This paper gives a comparative analysis of the foundation of sinology in two Canadian universities. Despite not having diplomatic exchanges, Canada's new relationship with the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper gives a comparative analysis of the foundation of sinology in two Canadian universities. Despite not having diplomatic exchanges, Canada's new relationship with the People's Republic of China (PRC) ignited a China interest in the Canadian academe. Through York University and the University of Guelph (U of G)'s experiences, readers will learn the rewards and challenges that sinology brings to Canadian higher education.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper offers an overview of the historical foundation of sinology in the Canadian academe. Who pushes through this process? What geopolitical developments triggered young and educated Canadians to learn about China? This paper assesses York and Guelph's process in introducing sinology by relying on university archival resources and personal interviews. Why was York University successful in its mission, which, in turn, made into a comprehensive East Asian Studies degree option in 1971? What obstacles did the U of G face that prohibited it from implementing China Studies successfully?
Findings
After 1949, Canada took a friendlier relationship with the PRC than its neighbor in the south. As China–Canada relations unfolded, Canadian witnessed a dramatic state investment in higher education. The 1960s was a decade of unprecedented university expansion. In the process, sinology enjoyed its significant growth, and both York University and the U of G made their full use of this right timing. However, China Studies at the U of G did not take off. Besides its geolocation disadvantage, Guelph's top-down managerial style in the 1960s, which resulted in collegial disillusionment, was also a significant barrier to this program's success.
Originality/value
Before the Internet age, universities were the first venues for most Canadians to acquire their initial academic knowledge of China. After the Second World War, sinology became popular among students as China became one of the world's “Big Fives”. More Canadians became romanticized with Maoism while opposing America's containment policy. York and Guelph exemplified this trend in Canadian history. Contrary to popular belief, historian Jerome Chen did not establish York's China Studies. Likewise, an ex-US diplomat John Melby did not bring China into Guelph, sinology arrived due to individual scholastic initiatives. Visionaries saw envisioned China's importance in the future world community.
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Katie Barnes, Philip Longfield, Katie Jones, Gill Littlemore, Claire McDonough, Archie McIntyre, Jo Robertson, Neil Turton, Kevin Urdhin and Melanie McLaughlin
The purpose of this paper is to show how the new arrangements for commissioning services in the English NHS can facilitate innovations in service delivery leading to improvements…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to show how the new arrangements for commissioning services in the English NHS can facilitate innovations in service delivery leading to improvements in outcomes and cost effectiveness.
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses cost modelling based upon the Hospital Episodes Statistics compiled by the NHS Information Centre to calculate recent expenditure upon treatment of routine childhood illnesses managed as short stay hospital admissions, and then uses a case study of a children's walk‐in centre to show how an alternative service can be provided, and a new service embedded in general practice to show a further alternative type of provision.
Findings
The study finds that large sums are currently being spent on inappropriate treatment of routine childhood conditions, especially in large urban conurbations. It demonstrates that in the case studies, the alternative provision can provide a viable and effective alternative.
Research limitations/implications
The research is based upon historical data by necessity. The new commissioning groups are not co‐located with the historical PCTs on which this study is based. The data are collected by providers and co‐ordinated by the NHS Information Centre. Therefore the investigators do not have control over the data quality. The second case study is a new service and therefore is used as an illustration of other service types.
Practical implications
This study suggests that paediatric ambulatory services can be provided at lower cost with better outcomes.
Social implications
This study provides the basis for a pilot study in Salford, where additional social benefits are targeted including better school attendance and increased self‐awareness over child health amongst local families.
Originality/value
The study provides quantitative evidence for commissioning alternative paediatric ambulatory services.
