Simon Pemberton, Carys Alty, Rose Boylan and Claire Stevens
The purpose of this article is to explore whether it is possible to analyse if Black and other racial minorities (BRM) groups in Liverpool are benefiting from processes of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to explore whether it is possible to analyse if Black and other racial minorities (BRM) groups in Liverpool are benefiting from processes of regeneration, and their impact on levels of BRM employment and economic activity.
Design/methodology/approach
The article draws on official social and economic statistics and on qualitative interview data to provide a case study analysis.
Findings
It is argued that local regeneration initiatives do not always reflect and address the needs of different BRM groups and that this has contributed to the underperformance of the Liverpool's BME population.
Research limitations/implications
There are important research implications from this piece. The work has demonstrated that the limited data collection practices of a number of agencies that operate at a local level, struggle to understand the broad and diverse range of BRM needs.
Practical implications
Addressing the needs of BRM groups is hampered by methods of community engagement with BRM groups. While some examples of good practice are starting to emerge, challenges remain in relation to sharing such practice and the co‐ordination of data collection.
Originality/value
The article provides an original overview of the information requirements to better understand how BRM groups can be supported through regeneration.
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– The purpose of this paper is to examine the literature on third sector performance measurement system design.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the literature on third sector performance measurement system design.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic literature review was undertaken. The abstracts of 917 articles identified from a database search were examined and, of these, 110 papers were put forward for full paper review. Totally, 55 papers were subsequently selected for the literature synthesis.
Findings
The findings examine the important questions of why and how the performance of third sector organizations is measured. The analysis of the sample of works suggests a potential methodological mismatch between the rationale for measuring the performance of third sector organizations and the measurement methods that are currently employed.
Practical implications
The study raises provocative questions about the usefulness of third sector performance measurement approaches, which may lead third sector managers to critically examine current practice.
Originality/value
As the papers in the synthesis are drawn from a broad range of journals, the review provides a multi-disciplinary discussion of the key themes of third sector performance measurement system design. Recent studies have been published simultaneously, suggesting that there has been limited opportunity for synthesis of this work. This study therefore offers a springboard for further research in this area.
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Nan Hu, Rong Huang, Xu Li and Ling Liu
Existing literature in experimental accounting research suggests that accounting professionals and people with accounting backgrounds tend to have a lower level of moral reasoning…
Abstract
Purpose
Existing literature in experimental accounting research suggests that accounting professionals and people with accounting backgrounds tend to have a lower level of moral reasoning and ethical development. Motivated by these findings, this paper aims to examine whether chief executive officers (CEOs) with accounting backgrounds have an impact on firms’ earnings management behavior and the level of accounting conservatism.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors classify CEOs into those with and without accounting backgrounds using BoardEx data. Using discretionary accruals from several different models, they do not find that CEOs with accounting backgrounds are more likely to engage in income-increasing accruals. However, the authors find that CEOs with accounting backgrounds exhibit lower levels of conservatism, proxied by C-scores and T-scores (Basu, 1997). This finding suggests that CEOs with accounting backgrounds recognize bad news more quickly than good news, consistent with the accounting principle of “anticipating all losses but anticipating no gains”.
Findings
The authors show that firms whose CEOs have accounting backgrounds exhibit lower levels of accounting conservatism. However, these firms do not exhibit higher levels of income-increasing discretionary accruals. This study documents the impact of CEOs’ educational backgrounds on firms’ accounting choices and confirms prior findings in experimental accounting research using large sample archival data.
Originality/value
This paper is the first study that investigates the impact of CEOs’ accounting backgrounds on firms’ financial reporting policy. The findings may have some policy implications. If accounting backgrounds of CEOs can make a significant difference on firms’ behavior, it is reasonable to make CEOs accountable for the quality of financial reporting. This paper is one of the first to empirically test inferences drawn by experimental accounting research. There has been a gap between archival and experimental accounting studies. The authors propose that interesting research questions can be addressed by filling in such a gap.
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Dafydd Thomas, Megan Stevens and Jason Davies
Domestic abuse (DA) is a major issue with serious psychological, social, societal and economic impacts. Consequently, there has been an increased focus by policymakers and…
Abstract
Purpose
Domestic abuse (DA) is a major issue with serious psychological, social, societal and economic impacts. Consequently, there has been an increased focus by policymakers and multiple statutory and third-sector agencies on addressing harms associated with DA and fostering healthy intimate and domestic relationships. This paper details the development and implementation of a whole family approach to DA set within a community social services setting.
