BRIAN GRIFFIN, ALAN DAY, LEWIS FOREMAN, MIKE ASSER and DF CHESHIRE
I MUST THANK David Gerard for responding so warmly to my review of Mr Murison's The public library in Human world 13; and I must thank Mr Murison for responding to the double…
Abstract
I MUST THANK David Gerard for responding so warmly to my review of Mr Murison's The public library in Human world 13; and I must thank Mr Murison for responding to the double onslaught (in NLW March) so effectively. (It was not, by the way, a concerted attack, though Mr Murison might be excused for thinking so, especially in view of his other trials.) And if I gave the impression of thinking of him as rather dim and unquestioning, I must simply apologise; this was not my intention. I chose to review his book because it typifies some of our vast social problems in an exceptionally clear‐cut way; because it demonstrates, through the clarity of its presentation, both the virtues and the limitations of socialised thought. This is not, I think, an insult.
Karen Yoshida, Vic Willi, Ian Parker and David Locker
We identify the key social and political forces that brought about the Self Managed Attendant Service Direct Funding Pilot (SMAS-DFP). Attendant Services are services for people…
Abstract
We identify the key social and political forces that brought about the Self Managed Attendant Service Direct Funding Pilot (SMAS-DFP). Attendant Services are services for people with physical disabilities (PWD) to assist with daily activities. Direct Funding means that individuals obtain funds through direct funding mechanisms and/or through third parties. Self-direction refers to consumers who know their attendant service needs and can instruct workers to meet these needs. Self-management refers to (PWD) who are employers under the law and are legally responsible for hiring, training, scheduling and paying their attendants. Our analysis of the success of the SMAS-DFP is based on pre-conditions and facilitating elements. The pre-conditions were the: (1) existence of social movements; (2) precedents to direct funding programs; (3) prior experience with the governance of attendant services; and (4) government health reform. Five elements facilitated the SMASD-FP: (1) a clear vision by the community; (2) a core group of leaders; (3) supporters of the SMAS-DFP came from inside and outside of the community; and (4) supporters provided key resources to be used and to deal with barriers. PWD successfully led the pilot (1994–1997) and continue to administer the expanded government program (began 1998).
Sujeet Jaydeokar, Kevin Hochard, Esra Bakiler, Claire Swithenbank, Christine Hutchinson and Mahesh Odiyoor
According to NHS statistics, as of July 2023, there were around 2045 people with intellectual disability and autistic people in mental health and specialist hospitals. Details of…
Abstract
Purpose
According to NHS statistics, as of July 2023, there were around 2045 people with intellectual disability and autistic people in mental health and specialist hospitals. Details of their inpatient stay were captured through Assuring Transformation data returns (NHS Digital, 2023) and includes data on all types of mental health hospitals. This study aims to understand the characteristics of people with intellectual disability and of autistic adults who are in inpatient settings across north of England in February 2022. It explores the clinical and demographic factors that might have an impact on the length of their inpatient stay.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a cross-sectional study using routinely collected demographic and clinical data in 2022 of inpatients across the north of England.
Findings
A total of 625 patients were in an inpatient setting across the north of England at the time of the data collection. The results indicate that the underlying diagnostic category, region, nature of inpatient service, legal framework, reason for admission and outcome of Care (Education) and Treatment Reviews are factors that are associated with the person’s length of stay in a hospital.
Practical implications
This study highlighted the need to review the community models of care to meet needs of those with intellectual disability. It further highlighted the need to collect and analyse longitudinal data, address social care needs and further understand the factors linked to regional variations.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is a first study that investigated the factors associated with length of stay using inpatient data from across the north of England. It provides new insights into the factors that affect length of stay.
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In-depth knowledge about specific national approaches to using digital evidence in investigations is scarce. A clearer insight into the organisational barriers and professional…
Abstract
Purpose
In-depth knowledge about specific national approaches to using digital evidence in investigations is scarce. A clearer insight into the organisational barriers and professional challenges experienced, alongside a more detailed picture of how digital evidence can help police investigations are required to empirically substantiate claims about how digital technologies are changing the face of criminal investigations. The paper aims to focus on the introduction of digital media investigators to support investigating officers with the collection and interpretation of digital evidence.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing on ethnographic and interview data collected as part of an Economic and Social Research Council-funded project on the application of digital forensics expertise in policing in England and Wales, this paper examines the changing face of investigations in relation to escalating digital demand.
Findings
The analysis presents the national and regional organisational parameters of deploying digital expertise in criminal investigation and examines some of the challenges of being a digital media investigator (DMI). Through testimonies from DMIs, digital forensic practitioners, investigating and senior officers and forensic managers, the analysis explores the organisational tensions in the collection, processing, interpretation and use of information from digital devices for evidential purposes.
Research limitations/implications
The paper offers an empirical basis for the comparative study of how the DMI role has been implemented by law enforcement agencies and its fit within broader institutional considerations and processes.
Practical implications
The development of the DMI role has raised questions about the supply of digital expertise, especially to volume crime investigations, and tensions around occupational divisions between scientific and operational units.
Social implications
The findings show that while the introduction of the DMI role was much needed, the development of this valuable provision within each force and the resources available require sustained and coordinated support to protect these professionals and retain their skills.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the growing sociological and criminological literature with an ethnographically based perspective into the organisational and occupational tensions in the identification and processing of digital evidence in England and Wales.
