Julie MacInnes, Bridget Jones, Kat Frere-Smith, Vanessa Abrahamson, Tamsyn Eida, Rebecca Sharp, Heather Gage and Patricia Wilson
The Covid-19 pandemic saw a dramatic rise in the number of people volunteering to support older people shielding at home. This study aimed to determine the processes by which…
Abstract
Purpose
The Covid-19 pandemic saw a dramatic rise in the number of people volunteering to support older people shielding at home. This study aimed to determine the processes by which volunteers were rapidly engaged in their communities and their impact on the older people who were supported and health and social care services.
Design/methodology/approach
The study took place in South East England between May–August 2020. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 88 participants including health and social care practitioners (n = 12), leaders of voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations (n = 25), volunteers (n = 26) and older people receiving volunteer support (n = 25). Policy and procedure documents were sourced from the VCSE organisation leaders. Data were analysed thematically according to a framework method.
Findings
The authors identified key themes of People, Process and Planning. People: volunteers had a significant, positive impact on older people in their communities, with volunteers themselves, also benefiting. Process: VCSE organisations needed to work together and with health and care providers to avoid gaps and duplication of services. VCSE organisations were able to act quickly, by-passing many complex operational procedures. However, there was a need to ensure the safety of both volunteers and older people. Planning: Looking forward, there were concerns about the long-term funding of VCSE organisations and the availability of volunteers.
Originality/value
This study took place during the first wave of the pandemic, hence, it provides a snapshot of how voluntary organisations operated at this time and highlights the importance of integration with health and care statutory services.
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The purpose of this article is to prove that chick lit is a legitimate and important area of collection for academic libraries.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to prove that chick lit is a legitimate and important area of collection for academic libraries.
Design/methodology/approach
This article presents a definition of chick lit with an overview of the origin and significance of the term itself, discusses chick lit's impact on publishing, and its relationship to academia and women's writing.
Findings
Chick lit is an important area for libraries to collect in because it is representative of women's writing in the twentieth‐twenty‐first century, and because it is a cultural and economic force in the publishing and entertainment worlds.
Practical implications
This article presents guidelines on building a chick lit collection.
Originality/value
This article provides a perspective on chick lit lacking in the literature aimed at academic libraries. A search of Library and Information Science Abstracts (LISA), Library Literature and Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts (LISTA) reflects the dearth of articles on this specific topic.
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Weblogs or “blogs” are a recent addition to the library professional's toolkit. They can be particularly useful to library managers, whether as a means of maintaining current…
Abstract
Weblogs or “blogs” are a recent addition to the library professional's toolkit. They can be particularly useful to library managers, whether as a means of maintaining current awareness of managerial trends or as a cheap alternative to project management software.
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Heidi Emery, Bridget Jones and Eddie Chaplin
This paper describes an ongoing process of engagement with carers of people with intellectual disabilities currently being monitored by an out of area service for both carers of…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper describes an ongoing process of engagement with carers of people with intellectual disabilities currently being monitored by an out of area service for both carers of people placed both in area and out of area within a local Mental Health Learning Disabilities team in South London.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a series of consultation events, carers were asked to participate in a free dialogue which focussed on everyday issues for carers. This included financial implications of caring, knowledge of care pathways/systems in care, carer's needs and expectations and the support they currently receive.
Findings
This paper highlighted a number of issues and concerns that carers face in their daily lives when supporting one or more people. These include lack of recognition, financial difficulties, lack of training and support.
Originality/value
This project offered a valuable insight into current carer perceptions and will help develop further discussion and promote greater engagement by services and mutual understanding with this often neglected group.
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Huong Le, Bridget Jones, Tandi Williams and Sara Dolnicar
The purpose of this paper is to provide novel insights into arts consumption behaviour and patterns of communication displayed by arts consumers using Peterson’s theoretical…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide novel insights into arts consumption behaviour and patterns of communication displayed by arts consumers using Peterson’s theoretical framework, and to identify differences in the use of communication channels across arts segments.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors conducted an a priori market segmentation study, with two variables serving as segmentation criteria, namely, the frequency of and the variety of arts events attended. The authors tested for differences in communication patterns.
Findings
Four segments were created: low-frequency univores, low-frequency multivores, high-frequency multivores and high-frequency omnivores. They differ in their communication patterns and online behaviours, including their online activities before and after attending arts events. Printed materials and e-mail newsletters were the most effective communication channel for raising awareness of all arts consumers.
Research limitations/implications
Understanding these communication patterns can help arts marketers to increase the attendance of low-frequency segments and broaden the variety of arts events attended by the univore and multivore segments. The generalisability of the findings is limited as the survey was conducted among online Australian arts consumers only.
Originality/value
The paper adds the dimension of arts consumption frequency to the taxonomy of omnivores and univores proposed by Peterson, which is based on the variety of consumed arts only. The paper contributes to communication and arts marketing literature by identifying key differences in communication patterns across segments of arts consumers and the most promising communication channels to engage them.
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This paper makes the case for the use of real diaries as an alternative methodology in marketing research. It is argued that Qualitative Diary Research (QDR) in marketing and…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper makes the case for the use of real diaries as an alternative methodology in marketing research. It is argued that Qualitative Diary Research (QDR) in marketing and consumer research is an innovative way to capture rich insights into processes, relationships, settings, products and consumers.
Design/methodology/approach
To illustrate the utility of QDR this paper explores the phenomenon of text messaging. One hundred and twenty two “texters” were recruited to maintain personal introspective diaries for 1 week; recording, not only each of their incoming and outgoing text messages, but also the personal thoughts that each communication initiated. The paper then offers a frame narrative that attempts to analyse, interpret and re‐present the embedded diary narratives.
Findings
This empirical analysis illustrates that ODR is particularly suited to exploring processes, relationships, settings, products, and consumers. It is shown how the arrival of a text message and its actual content can create: consumer excitement when text messages arrive, consumer pleasure when constructing and deconstructing sent and received text messages, and provides a facility to lie and attract the opposite sex. The downsides of texting were also explored, such as how consumers loath getting either too many or too few text messages.
Originality/value
ODR is a useful way of capturing genuine “thick description”. The use of real diaries presents an exciting methodological alternative for research in marketing and consumer behaviour.
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How can policy and practice move beyond the physical location of people within a neighbourhood to the more challenging task of integrating lives within a ‘community’? This article…
Abstract
How can policy and practice move beyond the physical location of people within a neighbourhood to the more challenging task of integrating lives within a ‘community’? This article looks at what makes community spirit, at supporting vulnerable people and at racial intolerance. Faced with the bleak outlook for some communities and the individuals in them, an attempt is made to see what could be done simply, such as identifying good practice, developing effective methods and facilitating practitioners.
Tesco online (tesco.com) has developed a sophisticated and extended shopping experience which sets new standards for retailing. This article presents a brief case study of the…
Abstract
Tesco online (tesco.com) has developed a sophisticated and extended shopping experience which sets new standards for retailing. This article presents a brief case study of the Tesco online shopping experience in order to illustrate the way in which the online shopping channel can be engaged to extend the offering to the customer. The Tesco homepage offers access to two categories of products: those delivered from store, and those delivered from a warehouse. The shopping experience is supported by good dialogue design and the availability of a range of effective navigation devices designed specifically to support the type of regular shopping trip that supermarket customers can be expected to make. In online supermarket retailing delivery is separated from selection and payment and can be viewed as a distinct component of the service experience. You and Your Child is an interactive online magazine that provides both information and access to the online community supported through iVillage.