Sarinda Taengnoi Siemers and Denise Robson
The purpose of this paper is to explore how various factors, particularly ones associated with ability to assimilate to a new country such as social capital and human capital, may…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore how various factors, particularly ones associated with ability to assimilate to a new country such as social capital and human capital, may affect the happiness of immigrants in different age groups.
Design/methodology/approach
The study utilizes the New Immigrant Survey 2003, which is a nationally representative survey of immigrants who became permanent US residents, to produce four separate ordered logit regressions, each for a different age group, 18-34, 35-49, 50-59, and 60 and older.
Findings
The empirical results indicate that employment is important to happiness among young immigrants (age 18-34). For middle-aged immigrants happiness is strongly related to family life (i.e. being married, having children), human capital, and wealth. For older immigrants (age 60 and over) happiness is significantly linked to social capital (i.e. involvement in religious institutions, communication ties to friends and family).
Practical implications
Understanding factors associated with the happiness of immigrants can help communities to undertake appropriate support and services for different age groups.
Originality/value
The study differentiates what contributes to the happiness of immigrants in different age groups. Most studies only include a binary categorical variable for age groups and do not employ a fully differentiated analysis for age. The study also explores how social capital relates to happiness. Studies of happiness among immigrants mostly omit any role of social capital variable.
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Samantha Cooke, Anna Daiches and Emma Hickey
As part of an attitudinal shift surrounding personality disorder stigma, a training package termed the Knowledge and Understanding Framework (KUF) is delivered in collaboration…
Abstract
Purpose
As part of an attitudinal shift surrounding personality disorder stigma, a training package termed the Knowledge and Understanding Framework (KUF) is delivered in collaboration between experts by experience (EBE) and professionals. The purpose of this paper is to explore the narratives of EBE delivering KUF; in particular the impact of this role and its varying contexts.
Design/methodology/approach
Eight women took part in the study and a narrative analysis explored their stories.
Findings
The analysis suggested five temporal chapters: first, life before becoming involved: “Like being in a milk bottle screaming”; second, a turning point: “It wasn’t actually me that was disordered it was the life that I’d had”; third, taking up the trainer role: “It all just […] took off”; fourth, the emergence of a professional identity: “I am no longer a service user”; and fifth, impact on self, impact on others.
Originality/value
The use of qualitative literature is sparse within co-production research. The study therefore adds value in exploring in-depth experiences of the phenomena.
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Robert Blackburn, Peter Carey and George Tanewski
The purpose of this paper is to test a conceptual framework explaining the role of relationships and trust in enabling the purchase of business advice by small business…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to test a conceptual framework explaining the role of relationships and trust in enabling the purchase of business advice by small business owner–managers from their external accountants.
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses a semi-structured interview approach with 20 small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) owners and accountants in London and Melbourne.
Findings
The interview data support the conceptual framework’s central proposition that relationships and trust, rather than being antecedents of demand for advice, are necessary conditions for enabling latent demand. SMEs with greater propensity to trust are more open to buying business advice but not necessarily from their accountant.
Research limitations/implications
A limitation of the fieldwork is that it is based on a non-random and limited sample of accountants and SMEs.
Practical implications
Accountants in public practice can no longer assume that the already established relationships with their clients, developed while providing compliance services, will automatically lead SME clients to purchase business advice.
Originality/value
The paper contributes to the accounting literature by developing a conceptual model of relationships and trust that will assist the profession in better understanding the complex dynamics of the accountant–client relationship. The conceptual model distinguishes, for the first time, the antecedent factors of demand for business advice from the enabling roles of relationships and trust. Fieldwork interviews also yielded new insights into how SMEs’ decisions to purchase business advice are influenced by specific personality traits of SME owner–managers and additional antecedent demand factors not identified in the extant literature – economic conditions, environmental turbulence and business life-cycle.
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To date, health information behaviour (HIB) models have not been applied to an exploration of Wikipedia as a consumer health information resource. Wikipedia has been situated and…
Abstract
Purpose
To date, health information behaviour (HIB) models have not been applied to an exploration of Wikipedia as a consumer health information resource. Wikipedia has been situated and is well established as a valuable resource for the general layperson wishing to learn more about their health or the health of a loved one. This paper aims to identify an approach to exploring the role of Wikipedia in consumer health information behaviour (CHIB) that is grounded in a conceptual framework from the library and information science (LIS) discipline.
Design/methodology/approach
The author draws on current HIB models and relevant theories from existing LIS literature and applies them to propose a new definition of CHIB. The author uses this definition to frame Wikipedia as an unexplored consumer health information resource in the LIS scholarship and suggests future directions for placing such investigations within a conceptual framework from LIS.
Findings
The paper finds that Longo's expanded conceptual model of health information-seeking behaviour (ECMHISB) could be valuable and useful for the exploration of CHIB in relation to Wikipedia's health and medical content. Due to Wikipedia's online nature, research framed by these models must acknowledge and take under consideration the digital divide phenomenon and various factors that influence an individual's place within it.
