Alain Cuerrier, Ashleigh Downing, Elisabeth Patterson and Pierre Haddad
Research projects involving traditional knowledge are finding new ways of dealing with intellectual property rights and commercialisation. Influenced by calls for fair and…
Abstract
Purpose
Research projects involving traditional knowledge are finding new ways of dealing with intellectual property rights and commercialisation. Influenced by calls for fair and equitable protocols involving access and benefit sharing regimes, researchers are developing new standards of practice. Here this paper aims to explore the process by which the CIHR Team in Aboriginal Antidiabetic Medicine (TAAM) came to address these issues within the scope of participatory action research.
Design/methodology/approach
A case study method is applied in order to highlight key events and topics. The legally binding research agreement developed for this project is used to illustrate examples of how the needs of First Nations stakeholders and of researchers are met.
Findings
The paper finds that strong research partnerships are characterized by accountability, adaptability, transparency, good and frequent communication and ultimately, trust. Researchers should be prepared to take a more “human” approach in their studies as the establishment of personal relationships are as important as the research itself. Proposals should include both monetary and intangible outcomes where possible, which reflect aboriginal culture and decision.
Practical implications
This paper can help others to understand the needs of aboriginal peoples with regard to research. It also provides links to protocols and the legal research agreement used by TAAM that can serve as an adaptable template for future work.
Originality/value
Publicising the research agreement and experiences herein is meant to contribute to a body of knowledge that will one day lead to new research norms when dealing with aboriginal peoples and traditional knowledge.
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Caroline White and Elisabeth Alton
General practitioners (GPs) play an important role in adult safeguarding. However, their experiences of this role have received scant attention in the UK and internationally. This…
Abstract
Purpose
General practitioners (GPs) play an important role in adult safeguarding. However, their experiences of this role have received scant attention in the UK and internationally. This study aimed to explore their experiences of safeguarding within care homes (CHs) for older adults where, as they are among the practitioner groups most frequently visiting, they are well-positioned to contribute to bringing abuse and neglect to light.
Design/methodology/approach
This study involved qualitative methods. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 12 GPs to explore their experiences of safeguarding in CHs. This included the issues that prompted their concerns, actions taken in response, difficulties and dilemmas experienced, CH safeguarding during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thematic analysis was undertaken, taking an inductive approach to the analysis.
Findings
GPs seldom witnessed what they considered clear signs of abuse/neglect, but instead more frequently observed “softer”, more ambiguous signs. They undertook a range of actions in response to these, in addition to formally reporting concerns. They experienced difficulties and dilemmas in respect of the hidden nature of abuse, uncertainty about the legitimacy of their concerns and thresholds for reporting, as well as dilemmas associated with the need to preserve essential working relationships with CHs, yet avoiding collusion with staff.
Originality/value
Although GPs play an important role in identifying signs of abuse/neglect, this role has been little explored to date. Their safeguarding role within CHs has been especially neglected, and the authors are aware of no other studies that have explored GPs’ roles and experiences in this context, within or outwith the UK.
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San Diego County (California, USA) contains 18 Indian reservations—more than any other county in the United States. Citizens of these reservations, each recognized as a sovereign…
Abstract
San Diego County (California, USA) contains 18 Indian reservations—more than any other county in the United States. Citizens of these reservations, each recognized as a sovereign nation, have information needs that are highly sophisticated. Coming from a civilization that preserved history through oral tradition, they have only recently made the transition to writing things down and collecting books into buildings. In spite of many tragic events that drastically reduced their population, San Diego County's Indians have retained much of their heritage through efforts of tribal elders and non-Indian historians. With federal and local assistance, tribal libraries were constructed on about half of San Diego County's reservations during the 1980s. Over the next few years, reduction of grant funds adversely affected them, resulting in some closures. Thanks to creative efforts made by many individuals at a local university, the state library, professional associations, and most of all by the Indians themselves, a number of San Diego County's tribal libraries are growing and taking on new shapes. Five local tribal librarians were surveyed twice over a 12-month period regarding their respective libraries. Analysis yielded four key factors for success: (1) the presence of a designated librarian; (2) support from the tribal government; (3) plans and a vision for the future; and (4) partnerships and connections with other entities. The research suggests that these factors are applicable toward ensuring success for small, geographically and culturally isolated libraries in any context.
