H. Fergusson and D.A. Langford
The purpose of this research is to study the strategies used by construction organizations in dealing with environmental issues. It identifies the factors which govern a firm's…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this research is to study the strategies used by construction organizations in dealing with environmental issues. It identifies the factors which govern a firm's performance in respect of environmental management and explores the management strategies which are used to generate good environmental performance. The paper also seeks to consider the techniques adopted in pursuit of these strategies and to compare their effectiveness.
Design/methodology/approach
The research reviews the strategic management and environmental management and then proceeds to a case study investigation of six construction organizations. The case studies seek to uncover the variables that influence strategies for managing environmental issues. A cross‐case analysis provides an indication of the characteristics of those companies that demonstrate a higher environmental concern.
Findings
As environmental strategies are developed, the competencies in managing environmental issues will grow and lead to improved business performance. The growth in an organization's environmental competence provides the opportunity for increased competitive advantage.
Originality/value
A model is developed which illustrates the relationship between environmental management, business strategy and competitive advantage.
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Keywords
Chris Hartt, Jean Helms Mills and Albert J. Mills
The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of history in the creation of gender dynamics at work.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of history in the creation of gender dynamics at work.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing on an ANTi‐history – which draws on actor‐network theory (ANT) – and critical sensemaking framework, the authors analyze a written history of a teachers' union to examine how historically contextualized networks of actors shape notions of gender.
Findings
The findings support the notion of history as socially constructed story telling, which serves to shape rather than describe gendered relations at work.
Research limitations/implications
The research is limited to archival materials as the participants are not available as direct informants. Archives by their nature are incomplete and some accounts are summaries.
Practical implications
Understanding the socially constructed role of history will help management educators and practitioners to examine historical accounts as part of the problem of gendered relations. The paper reinforces the notion that understanding of discrimination may be lost as power imbalances are written out of historical accounts in the attempt to be politically correct.
Originality/value
The paper's contribution to research lies in its application of new methods of historical analysis (namely, ANTi‐history and critical sensemaking) and a focus on history as a powerful sensemaking device that shapes on‐going sensemaking.
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Michelle Jayman and Aimee Quickfall
Pupil ‘voice’ is heralded as a key tenet of education policy, practice and research; however, ensuring that voice is authentically heard in the spaces that children occupy remains…
Abstract
Pupil ‘voice’ is heralded as a key tenet of education policy, practice and research; however, ensuring that voice is authentically heard in the spaces that children occupy remains a challenge. Models of participation – relating to the degree of power either shared or transferred – range from tokenistic approaches to true pupil–teacher partnerships in which pupils initiate ideas and share decision-making with adults. Shier’s (2001) five-step Pathway to Participation model is considered and practitioners are invited to reflect on their own position and identify necessary steps to increase pupil involvement in their local setting. For guidance, a philosophy club intervention for early years and primary-age children is presented as a real-world example of facilitating voice on both group and individual levels. This chapter argues the case for schools to genuinely embrace and utilise pupil voice as part of a whole-school approach to enhance mental health and wellbeing within learning communities.
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Kate Williams and Heddwen Daniels
Children are often side-lined in both national and international provisions. Whilst the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development mentions children, it does so not as World citizens…
Abstract
Children are often side-lined in both national and international provisions. Whilst the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development mentions children, it does so not as World citizens but rather as subjects; this replicates their position in most state constitutions. The chapter considers the use of Amartya Sen's justice theory to deliver the 2030 Agenda to children who offend. For Sen, justice requires the identification and removal of sociostructural barriers which limit the life chances and impede the ability of many children to pursue legitimate and meaningful goals. He prioritises choice for all, including children. This chapter uses these ideals to consider the delivery of justice whilst respecting human agency. It takes as its example Wales, where children are central to a sustainable future and embraced as citizens with full human and fundamental rights. In particular, the Welsh Government's emphasis on ‘universal’ entitlements places a moral and political imperative on agencies to promote the well-being of all children, including those in conflict with the law; it seeks to deliver well-being to all children. The Welsh example is suggested as a just solution that might be replicated elsewhere and so result in a true delivery of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.
Yewande Adewunmi, Modupe Omirin and Hikmot Koleoso
This paper aims to examine common environmental practices and strategies for implementing sustainable FM among Nigerian FM practitioners.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine common environmental practices and strategies for implementing sustainable FM among Nigerian FM practitioners.
