bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Qualifications of non‐nursing residential care staff in the Republic of Ireland
Authors: Power Martin , Jo Lavelle Mary 
Published: October 2011

PurposeIn response to the challenge of the ageing of societies and concerns over recruitment and quality of service delivery, many nations have introduced new educational and training pathways, as well as national standards that set a minimum qualification level for residential care staff. In Ireland, national standards were introduced in July 2009 and, against this backdrop this study aimed to explore the level of qualification held or being pursued by non‐nursing care staff.Design/methodology/approachAn email/postal survey was conducted.FindingsThis survey revealed that while vocational qualifications were most common, more than 50 per cent of care staff neither held nor were pursuing the minimum qualification set by the standards.Research limitations/implicationsWhile the introduction of standards may address this situation, the workforce appears currently ill‐prepared for increasing professionalisation. Moreover, given Ireland's poor economic circumstances, training or supports are likely to be limited, with the burden of training liable to fall on staff, undermining morale and increasing already tense industrial relations. Limitations of this study include variations in the roles of non‐nursing care staff, with many staff classified as “multi‐task” staff that perform a range of duties from personal care through to more general domestic duties and, in the context of a mixed economy of provision, the abundance of responses from the public sector relative to the private sector.Originality/valueNonetheless, this study provides a timely snapshot and a reference point for further research around the impact of standards on quality of care or workforce professionalisation and it will be of particular interest to policymakers, regulators, employers and care staff.
Audit of fidelity of clinicians to the Mental Capacity Act in the process of capacity assessment and arriving at best interests decisions
Authors: Sorinmade Oluwatoyin , Strathdee Geraldine , Wilson Catherine , Kessel Belinda , Odesanya Obafemi 
Published: October 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to evaluate health professionals' fidelity to the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) principles on determining mental capacity and arriving at best interests decisions in the care of individuals found to lack the relevant decision‐making capacity.Design/methodology/approachA retrospective review of the case records of 68 patients previously determined by clinicians as lacking mental capacity in at least one of three identified areas: treatment consenting capacity, capacity to decide on place of abode and capacity to manage financial affairs, was conducted. Notes were examined to determine how mental capacity was assessed and the process of arriving at best interests decisions in the care of the non‐capacitous individuals.FindingsIt was difficult to locate relevant entries as there were no designated folders for MCA related issues. There were (mostly) minimal entries made about the assessment process, only patchy documentation of the legal criteria used in capacity assessment, and which of the criteria the patient did not fulfil. Clinicians only partially followed the procedure prescribed by the MCA in determining best interests of non‐capacitous patients.Originality/valueThis paper highlights the need for health care professionals to better adhere to the principles of the MCA in assessing mental capacity and in determining the best interests of non‐capacitous individuals. Health care professionals and the public need to be better informed of the provisions of the MCA.
Drinking water saving potential of dual networks in Kuwait
Authors: Kotwicki Vincent , Al‐Otaibi Meshan 
Published: October 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a case study on how drinking water consumption could be potentially reduced by the introduction of dual water distribution networks. Since water of this quality is required only for drinking, cooking, bathing, and washing, delivering such water for uses that require non‐drinking water quality represents a tremendous waste of water and energy, and contributes to environmental pollution.Design/methodology/approachAn overview of dual distribution networks in several countries is presented. Kuwait, in which 86 percent of the freshwater network has a parallel brackish water network, is the leader in this field, with brackish water used for a range of outdoor activities. The residential sector is the major consumer of freshwater in Kuwait and the control of demand in this sector will be a key factor in curbing the overall demand, which without any demand management measures is expected to quadruple by 2025. Computer modeling based on existing water use statistics and the proposed phasing‐in of a dual distribution network for indoor use in households has been undertaken to determine how the large quantities of reclaimed can be used to reduce drinking water consumption.FindingsThe paper presents a modeling exercise that demonstrates that by using reverse osmosis (RO) treated wastewater for toilet flushing and watering the gardens, water consumption demand can be stabilized at present levels over a 20‐year period.Originality/valueThe paper concludes that with foresight and long‐term planning it is feasible to implement a dual water supply network in a major city, on a scale which may lead to saving up to 25 percent of drinking quality water on top of other traditional water conservation measures.
Environmental assessment and sustainable management options of leachate and landfill gas treatment in Estonian municipal waste landfills
Authors: Voronova Viktoria , Moora Harri , Loigu Enn 
Published: October 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to compare various landfill gas (LFG) and leachate treatment technologies in a life‐cycle perspective.Design/methodology/approachSince a landfill causes emissions for a very long‐time period, life‐cycle‐based environmental assessment was carried out to compare different technological options for sustainable leachate treatment and LFG collection and utilization. WAMPS, the life‐cycle assessment (LCA) model for waste management planning, was used for the environmental assessment of selected leachate and LFG treatment technologies.FindingsResults of both direct measurements in the studied landfills and LCA support the fact that leachate treatment with reverse osmosis has the best environmental performance compared to aerobic‐activated sludge treatment. Recently, the collection efficiency of LFG in the studied landfills is relatively low. In order to improve the overall environmental performance of LFG management the gas collection rate should be improved. LFG utilisation for energy recovery is an essential part of the system. The results of the study show that the avoided impacts of energy recovery can be even greater than direct impacts of greenhouse gas emissions from landfills. Therefore, measures which combine LFG collection with energy generation should be preferred to treatment in flare.Research limitations/implicationsIt should be noted that the results of this study do not express the total environmental impacts of the entire landfill system, but only the eutrophicating impacts and global warming related to the studied leachate and LFG management options. Therefore, it is recommended that further LCAs investigate also other relevant impact categories.Practical implicationsThe results of LCA modelling show that it is important to ensure the highest collection and treatment efficiency of leachate and LFG, since poor capture compromises the overall environmental performance of a landfill.Originality/valueThe paper provides a site‐specific data on sustainable leachate and LFG management in selected Estonian conventional municipal solid waste landfills. As such, the paper contributes to the development of the regional reference input data for LCA in waste management.
The visionary cure of the addiction war? Ibogaine: social context, subcultural identity, and implications for drug policy
Authors: Rodger James 
Published: October 2011

