bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rapid assessment of the impact of the National Service Framework for Older People in Wales
Authors: Morgan Gareth 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThis rapid assessment aims to focus on the perceptions of healthcare staff from Welsh Health Boards on the National Service Framework (NSF) for Older People.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire was sent by email to key colleagues in each of the seven Health Boards. This was crucial for this rapid assessment and conferred the additional advantage of also allowing for correspondence to be undertaken. Anonymity was crucial to allow colleagues to score their returns honestly.FindingsOverall, the position was equivocal and the impact of the NSF was perceived as too difficult to assess. The most promising element of the NSF appeared to be a perception on the impact on joint health and social care working.Research limitations/implicationsA rapid assessment exercise, using existing networks that are built on trust, can yield valid and useful information which can help policy development.Practical implicationsThe NSF urgently needs to provide evidence of positive impact. The next stage, based on a focussed approach, offers an opportunity to progress this.Originality/valueFor the first time, a rapid assessment has been undertaken on the Welsh NSF. This inexpensive and readily achievable approach has advantages.
“An ever closer union … ” – towards the “soft” convergence of European drug policies
Authors: Standring Adam 
Published: March 2012

PurposeA response to Chatwin's article (2010), which argues that European harmonisation of illicit drug policies remains far from realisation, this paper seeks to recommend developing a more specific conceptualisation of European integration in the area of illicit drugs and argues that harmonisation was not a realistic aim of the European Union (EU).Design/methodology/approachThis is a review paper which seeks to advocate the application of a more rigid analytical framework in drug policy analysis that takes into account the “soft” methods of governance used by the EU. The paper also uses secondary data sources to emphasise the argument.FindingsDomestic convergence has been observed across a number of policy areas.Research limitations/implicationsThe nature and level of convergence remains contested and more data are needed to clarify any trends. Future research would be necessary to demonstrate that convergence occurs as a result of EU action rather than other factors.Originality/valueThere remains little in the way of research on the processes of European integration and their specific impact on drug policy at the European and domestic level. This paper will be of value to scholars in the field of European integration who are seeking to expand their research into a new policy sector, as well as researchers in the drug field who are looking for a more formal analytical framework.
Letter on the Copenhagen City council's suggestion to legalize cannabis
Authors: Moeller Kim 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to give information on Copenhagen City Council's submission of a formal proposal to legalize cannabis.Design/methodology/approachWritten in the form of a letter to Drugs and Alcohol Today, the author provides information on the formal proposal submitted by Copenhagen City Council and the background to this in the context of Denmark's history.FindingsThe final submitted proposal suggests state run outlets in neutral locales where buyers will receive information on cannabis with purchases. The advantages are described in extension of the direct regulation of availability through opening hours, number of outlets, age limitations, and restrictions on amounts per purchase. The disadvantage in the form of an expected increase in prevalence is dismissed; perhaps a little too easily.Originality/valueThe proposal presents an interesting example of how drug policy dilemmas can be perceived differently at the national and local levels.
Optimising service provision by non‐specialist advisors: the impact of alcohol and drugs awareness training on perceived levels of role legitimacy, adequacy and satisfaction
Authors: McPhee Iain , Duffy Tim , Martin Colin R. 
Published: March 2012

PurposeShaw et al. identified the need for alcohol counsellors to have “therapeutic commitment” when working with clients or patients with alcohol problems. Studies building on this work have focussed on how such commitment can be increased. In addition, as helping agencies have increasingly offered support services to people with drug related problems, attention has also been given to staff “therapeutic commitment” when working with both alcohol and drug using populations. This study aims to report on the evaluation of the impact of an alcohol and drugs awareness training programme which was provided for personal advisors (PAs) for young vulnerable people based in a government funded criminal justice project in London.Design/methodology/approachA three‐day alcohol and drug awareness programme was provided for 38 personal advisors. Participants completed an adapted version of the alcohol and alcohol problems perception questionnaire (AAPPQ) assessment instrument, previously developed by Shaw et al., immediately before and then again three weeks after the programme ended. This self‐completion instrument is designed to measure the alcohol and drugs knowledge, attitudes and confidence of the PAs in working with service users experiencing alcohol and drug related difficulties. Components of the AAPPQ are specifically designed to assess staff in relation to their role legitimacy, role adequacy, role support, and role satisfaction. In total, 38 participants completed the AAPPQ at Time 1. However, AAPPQ data for the pre‐and post training programme were only obtained for 16. Time 1 and Time 2 responses for these 16 were entered into SPSS and analysed using five‐paired samples t‐tests.FindingsParticipants significantly improved their attitudes to working with, and having confidence in the engagement of young people with alcohol and drug problems. Positive changes were also observed in relation to participants' role legitimacy, role adequacy, role support, and role satisfaction. A positive but non‐significant change in participant motivation was identified.Originality/valueAlcohol and drugs awareness training programmes have a demonstrable and positive impact on the confidence, perceived role, and confidence of personal advisors working with service users with addiction issues.
