bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Building the requisite capacity for stewardship and sustainable development
Authors: Kevany Kathleen D. 
Published: April 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a menu of instruction methods for educators to increase engagement in sustainable practices. The paper also aims to assist those increasing the understanding of education for sustainable development, to the power of two‐EfSD2, through research and teaching.Design/methodology/approachThis paper provides a descriptive and analytical approach to the field of education for sustainable development. It includes a review of the relevant literature on stewardship and sustainable practices.FindingsThe paper provides a succinct summary of gaps to and remedies for sustainable development. It offers a comprehensive explanation of eight distinct approaches to education for sustainable development.Practical implicationsThe application of EfSD2 methods described in this paper have been found to increase productive results through enabling learners to grapple with and create solutions for real life sustainability problems. The paper proposes a more thorough testing of the various educational methods to assess their effectiveness in increasing sustainable practices.Originality/valueAs far as the author is aware, this paper is the first to compile this “tool kit” for EfSD2. It offers the reader new ways to interpret older techniques along with a plethora of instructional methods not previously consolidated to advance stewardship and sustainable practices.
The role of environmental engineering education in sustainable development in Iran
Authors: Alavi Moghaddam M.R. , Taher‐shamsi A. , Maknoun R. 
Published: April 2007

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to explain the strategies and activities of a main technical University in Iran (Amirkabir University of Technology (AUT)) toward sustainable development goals.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper, three main strategies of AUT to achieve sustainable developments goals in engineering education are explained. In addition, the main obstacles of these programs including the budget limitation for implementation of main activities related to sustainable development and difficulties in official procedure for the change of educational system is also explained.FindingsThe study of strategies and activities of a university can provide useful information for other universities (especially in developing countries) that like to promote their activities toward sustainable development goals. According to the final results, international education of engineering students and teachers, especially those who are living in developing countries, have an important role in promoting their environmentally aware attitudes, skills and behavior patterns help their societies make the transition to sustainable development.Practical implicationsAs earlier mentioned, these experiences are useful for the universities that like to promote their education system toward sustainable development. In addition, it is necessary to think about solving the main obstacle of these activities especially in the universities of developing countries. Further, action should be taken toward international cooperation of universities in order to improve their educational system, which will be suitable for the new millennium.Originality/valueThis paper describes the strategies, activities and main obstacles of a main technical University that has adopted the strategy “pioneer of sustainable development” in Iran for the next decade. The paper mainly focuses on experiences regarding these activities.
A methodology for teaching industrial ecology
Authors: Cervantes Gemma 
Published: April 2007

PurposeTo describe a way of teaching industrial ecology (IE) and to show some tools that may help for the IE teaching.Design/methodology/approachIn the paper, the development of lectures, practical lessons and projects on real industrial ecosystems are described. Also the teaching materials used are described.FindingsThe presented methodology for teaching IE has been a good means for the understanding of the IE concept. Some of the educational tools presented have helped the students to increase their awareness of the distance between IE and the real industrial field, discover that there are a lot of by‐product exchange possibilities between industries, to develop their creativity, to connect the theory to practice in the industrial systems and have encouraged them to try to put the IE ideas into practice. This methodology has been useful for either small or big groups and for people with either the same or very different backgrounds. And it has been observed that the quality of the work is enhanced when the members of the group have different backgrounds.Practical implicationsThe paper shows methodologies and tools that may encourage and help other teachers/professors to use them in their IE lessons. It may also help IE researches to know which real examples and methodologies help students to understand IE concept. This could encourage them to develop projects and research in those directions.Originality/valueThe paper fulfils the need of knowing real experiences in IE teaching and their results. And in special, experiences that have been tested for a long period of time and with a great number of students. All the experiences described in the paper have been created and put into practice by the author.
Adoption of sustainable development schemes and behaviours in Italy
Authors: Kühtz Silvana 
Published: April 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate issues and concerns associated with sustainable development (SD) in Italy for different stakeholders, with a focus on the role of education. Cognitive maps for 49 individuals living in Italy have been developed and their differences analyzed and discussed with the aim of designing a seminar to foster mental and natural ecology and create awareness for SD ethics and values.Design/methodology/approachCognitive maps are used to delve into the concept of SD in Italy and to investigate what actions are needed to implement it. Respondents were asked separately to talk about their idea of SD.FindingsThe 49 interviews showed that all the actors consider fundamental the role of education, culture and way of thinking for the implementation of SD. An appropriate seminar has been designed as an educational process that completes the formal knowledge provided at school.Practical implicationsActions for future actions are indicated, i.e. to undertake the designed seminar in a local community in Italy as a pilot study and to promote it to administrations, companies, and groups.Originality/valueThe majority of the interviews express an explicit sense of resignation and cynicism as regards SD in action, but 41 out of 49 when showed the designed seminar declared the intention to attend it. This paper fulfils the need to have practical tools to reframe the way we think about the world and SD and act for it. Also, it gives a look at the concerns associated to SD and barriers to action in Italy.
Effects of working capital management on SME profitability
Authors: Juan García‐Teruel Pedro , Martínez‐Solano Pedro 
Published: April 2007