PurposeExisting treatments for alcohol and substance dependence are of limited efficacy and acceptability to users. Since such dependence is associated with high co‐morbidity and mortality rates, alternative treatments should be urgently evaluated. Ibogaine, a hallucinogenic alkaloid, derived from Tabernanthe Iboga, a plant unique to the rainforests of West Africa, is already associated with a large underground treatment scene. This paper aims to explore this issue.Design/methodology/approachThe paper draws on the comparative ethnography of magicoreligious Iboga use in West Africa alongside contemporary accounts of ibogaine addiction treatment, and contextualizes these within the neurobiology and anthropology of addiction and treatment provision.FindingsWhile the exotic otherness of ibogaine no doubt contributes to interest and hope, the impact of the medicine, not just on craving and withdrawal, but on the perceived acquisition of psycho‐spiritual insight, may validate such anticipation. Both West African and Western Ibogaine use are explored in the context of oppression, resistance and a re‐asserted morality. Successful ibogaine treatments appear to respect but transform existing subcultural meanings and identities, while promoting realism and psychosocial integration.Practical implicationsExisting treatment programmes might learn from the inherent critique of conventional treatment enacted in ibogaine treatment scenes.Social implicationsLack of mainstream investment may partly reflect the cultural positioning of drug‐users (and of this drug‐class) yet the scale of underground ibogaine use demands urgent funding for research to optimise safety and further understanding/development.Originality/valueAn understanding of how addicts seeking ibogaine are culturally positioned, and position themselves, illuminates the specific attraction of ibogaine treatment for this group, and has important implications for practice, drug policy and treatment development.
“Bump and grind”: an exploratory study of Mephedrone users' perceptions of sexuality and sexual risk
Authors: Claire Van Hout Marie , Brennan Rebekah 
Published: October 2011

