Peter V. Copleston, Graham Scorthorne and Jean Whittaker
How do managers prepare financial forecasts?
Graham Whittaker, Lesley Ledden and Stavros P. Kalafatis
The objectives of this paper are twofold: to add to the debate regarding conceptualisation and operationalisation of value within a professional service domain, and to contribute…
Abstract
Purpose
The objectives of this paper are twofold: to add to the debate regarding conceptualisation and operationalisation of value within a professional service domain, and to contribute to the relatively sparse literature dealing with the functional relationship between determinants and outcomes of value with specific emphasis on the value to satisfaction and intention to re‐purchase relationship in professional services.
Design/methodology/approach
A theoretically grounded model has been developed that comprises three antecedents of value (conceptualised as a higher order construct of six dimensions) and satisfaction both of which impact on intention. The model has been tested, using partial least squares, on 78 responses obtained through an email survey carried out amongst executives of the top 300 UK‐based companies listed in the Times 1,000.
Findings
The results indicate that although perceived value is a multi‐dimensional construct treating value as a unified construct may lead to confounding effects. Although further research is needed it is suggested that different dimensions of value act at different levels of the value hierarchy and differentially reflect process and outcome value creation forces in professional services.
Originality/value
This paper adds to the debate surrounding conceptualisations of the value construct by offering empirical support as to its formative nature. Furthermore, this is the first attempt to examine differences in the nomological relationships of value when it is treated as a single higher order construct and when the higher order structure of value is relaxed allowing its dimensions to directly interact with antecedents and consequences.
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Katherine Tyler, Mark Patton, Marco Mongiello and Derek Meyer
The purpose of this article is to review the emerging literature of services business markets (SBMs) from 1974 to 2007 and analyse main themes that indicate the development of the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to review the emerging literature of services business markets (SBMs) from 1974 to 2007 and analyse main themes that indicate the development of the literature. It also aims to provide an introduction to the special issue on services business‐to‐business markets by examining the context.
Design/methodology/approach
The literature of SBMs from 1974 through 2007 was searched in relevant databases. The articles were analysed using Glaser's grounded theory. The constant comparison method was used with in vivo coding to reveal themes in the literature. These themes were then analysed contextually.
Findings
The literature revealed seven themes which followed a trajectory from implicit to explicit consideration of SBMs, as well as to multi‐ and cross‐disciplinary focus with integration of variables from consumer services marketing. The landscape for SBMs has become blurred due to deregulation, globalisation and information technology, particularly the internet and e‐commerce. The complexity and diversity of the literature reflects this new, blurred reality.
Research limitations/implications
This research is limited to indicative literature about SBMs as an introduction to the special issue on services business‐to‐business markets. The literature would benefit from a full critical review and research agenda.
Practical implications
The integration of theories coupled with the focus on specific service sectors and contexts, provide useful, applicable and transferable concepts which may be helpful to managers who are working in new contexts.
Originality/value
This article surveys the emergence of the literature on SBMs and defines its trajectory, themes and characteristics. It provides a useful background for academics and practitioners who would find a guide to the fissiparous literature on SBMs useful.
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Alison Smith, John Whittaker, John Loan Clark and Graham Boocock
It has been recognised that management training and development in SMEs is a relatively poorly researched area and that the influencing factors for SMEs are not well understood…
Abstract
It has been recognised that management training and development in SMEs is a relatively poorly researched area and that the influencing factors for SMEs are not well understood. This paper outlines a regional study of the interest in competence based management development amongst SMEs. This is compared with a study of the providers’ approach to management development provision for the SME market. It is apparent, from the study, that the value of Management NVQs remains unclear both to the provider and the SME recipient. Unless a means can be found to demonstrate value and benefits to both sides it is unlikely that take‐up will improve significantly within the SME community or that quality providers will continue to deliver to the sector. The paper highlights the major issues to be addressed for, and with, both parties if progress is to be made.
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THE Fulmer Research Institute was founded in 1947 to undertake confidential sponsored research for industry and/or government, British and/or foreign. Its founder, the late Col…
Abstract
THE Fulmer Research Institute was founded in 1947 to undertake confidential sponsored research for industry and/or government, British and/or foreign. Its founder, the late Col. Devereux, had been impressed by the work of sponsored research organisations such as Battelle, Armour, Stanford and others in the United States, and he believed that a similar organisation should have a role to play in the research effort of this Country. In 1947 this was a far‐sighted belief, for it seems probable that in those early post‐war years research and development were not recognised to the extent they are today, as essential parts of the processes of economic growth.