Jenny K. Rodriguez, Elisabeth Anna Guenther and Rafia Faiz
This paper introduces intersectional situatedness to develop inclusive analyses of leadership. Intersectional situatedness recognises the contextual and situated nature of…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper introduces intersectional situatedness to develop inclusive analyses of leadership. Intersectional situatedness recognises the contextual and situated nature of experiences and their interaction with socially constructed categories of difference.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper draws on memory work by three feminist academics who situate their understandings and experiences of leadership as part of socio-historical contexts.
Findings
Understandings and experiences of leadership are multifaceted and benefit from being examined in their intersectional situatedness. This way, the simultaneity of visible and invisible disadvantage and privilege, which accumulate, shift and get reconfigured across the life course and are based on particular intersectional identity invocations, can be integrated into narratives about leadership.
Research limitations/implications
Interrogating gender-in-leadership adopting an intersectional situatedness helps to advance the field by embedding the recognition, problematisation and theorisation of situated difference as critical to understand leadership, its meaning and its practice in management and organisations.
Practical implications
In embedding intersectional situatedness in the analysis of leadership, more inclusive understandings of leadership are qualified that recognise differences positively and support changing the narratives around the meaning of “leader” and “good leadership”.
Social implications
Intersectional situatedness helps to identify tangible ways to see how inequalities impact women’s career progression to leadership and enable more nuanced conversations about privilege and disadvantage to advance feminist social justice agendas.
Originality/value
The paper reveals the narrow and restricted understandings of leadership and how this influences who is regarded as a legitimate leader. In addition, it adopts a methodology that is not commonly used in gender-in-leadership research.
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This study examined reasons why Elisabeth Rehn – labelled by the media as the queen of the polls – lost her lead position a month before the presidential election. Rehn’s campaign…
Abstract
This study examined reasons why Elisabeth Rehn – labelled by the media as the queen of the polls – lost her lead position a month before the presidential election. Rehn’s campaign had two approaches – traditional and marketing oriented. On one hand it represented a voter‐driven campaign with various non‐political and political professionals at its disposal but on the other hand the candidate was closer to the traditional party‐driven or ideology‐driven concept holding to traditional political themes. The main internal weaknesses of Rehn’s campaign were four factors: the weakness of the (civic) organisation, the lack of resources, the candidate’s credibility problems and the wrong themes. The relevant external factors were: the line‐up of the candidates with two strong right‐wing female candidates and overwhelming resources of the competitive organisations. The study provides evidence that most of the theoretical factors based on previous research to be relevant also in this campaign and emphasises the meaning of the candidate’s credibility. The indicators of the credibility were her competence and appearance (external credibility), and personality and commitment (internal credibility) even though in the very beginning the candidate was evaluated by the campaign workers as the most competent and experienced candidate. The polls and the media were considered to be factors that strengthened the result more than created it.
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Elisabeth Nöhammer, Claudia Schusterschitz and Harald Stummer
The employees’ perspective is often disregarded in research regarding workplace health promotion (WHP). Experts’ opinions are prominent, stating employees’ benefits of WHP on the…
Abstract
Purpose
The employees’ perspective is often disregarded in research regarding workplace health promotion (WHP). Experts’ opinions are prominent, stating employees’ benefits of WHP on the physical, mental, and social level. The purpose of this paper is to investigate which benefits and effects employees expect from WHP.
Design/methodology/approach
As a current qualitative study indicates that employees also highlight cognitive aspects and prevention issues, a quantitative verification of this extended model was conducted. A questionnaire consisting of items derived from a qualitative study was developed and distributed in Austria in two government agencies, one bank, and one NGO. The sample consists of 237 employees rating the appreciability of potential WHP effects.
Findings
Based on a principal component analysis, employee‐perceived effects of WHP were grouped into four components. Within the first, cognitive one, the most frequently perceived effect (40.1 per cent) was giving WHP a try. Regarding the second, emotional component, feeling appreciated (57.4 per cent) was emphasized. Improved affordability of prevention (57.0 per cent) belongs to the third, convenience/pleasure component. Effects in the fourth, social realm, such as better contact with colleagues, were perceived by only 17.4 per cent.