PurposeThe object of the research presented in this paper is to provide empirical evidence on the effects of working capital management on the profitability of a sample of small and medium‐sized Spanish firms.Design/methodology/approachThe authors have collected a panel of 8,872 small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) covering the period 1996‐2002. The authors tested the effects of working capital management on SME profitability using the panel data methodology.FindingsThe results, which are robust to the presence of endogeneity, demonstrate that managers can create value by reducing their inventories and the number of days for which their accounts are outstanding. Moreover, shortening the cash conversion cycle also improves the firm's profitability.Originality/valueThis work contributes to the literature in two ways. First, no previous such evidence exists for the case of SMEs. Second, unlike previous studies, in the current work robust test have been conducted for the possible presence of endogeneity problems. The aim is to ensure that the relationships found in the analysis carried out are due to the effects of the cash conversion cycle on corporate profitability and not vice versa.
Global valuation of equity: one market correcting another
Authors: Madura Jeff , Richie Nivine 
Published: April 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to assess the pricing of stocks that are traded on both a US stock exchange and a non‐US stock exchange to determine whether interaction exists between the two exchanges.Design/methodology/approachThis article identifies extreme price movements of stocks (winners and losers) in the non‐US stock exchanges that also trade as American depository receipts (ADRs) in the US market, and measure the US market response. Also identifies extreme price movements of stocks (winners and losers) in the US stock exchanges that also trade in the non‐US markets, and measure the non‐US market response.FindingsFinds a significant reversal of winners and losers in the US market, which suggests that the US market attempts to correct the pricing in non‐US markets. Also finds that extreme ADR price movements in the US markets are followed by corrections in the non‐US market.Research limitations/implicationsMarket participants appear to monitor unusual stock price movements that just occurred in other markets, and correct for unusual price movements that cannot be rationalized. Such activity in global markets expedites the process by which price discrepancies are corrected. The evidence also suggests that the cost of equity in one market can be influenced by the actions of investors in another market.Originality/valueThis study of non‐US stocks that are cross‐listed in the US in the form of ADRs allows us to examine the interaction of pricing in a stock's local market with pricing in the US market.
Energy sector management issues: an overview
Authors: Bhattacharyya Subhes C. 
Published: April 2007

PurposeThe objective of the paper is to put the energy sector challenges in perspective and to provide a general understanding of sector management issues.Design/methodology/approachThe paper follows an analytic‐deductive method to analyse the issues using existing literature as the source of information. Starting with an analysis of the evolution of the sector, the paper identifies various present and future challenges facing the sector and indicates the management issues that could emerge.FindingsAs future developments are shaped by the past and present, it is important to identify and understand the drivers that could bring profound changes. The dynamic nature of the sector brings new challenges and a better understanding of the present issues could help prepare for the future.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper focuses on the broad, generic coverage of the issues and is not intended to provide country specific or industry specific issues and challenges.Originality/valueThe paper presents the multi‐dimensional interactions of the energy sector and offers an analysis of the multitude of sector management issues.
Sino‐Indian cooperation in the search for overseas petroleum resources
Authors: Nandakumar J. 
Published: April 2007