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Filipa Pires de Almeida, Rob van Tulder and Suzana B. Rodrigues
Implementing the sustainable development goals (SDGs) has proven a significant challenge for companies. While multinational enterprises (MNEs) have shown a real intention to…
Abstract
Implementing the sustainable development goals (SDGs) has proven a significant challenge for companies. While multinational enterprises (MNEs) have shown a real intention to contribute to these goals, they face major barriers in implementing the SDGs in their core business strategies. Extant academic studies on this phenomenon have primarily explored why companies “should” address the SDG agenda but have not (yet) explored what “works,” what does not “work,” and why. Therefore, evidence of a sizable gap between intention and realization is growing. Besides, there is a limited explanation for the existence of this gap and no validated implementation models that could help overcome it. Additionally, management research remains relatively fragmented. The diversity of existing theoretical and empirical frameworks makes it difficult to consolidate scientific and practical insights on “how” to guide companies to accelerate the global goals through their core operations.
This study is one of the first attempts to draw lessons from extant research on effective SDGs’ implementation strategies. For that, we upgrade the “SDG Compass,” which has been recognized as a leading framework for SDGs implementation in companies’ core activities. A critical assessment of the literature on the SDGs implementation has been conducted through a systematic literature review (SLR) and bibliometric analysis. This has helped us identify gaps in the SDG implementation practice and accumulate relevant insights supporting a more integrated and upgraded implementation framework: the SDG Compass+. This framework can advance coordinated theoretical and practical research by identifying the antecedents and critical factors of impactful SDG implementation strategies.
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Clive Long, Rachel West, Samantha Rigg, Rebecca Spickett, Lynne Murray, Paul Savage, Sarah Butler, Swee-Kit Stillman and Olga Dolley
– The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of measures designed to increase physical activity in women in secure psychiatric care.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of measures designed to increase physical activity in women in secure psychiatric care.
Design/methodology/approach
A range of interventions (environmental and motivational) designed to increase participation in physical activities were introduced on two secure wards for women. A pre-post design assessed frequency, duration and intensity of physical activity, attendance at physical activity sessions, exercise motivation, exercise-related mood, attitudes to exercise and health and biological indices. Measures collected over a three-month baseline period were repeated six months post-intervention.
Findings
Significant changes occurred in both attitudes to exercise and health, exercise motivation and exercise behaviour following change initiatives. With the exception of resting pulse rate and perceived exertion, the increased level of activity was not reflected in changes in body mass index, body fat or body muscle.
Practical implications
Management led, multi-disciplinary interventions to increase physical activity can have a positive impact on both lifestyle behaviours and physical health.
Originality/value
This study adds to a small literature on increasing physical activity in women in secure psychiatric settings where obstacles to change are formidable.
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Dirk Holtbrügge and Nikhila Raghavan
There is controversy over whether foreign direct investment (FDI) increases or reduces environmental degradation in host countries resulting in pollution havens or pollution…
Abstract
Purpose
There is controversy over whether foreign direct investment (FDI) increases or reduces environmental degradation in host countries resulting in pollution havens or pollution halos. Based on the concept of scale, technology and composition effects, this paper aims to examine the causal relationship between FDI and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in India.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper analyzes panel data of the three most polluting industries between 2005 and 2021 by conducting a Granger causality test.
Findings
The results provide evidence of pollution havens in the manufacturing and transportation industry, and in the metallurgy and chemical sectors within the manufacturing industry.
Research limitations/implications
FDI inflows and CO2 emissions are characterized by large regional variations in India. Hence, future studies of the pollution haven vs pollution halo effect in India could therefore use state-level or even district-level data to test for regional variations.
Practical implications
This paper provides policy recommendations such as increasing the absorptive capacity of local firms to strengthen the technique effect, which would help India combat climate change.
Social implications
Increasing the absorptive capacity of local firms through incentives such as subsidies and environmental requirements in public contracts can lead to job creation in the green technology sector. This can provide new employment opportunities, especially in R&D and sustainable technology fields, boosting the local economy.
Originality/value
The study adds to the understanding of the endogenous relationship between FDI and environmental degradation, the importance of lagged feedback responses and the impact of industry- and sector-specific influences on this relationship.