Research limitations/implications
The results enlarge the theoretical grouping of WHP effects but require further testing regarding blue‐collar employees, and physical benefits.
Practical implications
Strengthening factors referring to perceived benefits in practical WHP design plus related communication seems advisable to increase participation rates and benefits derived.
Originality/value
Providing an enlargement to current models of employee perceived benefits regarding WHP, this paper gives suggestions for a benefit oriented WHP program and communication design and opens up new paths for research.
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Howard Thomas, Helen Ougham and Dawn Sanders
The present paper aims to examine the concept of “plant blindness” in the context of current sustainability debates. “Plant blindness” was the term introduced in 1999 by the…
Abstract
Purpose
The present paper aims to examine the concept of “plant blindness” in the context of current sustainability debates. “Plant blindness” was the term introduced in 1999 by the botanists and educators James H Wandersee and Elisabeth E Schussler to describe what they saw as a pervasive insensitivity to the green environment and a general neglect of plants on the part of biology education.
Design/methodology/approach
The fundamental importance of plants for life on Earth and the socio-educational challenges of redacted awareness of this importance are considered. Also, the diverse physiological, psychological, philosophical, cultural and geopolitical origins and consequences of indifference to plants in relation to aspects of sustainability agendas are examined with special reference to education.
Findings
An examination of the outcomes of a range of research and practical initiatives reveals how multidisciplinary approaches to education and public engagement have the potential to address the challenge of “plant blindness”. The need for these opportunities to be reflected in curriculums is not widely appreciated, and the socio-economic forces of resistance to confronting plant neglect continue to be formidable.
Originality/value
Plant blindness is a relatively new field of research, and the full breadth of its implications are only gradually becoming apparent. If the present paper contributes to positioning plants as an essential element in sustainability education and practice, it will have met its objective.
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Amira Mukendi and Claudia Elisabeth Henninger
Currently, fashion rental is suggested as being a way to bring about sustainability in the fashion industry. Although there has been some success for brands in this space, as of…
Abstract
Purpose
Currently, fashion rental is suggested as being a way to bring about sustainability in the fashion industry. Although there has been some success for brands in this space, as of yet fashion rental remains a niche form of consumption. This study aims to uncover consumer perspectives of fashion rental to identify opportunities for developing a fashion rental business that meets the needs of current consumers.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a qualitative study utilising semi-structured interviews combined with brainstorming and drawing exercises. Interviews were conducted with 17 women and three men.
Findings
Findings indicate that considerations around fashion rentals are utilitarian in nature focussing on functional benefits rather than more hedonistic ones. A spectrum of products that people would be most interested in renting is given.
Research limitations/implications
Although the study invited male and female participants, the sample is more female-heavy, which may reflect the fact that women tend to be more open to alternative modes of consumption.
Practical implications
An important implication is that asking consumers to rent clothing requires a significant change in mindset. Brands need to ensure that their services “make sense” for the consumer to consider it as a viable alternative to purchasing new clothing.
Originality/value
This paper proposes a spectrum of fashion items that consumers may be interested in renting; this aims to help brands develop services that meet consumer needs.
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The legalization of same-sex marriage changed the parenting landscape for LGBTQ parents in a variety of ways. Parenthood is presumably different now that same-sex marriage is…
Abstract
The legalization of same-sex marriage changed the parenting landscape for LGBTQ parents in a variety of ways. Parenthood is presumably different now that same-sex marriage is officially legal. Experiences among LGBTQ couples in the post-legalization of same-sex marriage era raise questions about the context of growing recognition and cultural acceptance of same-sex relationships. I conducted in-depth interviews with LGBTQ parents to learn how they navigate parenting and the construction of parenting roles in the context of a society that has legalized same-sex marriage, yet still is rooted in heteronormative notions of family and parenthood. Specifically, I ask: How do LGBTQ couples construct and make sense of their roles as parents, particularly within the contemporary context of the legalization of same-sex marriage? Understanding the contexts that shape LGBTQ parents’ experiences aids in not only understanding the lives of LGBTQ parents and their families better, but also developing a deeper understanding of contemporary parenting identities and experiences more broadly.
Summer is here. Not only have you noticed that the dogwood and irises are in bloom, but you've also tracked the barrage of garden and lawn‐related questions of the past few months: