Alison Stevens Booth and Fiona Mary Cameron
Family participation in community events and festivals is framed by certain conditions related to their ability to enhance their quality of life (QOL) and family flourishing. For…
Abstract
Purpose
Family participation in community events and festivals is framed by certain conditions related to their ability to enhance their quality of life (QOL) and family flourishing. For communities to flourish, families must feel safe, secure, accepted and included. The research has the following aims: (1) to consider whether location is a determinant in family QOL and event participation, and (2) to identify how cultural identity and family issues may affect families' QOL and the role events play in their ability to flourish as a family.
Design/methodology/approach
An integrated mixed-methods design was used derived from quantitative and qualitative traditions, including surveys, interviews and secondary data. The survey component combined Jepson and Stadler's St Albans 2015 QOL study survey with research instruments used by the Rotorua Lakes Council (RLC). The Rotorua sample included 521 valid anonymous online surveys and 11 semi-structured interviews. The RLC's Arts and Culture team provided expert advice, strategic plans and reports; secondary data were gathered from media reports.
Findings
When comparing key Rotorua and St Albans data, the participants' responses were very similar. What appear significant are socio-economic and cultural differences and family-flourishing factors specific to Rotorua's location and population. The findings show that the biggest obstacles for families attending events are money, work commitments and family obligations. The events reflect the region's unique cultural profile and provide a distinctive identifier of place and people that create a unique small-city event portfolio.
Research limitations/implications
This study's findings have reinforced that for small-city events to succeed and attract high levels of patronage, council and community must work cooperatively towards common goals. Our findings indicate the importance, to our participants, of emotional attachment to Rotorua's natural landscape, built environment and unique cultural heritage. Additionally, arts and culture research focusing on new-migrant and multi-generational event participation is worth further consideration for preserving Rotorua's cultural history. Perceptions within the Rotorua community of their family experience at local events are central to our ongoing research and the further successful delivery of the RLC's event portfolio.
Originality/value
This research offers a case study that serves to build further areas of inquiry into the role events play in QOL, family flourishing and maintaining indigenous cultures. Study findings have reinforced that organisations, practitioners, festivals and events succeed in attracting high levels of patronage for a small city. This study provides insights for designing culturally inclusive event portfolios that include events and festivals that target family audiences.
Details
Keywords
Mary Louise Brown, Seonaidh McDonald and Fiona Smith
The purpose of this paper is to consider a psychoanalytic explanation for the challenges facing social entrepreneurs in Scotland.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to consider a psychoanalytic explanation for the challenges facing social entrepreneurs in Scotland.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative approach was used, in an exploratory study involving semi‐structured interviews with, and observation of, a purposive sample of social entrepreneurs.
Findings
Respondents exhibited a sense of splitting between the archetype of hard driving business leader and that of social reformer. One respondent was able successfully to integrate the two roles through an intuitive understanding of psychodynamic processes.
Research limitations/implications
This was an exploratory study with a small sample.
Practical implications
In a period of financial challenge for the UK economy, presenting new challenges for social enterprises, the findings add to researchers' understanding of apparently irrational responses to change.
Originality/value
There is limited research into the impact of archetypes on business behaviours and the paper aims to extend the literature.
Details
Keywords
The study aims to examine the role that gendered talk plays in the workplace in both task and non‐task related interactions.
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to examine the role that gendered talk plays in the workplace in both task and non‐task related interactions.
Design/methodology/approach
The research undertaken is a hybrid of qualitative and quantitative research using a single case study. The case study, comprising mixed gender and mixed status employees of an American multinational corporation, demonstrates similarities and differences between women's and men's speech patterns in this workplace setting. Through the recording and subsequent transcription of meetings that took place among the participants, a data archive was created, enabling analysis of the conversations to take place.
Findings
The research findings imply that organisations may need to move away from cultures that favour particular talk related norms to ones that facilitate the integration and assimilation of different types of talk, recognising that women and men use language differently.
Research limitations/implications
The speaking dimension of communication is very rich and can be understood at many different levels. Thus, by virtue of the nature of this undertaking along with the richness and the time and energy constraints within which it operated, it was impossible to broaden the scope of the inquiry any further. It is necessary to continue this research involving various other combinations of participants on a gender and a status dimension.
