bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
UK emergency preparedness: a holistic response?
Authors: O'Brien Geoff 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to argue that to address the consequences of climate change and variability a greater focus on pre‐emergency planning that engages a wider stakeholder group must be adopted.Design/methodology/approachThe paper discusses UK emergency management and approaches to climate change and climate variability risk.FindingsThe internal focus of UK emergency management inhibits the contribution that it can make to societal resilience and public preparedness. Effective risk reduction requires that all actors, including the public, are engaged in the social learning process. From a UK emergency management perspective this requires a culture shift to an outward proactive focus.Originality/valueThis paper offers insights into emergency preparedness in the UK.
A theoretical perspective of man‐made system disasters
Authors: Tarn J. Michael , Wen H. Joseph , Shih Stephen C. 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study major man‐made system disasters and to suggest a solution for filling the noted gaps in control systems interfaces and to render those vital considerations for the next‐generation disaster management control systems.Design/methodology/approachThis research analyzes the nature of large‐scale disasters and observes that most man‐made system disasters are composed of many related events that interact with one another.FindingsThe findings show evidence of a common path to catastrophe. These functional failures resulted from the information gaps that eventually contribute to the development of a tragedy. Because of the intricate interconnections among related events of a developed calamity, an integrated approach to man‐made disaster detection and prevention as well as emergency management is required.Practical implicationsConducting an analysis of the typical contingency control structures, the authors suggest that disaster or emergency managers adopt a pessimistic and quasi‐intelligent orientation to monitor and control critical systems.Originality/valueThis research presents a generic threat‐driven disaster management control system design with advanced model bases and decision support technologies to enhance conventional disaster management control systems and to supplement management responses so that the sphere and magnitude of damage can be minimized.
Tsunami early warning system (EWS) and its integration within the chain of seismic safety
Authors: Davis Ian , Izadkhah Yasamin O. 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to provide a broad overview of the South Asian tsunami in relation to the development of the early warning system (EWS) as well as its integration within the seismic safety chain.Design/methodology/approachThe paper focuses on social and administrative aspects that require detailed attention as key elements within the overall system. The observations grow from experience gained by Ian Davis from working on the UK IDNDR Flagship project Warnings and Forecasts from 1996‐9 and from participation in the Working Group advising Prime Minister, Tony Blair, on the development of warnings in preparation for the G8 meeting held in Scotland in June 2005.FindingsThe conclusions of the paper grow from variety of experiences that both the authors have gained in working for many years in the field of disaster management. A number of requirements emerge from the experience such as specific administrative measures, political will, scientific knowledge and the development of tsunami safety culture.Practical implicationsThe paper provides an overview of some of the social and administrative measures needed to enable scientific warnings to be disseminated and applied at every level to protect people and their property.Originality/valueThe message of this paper is an attempt to stress the importance of the totality of an effective warning system. At present, the scientific side has secured vital attention. But this has to be complemented with the social and administrative elements on which all scientific detection depends. The authors argue that these neglected safety elements require urgent attention if a full safety system is to function effectively.
A hard habit to break? A role for substance use education in the new millennium
Authors: Aldridge Judith 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to introduce the five papers comprising this special issue on post‐millennium trends in young people's substance use in the UK. The positions taken by the authors of each of the papers in the issue are compared with respect to their conclusions on how best to reduce harmful outcomes for young people in relation to their substance use, and what role exists for health education in this process.Design/methodology/approachThe approach takes the form of a narrative review of the papers in the issue.FindingsAcross substances (alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs), the authors identify slight downward trends in population prevalence of use by adolescents and young adults since 2000. This downward trend follows some fairly steep rises during the 1990s, resulting in levels of use remaining historically relatively high. The importance of global and demographic changes is identified as being important in understanding the (arguably somewhat limited) scope for changing youthful behaviour. The different recommendations for how to reduce harmful outcomes for young people are discussed: modifying the context/environment of use (for alcohol and tobacco), drugs treatment (for drug‐using offenders), tackling inequality and disadvantage (for heroin and crack cocaine).Practical implicationsTwo key roles for health educators are identified: first, supporting mechanisms already known to be effective in reducing use/harmful use such as smoke‐free environments; second, providing an “expert” source of information used by the vast majority of young people who both want and require this on their lifelong health and drug “journeys”. Health education should have a harm reduction role; measuring success in terms of reducing population prevalence of substance use may be inappropriate and unrealistic.Originality/valueImportant insights are gained into substance use trends by young people when UK trends are set alongside international trends, and when all the psychoactive substances consumed are considered together.
