bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The quest to improve Chinese healthcare: some fundamental issues
Authors: Lee Shiu‐hung , Ng Artie W. , Zhang Karen 
Published: July 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to reveal the problems associated with unsatisfactory delivery of services in the current healthcare system of China as experienced by patients of diverse social‐economic backgrounds, including service quality, accessibility and affordability.Design/methodology/approachSummarizing the developmental problems of China's contemporary healthcare system, this article is principally a literature review to investigate interdisciplinary issues, including the role of social medical insurance agency, continuous quality improvement and performance measurement system.FindingsThe problems associated with unsatisfactory results of the output from the current healthcare system include the level of quality of services, accessibility and affordability, experienced by the patients of various social economic backgrounds. Developing an integrated system to provide adequate performance measurement complementary with the existing compliance emphasis is suggested, in order to uphold a continuous improvement initiative.Research limitations/implicationsThis article is based on interdisciplinary literature review, examining current problems in China's healthcare system and qualitative analysis of the phenomenon. No data are collected to examine the problems identified. In‐depth, ethnographic studies would enable further understanding about the hurdles in the development of a quality healthcare system.Practical implicationsProvides a practical framework for stakeholders to develop an integrated performance measurement system to rationalize resource allocation process that enhances continuous quality improvement.Originality/valueThis paper suggests the adoption of an approach of management science in dealing with China's healthcare system problems and that some fundamental issues found to be critical in developed countries' experience, when striving for performance improvement are not attained under China's current healthcare system. Explores the fundamental issues pertinent to China's current healthcare system and the possible use of performance measurement system for dealing with existing deficiencies.
Migrating registered nurses in the UK: Black and minority ethnic overseas nurses' perspectives
Authors: Alexis Obrey , Vydelingum Vasso 
Published: July 2007

