Qudsia Enayat, Kate Yorke, Dolores Mullen, Alireza Talebi, Steve Willner, Jon Dunn, Sum Yee Chan, Joseph Heskin, Katy Sinka, Stephanie J. Migchelsen, Hamish Mohammed and Chantal Edge
People in prison face a disproportionate risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), but there is a paucity of evidence on trends in STIs in prisons in England. This study…
Abstract
Purpose
People in prison face a disproportionate risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), but there is a paucity of evidence on trends in STIs in prisons in England. This study aims to describe trends in chlamydia test-positivity and syphilis prevalence by using two different methodologies in prison settings.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used routinely collected chlamydia surveillance data reported by all primary diagnostic laboratories in England from 2018 to 2022 to identify tests undertaken in prisons. Separately, this study used data from a pilot syphilis serology pilot study of four prisons in England. A descriptive analysis was undertaken to describe chlamydia test-positivity and syphilis seroprevalence by demographic characteristics.
Findings
Between 2018 and 2022, the number of chlamydia tests carried out in prisons increased by 2.0% (17,177–17,514) whilst the number of positive diagnoses decreased by 12.0% (957–840). The overall test-positivity in 2022 was 4.8% (840/17,514) which was marginally lower than that of the community; test-positivity was highest in 15–19 year-olds. Overall, syphilis prevalence was 3.9% (43/1064). Prevalence was highest in the women’s prison site at 6.4% 27/398). The range in male prison sites was between 0.5% and 3.5%.
Originality/value
Use of two methods enabled us to better understand the burden of STIs in a vulnerable population. Chlamydia test positivity was marginally lower than community levels but still indicated a high burden of infection, in particular for the 15–24 age group. Syphilis prevalence was high across all age groups in prisons, highlighting the need for more systematic assessment of STIs in prisons to allow for earlier identification and treatment of infections.
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Research highlights that residential care experienced children and young people in Scotland have poorer educational outcomes than their peers within the wider population. Despite…
Abstract
Purpose
Research highlights that residential care experienced children and young people in Scotland have poorer educational outcomes than their peers within the wider population. Despite this, poor educational attainment is not inevitable, and further research is needed to increase the understanding of long-term trajectories. This paper aims to address a gap in contemporary literature that is of benefit to practitioners, academics and policymakers. Despite experiencing adversity, attachment, separation and loss, school attainment data on leaving care only reflects part of the educational journey.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a mixed methodology and social constructionist theoretical framework, a practitioner-led PhD study gathered data from questionnaires and qualitative information from 13 semi-structured interviews with young people who had experienced residential care in Scotland. Recruitment was through a gatekeeper within a national third-sector organisation. The educational trajectories for young people with experience of residential care in Scotland are complex. A lived experience perspective from a PhD study illustrates that statistical data only captures part of the journey and the author needs to reconsider how success is measured.
Findings
Of the 13 participants in the study, 12 achieved success educationally, although for the majority of those interviewed, attainment continued after leaving compulsory education. Barriers to greater success included placement uncertainty and movement, stigma, low expectations, pressure to not become a statistic, procedural obstacles and inconsistency or poor relationships.
Research limitations/implications
Supportive relationships and stable placements can create circumstances conducive to effective learning, but evidence reflects that support is necessary throughout the life course if children, young people and adults with care experience are to reach their full academic potential.
Originality/value
Research into the educational outcomes for those with experience of residential care in Scotland is limited. This paper, from a PhD, provides lived experience accounts from a practitioner-led study.
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In the period before Britain entered the European Community and again at the Labour Government's referendum, one factor which caused most concern in both those in favour and those…
Abstract
In the period before Britain entered the European Community and again at the Labour Government's referendum, one factor which caused most concern in both those in favour and those against entry, was the possible loss of sovereignty by the Houses of Parliament to a supra‐national body. That there would be some loss was accepted but fears that it would be anything more than minimal were discounted, and not enough to affect the lives of ordinary people. Far‐reaching changes required by some of the EEC food directives and regulations, which even if held in abeyance for the usual transitional period will have to be implemented eventually, must be causing many to have second thoughts on this. If more were needed, the embarassing situation at the recent energy conference, at which Britain, as a major oil producer, demanded a separate seat, but had to submit to the overall authority of the Community, the other members of which, figuratively, do not produce a gallon of oil between them. A shift of power from Whitehall to Brussels may not be so evident at higher levels of government, however, as in secondary legislation; the language of the departments of government.
Ibrahim Mohammed and Alhassan Bunyaminu
This paper aims at identifying the major obstacles to business enterprise in an emerging economy and how these obstacles are associated with different characteristics of the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims at identifying the major obstacles to business enterprise in an emerging economy and how these obstacles are associated with different characteristics of the enterprises.
Design/methodology/approach
The study relied on the World Bank Enterprise Survey data on Ghana and applied binary and ordinal probit regression techniques to estimate the associations between the characteristics of the enterprises and the identified obstacles. Significance testing of the associations is also conducted.
Findings
The five main obstacles perceived by most of the enterprises in the study are access to finance, electricity, access to land, customs and trade regulations and tax rates. These obstacles are associated in different ways to growth rate (high vs low growth), scale (small and medium vs large), age, size of employees, the experience of the top manager and ownership (wholly domestic vs foreign ownership).
Research limitations/implications
As a cross-sectional study focusing on Ghana, the findings are informative about the major obstacles facing business enterprises in an emerging economy; however, the ecological validity of these findings may be limited to factors specific to Ghana.
Originality/value
Given the representativeness of the Enterprise Survey, policymakers can rely on these findings to formulate useful policies to promote the operations of business enterprises.