Company characteristics and human resource disclosure in Spain
Authors: América Álvarez Domínguez M. 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe purpose if this paper is to investigate the determinants of corporate disclosure on human resources.Design/methodology/approachThe paper examines the extent to which 105 Spanish listed companies present information about human resources in their annual report. It distinguishes information about human capital, which includes the items about human resources usually integrated in intellectual capital, and social and ethical aspects of information about employees. A content analysis of 105 companies' annual reports was conducted. Once the information was quantified, using a regression analysis the influence certain company characteristics have on this disclosure was examined.FindingsThe results confirm the impact of variables like size, type of industry and property concentration on human resource disclosure.Practical implicationsThe disclosure of the most competitive companies suggests that they are more concerned about employees' welfare than the rest. This may motivate a change of the disclosure policy of the rest of the firms who may follow the behavior of the most competitive ones.Originality/valueContent analysis has been carried out in some papers referring to human capital disclosure but with a descriptive character. In addition, considering different types of information about employees will permit the observation of the existence of any difference in the determinants depending on the users of this disclosure: shareholders or stakeholders (more concerned about social matters). Furthermore, using a variable to distinguish competitive companies from the rest has allowed us to see what human resources issues are relevant for competitive businesses.
Social responsibility of fish processing companies located in Portugal and Spain
Authors: Julião Weyandt Alessandra , Regina Reis da Costa Stella , Leonor Nunes Maria , Gaspar Arlene 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe present paper is part of an extensive research project conducted in various fish processing companies located in the Iberian Peninsula and its purpose is to study corporate social responsibility (CSR) relating to: management's perception of the CSR concept; current practice analysis of the companies studied; and proposal formulation for a company's CSR implementation plan.Design/methodology/approachThe study, done during June through October of 2009, utilized a qualitative method. The data were acquired through questionnaires, industry visits, interviews and management manuals.FindingsThe results indicate a strong inclination toward a management of quality control, food security and environment with lower priority given to social responsibility. The results also suggest that the CSR concept is not fully understood among the companies studied.Research limitations/implicationsThe study was conducted at five fish processing companies. Caution is required in generalizing these results to other fish companies located in other countries.Practical implicationsIn view of the positive results in the areas of economic (quality control and food safety) and environmental management the next step would be to become socially responsible by developing its social resources (work safety, health, and a polity of human rights).Originality/valueThe study provides an analysis of fish processing companies that have already implemented an integrated management system which includes a well defined and ample concept of CSR. This type of study has not been done before to the best knowledge of the authors.
The active role of children as consumers
Authors: Ironico Simona 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThis article seeks to make a critical contribution to the contemporary debate on the active role of children as consumers, exploring the different meanings children confer on consumer goods and spaces in retail settings.Design/methodology/approachA total of 60 children were unobtrusively observed in ten Italian apparel stores.FindingsChildren tend to subvert the stores' possible uses and symbolizations by actively re‐appropriating the meanings of products, promotional stimuli and spaces through play.Practical implicationsThe analysis of children's lived experience of commercial spaces enables retailers to adjust the stores' environment to children's demands, recognising their role as active meaning creators.Originality/valueThe playful re‐appropriation of spaces, products and promotional stimuli emerged as a mechanism through which children learn to consume, reinforcing their knowledge and attitudes about retail settings, products and brands.