PurposeThe purpose of the study is to explore, describe and develop a greater understanding of overseas Black and minority ethnic nurses' experiences of, as well as the impact of, their experiences on the quality and service delivery in the UK's NHS.Design/methodology/approachPhenomenology was adopted to explore overseas nurses' experiences. Twelve face‐to‐face interviews were completed and all participants involved were interviewed in their homes. Participants originated from Asia, Africa and the Caribbean.FindingsFindings revealed five themes such as building ties, reflecting on experience, moving on, reduced confidence and lack of support.Practical implicationsDespite negative experiences, participants indicated that time working in the NHS was useful and contributed towards their development. In recruiting and retaining overseas nurses in the UK NHS, it is important to address their needs – demonstrating NHS commitment to a diverse workforce with ultimate effects on patients' care.Originality/valueThis article shows that some overseas nurses are unhappy in the clinical environment and as a consequence they decide to seek alternative workplaces where they feel that they may be valued.
Conceptualizing moral literacy
Authors: Tuana Nancy 
Published: July 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to provide an overview of the fundamental elements of moral literacy. Moral literacy involves three basic components: ethics sensitivity; ethical reasoning skills; and moral imagination. It is the contention of the author that though math and reading literacy is highly valued by the American educational system, moral literacy is extremely undervalued and under‐developed.Design/methodology/approachIn this study the author uses her vast knowledge of moral literacy to break the subject matter into specific and defined sub‐categories. She then explains each sub‐category explicitly using real‐life examples to assist the reader in understanding the gravity and meaning behind each separate facet of moral literacy.FindingsMoral literacy is a skill that must be crafted and honed by students, and with the aid of teachers who are well‐versed in moral subject matter. It is a complex and multifaceted skill set that is interconnected and must therefore be learned completely in order to be used properly. Teaching students about moral literacy is truly necessary if schools wish to produce productive and responsible citizens.Originality/valueThe study furthers our understanding of moral literacy and how it can play an absolutely vital role in our educational system. The paper not only explains what moral literacy is on a theoretical level, but it puts that theory into specific examples so that the reader can more clearly understand the benefits of acting in a morally literate fashion.
Leadership and moral literacy in intercultural schools
Authors: Walker Allan , Haiyan Qian , Shuangye Chen 
Published: July 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore what developing moral literacy for leaders in intercultural schools will mean.Design/methodology/approachRelevant literature on moral literacy, leadership, intercultural schools and social learning is brought together and integrated to develop an understanding of the intricacies of leading for moral literacy.FindingsThe foundation for developing moral literacy in intercultural schools requires leaders to become knowledgeable, cultivate moral virtues and develop moral imaginations as well as to possess moral reasoning skills. In intercultural settings these components focus on openly addressing, and indeed exposing, issues of class, culture and equity. The elements which form the basis for improved moral literacy are intimately connected with school life and community through learning. Leaders must simultaneously develop their own and their communities' moral literacy through promoting and structuring community‐wide learning through participatory moral dialogue. This may involve sharing purpose, asking hard questions and exposing and acknowledging identities.Originality/valueThis article attempts to apply moral literacy to leading in intercultural schools and suggests that learning holds the key to moral development.
Moral literacy for teacher and school leadership education: a matter of attitude
Authors: Leonard Pauline 
Published: July 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a framework for conceptualizing three dispositional‐related stages that educators may experience in their professional careers and address the implications of these stages for integrating moral literacy perspectives into initial and advanced teacher and leader certification programs.Design/methodology/approachThe dispositional conceptual framework is presented and discussed from the author's viewpoint. The contention is that there is at least some general consistency that teacher and leader program candidates, at various stages of their professional careers, may experience and reflect in the attitudes – a component of dispositions – that they bring to the university classroom learning environment.FindingsObservations and insights about the consistency of dispositions within each of three program candidate groups are discussed. The dispositions emerged as: attitude formation; attitude adjustment; and attitude alignment. Within the context of course development and through that process of course delivery, the author describes how an understanding of candidates' attitudinal stages informed decisions about course content and instructional strategies to facilitate an ethos of values inquiry and reflection.Originality/valueThe framework may be useful to professors of education interested in integrating values inquiry and moral agency into their teaching.
Using media as the basis for a social issues approach to promoting moral literacy in university teaching
Authors: Normore Anthony H. , Paul Doscher Stephanie 
Published: July 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to explore the use of media as the basis for a social issues approach to promoting moral literacy and effective teaching in educational leadership programs.Design/methodology/approachThrough a review of relevant literature, mass media sources, and observations, the authors use Starratt's framework of moral responsibility to identify ethical practice in response to dilemmas brought on by local, regional, national and international crises and conflicts. Regional, national and international crises and conflicts are regularly reported on the Internet, as well as in the local, regional, national and international media (e.g.,Time,Macleans,Michigan Citizen,The Washington Post,Education Week,The Boston Globe,National Geographic).FindingsThe use of mass media venues, when compounded with moral grounding better equips educational leaders to act with ethical orientations. Professional organizations should encourage and support leaders who engage in public citizenship activities – answering critical questions, brokering views, encouraging discussion, and serving as resources.Originality/valueIssues concerning the ethical usage of mass media are complex, often unique, and ought to be an integral component of teaching in formal educational leadership experience. Consequently, the authors advocate the use of the media in university teaching as the basis for a social issues approach to promote morally literate graduates in university educational leadership programs. Actual examples of reactions about the use of media from a class of graduate students enrolled in an ethics class and educational leadership are included.
Career success and satisfaction: a comparative study in nine countries
Authors: Punnett Betty Jane , Duffy Jo Ann , Fox Suzy , Gregory Ann , Lituchy Terri , Miller John , Inés Monserrat Silvia , Olivas‐Luján Miguel R. , Bastos F. Santos Neusa Maria 
Published: July 2007

PurposeThis project aims to examine levels of career and life satisfaction among successful women in nine countries in the Americas.Design/methodology/approachA structured survey and in‐depth interviews were used, and a variety of occupations, demographics, and personality characteristics assessed – 1,146 successful women from nine countries in the USA responded the survey: 105 from Argentina, 210 from Brazil, 199 from Canada, 84 from Chile, 232 from Mexico, 126 from the USA, and 190 from three countries in the West Indies (Barbados, Jamaica, SVG).FindingsResults show no differences in satisfaction based on occupation or country and most demographic variables investigated did not have a significant relationship with satisfaction. Age had a small, significant, relationship, with satisfaction increasing with age; married women were significantly more satisfied than single women. Higher scores on self efficacy and need for achievement, and a greater internallocusof control were all related to higher levels of satisfaction. The relationship between career satisfaction and general life satisfaction was stronger in Argentina and Chile that in the other countries.Originality/valueExtends understanding of professional success and satisfaction, in terms of demographic variables and personality, as well as geographically.
Getting gender on the agenda: the tale of two organisations
Authors: Charlesworth Sara , Baird Marian 
Published: July 2007