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There have always been traditional differences between the various regions of the British Isles. For example, meat consumption is greater in the North than the South; most…
Abstract
There have always been traditional differences between the various regions of the British Isles. For example, meat consumption is greater in the North than the South; most families take some meat at every meal and this extends to the children. The North is the home of the savoury meat products, eg., faggots, rissoles and similar preparations and a high meat content for such foods as sausages is expected; between 80 and 90% with the cereal only present for binding purposes. Present minimum meat contents would be considered a swindle, also the nature of the lean meat and the lean meat/fat ratio. The high water content similarly would have been unacceptable.
This paper aims to compare the Islamic financial accounting standards (IFAS) prevailing in Pakistan declared by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) with…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to compare the Islamic financial accounting standards (IFAS) prevailing in Pakistan declared by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) with accounting standards of Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI).
Design/methodology/approach
Both standards related to Islamic financial accounting have been thoroughly reviewed, compared and discussed to find out the differences and similarities, along with the depth needed to meet the needs of Islamic finance.
Findings
AAOIFI accounting standards provide a comprehensive view of complex transactions, whereas SECP standards have limitations. The proposed recommendations aim to bridge the gap by conducting periodic reviews and revisions of IFAS prevailing in Pakistan to keep up with the dynamic nature of the Islamic finance industry.
Practical implications
The regulators should establish institutional arrangements for adapting AAOIFI accounting standards, enabling efficient and effective upgrading of existing accounting standards for Islamic financial institutions and alignment with international best practices.
Originality/value
There is a dearth of studies related to Islamic financial accounting in the context of Pakistan; this is one that contributes to this area.
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Peter Gilbert and Michael Clark
English governance has repeatedly had a tendency to veer between national, regional and local centres of power and influence. This has often led to profound disagreements…
Abstract
English governance has repeatedly had a tendency to veer between national, regional and local centres of power and influence. This has often led to profound disagreements, sometimes even open conflict. National policy guidance is usually helpful, if developed through consultation, to steer a clear, coherent direction for the system. But a narrow, excessively top‐down, mechanistic target‐driven approach can lead to a prevailing culture of ticking boxes at the expense of real patient priorities. Government ministers and civil servants, however, are often caught in a tension between being too dogmatic, or alternatively too flexible and giving responsibility to local agencies, whereupon people may complain about a ‘postcode lottery’ in services. Balancing perspectives and narratives in a coherent way for policy development and implementation and service improvement is a major challenge of leadership. The creation of the National Institute for Mental Health in England (NIMHE) was designed to bring together the local, regional and the national in a form that would see policy and practice mutually developed and nurtured at all levels of governance.
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Aminu Mamman and Nabil Baydoun
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the perceived impact of globalization amongst Nigerian bank managers and professionals. Managerial and organizational cognition (MOC…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the perceived impact of globalization amongst Nigerian bank managers and professionals. Managerial and organizational cognition (MOC) literature is used to evaluated perceptions of impact.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper adopts a survey methodology to gather the information needed to achieve the objectives of the paper. Descriptive statistics and statistical analyses are used to evaluate various relationships.
Findings
Respondents view the outcome of globalization as unfair. They also view globalization as endangering the economy and cultural values of Nigeria. However, they see the benefits of globalization in terms of transfer of good management and business practices as well as flow of foreign direct investment. They also seem to believe that globalization is open enough to accommodate other economic and political systems. However, they also believe that globalization hinders nation states to formulate polices favourable to the economy. Similarly, the majority do not believe that the world will be a better and fairer place if all countries adopt the philosophy and principles underpinning globalization.
Research limitations/implications
Managers' interpretation of the impact of globalization can influence their decisions and ultimately organizational strategy. Depending on the perceived benefits of globalization, managers who can influence government policy would try to lobby against excessive liberalization that might affect their local market position.
Originality/value
There is an attempt to link macro‐ and micro‐dimensions of globalization research. A multidisciplinary approach opens up the possibility for researchers from management discipline and other disciplines (e.g. economics, sociology and politics) to team up and study globalization. Future research should adopt both a quantitative and qualitative methodology. For example, the use of in‐depth interviews should reveal more information on how respondents perceive the impact of globalization on values and beliefs. Future studies should also target policy makers and senior executives across industries and the non‐governmental organization sector.
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David Yates and Muhammad Al Mahameed
Through this reflexive, theoretically informed polemical piece, this paper aims to seek to reflect on the role of accounting education in United Kingdom Higher Education (UKHE)…
Abstract
Purpose
Through this reflexive, theoretically informed polemical piece, this paper aims to seek to reflect on the role of accounting education in United Kingdom Higher Education (UKHE). The authors reignite an old, but pertinent debate, whether accounting graduates should be educated to be accountants or receive a holistic, critical education.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors adopt a theoretical position drawing on the work of Slavoj Žižek and Mark Fisher, and their fusion of Lacanian psychoanalysis and Marxism, in particular Fisher’s (2009) conceptualisation of “capitalist realism” to take a critical standpoint on the effects that UKHE marketisation is having on the teaching of accounting and other business-related disciplines.
Findings
The authors outline four key aspects of where accounting education in UKHE is influenced by capitalist realism, as a result of the marketisation of UKHE.
Research limitations/implications
The paper is a reflexive polemic and so is limited by this written style and presentation.
Social implications
The authors argue that capitalist realism is a dominant theme that influences accounting education. They propose that universities now, more than ever, must focus on their societal duty to foster critical viewpoints in their graduates and dispose of a model that is subject to capitalist realism ontology.
Originality/value
The theoretical stance allows for a potentially deeper consideration of issues surrounding marketisation of higher education, from the micro level of social interaction (that of the accounting academic and their impact/perceptions of the reality).