John Adie, Wayne Graham, Kerron Bromfield, Bianca Maiden, Sam Klaer and Marianne Wallis
This case study describes a community-based urgent care clinic in a general practitioner (GP) super clinic in South East Queensland.
Abstract
Purpose
This case study describes a community-based urgent care clinic in a general practitioner (GP) super clinic in South East Queensland.
Design/methodology/approach
This retrospective chart audit describes patient demographic characteristics, types of presentations and management for Sundays in 2015.
Findings
The majority of patients (97%) did not require admission to hospital or office investigations (95%) and presented with one condition (94%). Of the presentations, 66.5% were represented by 30 conditions. Most patients received a prescription (57%), some were referred to the pathology laboratory (15%) and some were referred to radiology (12%). A majority (54%) of patients presented in the first three hours. Approximately half (51%) of patients presenting were aged under 25. More females (53%) presented than males. A majority (53%) lived in the same postcode as the clinic. The three most common office tests ordered were urinalysis, electrocardiogram (ECG) and urine pregnancy test. Some patients (19%) needed procedures, and only 3% were referred to hospital.
Research limitations/implications
The study offers analysis of the client group that can be served by an urgent care clinic in a GP super clinic on a Sunday. The study provides an option for emergency department avoidance.
Originality/value
Despite calls for more research into community-based urgent care clinics, little is known in Australia about what constitutes an urgent care clinic. The study proposes a classification system for walk-in presentations to an urgent care clinic, which is comparable to emergency department presentations.
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Kechinyere C. Iheduru-Anderson and Monika M. Wahi
This chapter proposes a global agenda to eliminate racism in nursing by targeting reform at nursing education administration internationally. First, the history of racism in…
Abstract
This chapter proposes a global agenda to eliminate racism in nursing by targeting reform at nursing education administration internationally. First, the history of racism in nursing is reviewed, along with two models – the diversity model and the cultural competence model – that were applied unsuccessfully to counteract racism in nursing. Second, a description of how racism is entrenched in nursing leadership globally is presented. Third, the recalcitrant structures that serve to maintain institutionalized racism (IR) in the international nursing education system are carefully examined. Specifically, the components and constructs involved in IR in nursing education are delineated, and the way in which these negatively impact both ethnic minority (EM) students and faculty are explained. Based on this, a global agenda to eliminate racism in nursing education internationally is proposed. Eliminating racism in higher education in nursing is a mandatory social responsibility if global healthcare is ever to be equitable. Five actionable recommendations are made to eliminate racism in higher education are summarized as follows: (1) components of nursing programs which are designed to eliminate racism in nursing education should be governed at the country level, (2) to design and implement a system of surveillance of the global nursing community to enable standardized measurement to ensure nursing education programs in all countries are meeting anti-racism benchmark targets, (3) nursing education programs should be established worldwide to provide individual pipeline and mentorship programs to ensure the career success of EM nursing students and faculty, (4) nursing education programs should be conducted to reduce barriers to EM participation in these individual support programs, and (5) nursing education programs are required to teach their nursing faculty skills in developing anti-racist curricula that seeks to eliminate implicit bias.
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To explain the processes involved in rewriting one’s way of understanding phenomenon.
Abstract
Purpose
To explain the processes involved in rewriting one’s way of understanding phenomenon.
Design/methodology/approach
A model for characterizing cognitive conceptions of learning and unlearning is described through a historical, current, and forward thinking approach to understanding content. Ideas for the reorganization of information are proposed alongside application-oriented means of implementing learn over theory in classrooms.
Findings
For cognitive development to ensue, we must capitalize on students’ existing knowledge and ways of knowing the world through chance plus selection, piggy-backing, affective boosting/field facilitation, imitation, learning support systems, bias, LC learning, use of spare mental capacity, and the need for coherent self-concept.
Practical implications
Through effective facilitation of their learning, students can hone their skills, recognize their efforts toward their successes, write and rewrite their existing schematic frameworks, develop and maintain positive self-concepts, and advance their systems for understanding their worlds and how to progress to subsequent levels of attainment independently.