PurposeThis paper aims to explore emerging issues in the application of the “dual agenda” model of gender equitable organisational change aimed at improved work life outcomes in two large Australian organisations.Design/methodology/approachThe research project used the collaborative interactive action research (CIAR) methodology that underpins the dual agenda change approach. Within both organisations, a multi‐method approach was used, including formal interviews, focus groups and ethnographic‐style observation and interaction, as well as the analysis of a wide range of organisational documentation. The paper focuses on the challenges both for the researchers and the organisations in keeping gender on the agenda, drawing on the identification of work practices and work‐life policies that impede organisational effectiveness and gender equity and the subsequent work culture diagnosis for each organisation.FindingsThe way in which the “gender problem” within an organisation is framed is strategically important. An understanding of “gender” as “women” not only marginalises gender equity as a business goal and its links with organisational effectiveness, but also works to silence men's interests in better work/life outcomes. A refocusing on the “ideal worker” was found to be more inclusive not only of men but also valuable in highlighting the ways in which organisational work/life policies may be undercut by business pressures and long hours, poor job design or management discretion. However, challenges remain in linking gender equitable organisational change to organisational effectiveness, especially in organisations which are restructuring and contracting in size.Originality/valueProvides a frank account of the challenges in making the links between gender equity, organisational effectiveness and work life issues that is valuable for both academics and practitioners. The “dual agenda” approach is methodologically important as it engages both “outsider” academics and “insider” organisational members in an action research process directed at gender equitable organisational change.
The debate over the economic rationale for investor protection regulation: a critical appraisal
Authors: Georgosouli Andromachi 
Published: July 2007

PurposeThis paper is concerned with the application of economic analysis to law and public policy. Its aim is not to highlight the well‐documented merits of economic analysis but to shed light on some of its flaws and to propose an agenda for future research in the field.Design/methodology/approachThe paper takes as a case study the debate over the economic rationale for investor protection regulation.FindingsThe paper discusses the main economic arguments for and against regulation and explains why arguments of this type are weaker than commonly thought.Originality/valueThe paper reviews the main arguments for and against the economic rationale for investor protection regulation and identifies the economic reasoning entrenched in the arguments of both sides of the debate, spells out its shortcomings and proposes an agenda for future research.
Dynamics and regulatory system of Indian financial markets
Authors: Sharma A.K. , Vashishtha Ashutosh 
Published: July 2007

PurposeThis paper aims to trace the evolution of Indian financial market structure and regulation, in the broad dialectic sense and to suggest a consolidated, holistic regulatory model.Design/methodology/approachThe paper sketches the evolution of Indian financial market structure and its regulation in terms of dialectic cycles. The first cycle extending practically over four decades, from the 1950s to the 1980s, was a period of foundation, expansion, and policy introspection. The decade of the 1990s marked the commencement of the second cycle – a period of liberalization and emergence of financial conglomerates. The Indian financial system has since completed one full circle in the dialectic process and is now passing through the last phase (synthesis) of the second cycle. Based on this dialectic approach, a consolidated and holistic regulatory model has been developed and suggested.FindingsThe paper concludes that, from a regulatory perspective, the recent developments in the financial sector have led to an appreciation of the limitations of the present segmental approach to financial regulation and favors adopting a consolidated supervisory approach to financial regulation and supervision, irrespective of its structural design.Originality/valueThis paper will be of value to financial regulators, financial intermediaries and investors across all the countries, developed as well as developing. It will facilitate and guide in the process of regulatory restructuring and strengthening the overall health of the financial markets.
Who pays for banking supervision? Principles and trends
Authors: Masciandaro Donato , Nieto Maria J. , Prast Henriette 
Published: July 2007

PurposeThis paper aims to analyse the economics of financing banking supervision and attempts to respond to two questions: What are the most common financing practices? Can the differences in current financing practices be explained by country‐specific factors, using a path‐dependence approach?Design/methodology/approachThe paper performs an empirical analysis that identifies the determinants of the financing structure of banks' prudential supervision using a sample of 90 banking supervisors (central banks and financial authorities).FindingsThe paper concludes that supervisors in central banks are more likely to be publicly funded, while financial authorities are more likely to be funded via a levy on the regulated banks. The financing rule is also explained by the structure of the financial systems. Public funding is more likely in bank‐oriented structures. Finally, the geographical factor is also significant: European bank supervisors are more oriented towards the private funding regime.Practical implicationsIn general, the paper does not find evidence of the role of the political factor, the size of the economy, the level of development and the legal tradition.Originality/valueThe paper analyses the financial governance of banking supervision in a sample of 90 countries world‐wide. The empirical analysis focuses on the financing rules and identifies factors that explain the differences between supervisory authorities.
At FSA's application High Court orders winding‐up of UK partnership which facilitated offshore boiler room share sales to UK investors
Authors: Gray Joanna 
Published: July 2007