Design/methodology/approach
A detailed description of the development and implementation of a new whole family approach is provided. This includes a focus on the equilibrium programme, an accredited strengths-based, solution-focused group element that has been devised and established for those engaging in harmful behaviours.
Findings
The importance of governance, programme support and practitioner supervision are discussed along with the ways these are used by the service. The evaluation framework presented will enable the impact of the programme to be determined over the coming years.
Practical implications
There is clear need to address the significant problem of DA/intimate partner violence. This paper provides a model and accredited treatment approach to implementing a whole family approach to DA set within a community social services setting. This provides an opportunity for early intervention based on a strengths-based, solution focussed approach to addressing harmful behaviours and building skills and resilience.
Originality/value
This paper details a whole system approach to early intervention with families in which there is DA. Providing input via social care child and family support services prior to legal involvement provides an opportunity to avoid an escalation of harms. It also enables solutions to conflict to be found which take account of the relationship between parents and children.
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Jenny Cleland, Claire Hutchinson, Candice McBain, Jyoti Khadka, Rachel Milte, Ian Cameron and Julie Ratcliffe
This paper aims to assess the face validity to inform content validity of the Quality of Life – Aged Care Consumers (QOL-ACC), a new measure for quality assessment and economic…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to assess the face validity to inform content validity of the Quality of Life – Aged Care Consumers (QOL-ACC), a new measure for quality assessment and economic evaluation in aged care.
Design/methodology/approach
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with older adults (66–100 years) receiving aged care services at home (n = 31) and in residential care (n = 28). Participants provided feedback on draft items to take forward to the next stage of psychometric assessment. Items were removed according to several decision criteria: ambiguity, sensitive wording, not easy to answer and/or least preferred by participants.
Findings
The initial candidate set was reduced from 34 items to 15 items to include in the next stage of the QOL-ACC development alongside the preferred response category. The reduced set reflected the views of older adults, increasing the measure’s acceptability, reliability and relevance.
Originality/value
Quality of life is a key person-centred quality indicator recommended by the recent Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. Responding to this policy reform objective, this study documents a key stage in the development of the QOL-ACC measure, a new measure designed to assess aged care specific quality of life.
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Looks at the pathfinder approach to library instruction, which was developed in the 1960s by Patricia Knapp. Knapp's system focused, not on the simple provision of answers to…
Abstract
Purpose
Looks at the pathfinder approach to library instruction, which was developed in the 1960s by Patricia Knapp. Knapp's system focused, not on the simple provision of answers to questions, but on the teaching of the effective use of the library and its resources– in other words, on the finding of one's “way” in the library.
Design/methodology/approach
A traditional theoretical model for the creation and evaluation of pathfinders (subject research guides) can be identified through study of the literature. This model, expressed in the design criteria of consistency, selectivity, transparency and accessibility, sprang from an impulse to serve the inexperienced user by emulating or facilitating the user's search process.
Findings
A gap in this model can be detected, in the form of a missing multi‐dimensional picture of the user and the user's experience of the information service via the pathfinder. In an attempt to fill the gap, literature examining information behavior, the search process, the design of user‐centered services, and the information retrieval interaction is discussed.
Originality/value
An experience‐centered model for online research guide design and evaluation is derived from the findings.
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Christopher Cox, Hui Hua Chua, M. Claire Stewart and S.G. Ranti Junus
To highlight content of interest to this journal’s readership that promotes current thinking and activities in information technology.
Abstract
Purpose
To highlight content of interest to this journal’s readership that promotes current thinking and activities in information technology.
Design/methodology/approach
A selective conference report of the annual meeting of the American Library Association and a pre‐conference.
Findings
The largest conference of librarians, the variety of programs, activities, exhibit halls, creates one of the best professional development opportunities for librarians. Attracting librarians from all sectors and work environments from around the globe, this conference is hard to describe in a brief way except to say it is an experience. Documenting relevant programs about information technology was the goal of this contribution.
Practical implications
An alternative to not being present while gaining some information and coverage.
Originality/value
Contains information of particular interest to readers who did not attend these sessions. Introduces them to presenters and important hot topics.
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Stella Christiana Stevens, Lynn Hemmings, Claire Scott, Anthony Lawler and Craig White
– The purpose of this paper is to investigate to what extent an engaging or authentic leadership style is related to higher levels of patient safety performance.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate to what extent an engaging or authentic leadership style is related to higher levels of patient safety performance.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey and/or interview of 53 medical and dental staff on their perceptions of leadership style in their unit was conducted. Scores obtained from 51 responses were averaged for each question and overall performance was compared with unit specific hand hygiene (HH) compliance data. Interview material was transcribed and analysed independently by each member of the research team.