PurposeThis exploratory research aims to contribute to a greater understanding of the strategic roles and incidental or deliberate sex drug associations relating to an emerging club drug called Mephedrone.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative phenomenological approach was utilized to analyze 22 in depth interviews in order to describe users' perceptions of this drug's impact on their sexual ideation and practises, while under the influence.FindingsThe finds that disinhibition involving compulsive masturbation, homosexual fantasies in heterosexuals, propositioning of strangers, promiscuity, prolonged marathon drug‐sex encounters involving casual/multiple partners and unsafe sexual practices [UAS/UVS] were all common, with gender differences present in terms of perceived connectivity with partners.Originality/valueThe research underscores the need for greater public health awareness and targeted drug‐sex interventions.
Social partners or full‐fledged stakeholders?
Authors: Delbard Olivier 
Published: October 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to question the status of trade unions on corporate social responsibility (CSR) today in the European Union (EU). How do they go from being social partners to a full‐fledged stakeholder status? The paper examines this question both from the point of view of stakeholder theory and from a field study in three different European countries.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology is qualitative, i.e. based on a series of face‐to‐face interviews conducted in three different European countries (France, Germany, the UK) with different stakeholders, union representatives, non‐governmental organizations, experts, employers' associations.FindingsThe main findings are: inadequacy between stakeholder theory and the reality of European trade unionism and the CSR debate; trade unions are not “natural” stakeholders, rather “stake‐seekers”; the national business approach is relevant, in that national differences account for major differences among the three countries studied; and the European and global implications of trade unions into CSR help them gain full stakeholder status.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample is a bit limited; it would be interesting to enlarge the scope of European countries. Also, it would also be relevant to interview shop‐floor members to analyze the gap between union officials and rank and file members.Practical implicationsThis paper can help unions consider CSR in a better way, so as to integrate CSR issues into their agenda.Social implicationsThe status of trade unions in the CSR debate has largely been overlooked, whereas their role in European countries is quite important.Originality/valueThere has been very little previous research on trade unions and CSR. The cross‐cultural dimension of this research and the EU dimension add value to the paper.
Growth and environmental pollution: empirical evidence from China
Authors: Halkos George E. , Tzeremes Nickolaos G. 
Published: October 2011

PurposeThe rapid economic growth of China has attracted the attention of economists, researchers and politicians. China is one of the largest economies in the world, with its gross domestic product (GDP) rising on an average above 9 percent. This economic growth is considered responsible for environmental degradation, which appears to be the most significant problem that economic growth causes. The purpose of this paper is to explore China's carbon emissions during 1960‐2006, focusing on the role of growth, trade and the value added by various sectors.Design/methodology/approachUsing time series data, this paper investigates China's carbon emissions during 1960‐2006, with particular focus on the direct role of growth and in connection to trade and the value added by various sectors such as agriculture, industry and services.FindingsThe authors' empirical results indicate the presence of an inverted U‐shaped curve between CO2 emissions and growth represented by the GDP per capita. Trade seems to be an important determinant in this relationship.Practical implicationsSuch empirical findings provide evidence for policy implications regarding the role of growth, trade and the value added by the various sectors of the economy on environmental degradation.Originality/valueThis study is the first effort to explore the associated implications of growth, trade and the effect of the various sectors' value added on environmental damage in an environmental Kuznets curve framework.
Research on early warning system for antidumping petition: based on panel data logit model
Authors: Xiang Hongjin , Zongxian Feng , Xuyuan Liu 
Published: October 2011

PurposeBased on the American antidumping cases against China, the purpose of this paper is to construct an early warning model for Chinese exports.Design/methodology/approachIn order to overcome the drawbacks of the existing early warning models for antidumping, first, the authors screen out six most relevant indices that play a key role in US textile corporations' decision of antidumping petition against China from 2002 to 2006, then design a early warning system for antidumping petition based on panel data logit model.FindingsThe regression result indicates that unemployment ratio and import‐penetration ratio significantly influence the antidumping filing decisions; when the other invariables keep the same, with the market share of China textile goods increasing by 1 per cent point, the odds ratio of antidumping petitions against China textiles increases by about 3.7 per cent.Originality/valueAs far as the authors are aware there is no definite research yet about early warning system of antidumping events, and this paper aims to specifically address this issue.
The home‐employment effect of FDI from developing countries: in the case of China
Authors: Liu Huiqun , Lu Jinyong 
Published: October 2011

PurposeThe current extensive literature on the home‐country employment effect of foreign direct investment (FDI) focuses almost exclusively on the investments from developed countries. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the home‐country employment effect in China, a country that has emerged as an important emerging economy increasingly integrated into the global economy.Design/methodology/approachThis study investigates the long‐run relationships between outward FDI and employment in China. Johansen's cointegration technique and Toda and Yamamoto's Granger causality tests are applied to data for the period 1982‐2007.FindingsThe results indicate that outward FDI from China had a positive impact on the home‐country employment growth, especially in tertiary industry. These results also imply that the logic of the outward investments from low‐cost transitional and developing economies differs from that of high‐income countries.Originality/valueIn this paper, the authors analyze the home‐country employment effect of FDI in China.
Investment decision making from a constructivist perspective
Authors: Massironi Carlo , Guicciardi Marco 
Published: October 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to introduce the reader to investigate some aspects of investment decision making from a constructivist perspective.Design/methodology/approachThe constructivist perspective is introduced in its dual nature of epistemology and of modelization. From constructivist epistemology, the paper mentions the corollaries of theoretical pluralism and cognitive pragmatism. From Kruglanski and Ajzen's Lay epistemology theory, the paper presents in more detail a constructivist modelization for the study and improvement of formal processes of investment decision making.FindingsBeginning from the proposed framework, the paper indicates the lines for the development of a critical (or reflective) investment decision‐making attitude. This is an investment decision making which is able to reflect on its own constructs and cognitive processes in order to develop investment processes with a higher “constructivist awareness” and efficacy.Originality/valueThe proposed modelization can contribute to the work of those dedicated to the development of better formal processes of investment. The paper presents three examples of possible applications potentially useful for the improvement of the processes of asset valuation of value investors.
Neural network credit scoring model for micro enterprise financing in India
Authors: Mittal Sanjeev , Gupta Pankaj , Jain K. 
Published: October 2011