Practical implications
This research uncovers the impact of gendered talk on decision making and leadership in the organisation.
Originality/value
This paper offers valuable insights for practitioners in relation to the challenge faced by organisations in their need to achieve a more balanced representation of women and men in decision‐making positions.
Details
Keywords
The purpose of this paper is to look at some of the experiences of people with learning disabilities in Scotland during the Independence Referendum campaign, through the prism of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to look at some of the experiences of people with learning disabilities in Scotland during the Independence Referendum campaign, through the prism of a series of workshops run by a collective advocacy organisation. These workshops took an inclusive approach to the views of everyone with a learning disability.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper is a record of the workshops written after the event.
Findings
People with learning disabilities were engaged in the discussion and campaigns around the referendum in similar ways to other members of their communities. The issues that especially affect people with learning disabilities figured highly in the workshops. However, there was also discussion of more general issues such as employment, jobs and constitutional arrangements that affect all citizens.
Research limitations/implications
This is an observational study written up by the workshop leader and, as such, can make no claims of complete impartiality.
Practical implications
Experience of the workshops suggests that many of the barriers that prevent civic participation of people with learning disabilities may be ones of staff attitude and approach. The support offered to enable people to take part in the community may on some occasions have the opposite effect.
Social implications
Nonetheless, for those who have been able to overcome these barriers, there are signs of much greater participation in public life. This reflects an ongoing process of change with many people now joining political parties or being able to make contributions towards political debate.
Originality/value
This paper provides an important record of the growing involvement of people with learning disabilities in civil society.
Details
Keywords
Viki Holton and Fiona Elsa Dent
The purpose of this paper is to explore the findings from empirical research conducted with women managers about their careers and to propose a template or blueprint for how…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the findings from empirical research conducted with women managers about their careers and to propose a template or blueprint for how individuals and organisations might create a better career environment for women.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper draws on a research study that included interviews with 20 senior women managers from a range of sectors and countries and a self-completion survey questionnaire completed by 1,402 women.
Findings
The paper illustrates the difficulties that women continue to face in the workplace and how terms such as leadership, management and team leader may be gender biased. There is a need for employers and for individuals to consider a variety of different approaches to help create a more positive career environment for women.
Research limitations/implications
The findings have implications for career development structures and talent management processes within organisations. They also would be useful for professional associations.
Practical implications
The template proposed offers a useful guide to help organisations reflect on possible gender bias in career development structures.
Originality/value
This paper adds to the understanding of the issues that women managers face and highlight the practical changes employers could make to help address these issues.
Details
Keywords
Anastasia Zabaniotou, Aigli Tsirogianni, Monica Cardarilli and Massimo Guarascio
Gender competence as part of engineering education can better prepare men and women to work on sustainable solutions that benefit entire societies. This chapter describes the…
Abstract
Gender competence as part of engineering education can better prepare men and women to work on sustainable solutions that benefit entire societies. This chapter describes the framework and lessons learned of a community of practice (CoP) for gender equality facilitated by the Mediterranean Engineering Schools Network. Faculty and students from Mediterranean European, North African and Middle Eastern countries came together in this CoP, which was supported by the TARGET project, to develop a practical plan using a reflexive approach. The transfer of knowledge between generations is achieved by using participatory learning processes, facilitating mindful awareness, widening experiences, deepening understandings and building a gender-sensitive mindset. Students embarked on the journey to become change agents. The process led to the consolidation of gender equality knowledge, competence building and the development of change agents for gender equality. This CoP can inspire other institutions to undertake a participatory path towards gender equality – at local, regional, or global level.
Details
Keywords
The concept of corporate social responsibility of the enterprise covers a vast territory! This paper proposes to limit the analysis and evaluation of this concept to three…
Abstract
The concept of corporate social responsibility of the enterprise covers a vast territory! This paper proposes to limit the analysis and evaluation of this concept to three distinct aspects. The first will treat the comparatively new and evolving common law implied term in corporated into the contract of employment relating to the enterprise’s social responsibility of respect towards the employee. The second will analyse an other generically linked recent common law development in the field of the enterprise’s social responsibility of respect towards the employee, namely the implied over‐riding term. Thirdly, the novel and developing wider concept of corporate social responsibility will be addressed and assessed. Some concluding thoughts will follow.