Research limitations/implications
This work builds a foundation upon which future research into the role of Wikipedia's health and medical content in CHIB can be grounded. Using Longo's model, future research might provide insight into who Wikipedia is helping and who it has left behind. LIS scholars, practicing health librarians and perhaps health workers stand to gain a deeper understanding of the potential influence of Wikipedia's health information on its consumers.
Originality/value
For LIS scholars, this paper is novel in the fact that a HIB model has not yet been applied to the study of Wikipedia's health content. This paper provides a foundation for this research.
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Ferry Jie and Denise Gengatharen
The Australian retail food sector, comprising mostly small enterprises, is undergoing change as a result of the innovative supply chain approach adopted. This change has…
Abstract
Purpose
The Australian retail food sector, comprising mostly small enterprises, is undergoing change as a result of the innovative supply chain approach adopted. This change has implications across the entire food value chain in Australia. The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the adoption of supply chain management practices on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Australian food retail industry.
Design/methodology/approach
The study surveys 120 SME retailers in the food sector. A stepwise multiple regression using SPSS version 14.0 was performed on the data.
Findings
Statistical results suggest that lean thinking and the quality of information shared can lead to greater efficient supply chain performance.
Research limitations/implications
The small sample is the main limitation. The findings bear important implications for further research as understanding these dimensions can help to position key changes and industry improvement that will increase revenue and reduce cost to the SMEs in the food retail supply chain.
Practical implications
Adopting lean thinking and improving information sharing in the supply chain can reduce the cost for SMEs.
Social implications
This study has unique implications for social sustainability, especially the smaller food enterprises, which are hard pressed to combat the challenges within the food sector.
Originality/value
Innovative supply chain management helps SMEs to see beyond the silo mentality and helps them to focus on greater value addition in the supply chain.
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The purpose of this paper is to introduce this special issue focussing on the mentoring of beginning teachers which supports the professional learning of not only mentees but also…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to introduce this special issue focussing on the mentoring of beginning teachers which supports the professional learning of not only mentees but also mentors. The paper identifies the varied aims of beginning teacher mentoring programmes, some of the reasons for mentoring and an introduction to the six research papers published in the issue.
Design/methodology/approach
The papers in this issue examine different perspectives relating to the mentoring of student teachers and newly qualified teachers (NQTs). Different types of mentoring relationships are examined in various international contexts. The research, from Australia, the Republic of Ireland, Malta, Norway, Scotland, the USA and Wales, addresses the challenges that can occur in mentoring relationships, and enables us to better understand the professional learning that takes place in successful mentoring relationships.
Findings
The authors of the papers delineate how critical reflective practice, inquiry into professional practice, collaboration and professional learning for both mentees and mentors are key aims for many mentoring programmes. The six studies used different methods to investigate external and/or school-based mentoring programmes for student teachers and NQTs.
Research limitations/implications
A snapshot of current research into professional learning is provided with most studies being small qualitative ones. However, common themes can be identified across countries and contexts. The authors of each paper outline the implications for teacher education for their own contexts, as well as for international contexts.
Originality/value
Teacher education programmes employ mentoring pairs and triads in order to develop particular traits and reflective practices in teachers. Research shows how mentor programmes provide classroom experience and professional learning for student and NQTs as well as professional learning for teacher mentors. University tutors play a key role in supporting not only the mentees and mentors but also the mentoring relationship.
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– The purpose of this paper is to provide guidance to librarians about whether to keep or withdraw books on pre-Internet computer programming languages.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide guidance to librarians about whether to keep or withdraw books on pre-Internet computer programming languages.
Design/methodology/approach
For each of the programming languages considered, this article provides historical background and an assessment of current academic library collection needs.
Findings
Many older languages (COBOL, FORTRAN, C, Lisp, Prolog, and Ada) are still in use and need reliable sources available for reference. Additionally, books about obsolete languages have educational value due to their influence on the development on newer languages such as C++ and Java.
Practical applications
This information will be useful to academic librarians who want to make the best choices about keeping or withdrawing computer programming books.
Originality/value
Most librarians responsible for managing computer science collections do not have a computer programming background, so they do not know which older languages are still important.
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Aims to identify standards set for job evaluation and assess the use of job evaluation by its executors.
Abstract
Purpose
Aims to identify standards set for job evaluation and assess the use of job evaluation by its executors.
Design/methodology/approach
Before examining the Employment Tribunals’ approach, focuses on research already undertaken with a view to assessing job evaluation methods as an approach to achieve pay equity. Examines the establishment of standards set by case law and goes on to consider the way in which job evaluation methods have been used in employment tribunal cases, how the standards apply, and whether there are wider issues being considered.
Findings
Finds that in addition to determining equal pay, in some cases job evaluation has acted as a barrier or weapon against those making such a claim. The standards set for job evaluation appear to have been used variably in determining that the jobs are not equal in value under the guises of no reasonable grounds, material factor defences and in Tribunal decision making.
Originality/value
Demonstrates that job evaluation as a tool can and does provide the means of assessing jobs to make an equal value decision. However, at times it appears not be used, thoroughly or methodically.