PurposeQuantitative methods known as scoring models have been traditionally developed for credit granting decisions using statistical procedures. The purpose of this paper is to develop a non‐parametric credit scoring model for micro enterprises that are not maintaining balance sheets, and without having a track record of performance and other credit‐worthy parameters.Design/methodology/approachMultilayer perceptron procedure is used to evaluate credit reliability in three classes of risk, i.e. bad risk credit, foreclosed risk credit and good risk credit.FindingsThe development of a neural network model for micro enterprises facilitates bankers and financial institutions in credit granting decisions in an automatic manner in the Indian context.Originality/valueThis study applies comprehensive information on parameters of financial package prepared by Indian financial institutions and banks to micro enterprises to design a credit risk model. This model, instead of categorizing borrowers in terms of their “ability to pay”, attempts a solution to the unsolved problem of credit availability to micro enterprises in an Indian context, having no past performance track record.
Proposal for a “Dual Scheme” model of statutory adjudication for the Australian building and construction industry
Authors: Brand Michael C. , Davenport Philip 
Published: October 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to outline a proposal for a Dual Scheme model of statutory adjudication for the Australian building and construction industry.Design/methodology/approachThe paper deals with the security of payment problem in the Australian construction industry and the legislative response to that problem in New South Wales and elsewhere more generally. The paper highlights deficiencies in current adjudication schemes in Australia and proposes a revised methodology of adjudication by means of the proposed Dual Scheme model. The Dual Scheme is explained in detail and examples are given showing how the Dual Scheme would work in practice.FindingsThe Dual Scheme of adjudication allows for adjudication of “progress claims” (just as they are adjudicated now under the “Defined Scheme”), but also provides for separately adjudicated “money claims” in a similar way to that done under the “Non‐specific Scheme”. Both parties to a construction contract can take advantage of adjudication under a Non‐specific Scheme whilst simultaneously maintaining the relative time and cost benefits of the Defined Scheme in dealing with progress payment claims. Implementation of the proposed Dual Scheme would require new legislation.Originality/valueThe Dual Scheme is not a proposal to merely amalgamate two existing models of adjudication in Australia. Rather, it is a Dual Scheme incorporating the philosophy of two disparate systems of adjudication framed in a companionable form. It is hoped that the Dual Scheme may act as a common starting point for eventual agreement between the various interested groups as to what a national scheme of statutory adjudication in Australia will resemble in the future. The Dual Scheme proposal may be of interest in other jurisdictions where statutory adjudication for the construction industry has been introduced or is being contemplated.
Situating the subject: gender and entrepreneurship in international contexts
Authors: Ashe Fidelma , Treanor Lorna 
Published: October 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to offer a perspective to further the understanding of gender entrepreneurship. This paper considers the situatedness of the gendered entrepreneur within diverse international contexts marked by different constitutions of gender identities and networks of power, both within the context of contributions within this special issue but also more broadly within the field of gender and entrepreneurship research.Design/methodology/approachThe authors adopt a feminist perspective and analyse the different framings of identity within gender and entrepreneurship literature and their contributions to our understandings of the concepts of both power and gendered identities.FindingsThe paper finds that power and identity are configured in different contexts in ways that open arenas for future analysis.Originality/valueThe paper highlights the importance of considering masculinities within gender and entrepreneurship research offering support for further analyses of entrepreneurial masculinities by examining two studies that expose entrepreneurial masculinities as shifting subjectivities influenced by men's social power, but also by interactions between men and women and broader cultural contexts and transitions. In so doing, it contributes to the research agenda in relation to gender and entrepreneurship in different contexts.