PurposeThis study aims to report and comment on the High Court judgment regarding The Inertia Partnership (TIP).Design/methodology/approachThe paper outlines the facts surrounding this decision and comments on the ruling.FindingsThe court took a strong line on the link between the activities of TIP and offshore boiler rooms and the value to the achievement of FSA's statutory objectives that the firm message a compulsory winding‐up order on public interest grounds would send to other firms and individuals who may become involved directly or indirectly with such potentially abusive sales techniques.Originality/valueThe paper provides useful information for all those involved in management consultancy businesses.
Ethical practice and methodological considerations in researching body cathexis for fashion products
Authors: Apeagyei Phoebe R. , Otieno Rose , Tyler David 
Published: July 2007

PurposeThe paper seeks to identify ethical issues arising from body cathexis research and analyse categories for attention. To also highlight methodological considerations in generating body size data through measurement for fashion products.Design/methodology/approachThis study presents instrumental activities and strategies for conducting and implementing focus groups for investigating body cathexis and related body measurements for fashion products. Five homogenous groups of 30 females aged 19‐44 years, were employed. Purposive and proportionate sampling procedures involving both qualitative and quantitative methods were applied and analysed by triangulation. Aspects of the methodology of measurement are presented in this paper but analysis of measurement data is presented in a subsequent paper. Key ethical principles by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), UK have been also evaluated in relation to the integrity of such a study.FindingsThe study found that deciding on procedures regarding collating data on psychological issues related to garment fit is an obscure process that is not clearly documented in literature. It raised significant issues relating to sensitivity to respondents' concerns when conducting an investigation into body cathexis for fashion products. A framework for ethical and methodological practice in researching body cathexis and ethical deliberation in generating body measurement data has therefore been presented.Originality/valueThis study presents guidelines for ethical practice and develops an ethical framework for research and professional practice.
Emotion in public relations: a neglected phenomenon
Authors: Yeomans Liz 
Published: July 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the notion that, in order to instil and maintain confidence in relationships with clients, journalists and others, PR practitioners in the UK, and women in particular, are required to develop specific skills in managing emotion. It argues that, in providing a PR service, practitioners are performing the skills of emotional labour.Design/methodology/approachThe paper draws on three areas of literature: public relations, emotion in organisations, and emotional labour. The concepts of emotional labour are illustrated by extracts drawn from in‐depth interviews with public relations students reflecting on one‐year placement experiences in the UK public relations industry.FindingsThe paper found that the key questions for empirical investigation concern practitioners' feelings of self‐identity, including gender identity in performing professional roles. A feminist paradigm is proposed using social constructionist methodological approaches.Practical implicationsThe paper shows that the uncovering of “tacit and uncodified skills” through empirical investigation could have implications for future public relations education and training.Originality/valueEmotion in public relations is so far unacknowledged and unexplored. This paper represents the first step towards a fuller understanding of how professional relationships are made and understood among PR practitioners, and women in particular.
Public trust in the PR industry and its actors
Authors: Larsson Larsåke 
Published: July 2007

PurposeThe PR industry has become an important actor in society and in the democratic process. The purpose of this article is to examine the opinion state of this phenomenon. More precisely the question is: what trust do people have in the PR industry and PR professionals?Design/methodology/approachThe question of trust for the PR and advertising industry has for some years been part of the Swedish annual national survey of public opinion with 3,000 respondents.FindingsThe paper finds that the trust for PR agents as well as marketing agents is very low. Only some few percent of the population express (good) trust in these occupational groups, while over half of the population express bad/low trust. However, information (in‐house) officers show that the figures are somewhat better. The survey also asks about people's views about the use of communication consultants by different types of organizations: the practice is accepted for the business sector, but not for political parties and trade unions.Practical implicationsThe low trust must be a problem for the PR occupation and its actors, and the question is whether they are willing to improve, for example, their methods, ethical behaviour and transparency.Originality/valueThis question of trust and confidence for PR in society is rarely studied, and the Swedish study needs to be complemented by studies in other countries.