Dave Gelders, Hans Peeraer and Jelle Goossens
The purpose of this paper is to gain insight into the content, format and evaluation of printed public communication from police officers and governments regarding home burglary…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to gain insight into the content, format and evaluation of printed public communication from police officers and governments regarding home burglary prevention in Belgium.
Design/methodology/approach
The content and format in this paper is analyzed through content analysis of 104 printed communication pieces in the Belgian province of Flemish‐Brabant in 2005. The evaluation is analyzed through five focus group interviews among professionals and common citizens.
Findings
The paper finds that police zones significantly differ in terms of communication efforts. The media mix is not diverse with poor collaboration between police officers and government information officers, while intermediaries (i.e. architects) are rarely used, culminating in poor targeted communication.
Research limitations/implications
The paper shows that only printed communication is analyzed and more large‐scale empirical research is desired.
Practical implications
The paper shows that a richer media mix, more targeted communication, more national communication support and additional dialogue between and training of police officers and communication with professionals are advisable.
Originality/value
This paper combines two empirical studies and methods (content analysis and focus group interviews), resulting in a series of recommendations for further inquiry and future action.
Details
Keywords
Rafael R. Torrealba, G. Fernández‐López and Juan C. Grieco
The aim is to set a state‐of‐the‐art in scientific research towards the development of knee prostheses for transfemoral amputees, by reviewing the literature in the field and by…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim is to set a state‐of‐the‐art in scientific research towards the development of knee prostheses for transfemoral amputees, by reviewing the literature in the field and by identifying different scientific research lines that have brought out through the years. Also, to provide the information about possible outcomes in the near future, and their links to cybernetics, given the present trends in the field.
Design/methodology/approach
Literature related to scientific research carried out up‐to‐date in the field of knee prostheses, is reviewed in scientific articles, books and electronic sources. Then, different research lines are identified from the obtained information, and finally classified as presented in this work.
Findings
Three scientific research lines regarding the development of knee prostheses were found, each one dealing with: the design of knee prostheses; the performance assessment of these prostheses; and the creation of control strategies for these prostheses which use electronics to control their performance. Also, two new possible eras of prostheses were encountered: the cybernetic era, and the electromyographic one. Considering both options, it is concluded that the cybernetic era of prostheses is likely to become real soon.
Practical implications
A useful state‐of‐the‐art review for researchers likely to be introduced in the field of development of knee prostheses and prosthetic technology in general.
Originality/value
This literature review not only sets a state‐of‐the‐art of the development of knee prostheses, but also proposes a frame of references which allows to classify the different works done in the field, as well as a better understanding of these through a clear presentation.