Decline but no fall?
Authors: Aldridge Judith 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe trends since 2000 in young people's use of illegal/illicit drugs in Britain, and to place these into a longer‐term context alongside recent theorising on youthful drug taking. The implications for health educators are to be examined.Design/methodology/approachA selective narrative review of published data and theory forms the approach.FindingsA steady rise in the prevalence of youthful drug taking in Britain from the 1960s was followed by a sharper rise from 1990 to an all‐time peak in the middle of that decade. Rates have not quite returned to this peak since, and from 2000 onwards have declined steadily, though from a historically high level. By 2006/2007, roughly one in five younger adolescents, and one in four older adolescents and young adults, has taken an illegal/illicit drug in the past year. In spite of changes over the past two decades, youthful drug taking in Britain over this period is characterised by considerable continuity. Gender and socio‐economic differences in drug taking over this period have remained roughly stable, but changes may be under way in relation to differences by ethnic background.Practical implicationsIn Britain, levels of youthful drug taking remain at historically relatively high levels, with recent decreases at least in part probably due to a cohort effect of the drug‐involved generation who were teenagers in the 1990s moving into their 30s. Drugs education is not the likely cause of the post‐2000 downward trend. Drug “journeys” and the pursuit of pleasure are important considerations for health educators who aim their messages at the majority of young people whose drug use is not seriously problematic, and who are proactive when they do experience problems.Originality/valueThis paper calls for health educators also to focus on the majority of youthful drug use that is relatively unproblematic for young people. These young people require information as they make adjustments in their behaviour, and their needs may sometimes be ignored in favour of those with problematic drug use.
Youth, heroin, crack: a review of recent British trends
Authors: Seddon Toby 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review the research evidence on recent British trends in the use of heroin and/or crack‐cocaine by young people in order to appraise the scale and nature of the contemporary health problem they pose.Design/methodology/approachThe approach consists of a narrative review of the main current data sources on young people's drug use.FindingsUse of heroin or crack‐cocaine is rare in Britain in the general population of young people and is concentrated more amongst young adults than adolescents. There is some evidence for associations between use of these drugs and socio‐economic disadvantages, although the links are complex. There may be fruitful connections to be made between drug policy and public health strategies for tackling health inequalities.Practical implicationsEmbedding responses to young people's heroin/crack use within mainstream strategies to tackle health inequalities may be mutually beneficial to both policy agendas.Originality/valueSituating in its proper evidential context the emotive issue of young people's use of what are believed to be the most dangerous illicit drugs, and appraising these data from a public health perspective, may lead to a more realistic and appropriate research and policy response.
Identifying and preventing health problems among young drug‐misusing offenders
Authors: Bennett Trevor , Holloway Katy 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the health problems and treatment needs of drug‐misusing offenders and to draw out the implications of the findings for health education and prevention.Design/methodology/approachThis analysis is based on data collected as part of the New English and Welsh Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring (NEW‐ADAM) programme. The survey was based on interviews and urine sample collection with over 3,000 arrestees.FindingsThe research found that young arrestees experienced a wide range of drug‐related and general health problems. The implications of this are discussed in the context of programmes implemented as part of the government's drug strategy.Originality/valueThe NEW‐ADAM surveys provide an original source of information on the drug and general health needs of young people at the first point of entry in the criminal justice system.
If you aspire to be a great place to work, you've set the bar too low
Authors: Finney Martha I. 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThis paper outlines the attributes that contribute to making companies, the best to work for.Design/methodology/approachViews and opinions of the authorFindingsIt may be possible for employers to achieve greater harmony by shifting the focus from becoming a great place to attracting great employees and treating them with honor and respect once they sign on with you. They may give you the moon in return.Originality/valueHighlights the importance of considering employees as interacting components of the business.