Self‐control and perceived physical risk in an extreme sport
Authors: Dean Dwane H. 
Published: March 2012

PurposeA recent discovery related to risk behavior is the finding that neurobiological development of impulse control in young people greatly lags that of cognitive evaluation of risk. This suggests that self‐control could be an important variable in risk perception. The goal of the present study is investigation of the relationship between self‐control and perceived physical risk to self in off‐road motorcycling.Design/methodology/approachConsistent with the age range in which the developmental lag between impulse control and cognitive evaluation of risk occurs, a sample of subjects aged 18‐24 was chosen. All respondents reported at least some experience in off‐road motorcycling. Subjects filled‐out paper and pencil questionnaires addressing perceived physical risk to themselves, level of experience in the sport, relative skill, expected fun, level of self‐control, and estimated risk for an average other participant in dirt‐biking.FindingsSelf‐control exhibited a significant, inverse correlation with perceived risk to self, and this variable had a significant negative regression coefficient in multiple regression predicting risk to self. Also, self‐control was found to have little correlation to other predicting variables, suggesting that it exerts a relatively unique influence on risk to self.Research limitations/implicationsData were not collected within a field setting and respondents did not experience the vibrancy of emotions of the live sport or the social influence of other bikers. This may have diminished the effects of these factors on perceived risk.Practical implicationsA non‐significant correlation was found for skill and perceived risk to self, suggesting that prospective participants in the sport might not let their initial lack of skill deter them from the activity. Additionally, expected fun increased with increasing experience, suggesting that participants are self‐motivated to repeat the activity.Originality/valueSelf‐control has received no apparent attention as a factor influencing perceived risk in sport. Findings from the present study suggest that this variable has a strong influence, at least in young people.
Decision‐making styles of young consumers in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Authors: Anić Ivan‐Damir , Rajh Edo , Bevanda Arnela 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate decision‐making styles of young consumers in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It aims to test the applicability of Sproles and Kendall's Consumer Style Inventory (CSI). The paper also aims to segment young consumers based on their decision‐making styles (CDMS), profile consumer segments, and explore differences in gender and household income among segments.Design/methodology/approachData were collected by means of a self‐administered survey. The sample consists of 600 young consumers from 18‐24 years of age, students from two large universities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Data were analyzed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, Cronbach's alpha coefficients; K‐means cluster analysis, Chi‐square test, and two‐proportion z‐test.FindingsFactor analysis identified 20 items and six CDMS factor solution. The results further indicate that young consumers in Bosnia and Herzegovina might be classified in five segments according to their decision‐making styles. Young males were shown to be impartial, middle ground consumers, while females were more hedonistic‐oriented consumers. There were no significant differences in household income among segments.Originality/valueThe paper provides an empirical evidence of applicability of Sproles and Kendall's CSI instrument in the case of young consumers in developing transitional economy. The study shows that the CSI instrument might be used as a tool for segmenting and profiling young consumers in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and thus it enriches CDMS literature.
The impact of teenagers' gender and product importance on family decisions to purchase game consoles in Malaysia
Authors: Fikry Amily , Reeza Bustami Mohd 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the extent of teenagers' influence on family purchase decision of the video game console.Design/methodology/approachThe paper analyzes the significant impact of teenagers' gender and product importance toward their family purchase decision of the video game console. Altogether, 150 respondents (comprising school‐aged teenagers) participated in this survey. Various marketing strategies are suggested to market the video game console to the specific market segment, thus fulfilling these teenagers' wants toward the video game console.FindingsThis research discovers some significant differences between the teenagers' gender and product importance toward their family purchase decision of the video game console. Therefore, there is a need for marketers and managers to understand what these teenagers want. Only then can these marketers be able to direct their marketing strategies to fulfill this teenager segment.Research limitations/implicationsResults are limited to practitioners involved in the electronic games and education industries only.Practical implicationsManagerial implication suggests several strategies to market the game console to these teenagers, with a great emphasis on the impact of technological means toward this particular market.Originality/valueNew approaches are proposed as a means to market electronic games to the teenager segment. A majority of the studies on the game console as one of a number of electronic games have focused on the USA, UK and Japanese markets; thus, there is a lack of studies that focus on the game console in the Malaysian market, which may be due to an underestimation of this young consumer sector.