PurposeIn the past few years Indian companies witnessed competition from their Chinese counterparts in acquiring overseas petroleum resources. In an attempt to avoid competition with each other the two governments have taken various measures, which finally led to the two countries signing a Memorandum of Understanding for energy cooperation especially for joint overseas bidding for exploration and production. Although the Indian side perceives the cooperation effort as a major breakthrough in avoiding Chinese competition in the overseas energy arena, it appears to be of limited prospects to India in terms of acquiring overseas petroleum assets or exploration and production contracts. The purpose of this paper is to examine the prospects and implication for India in the overseas energy cooperation with China.Design/methodology/approachThe paper analyses the strategy which China is pursuing, in order to maximise its gains and outmanoeuvre India in the overseas energy asset biddings.FindingsThe main findings of the paper show that competition would be the prevailing factor in their interaction in overseas energy search.Research limitations/implicationsWhile there are many potential areas of cooperation between India and China, this paper focuses only on their cooperation to jointly procure energy fields in order to evaluate the likely prospects and implications for India.Originality/valueThis paper is original work based on facts and information regarding energy cooperation between India and China. The paper offers an analysis of India‐China interaction in the overseas energy arena, and the prospects and implications of cooperation to India.
An account of the experiences of 51 families involved in an initial child protection conference
Authors: Bell Margaret 
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACTThis paper reports on one part of a research project, funded by the Nuffield Foundation, to evaluate the effects of involving parents in 83 initial child protection conferences in a northern city between May 1991 and June 1992. The experiences of two groups of families are recounted and compared, those who attended the conferences and those who did not An analysis was made of the degree to which the parent's participation in the conference affected their overall attitude to the intervention. There were differences between the two groups with regard to their feeling fairly treated, and in their relationship with their social worker. The factors most strongly associated with attitude were whether the child had been removed from the family or statutory action was recommended, and whether the parents agreed abuse had taken place. The fear of removal of the child had an independent influence on the overall attitude, irrespective of whether or not the parents attended the conference. The parents who attended were glad they had gone but found the experience emotionally difficult Although their positive feelings of involvement did not extend to a conviction that they had influenced the decisions, their on‐going relationship with their social worker was less likely to have been impaired where they had been invited and attended.
Parental competence and the welfare of the child: issues for those who work with parents with learning difficulties and their children. A response to Booth and Booth
Authors: Schofield Gillian 
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACTThe parental competence of parents with learning difficulties is discussed by Booth and Booth as if it was separable from consideration of the welfare of their children. The author responds by arguing that The Children Act 1989 requires a focus on the welfare of the child and any debate about parenting must take this into account. The Act also imposes a statutory duty on local authorities to promote the upbringing of children by their families. If parents with learning difficulties need help to carry out some of their parental responsibilities, they have the right to expect services which are sensitive to their needs. Their children, however, must also have rights to help, care and protection where this is needed, as other children have. The author argues for an integrated approach to work with parents with learning difficulties and their children, in which the welfare of the children is seen as the proper concern of all parties.
Children whose parents misuse alcohol: a study of services and needs
Authors: Hill Malcolm , Laybourn Ann , Brown Jane 
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACTDespite the fact that many children are affected by parental alcohol misuse, both services and research have largely concentrated on adults. Recently, projects have been set up to assist children, but developments have been piecemeal. This article reports on a qualitative study which learned directly from children, their parents and some young adults what they saw as the effects on children of excessive drinking by one or both parents. The most common consequences were distress at witnessing violence to the other parent or to the home; verbal abuse towards the children; feelings of shame; and taking on caring and protective roles. However, the children were not passive victims and usually took active steps to tackle the drinking or modify its impact Those in the sample usually had at least one family member who helped them and was trusted. Nevertheless, many wished they could meet with others in the same position, so they could feel less isolated and learn from each other. The need was identified for access to a network of services with group work, individual counselling, family mediation and educational components.
Analysis of paranasal sinus development and anatomical variations: a CT genetic study in twins
Authors: Chaiyasate S. , Baron I. , Clement P. 
Published: April 2007