Employee engagement – completely
Authors: Townsend Patrick , Gebhardt Joan 
Published: April 2008

PurposeLooks at how the world has changed in terms of providing goods and services and what that means to the employees providing themDesign/methodology/approachExamines how a complete quality process can encourage employee engagement.FindingsA complete quality process takes concentration and times: surprisingly little time. The elapsed time between the decision to pursue this option and a fully implemented system with measurable, bottom‐line benefits was eight months in one instance and six months in the other. And the improvement in morale was equally strikingOriginality/valueEmployees generally refer to their place of work as “my company” when they are at home. Taking advantage of that natural feeling of ownership by extending trust and empowerment to all employees and giving them the means to be engaged in the continual improvement of everything the organization does is in the best interest of the employer, the employees, and their customers.
Leader member exchange and the use of moderating conflict management styles
Authors: Green Connie 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between the styles of conflict management and the quality of dyadic exchanges between leader and follower, controlling for age, gender, education, and organizational tenure.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology was quantitative and incorporated the Rahim Organizational Conflict Inventory‐II and Leader‐Member Exchange Version 7 survey instruments.FindingsThere were significant findings with respect to quality of dyadic relationship and use of conflict management styles. The lower the dyadic relationship quality, the more moderating styles are introduced into the relationship.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitations of the study were: participants were selected by the vice president of human resources for this international company and were limited to current US employees; the study was limited to one company, thereby limiting the ability to generalize study findings; and the study focused on correlational data, and made no attempt to address the cause and effect issues related to conflict, conflict management, leader‐member exchange, or leadership.Originality/valueThe value of this study is its original contribution to the research literature, as no previous studies which incorporated both conflict management and leader‐follower relationship quality could be found during the exhaustive literature review.
Personality, motives, and conflict strategies in everyday service encounters
Authors: Macintosh Gerrard , Stevens Charles 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThis research aims to examine the link between personality, motives, and the choice of conflict resolution strategy in a service conflict context.Design/methodology/approachParticipants' responses to a service conflict scenario were coded into strategy categories and both personality (the Big Five) and motives were measured with established scales. Differences in personality and motives across the strategies were assessed with ANOVA and the relationship between personality and motives was assessed with multiple‐regression.FindingsWhile the results did not show a direct relationship between personality and choice of strategy, they did indicate an indirect link through motives. The results also show that consumers used a variety of strategies based on a mix of economic and social motives.Research limitations/implicationsThe results show that social motives play an important role in business conflicts. The study also supports a multi‐level perspective of personality, where basic tendencies (the Big Five) impact characteristic adaptations (motives), which are more closely related to behavior.Practical implicationsThe results suggest that consumer behavior in dealing with conflict can be complex and that service provider cannot rely on “one best way” strategies for dealing with customers. Managers should also be sensitive to the importance that social motives play in conflict resolution, particularly the importance consumers place on fairness.Originality/valueThe paper illustrates how social motives play an important role in business conflicts.
Conflict styles of men and women at six organization levels
Authors: Thomas Kenneth W. , Fann Thomas Gail , Schaubhut Nancy 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThis study aims to provide a more detailed examination of the way conflict styles vary by organization level and gender.Design/methodology/approachThe authors drew a stratified, random sample from a national database on the Thomas‐Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument, selecting 200 fully‐employed men and 200 fully‐employed women at each of six organizational levels – from entry‐level positions to top executives. This design allowed them to test for linear and curvilinear relationships between style and organization level, as well as to compare gender differences in styles across organization levels.FindingsResults showed moderate effect sizes for both organization level and gender, with negligible interaction effects. Assertiveness (competing and collaborating) increases monotonically at progressively higher organization levels, while unassertive styles (avoiding and accommodating) decrease. Compromising shows a curvilinear relationship to organization level, decreasing at both the highest and lowest levels. The strongest gender finding was that men score significantly higher on competing at all six organization levels. Thus, there was no evidence that conflict styles of men and women converge at higher organization levels.Originality/valueThe study provides a more detailed picture of conflict style differences by organization level and gender. Among other things, these differences suggest the usefulness of multiple sets of norms for conflict style instruments and the need for conflict training and team building to take into account the typical style patterns at a given organization level.