Parks as business opportunities and development strategies
Authors: Mani Maryam , Mehdi Hosseini Seyed , Ramayah T. 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe aim of this study is to identify factors that users find important in their use of the neighborhood park (to evaluate design of the neighborhood park from the view point of users) and to consider the impact of well designed neighborhood parks on business strategy compared to the traditional view.Design/methodology/approachThe population of this study was drawn from park users and neighborhood residents. Park visitors were conveniently sampled through an intercept survey method form. Taman Sri Nibong Park is one of the biggest neighborhood parks in Pulau Pinang. A total of 173 questionnaires were returned. The data were analyzed through the use of descriptive statistics.FindingsBy knowing the needs and preferences of visitors and neighborhood residents, the present study concludes that more efforts should be made to include certain qualities in designing neighborhood areas to attract more visitors and investors. Related to the effectiveness of design on park users' perceptions and preferences, this study as well as observations has found that park users perceive some elements of environmental design, like physical barriers of fences and hedges between playground and the football field, effective in protecting users from accident and injury in the park. Another suggestion, which users made was for more supervisors to be in the park or playground to take care of the children while they use the equipment.Research limitations/implicationsThe current study is limited in its scope because of the need to complete the study within a limited time and budget. Future studies are needed to explore how design strategies of Neighborhood Parks can satisfy urban neighborhood populations and also support social business development. The directions for future research are identified as more research should be conducted in this regard and more neighborhood parks should be considered allowing for comparison among them.Practical implicationsThis research would enable landscape architects and environmental designers as well as business and community developers to match specific developmental goals of urban neighborhood environmental planning. It can influence business strategies to attract more investment by the community developer, and also this new approach can influence the future of the society and its sustainability.Originality/valueThe paper challenges the traditional view of parks as places that only incur social expense to a new perception that views them as revenue and social business places.
Transaction costs in finance and accounting offshore outsourcing: a case of Malaysia
Authors: Aman Aini , Hamzah Noradiva , Amiruddin Rozita , Maelah Ruhanita 
Published: March 2012

PurposeFinance and accounting (FA) offshore outsourcing is a growing trend involving a relocation of business processes to Asia but only few studies focus on understanding the issues that underlie the relocation of FA services. This paper aims to provide understanding of transaction costs economics (TCE) issues in FA offshore outsourcing using a case study of the Malaysia outsourcing industry which is growing and experiencing significant change.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses a qualitative case study approach. Interviews cover several foreign firms, which are based in Malaysia and involved in FA offshore outsourcing services worldwide. Interviews also include related regulatory bodies in Malaysia.FindingsUsing TCE and management control theoretical framework, findings indicate issues and challenges faced by the firms and the need for contract management skills to mitigate the issues.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is limited to a broad discussion of FA offshore outsourcing, TCE and contract management but it could be a basis for future studies on specific issues of managing attrition in FA offshore outsourcing. This study contributes to prior works in TCE and FA offshore outsourcing by establishing controls to minimise costs at contact, contract and control stage. Specifically, this study emphasises contract management such as negotiating contract and using long‐term contractual arrangement.Practical implicationsThis study not only identifies TCE issues in offshore FA outsourcing, but also provides suggestions for minimising transaction costs. For example, firms should consider the type of transaction costs involved and plan for appropriate contract management to mitigate the costs.Originality/valueThere is no study yet that discusses in‐depth the issues of TCE in FA offshore outsourcing especially in Malaysia and the need for contract management in mitigating such issues.
CEO perspective
Authors: Harper Kelly D. , Sriram Ven 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to share the perspective of CEO and Vice Chairman of Hexaware Technologies, P.R. Chandrasekar, while exploring the question, “Does South Asia matter?”Design/methodology/approachThe paper followed an interview format and utilized P.R. Chandrasekar's responses to guide and inform the discussion on South Asia.FindingsThis paper found that South Asia does matter, and always has.Originality/valueThis paper offers the perspective of a CEO of a multinational corporation with global experience and vast knowledge of the South Asian region. His first‐hand experiences add much value to the discussion on South Asia.