Examines the theoretical and practical development of the concept of the learning organisation (LO). Some theorists have used the term LO interchangeably with organisational…
Abstract
Examines the theoretical and practical development of the concept of the learning organisation (LO). Some theorists have used the term LO interchangeably with organisational learning, while others have drawn distinctions between the two. Provides a brief review of the current LO literature in the context of learning and organisational learning, and the theoretical tensions existing between these concepts. Treats the LO as a metaphor in order to explore the possibilities for its re‐interpretation. Establishes the centrality of narrative to all human endeavours and that every organisational aspect is anchored in narratives. Holistically re‐interprets the LO using narrative theory. Suggests the LO needs to be re‐interpreted in the context of power relations and Bourdieu’s social theory. Claims that the use of metaphor, narrative and social theory enhance our thinking about the LO conceptually and will open up practical possibilities for practitioners and consultants.
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Deb Stewart and Dianne Waddell
Adequate, appropriate training of quality managers is essential to the development and implementation of effective quality management systems. This study reports on a survey of…
Abstract
Adequate, appropriate training of quality managers is essential to the development and implementation of effective quality management systems. This study reports on a survey of 235 Australian quality managers to determine their perceptions of their training and development needs, the extent to which these were being met, and their views on the future of their discipline. The study found that there was a general lack of systematisation, most programs were short‐term and delivered by a fragmented set of providers. Many managers had received no training in the past five years. While the respondents were generally satisfied with the training they had received, there was evidence that their insight into their own needs was imperfect. The respondents were divided between those who thought quality management would remain a discrete field and those who saw it being absorbed by other management systems. The challenges of developing an appropriate training and development regime in this environment are discussed.
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Dianne Waddell and Deb Stewart
This paper seeks to explore the relationship between knowledge management and quality management with a particular focus on the role of quality culture. The paper also aims to…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper seeks to explore the relationship between knowledge management and quality management with a particular focus on the role of quality culture. The paper also aims to address the assumption that as knowledge management reaches its maturity, in terms of acceptance as an important part of doing business in the modern world, quality will again become the mantra of successful companies.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 1,000 quality managers from Australian organisations were surveyed for their perspectives on current and future knowledge management and quality management approaches. The questionnaire utilised both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. The questionnaire was broken into three sections: respondent profile, current knowledge management and quality management practices, and future predictions for both knowledge management and quality management.
Findings
The key finding of the paper was that organisations would have to embrace a quality culture as a fundamental component of implementing knowledge management in order to compete successfully in such a dynamic business environment. The responses from this survey assist in identifying the relationship between knowledge and quality management, and the importance and future of both knowledge and quality management.
Originality/value
This paper is based upon the assumption that quality is in fact, resurging. It has identified quality culture as the significant link between knowledge management and quality management that leads to successful competitive advantage. Organisations are urged to recognise knowledge management as a vehicle for success not a stand‐alone process. It is the first time that such a survey has been designed, and the first time a paper has produced an explanation to the current situation.
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Guojun Liu, Zhiyong Qu, Junwei Han and Xiaochu Liu
– The purpose of this paper is to present systematic optimal design procedures for the Gough-Stewart platforms used as engineering motion simulators.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present systematic optimal design procedures for the Gough-Stewart platforms used as engineering motion simulators.
Design/methodology/approach
Three systematic optimal design procedures are proposed to solve the engineering design problems for the Gough-Stewart platform used as motion simulators. In these systematic optimal design procedures, two contradicting design optimality criteria with good representations of performances of the Gough-Stewart platforms are chosen as the objective functions. In addition, the two objective function optimization problems are solved by using the multi-objective evolutionary algorithms.
Findings
In the systematic optimal design procedures, multiple compromised design solutions are found by using Elitist Non-Dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm version II in the primary design stage, and many candidates can be used in the secondary design stage for higher decisions. Two higher decision methods have been presented to choose the final solutions.
Originality/value
This paper proposes three systematic optimal design procedures to solve the practical design problems of the Gough-Stewart platforms used as motion simulators, which are very important for the engineering designers.
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Angélica Vasconcelos, Alan Sangster and Lúcia Lima Rodrigues
The main aim of this paper is to illustrate the importance of avoiding Whig interpretations in historical research. It does so by highlighting examples of what may occur when this…
Abstract
Purpose
The main aim of this paper is to illustrate the importance of avoiding Whig interpretations in historical research. It does so by highlighting examples of what may occur when this is not done. The paper also aims to promote interdisciplinarity, in the form of working with those from other disciplines, as a means to avoid this occurring.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper includes an in-depth study of the bookkeeping and financial reporting of two 18th century Portuguese state-sponsored companies using archival sources. The companies were selected because of conflicting insights across disciplines concerning the quality of their bookkeeping and financial reporting – historians have been very critical, while accounting historians have seen little wrong. These differences of opinion have never previously been investigated. The authors demonstrate how information was distributed among the account books and other records of the two companies. The approach adopted enabled a reader to fully understand the recorded economic events. The authors also present and explain the procedures, criteria and accounting terminology used in their annual reports.