Findings
A modest negative relationship between this leadership style and hand hygiene compliance rates (r=0.37) was found. Interview data revealed that environmental factors, role modelling by the leader and education to counter false beliefs about hand hygiene and infection control may be more important determinants of patient safety performance in this regard than actual overall leadership style.
Research limitations/implications
The sample was relatively small, other attributes of leaders were not investigated.
Practical implications
Leadership development for clinicians may need to focus on situational or adaptive capacity rather than a specific style. In the case of improving patient safety through increasing HH compliance, a more directive approach with clear statements backed up by role modelling appears likely to produce better rates.
Originality/value
Little is known about patient safety and clinical leadership. Much of the current focus is on developing transformational, authentic or engaging style. This study provides some evidence that it should not be used exclusively.
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Alan Lowe, Yesh Nama, Alice Bryer, Nihel Chabrak, Claire Dambrin, Ingrid Jeacle, Johnny Lind, Philippe Lorino, Keith Robson, Chiara Bottausci, Crawford Spence, Chris Carter and Ekaterina Svetlova
The purpose of this paper is to report the outcome of an interdisciplinary discussion on the concepts of profit and profitability and various ways in which we could potentially…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to report the outcome of an interdisciplinary discussion on the concepts of profit and profitability and various ways in which we could potentially problematize these concepts. It is our hope that a much greater attention or reconsideration of the problematization of profit and related accounting numbers will be fostered in part by the exchanges we include here.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper adopts an interdisciplinary discussion approach and brings into conversation ideas and views of several scholars on problematizing profit and profitability in various contexts and explores potential implications of such problematization.
Findings
Profit and profitability measures make invisible the collective endeavour of people who work hard (backstage) to achieve a desired profit level for a division and/or an organization. Profit tends to preclude the social process of debate around contradictions among the ends and means of collective activity. An inherent message that we can discern from our contributors is the typical failure of managers to appreciate the value of critical theory and interpretive research for them. Practitioners and positivist researchers seem to be so influenced by neo-liberal economic ideas that organizations are distrusted and at times reviled in their attachment to profit.
Research limitations/implications
Problematizing opens-up the potential for interesting and significant theoretical insights. A much greater pragmatic and theoretical reconsideration of profit and profitability will be fostered by the exchanges we include here.
Originality/value
In setting out a future research agenda, this paper fosters theoretical and methodological pluralism in the research community focussing on problematizing profit and profitability in various settings. The discussion perspectives offered in this paper provides not only a basis for further research in this critical area of discourse and regulation on the role and status of profit and profitability but also emancipatory potential for practitioners (to be reflective of their practices and their undesired consequences of such practices) whose overarching focus is on these accounting numbers.
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Claire Jane Stewart and Aiesha Ba Mashmous
The changing clinical landscape in psychiatry, both before and after the pandemic, has impacted students’ direct contact with psychiatric patients. It is imperative, therefore…
Abstract
Purpose
The changing clinical landscape in psychiatry, both before and after the pandemic, has impacted students’ direct contact with psychiatric patients. It is imperative, therefore, that medical education keeps pace with evolving clinical pathways to ensure that clinicians are always appropriately trained not just for common presentations but also for low-prevalence, high-risk situations. Simulated-based training is well established. However, it is not without its limitations, many of which could be overcome with the use of virtual simulation. This study aims to analyse the use of virtual simulation within medical education to train clinicians in psychiatric assessments.
Design/methodology/approach
A scoping review was undertaken with a comprehensive literature search of the six most relevant online peer-reviewed databases, including PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Medline, EMBASE and Cochrane. All published papers in English that discussed simulation in teaching psychiatric assessments were included.
Findings
Virtual patients can be used for educational, diagnostic and therapy purposes attributable to advances in speech-recognition technology. Virtual simulations are well received and positively affect clinicians’ knowledge and skill development. Educational faculties should consider using virtual simulation technologies to improve learning outcomes. Further studies should enhance the fidelity and quality of virtual assessment simulation situations, mainly focusing on the virtual patient’s empathy, gesturing and body language to enable this evidence-based tool to be used effectively and efficiently for the benefit of future patient care.
Originality/value
The changing clinical landscape in psychiatry, both before and after the pandemic, has impacted students’ direct contact with psychiatric patients. This scoping review has reviewed the use of virtual simulation-based education to train clinicians for psychiatric assessments. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this work has not been conducted before.