Life studies are a rich source for further research on the role of the Afro‐American woman in society. They are especially useful to gain a better understanding of the…
Abstract
Life studies are a rich source for further research on the role of the Afro‐American woman in society. They are especially useful to gain a better understanding of the Afro‐American experience and to show the joys, sorrows, needs, and ideals of the Afro‐American woman as she struggles from day to day.
Explores whether the EFQM Excellence Model provides a suitable framework for quality management within the pharmacy department at Hope Hospital, Salford Royal Hospitals NHS Trust…
Abstract
Explores whether the EFQM Excellence Model provides a suitable framework for quality management within the pharmacy department at Hope Hospital, Salford Royal Hospitals NHS Trust. Research involved a literature search of the work of authors in the field of quality, generically and in healthcare, the development of quality awards, and practical cases of implementation of the model in NHS Trusts. Common themes were identified from this search. Interviews with staff and customers showed high levels of customer awareness, customer satisfaction and generic training. This was compared with the data from the literature search and the researcher’s observations. The Excellence Model was seen to be a suitable framework for quality management provision, although there was little knowledge of it in the pharmacy department. A quality service was still being provided in spite of this, but the model could build further on this good work and provide a more structured approach.
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Stewart Li, Richard Fisher and Michael Falta
Auditors are required to perform analytical procedures during the planning and concluding phases of the audit. Such procedures typically use data aggregated at a high level. The…
Abstract
Purpose
Auditors are required to perform analytical procedures during the planning and concluding phases of the audit. Such procedures typically use data aggregated at a high level. The authors investigate whether artificial neural networks, a more sophisticated technique for analytical review than typically used by auditors, may be effective when using high level data.
Design/methodology/approach
Data from companies operating in the dairy industry were used to train an artificial neural network. Data with and without material seeded errors were used to test alternative techniques.
Findings
Results suggest that the artificial neural network approach was not significantly more effective (taking into account both Type I and II errors) than traditional ratio and regression analysis, and none of the three approaches provided more overall effectiveness than a purely random procedure. However, the artificial neural network approach did yield considerably fewer Type II errors than the other methods, which suggests artificial neural networks could be a candidate to improve the performance of analytical procedures in circumstances where Type II error rates are the primary concern of the auditor.
Originality/value
The authors extend the work of Coakley and Brown (1983) by investigating the application of artificial neural networks as an analytical procedure using aggregated data. Furthermore, the authors examine multiple companies from one industry and supplement financial information with both exogenous industry and macro-economic data.
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Gillian MacIntyre, Nicola Ann Cogan, Ailsa Elizabeth Stewart, Neil Quinn, Michael Rowe and Maria O’Connell
People with lived experience of mental health problems (MHPs) are often marginalised and have difficulty achieving community inclusion. Citizenship, a relatively novel concept in…
Abstract
Purpose
People with lived experience of mental health problems (MHPs) are often marginalised and have difficulty achieving community inclusion. Citizenship, a relatively novel concept in mental health, provides a means of understanding what is necessary for marginalised individuals and groups to gain a sense of belonging within their communities. By exploring the “what, why, how and who” of citizenship, the purpose of this paper is to provide a rationale for the inclusion of citizenship as part of a person-centred and holistic mental health strategy.
Design/methodology/approach
A community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach, with peer researchers, was adopted to develop a model of citizenship within a Scottish context. The aim of the model is to link the concept of citizenship with specific strategies that systems, agencies and individuals can use within mental health policy and practice to promote greater inclusion and participation. Concept mapping was used as part of a mixed-methods participatory methodology and data were then analysed using multivariate statistical methods of multidimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis.
Findings
It is argued that using a CBPR approach, utilising concept mapping, encourages the development of a model of citizenship that is entirely grounded in the perspectives and lived experiences of people with MHPs. The need for adequate resources, preparatory work, training, research management and reflexive practice are key to the success of a CBPR approach with peer researchers.
Originality/value
Working with peer researchers and key stakeholder groups is central to a CBPR approach and the implementation of a model of citizenship within mental health policy and practice. Developing a model of citizenship derived specifically from the experiences of people with lived experience is likely to promote their inclusion. It provides a means of challenging the structural deficits and inequalities that cause distress and prevent people with lived experience of MHPs of recovering their citizenship.
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Mary Ann Glynn and Daniel S. Halgin
We explore the role of geographic communities in the construction of an organization's identity as narrated in the pages of Martha Stewart Living magazine, the flagship product of…
Abstract
We explore the role of geographic communities in the construction of an organization's identity as narrated in the pages of Martha Stewart Living magazine, the flagship product of the Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia organization. We content analyzed 253 columns published between 1990 and 2004. We found that communities figured prominently in the emergence and institutionalization of the organization's identity, with over 800 mentions of specific places, from Stewart's childhood home of Nutley, New Jersey, to storied Paris, France. We examined how Stewart's use of places compared with descriptions of these same places in the Lonely Planet Travel. Our evidence suggests that the invocation of community enabled the organization to legitimate its product offerings as well as claim and partition complex and sometimes contradictory identity elements that included both highbrow culture and Americana “rural apple-pie goodness.”
Susana Almeida Lopes, Maria Eduarda Duarte and João Almeida Lopes
The purpose of this paper is to propose a predictive model that could replace lawyers’ annual performance rankings and inform talent management (TM) in law firms.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to propose a predictive model that could replace lawyers’ annual performance rankings and inform talent management (TM) in law firms.
Design/methodology/approach
Eight years of performance rankings of a sample of 140 lawyers from one law firm are used. Artificial neural networks (ANNs) are used to model and simulate performance rankings over time. Multivariate regression analysis is used to compare with the non-linear networks.
Findings
With a lag of one year, performance ranking changes are predicted by the networks with an accuracy of 71 percent, over performing regression analysis by 15 percent. With a lag of two years, accuracy is reduced by 4 percent.
Research limitations/implications
This study contributes to the literature of TM in law firms and to predictive research. Generalizability would require replication with broader samples.
Practical implications
Neural networks enable extended intervals for performance rankings. Reducing the time and effort spent benefits partners and lawyers alike, who can instead devote time to in-depth feedback. Strategic planning, early identification of the most talented and avenues for tailored careers become open.
Originality/value
This study pioneers the use of ANNs in law firm TM. The method surpasses traditional static study of performance through its use of non-linear simulation and prediction modeling.
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Zhelong Wang, Jianjun He, Hong Shang and Hong Gu
The purpose of this paper is to present an adaptive numerical algorithm for forward kinematics analysis of general Stewart platform.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present an adaptive numerical algorithm for forward kinematics analysis of general Stewart platform.
Design/methodology/approach
Unlike the convention of developing a set of kinematic equations and then solving them, an alternative numerical algorithm is proposed in which the principal components of link lengths are used as a bridge to analyze the forward kinematics of a Stewart platform. The values of link lengths are firstly transformed to the values of principal components through principal component analysis. Then, the computation of the values of positional variables is transformed to a two‐dimensional nonlinear minimization problem by using the relationships between principal components and positional variables. A hybrid Nelder Mead‐particle swarm optimizer (NM‐PSO) algorithm and a modified NM algorithm are used to solve the two‐dimensional nonlinear minimization problem.
Findings
Simulation experiments have been conducted to validate the numerical algorithm and experimental results show that the numerical algorithm is valid and can achieve good accuracy and high efficiency.
Originality/value
This paper proposes an adaptive numerical algorithm for forward kinematics analysis of general Stewart platform.