change management assignment can become a success story.
Thinking, Fast and Slow
Authors: Wollard Karen K. 
Published: June 2012

PurposeReviews the latest learning and development books across the globe and pinpoints practical implications.Design/methodology/approachThis briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.FindingsThinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman is a thoughtful and provocative book about thinking. It takes the reader through 40 years of research into how humans think, often contradicting conventional wisdom and demonstrating how pliable and easily distracted much of thinking can be. Reading it, one is challenged to question nearly everything about how the brain processes the world around it.Practical implicationsProvides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations.Originality/valueThe briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy‐to digest format.
Could health service reforms make general practitioners ill?
Authors: Hockly Anthea , Caan Woody 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThis is an unprecedented period of organisational change in English primary care. The aim of this paper is to draw on findings from the most recent period of rapid change for primary care, with lessons that may have profound implications for the implementation of forthcoming Health Service reforms.Design/methodology/approachFront line practitioners from two primary care Trusts were surveyed in terms of their reaction to change and those questionnaire findings were used to design interviews for a cross‐section of staff with varied responsibilities.FindingsGeneral practitioners (GPs) differed from all other staff groups. Most GPs found change unwelcome and stressful, especially if individually they felt they had little influence on an externally imposed re‐organisation. They also felt accumulated changes had distanced them from patient care which had been a major motivating factor.Originality/valueThe reforms currently proposed in the NHS and Social Care Bill compel GPs to take on unfamiliar commissioning roles, in new organisational structures. Implementation of the Bill needs to take into consideration the health impact on key medical colleagues, if it ignores the work satisfaction GPs derive from clinical care and the mental health consequences of loss of control over working practice.
Rehabilitation programme for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse
Authors: Ellis Fiona 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThis paper aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of group therapy programmes for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA), looking specifically at The Butterfly Programme, an eight week programme of healing that uses various therapeutic methods, to show how women who have experienced a form of CSA and remain deeply affected, can become more empowered through group therapy.Design/methodology/approachBy looking at venues where the programme can be delivered and where disclosure may occur, the report provides further statistics on how women survivors are affected into adulthood. Information is given on the emotional benefits of group therapy, the structure of the programme and how survivors take an active role by working closely with the facilitator.FindingsThrough questionnaires, completed at the beginning and end of the programme the effectiveness of the programme is assessed with improvements in self‐esteem measured against the Rosenberg self‐esteem scale, a reliable ten‐item, self‐report measure of global self‐esteem. Data taken from 59 women demonstrate the positive effects of group therapy.Originality/valueThe report shows how The Butterfly Programme enables women to address difficult emotions associated with their experience of CSA, helping them to reduce their dependency on “peripheral” medical services, and instead assists them to improve their education and employment prospects as well as improving their personal relationships.
From ABA to SPR: 30 years developing evidence based services for the treatment and prevention of conduct disorder in Wales
Authors: Hutchings Judy 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThis paper describes the author's work during 35 years as a clinical psychologist in the NHS in Wales working mainly with conduct disordered children and their families. It describe how from initially working within an applied behaviour analysis (ABA) framework with individual families she subsequently established and researched the group based Incredible Years (IY) parent programme in Wales and led a Wales‐wide dissemination of the IY programmes.Design/methodology/approachThe paper provides a case study example of the use of the Society for Prevention Research (SPR) criteria for translational research, that is research that can be applied successfully in the real world.FindingsMany of the challenges were overcome through the inclusion of strategies to maximise effectiveness with differing populations, and by gaining the support of government and local services.Originality/valueThe paper discusses the challenges of taking an evidence‐based programme to scale.
The education of children in care: a research review
Authors: Welbourne Penelope , Leeson Caroline 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThis paper seeks to explore three key aspects of the education of children in care: the composition of that population of children and the extent to which they differ from the general population of children due to difficulties most of them have experienced prior to as well as after entering care; issues relating to the identification of causal relationships and the extent of “underachievement” by children in care; and any evidence that care may provide more positive opportunities than is often supposed.Design/methodology/approachThe paper's approach is an extensive literature review of existing published research into social policy and practice of caring for looked after children.FindingsThe significant factors that contribute to better achievement for children in care are: placement stability and support at school but for some children therapeutic help and specialist assessments are necessary to improve outcomes. Different analyses produce different results and the scrutiny of children's trajectories indicates better outcomes than one‐off comparisons with children not in care.Originality/valueExtensive research has established that children in care achieve less educationally than their peers not in care, but does not explain why. This paper helps to fill this gap.