Kishani Townshend and Nerina Caltabiano
At the nexus of mindfulness and parenting lies the fusion of two influential yet contradictory epistemologies, the Eastern contemplative practices with the Western parenting…
Abstract
At the nexus of mindfulness and parenting lies the fusion of two influential yet contradictory epistemologies, the Eastern contemplative practices with the Western parenting research. Mindful parenting is a parenting style, which has grown in popularity in recent times to support parents during pregnancy, birth and beyond. The current study is the third stage of a mixed methods study on mindful parenting. The first stage of the study design conducted a systematic review of mindful parenting. The second stage summarized the change processes identified in the systematic review. The aim of this pilot study is to clarify four clinicians’ perceptions of cognitive change processes associated with mindful parenting, particularly how theory is translated to practice. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used to analyze semi-structured interviews. The six higher-order change processes were conceptualized as an anchor. Cognitive processes included intention, attention, attitude, and reflective functioning. Given its methodological limitations, the next future work needs is to survey a large sample of both clinicians and parents to verify the model. This paper makes an important contribution to the development of a more comprehensive theoretical model of mindful parenting.
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Kam Jugdev, David Perkins, Joyce Fortune, Diana White and Derek Walker
The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships between project delivery success factors, project management tools, software, and methods.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships between project delivery success factors, project management tools, software, and methods.
Design/methodology/approach
A statistical analysis was undertaken using data from a survey from a purposive sample of 150 participants across three countries (Australia, Canada and the UK). The findings were used to consider the relationships between project success factors, project management tools, software, and methods.
Findings
The findings reveal certain insights in the use of tools and methodologies. Of all the variables measured, the number of project management tools used and the number of risk tools used showed the highest direct correlation. It was therefore surmised that the use of tools from one of these categories is often coincident with the use of tools from the other category. Also, the use of project management tools exhibited less variability as compared to use of information communication technology support tools and risk management tools. In addition, use of formal project management methods exhibited less variability than use of formal decision‐making methods. Therefore, it is suggested that use of project management tools and methods is more consistent across the organizations studied, as compared to other tools and methods.
Originality/value
This paper extends the survey findings of an international 2011 study and sheds light on the use of project management and related tools and methods.
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The purpose of this paper is to introduce a project‐specific version of the Formal Systems Model that can be used by project managers and other professionals to identify actual or…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to introduce a project‐specific version of the Formal Systems Model that can be used by project managers and other professionals to identify actual or potential weaknesses in a project's structure or processes and to look for difficulties in the relationships between the project and the context in which it is or will be taking place.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper uses research findings to show how the model was developed and to demonstrate the utility of the approach taken.
Findings
A model that is based upon the Formal Systems Model but which is accessible to those who are not fluent in the language of systems thinking and not familiar with its concepts is developed and its utility is demonstrated. Its use in a real‐life project situation is also demonstrated.
Practical implications
The model that is presented provides a robust means of helping project managers avoid failure.
Originality/value
This paper is based on primary research and provides the first full introduction to the project‐specific version of the Formal Systems Model.
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Joyce Fortune, Diana White, Kam Jugdev and Derek Walker
The purpose of this paper is to report the findings of a survey designed to: capture the “real world” experiences of people active in project management (PM) in Australia, Canada…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to report the findings of a survey designed to: capture the “real world” experiences of people active in project management (PM) in Australia, Canada and the UK; determine the extent to which those involved in the management of projects make use of the methods and techniques that are available; and discover how effective the methods and techniques are felt to be.
Design/methodology/approach
A questionnaire comprising 24 questions with a mixture of yes/no, Likert‐scale, multiple choice and open questions was developed. These were designed so that the data gathered could be compared with the results of a similar survey conducted in the UK a decade ago. Professional networks and direct e‐mails were used to distribute the survey electronically to potential respondents who were actively involved in PM in the three countries. A total of 150 responses are used in the analysis, 50 from each country.
Findings
The results show that there are many areas where the experiences, practices and views are similar across all three countries and are comparable to the earlier UK survey. However, as is often the case, it is perhaps the differences that are of most interest and these are commented upon throughout the paper.
Originality/value
This paper sheds light on current practice across three countries and presents a useful historical perspective on PM trends in practice and rates of credentialization of those surveyed. It also provides useful quantitative results that can be used to more broadly speculate and make sense of other qualitative studies.
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Medical encounters are interactional/interpersonal processes taking place within contexts shaped by macro-level social structures. In the case of sexually transmitted diseases…
Abstract
Medical encounters are interactional/interpersonal processes taking place within contexts shaped by macro-level social structures. In the case of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), medical encounters occur at a stigmatized crossroads of social control and gendered norms of sexual behavior. When women are diagnosed and treated for chronic STDs, practitioner demeanor has an important impact on how patients will view not only their health status but also their moral status. This chapter draws on in depth interviews with 40 women diagnosed with genital infections of herpes and/or human papillomavirus (HPV – the cause of genital warts) to explore three models of patient–practitioner interaction. The analysis focuses on the relationship between gender, construction of illness, and practitioner interaction style. In a broader context, the health risks posed by particular interaction styles to female STD patients shed light on larger public health implications of combining morality with medicine for the broader range of patients with stigmatizing diagnoses.
The purpose of this paper is to set out the results of a study of a major landmark construction project and to use systems thinking to shed light on the organisation, management…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to set out the results of a study of a major landmark construction project and to use systems thinking to shed light on the organisation, management and performance of the project.
Design/methodology/approach
The three main methods of gathering the data were a series of formal and informal interviews with representatives of Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council and their main project partner Harbour and General, regular visits to the main construction site and the secondary site where the bridge was pre‐fabricated and an extensive study of newspaper and magazine articles, Council minutes and memoranda and other relevant literature. The paper also employs a systems‐based approach whereby the project is represented as a system and compared with an ideal model of a system that is capable of purposeful action without failure.
Findings
This paper has shown that shown that, although many aspects of the management of this construction project such as its decision‐making processes were very effective, the project was over budget and significantly late. Analysis using systems thinking has been able to reveal that the problems encountered during the construction were caused by unforeseen environmental influences and failure to appreciate the viewpoints of those directly and indirectly affected by the project. It is suggested that the lessons learned from investigating this project in real time can provide a valuable insight into understanding the challenges faced by similar projects.
Originality/value
Unlike many reports of similar‐sized projects, this case study uses data gathered throughout the life of a lengthy construction project. It uses these data to conduct an assessment of project performance and evaluate the way the project was managed. The method used to do this is transferable to a wide variety of design and engineering projects and is of value to academics and practitioners alike.
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Systems thinking is holistic, that is it deals with wholes ratherthan parts and is relevant to tackling ill‐structured“messy” problems. Reviews the literature on risk to…
Abstract
Systems thinking is holistic, that is it deals with wholes rather than parts and is relevant to tackling ill‐structured “messy” problems. Reviews the literature on risk to identify the techniques and concepts used in the management of risk and the identification of potential failures. The majority of the concepts identified are found to be systematic and reductionist. Also identifies related concepts not used in the techniques which are found to be more holistic. Classifies the concepts according to their use and holistic qualities. Briefly describes a systems approach to failures. As risk is associated with uncertainty and ill‐structured problems, suggests that systems thinking could be a valuable aid to risk management.