A new look at conflict styles: goal orientation and outcome preferences
Authors: Zarankin Tal G. 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide new insights into conflict styles by examining a new set of antecedents and outcomes.Design/methodology/approachA theory is outlined and a theoretical model is presented to explain the relationship between a motivational antecedent – goal orientation – and conflict styles, and to explain the relationship between conflict styles and resolution preferences.FindingsThe paper suggests that goal orientation serves as an antecedent for subsequent conflict style. Moreover, resolution preferences vary depending on goal orientation and conflict style.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper has several implications for future research. Empirical research is needed to investigate the relationship between goal orientation and conflict styles as well as the relationship between conflict style and outcome preferences. Such research may either provide grounding to the model or generate further theory development regarding the antecedents and outcomes of conflict styles.Practical implicationsThis paper suggests that goal orientations are relatively stable but that conflict styles are relatively mutable. This suggests that if people become aware of their goal orientation, they can change their conflict style to achieve a solution that is more appropriate for their unique situation.Originality/valueThis paper fills a gap in the literature and offers a new theoretical framework as to the antecedents and outcomes of conflict styles. The paper offers a motivational explanation for conflict styles and examines resolution preferences that could predict party satisfaction with the outcome.
A hybrid knowledge‐based performance measurement system
Authors: Khurshid Khan Mohammed , Wibisono Dermawan 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to present a hybrid knowledge based (KB) – analytic hierarchy process (AHP) – gauging absence of pre‐requisite (GAP) analysis of performance measurement system (PMS) expert system (ES) model.Design/methodology/approachThe KBPMS has been developed using the rule base approach of ESs. Full details are given for the customer perspective (CP). The KBPMS considers five levels of company performance: business perspective, CP, manufacturing competitive priorities perspective, internal process perspective and resource and method availability perspective. CP model of the KBPMS system, and thereafter the complete model is summarised for the different modules. Embedded within the KB is the ability to benchmark the PMS existing in a company to assist in the improvement process.FindingsThe validation of the hybrid KBPMS was confirmed through three real applications in the manufacturing industry sector: aircraft component manufacturing, electronics manufacturing and telecommunication products manufacturing. The results of the validation exercise indicate that the present hybrid KBPMS model is a suitable decision‐making tool to assist the practitioners of PMS and provides consistent and detailed prioritised results for actions and improvements.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research work could consider a larger sample size and cover a wider range of industry types, including services industry.Originality/valueThis paper presents an original and novel approach (KB/ES coupled with AHP and gap analysis) to designing and benchmarking PMS in a manufacturing environment.
Agents and workflow engines for inter‐organizational workflows in e‐government cases
Authors: Verginadis Yiannis , Mentzas Gregoris 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe paper aims to propose a web‐based “intermediation hybrid architecture” for a workflow management system that integrates services by exploiting and combining the advantages of strict centralized topologies that use workflow engines, with totally distributed systems which use agent technologies.Design/methodology/approachThe proposed operational and technical architectures define the combination of a workflow engine and a software agent platform for the appropriate management of inter‐organizational workflow processes. The proposed system is called “hybrid intermediation portal.”FindingsThe hybrid system was used in e‐government cases for the management of cross‐border workflows that span across multiple European chambers of commerce and industry. That demonstrated the usefulness of the specific approach in the inter‐organizational workflow management domain.Research limitations/implicationsThe approach presented in this paper was implemented and validated in real e‐government cases that proved the advantages of the potential commercial use of the system. Several limitations were located due to the lack of a wide use of web services within governmental organizations.Practical implicationsConcerning security issues, it would be necessary to integrate appropriate security mechanisms without constraining the technical and functional characteristics of the software agents involved.Originality/valueThe contribution of the paper concerns the evolvement of the agent‐enhanced workflow management systems in order to tackle the intelligence issues and the credibility problems concerning the overall control of dispersed inter‐organizational processes.