Findings
This paper demonstrates how easy is to inadvertently adopt a Whig interpretation of accounting history when the focus of interest is something of which the principal researcher has insufficient understanding or expertise. It also illustrates how important it is to embrace interdisciplinarity by working with those from other discipline to avoid doing so.
Research limitations/implications
The conclusions from the case study are company-specific and cannot be generalised beyond those companies. However, the implications of this study go beyond the companies in its illustration of the importance of fully understanding historical evidence within its own context.
Originality/value
This paper unveils primary archival sources never previously presented in the literature. It also contributes to the literature by providing an evidence-based justification for the calls previously made to accounting historians to study accounting in its social context and engage with historians from other disciplines.
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Antipsychotic drugs are often used outside their licensed indication to manage aggression in adults with intellectual disabilities in the absence of a diagnosed psychiatric…
Abstract
Antipsychotic drugs are often used outside their licensed indication to manage aggression in adults with intellectual disabilities in the absence of a diagnosed psychiatric disorder. The current case series shows that antipsychotics could be effective, but they are often used with non‐drug measures and sometimes cause side‐effects. Clinicians did not always carry out a thorough assessment followed by a formulation before prescribing medications, as recommended in the national and international guides (Deb et al, 2009; Unwin & Deb, 2010). It is also apparent that clinicians did not carry out tests to detect side‐effects of risperidone such as metabolic syndrome. Clinicians should use psychotropic medication for a minimum period of time and at the lowest possible dose, and should consider non‐drug management of aggression at the outset and at a regular interval.
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The paper reports on a review of assessment scales commonly used for assessment of psychiatric illnesses or behaviour problems in adults with learning disabilities. Initially, a…
Abstract
The paper reports on a review of assessment scales commonly used for assessment of psychiatric illnesses or behaviour problems in adults with learning disabilities. Initially, a literature search was conducted to identify relevant peer‐reviewed journal publications pertaining to relevant scales. Those scales with more publications were reviewed with reference to the scale composition and psychometric properties. In total, eight behaviour scales, one psychiatric illness scale and three combined behaviour and psychiatric illness scales are reviewed.
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Kenneth A. Couch, Gayle L. Reznik, Christopher R. Tamborini and Howard M. Iams
Data from the 1984 Survey of Income and Program Participation are linked to longitudinal records from the Social Security Administration to examine the relationship between the…
Abstract
Data from the 1984 Survey of Income and Program Participation are linked to longitudinal records from the Social Security Administration to examine the relationship between the long-term unemployment that prime-aged (ages 25–55) male workers experienced around the time of the 1980–1982 twin recessions with earnings, receipt of either Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income (DI-SSI) benefits, and mortality. Separate estimations are made for those who voluntarily and involuntarily left employment and the combined sample of these two groups. We find that 20 years later, long-term joblessness was associated with significantly lower earnings and higher likelihoods of the receipt of DI-SSI benefits as well as mortality.
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Virginia Cathro, Paula O’Kane and Deb Gilbertson
The purpose of this paper is to suggest ways in which business educators can interact successfully with reflective learning journals (RLJs). Specifically, the research was…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to suggest ways in which business educators can interact successfully with reflective learning journals (RLJs). Specifically, the research was interested in how students used RLJs and how educators assessed these RLJs.
Design/methodology/approach
In total, 31 RLJs, submitted as part of an international communication course involving a global virtual team exercise, were analysed. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes discussed by participants, while content analysis, based upon Kolb’s learning cycle, was used to assess the depth of student reflection.
Findings
Students appear to have engaged with depth and understanding and were able to articulate their skill level, but there was variance in their reflective ability across different skills.
Practical implications
An interpretation of Kolb’s (1984) learning cycle as a method to assist educators to assess RLJs is presented. Specifically, educators need to provide more guidance to students to enhance their ability to reflect. The authors suggest that a rubric based on Kolb could fulfil this objective.
Originality/value
This study responds to the call for more research examining depth of reflection (Lien et al., 2012); it also offers contribution to the variety of models characterising reflective depth (Ash and Clayton, 2009; Chamberlain, 2012; Lien et al., 2012) drawn from experiential learning in the form of written RLJs.