Search results

The purpose of this paper is to explore the emergence of “Roma health and wellbeing” as a focus of attention in European research and in policy and the possible detrimental consequences of action founded on a generic representation of “Roma health.”

Based on discussions with and research conducted by scholars who work directly with Roma communities across European regions from a wide range of academic disciplines it suggests how future research might inform: a more nuanced understanding of the causes of poor health and wellbeing among diverse Roma populations and; actions that may have greater potential to improve the health and wellbeing among these populations.

In summary, the authors promote three types of research: first critical analyses that unpick the implications of current and past representations of “Roma” and “Roma health.” Second, applied participatory research that meaningfully involves people from specific self-defined Roma populations to identify important issues for their health and wellbeing. Third, learning about processes that might impact on the health and wellbeing of Roma populations from research with other populations in similarly excluded situations.

The authors provide a multidisciplinary perspective to inform research that does not perpetuate further alienation and prejudice, but promotes urgent action to redress the social and health injustices experienced by diverse Roma populations across Europe.

The silhouette of the little fellow with baggy trousers, decrepit oversize shoes, undersize derby, frayed short cutaway, sporting a bamboo cane and jet black mustache is recognized worldwide. Charlie Chaplin's slight 5′ 4″ stature complemented that costume, his symbol for a lifetime. Hunched shoulders, sorrowful face, and frightened air made Charlie look all the more vulnerable. As early as 1916, the reputable English magazine Tatler commented, “The lineaments of Mr. Chaplin are known to the uttermost ends of the earth and his face may be described as one upon which the sun never sets.”

The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of Muslim society marriages – forced, arranged or marriages of choice/love, on women entrepreneurial intentions (EI), with reference to Ajzen’s (2002) theory of planned behaviour. It is postulated that marriage type has a significant influence on women household dynamics towards EI and business growth.

A qualitative methodology was used and a total of 20 semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted with Muslim married women entrepreneurs operating home-based and market-based small businesses.

The findings show that all these three types of married women entrepreneurs are active in the entrepreneurial process. However, the authors found different paradoxes in their EI and desire for business growth based on their marriage choices or marriage-related constraints that may have been imposed on them.

Qualitative research on a small sample size certainly presents a limitation on the generalizability of this work, because it is difficult to capture data regarding this sensitive issue. Future research could also be carried out in other cultural and religious traditions.

The paper provides good insights to understand the entrepreneurial journey of Muslim women entrepreneurs in the conservative society based on their marriages options.

The contribution of this research is twofold. First, the paper offers a theoretical perspective related to female EI and business growth based on religious marriages. Second, it applies Ajzen’s (2002) planned behaviour theory to establish how marriage constraints may influence women EI in the Muslim society.

This study determines the relationship between small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and their support providers during three phases: pre-conflict environment, during conflict environment, and the post-conflict (uncertain) environment with the reference to institutional theory in the northwest region of Pakistan where there is ongoing unrest between the authorities and the insurgents.

Using a qualitative approach, a total of 23 semi-structured interviews were conducted, 19 with the owner-managers of small manufacturing firms and 4 from small business support providers in the region.

The authors theorise the changing role of support agencies as differing institutional gaps, while conflict is destructive for SMEs and support agencies; paradoxically the crisis results in stronger relationships between the support providers and SMEs which was weaker in the pre-conflict environment. Such stronger relationship enhanced the cognitive pillar of institutional theory where entrepreneurship is supported by various groups including government agencies and SMEs to alleviate unemployment in the region which is one of the potential reasons of terrorism in the country.

The study may have value for policymakers who need to know more about how small businesses and support providers develop a support network in difficult regions and give a comprehensive framework to other conflictual regions who face similar circumstances.

This research contributes to the previous literature in several ways. First, the study reveals the impact of conflict environment on small businesses and support providers where a little research has been undertaken. Second, the study shows the support mechanism in three different intervals pre-conflict, during the conflict and post-conflict and how the Talibanization in the region has a positive impact by strengthening the support structure among small businesses and support providers. Finally, the study contributes to the growing body of literature on entrepreneurship in conflict environments.

SPECIAL emphasis in this number of THE LIBRARY WORLD is placed upon the county libraries movement. As the recently‐published Report of the Carnegie United Kingdom Trust shows, the number of adoptions of the Libraries Acts by the county councils is now very large, and the others appear to be falling rapidly into line. The importance of the movement to every member of the library profession cannot be gainsaid, in spite of the fact that every County Council has not faced the question with statesmanship or vision. The movement is so good in itself, so prophetic of larger possibilities, so useful at present to rural dwellers, that whatever modifications may come its continuance and expansion are as certain as anything terrestrial can be.

Information Technology and Logistics needs are converging, as David Robinson argues.

Considers the thesis that intelligence differences and EEG‐intelligence correlations can both be explained in terms of differences in the frequency of neural transmission errors. Considers an alternative theory which holds that intelligence variance and correlated EEG variance are both caused by variation of cerebral arousability. Refers to technical and methodological problems that bedevil the EEG‐intelligence literature and measurement difficulties that have arisen through lack of adequate concepts. Concludes that the principal measurement problems derive from failure to appreciate the important distinction that must be made between “cerebral arousal” and “cerebral arousability”; and that any useful EEG‐intelligence concept must go beyond vague and general ideas such as “neural efficiency” or “neural transmission errors” to explain how EEG differences relate to differences in brain function that can account for the main facts recorded in the intelligence literature.

The level of service provision for people suffering from a mental disorder is an area of debate that has always presented clinicians with numerous difficult decisions. The decision‐making process is perhaps at its most contentious with reference to the type and degree of risk individuals may present, either to themselves or to the general public.

The paper aims to describe a network of training centres (TCN‐LIS) to support continuing professional development (CPD) of library and information specialists in countries of Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia, funded by the Open Society Institute (OSI). It also aims to draw some general lessons for CPD in the library/information sector.

The paper reviews the development and activities of the training centre network, and reflects on issues raised and lessons learned.

The paper finds that TCN‐LIS has been effective in raising standards of professional competence among library and information specialists in the countries of the OSI region. General conclusions can be drawn about good practice for CPD, in issues including the most appropriate topics to be covered, most appropriate methods for teaching and learning, situation of CPD training centres, and relations between CPD and formal education.

The study is based on a network of training centres in 23 countries between 1999 and 2006.

This is the only paper describing TCN‐LIS, and the library/information training activities supported by OSI. It provides a unique perspective for considering library/information CPD issues.

The performance of hand‐held computer terminals was compared with that of paper and pencil data collection methods. The study was carried out on two wards, with a comparative study in the medical audit unit at Rampton Hospital, one of three special hospitals managed by the Special Hospitals Service Authority. These were analysed, focusing on time factors, error rates, ease of use and financial implications. Findings showed that the electronic system saved time, reduced staffing costs and errors and had unit‐wide potential. The electronic data collection contributed to a cost‐effective and flexible data‐processing system for use in auditing.