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Deborah Belle, Laurel Smith-Doerr and Lauren M. O’Brien
Gender differences in professional networks are said to explain disparities in career success and satisfaction in academia – particularly in Science, Technology, Engineering, and…
Abstract
Purpose
Gender differences in professional networks are said to explain disparities in career success and satisfaction in academia – particularly in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines – yet little empirical research examines men and women’s satisfaction with networks. This study investigated gender differences in networks and network satisfaction among STEM faculty, examining gender differences in network size and density and in satisfaction with networks.
Methods
A web-based survey was administered to full-time tenured and tenure-track STEM faculty members at a major research university. Participants (N = 141) were queried about their network ties within the home department, outside the department but within the home university, and beyond the home university.
Findings
Faculty networks tended to be gender homophilous, with men reporting more ties with men and women reporting more ties with women. Women reported having networks as large and supportive as men’s reported networks, yet women reported significantly less satisfaction with their networks than did men. Women in departments with a critical mass of women faculty (15% or more) reported greater satisfaction with opportunities to collaborate with departmental colleagues.
Limitations
This research was confined to a single university and did not focus on negative interactions in networks, which may affect network satisfaction.
Implications
These findings argue for increasing women’s representation in university departments to above 15% and providing assistance to women in STEM departments without critical mass to ensure that they have adequate opportunities to collaborate in research.
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Lizzy Atkins, Gavin Newby and John Pimm
Depression and anxiety are common features of all forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) and have a significant impact on an individual's quality of life, everyday functioning and…
Abstract
Purpose
Depression and anxiety are common features of all forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) and have a significant impact on an individual's quality of life, everyday functioning and rehabilitation outcome. They are potentially treatable causes of disability in this population. This study aimed to investigate the use of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scales (HADS) as a useful tool for measuring anxiety and depression in people with MS who live in the community and to provide normative data for clinicians and researchers.
Design/methodology/approach
In total, 144 individuals with MS completed the HADS as part of a larger community postal survey.
Findings
Individuals with MS report significantly greater levels of anxiety and depression than a healthy population. The HADS had good levels of internal reliability in this sample. Raw scores and percentile equivalents for use with MS patients are reported.
Originality/value
This study provides useful normative data on the HADS in a community sample of people with MS, which has been unavailable to date. The findings support previous studies, indicating high prevalence rates of anxiety and depression in this patient population, highlighting a need for interventions aimed at addressing the psychological distress associated with MS.
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Sarah N. Mitchell, Antoinette M. Landor and Katharine H. Zeiders
Research has shown that for young adults, marital attitudes (e.g., desire, importance, and expectation) are associated with relationship quality. However, how this association…
Abstract
Research has shown that for young adults, marital attitudes (e.g., desire, importance, and expectation) are associated with relationship quality. However, how this association plays out for young adults of color is less known. Additionally, the influence of skin tone perception on the relationship between marital attitudes and relationship quality remains understudied. To explore these associations, the authors examined African American and Latinx young adults (N = 57, Mage = 20.71 years, SD = 1.28; 75.4% female) attending a Midwestern university. Exploratory results indicated that marital expectations were positively associated with relationship quality in that young adults who expected to marry one day, reported greater relationship satisfaction, commitment, and intimacy in their current relationships. Additionally, skin tone perception moderated the association between marital attitudes and relationship quality in two ways (i.e., between expectations and satisfaction and between importance and intimacy). Collectively, findings suggest that differing levels of marital attitudes and skin tone perception contributes to young adults’ perceptions of relationship quality. Considering these psychological factors of attitudes, skin tone perception, and relationship quality, together with systemic racial/ethnic discrimination, the authors discuss future research and practice considerations.
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Offshore helicopters kept operational longer with LPS products. A significant contribution both to the economics and the safety of helicopter operations for essential offshore…
Abstract
Offshore helicopters kept operational longer with LPS products. A significant contribution both to the economics and the safety of helicopter operations for essential offshore work is provided by the cleaning, lubrication and anti‐corrosion products from Wilmslow‐based LPS Research Laboratories Ltd.
Coral Resins' silicone modified polymer development has, it is claimed, yielded high value, higher performance materials offering the paintmaker profitable ways of gaining a…
Pedro Gaudencio, Arnaldo Coelho and Neuza Ribeiro
The purpose of this paper is to show how organizational corporate social responsibility (CSR) can influence workers’ attitudes and behaviors, especially in terms of affective…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to show how organizational corporate social responsibility (CSR) can influence workers’ attitudes and behaviors, especially in terms of affective commitment (AC), job satisfaction (JS), and turnover intention (TI). A second aim is to explore the social exchange process that may underlie this relationship, by examining the mediating role of organizational trust (OT).
Design/methodology/approach
The authors employ structural equation modeling based on survey data obtained from 315 Portuguese individuals.
Findings
The findings show that perceptions of CSR predict workers’ attitudes and behaviors directly through the mediating role of OT. They suggest that managers should implement CSR practices because these can contribute toward fostering OT, improving workers’ AC and JS, and reducing TI.
Originality/value
This study enriches the existing knowledge about social exchange relationships in organizational contexts, and responds to the need to understand underlying mechanisms linking CSR with workers’ organizational outcomes, by analyzing CSR practices in a holistic stakeholder perspective.