Design/methodology/approach
A review of the literature on sustainability and environmental management was undertaken. Data collection was through self‐administered questionnaires directed to a sample of 150 facilities managers who are members of the International Facility Management Association (Nigeria Group), Lagos, Nigeria. Structured interviews with five top facilities management professionals were also conducted. The data collected were analyzed using frequency counts, means, z‐test, repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and relative importance index. The survey achieved a response rate of 30 percent.
Findings
The survey revealed that many of the practitioners put a premium on achieving energy efficiency as a very vital environmental practice within their organizations. A strategic management procedure is more important for the implementation of environmental management in the Nigerian FM industry.
Originality/value
There is a paucity of literature in sustainability within facilities management in Nigeria. An integration of sustainability considerations into FM practice is required to promote the development of suitable environmental initiatives and practices within Nigerian cities, as many facilities managers are employed by companies whose activities harm the environment.
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Young people with learning disabilities are at risk of developing mental health problems. The Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities conducted a one‐year inquiry into…
Abstract
Young people with learning disabilities are at risk of developing mental health problems. The Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities conducted a one‐year inquiry into meeting their mental health needs. This paper explores ways of supporting emotional resilience and the response of services when young people with learning disabilities experience mental distress.
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Peter Oluwole Akadiri and Olusanjo Olaniran Fadiya
During the last decade, the practice of sustainability has been gradually adopted in the UK construction industry, with the increasing interest in the discourse of sustainable…
Abstract
Purpose
During the last decade, the practice of sustainability has been gradually adopted in the UK construction industry, with the increasing interest in the discourse of sustainable development. This paper therefore aims to investigate the role and ability of sustainable development-based requirements – top management commitment, government regulations and construction stakeholder pressures – as potential determinants of adoption of proactive environmentally sustainable practices, with a view of promoting sustainable innovation in the UK construction industry.
Design/methodology/approach
The research approach selected for this research comprised of a questionnaire survey of the UK construction industry practitioners – architects and designers, structural engineers, construction managers and quantity surveyors – with the aid of an Adobe Livecycle Designer. Purposive sampling techniques using maximum variation strategy were adopted for selecting the target survey respondents. The Predictive Analysis Software (PASW) Statistics 17.0 (formerly SPSS statistics) was employed to analyse information from the survey.
Findings
Empirical results indicate a positive effect of government regulations, top management commitment and construction stakeholder pressures on sustainable construction practices. Government regulation was found to be the most important determinants of sustainable practices. In addition, top management commitment appears to be linked with government regulation as the defining factor increasing managers sustainability awareness, helping sustainable practices to be effectively implemented and appealing to firms.
Originality/value
The research results provide useful information in understanding the determinant factors of sustainable construction innovation and are particularly essential in aiding better decision-making in implementing sustainable practices, thereby facilitating the sustainability of the construction sector.
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Anita J. Green and Alexandra J. Joy
The purpose of this paper is to provide a description of a small, early-stage feasibility project that used a motivational interviewing (MI) informed intervention on a psychiatric…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide a description of a small, early-stage feasibility project that used a motivational interviewing (MI) informed intervention on a psychiatric intensive care unit (PICU).
Design/methodology/approach
The paper describes a MI informed intervention implemented on a PICU for service users who use cannabis. The intervention was evaluated using a feedback questionnaire post intervention. Due to the small number of service users (n=5) in the first cohort there is limited narrative and quantitative data available.
Findings
The project raised awareness for staff of the potential usefulness of applying MI informed interventions in a PICU setting. All participants stated the intervention should continue to be offered after the project. The intervention needs to be further developed with the possibility of it being used on an acute open ward environment with a larger cohort and consider the use of a randomised-controlled trial approach to validate the results.
Research limitations/implications
The small cohort (n=5) used for this feasibility project and the evaluation limited the opportunity to make general conclusions and recommendations. However, the learning gained can be applied to future applications.
Practical implications
Practitioners can consistently apply the MI informed intervention using templates as a guide when providing drug urine screening results.
Originality/value
The intervention is a novel approach. The authors found no literature on incorporating MI principles and skills with providing drug urine screening results on a PICU; the paper helps to address this dearth of clinical examples.