Objective:  To determine if anatomical variations in the paranasal sinuses of twins are the result of genetic or environmental influences.Study design:  A prospective, observational study.Setting:  An academic hospital in Brussels, Belgium.Participants:  Twenty‐five volunteer twins (17 identical twins and eight non‐identical twins). Of the identical twins, six were both female and 11 both male. The mean age was 40.6 years (18–49). Of the non‐identical twins, one pair was female and seven were male. The mean age was 39.6 years (25–48).Main outcome measures:  The CT‐scan similarity in anatomical structures (frontal cells, agger nasi cells, concha bullosa, infraorbital cells and changes in the shape of the lamina orbitalis), and the intranasal and paranasal sinus morphology was compared between the twins.Results:  Among the studied variables, there was no statistically significant difference between the two twin groups (Fisher's exact test, P > 0.05). Regarding combine‐studied parameters, there were no identical CT scans in the twins. However, a tendency of non‐genetic influence existed in the development of frontal cell type III and IV, and infraorbital cells, as well as a liability of genetic influence in the presence of concha bullosa.Conclusion:  In this study, the differences in anatomical structure of the paranasal sinuses between identical and non‐identical twin pairs were not statistically significant. This indicates that environmental factors are more significant than genetic ones in the development of anatomical variations in paranasal sinus anatomy.
Education qualification levels and school careers of unilateral versus bilateral hearing aid users
Authors: Beijen J. , Mylanus E.A.M. , Snik A.F.M. 
Published: April 2007

Objective:  Analyse the difference in school careers and secondary school qualification levels between unilateral hearing aid users and bilateral hearing aid users.Study design:  Retrospective questionnaire study.Setting:  Postal‐based questionnaire.Participants:  Names of adults known to have been fitted with unilateral or bilateral hearing aids during childhood were retrieved. This resulted in 292 names. Participants were selected using the following criteria: availability of the medical record, presence of bilateral hearing loss, completed secondary school education, normal IQ and a minimum aided word‐recognition score of 70% at 10 years of age. The questionnaire was sent to 50 potential participants of whom 40 responded, resulting in two groups comprising 19 unilateral and 21 bilateral hearing aid users.Methods:  A questionnaire was developed to obtain data on secondary school levels and aspects of the school careers, such as type of schools attended (mainstream versus special), repeating a school year and additional assistance (speech and language therapy, personal frequency modulation systems).Main outcome measures:  Comparison of the benefit of bilateral hearing aid fitting versus unilateral hearing aid fitting on secondary school qualification level, type of school the children attended, class failure and additional assistance used.Results:  The group of bilaterally fitted hearing aid users eventually completed secondary school at a superior level than the unilaterally fitted users. 33% of binaural hearing aid users achieved qualifications giving access to a bachelors degree compared with 21% of unilateral users. There were no differences between those fitted with unilateral and bilateral hearing aids in the type of schools attended, repeating a school year and additional assistance.Conclusions:  The bilateral hearing aid users obtained superior secondary school qualifications than the unilateral users but their school careers were comparable.
Quinsy treated by aspiration: the volume of pus at initial aspiration is an accurate predictor of the need for subsequent re‐aspiration
Authors: Viljoen M. , Loock J.W. 
Published: April 2007

Objective:  The aim of this study was to determine an accurate indicator of the need for second aspiration of peritonsillar abscesses the day after initial aspiration.Setting:  A tertiary otolaryngology care centre.Participants:  Fifty patients aged between 11 and 49 years with suspected peritonsillar abscess.Study design:  A prospective case series.Outcome measures:  The potential indicators investigated included volume of pus at initial aspiration and clinical indicators suggesting persistent pus (dysphagia, odynophagia and trismus). The outcome measure was the presence of pus at subsequent aspiration.Results:  A linear correlation was found between volume of first aspirate and presence of pus on re‐aspiration (r = 0.9753). A volume of pus <3 mL on initial aspiration accurately predicted <0.5 mL pus on re‐aspiration. Sixty‐four per cent (32) patients had 3 mL or more pus on initial aspiration and in all there was at least 1 mL or more pus on second aspiration. Clinical indicators correlated less well, with a average coefficient on first aspiration of 0.62 and on second aspiration of 0.35.Conclusion:  The volume of pus on initial aspiration is a very reliable indicator in assessing the need for re‐aspiration of peritonsillar abscesses. If 3 mL or more of pus are aspirated on the first occasion these patients should be seen the next day and have a further aspiration. Clinical symptoms and signs are not useful indicators.