In this paper I propose first of all to analyse the type of information required by management; secondly to give some indication of the availability of this information, both in…
Abstract
In this paper I propose first of all to analyse the type of information required by management; secondly to give some indication of the availability of this information, both in the United Kingdom and overseas (suggesting at the same time how this information can sometimes be supplemented by the company's own effort); and finally to say something about the building up, storage and dissemination of commercial information based largely on our own practice.
THE following list of contracts placed by the Air Ministry during June has been extracted from the July issue of The Ministry of Labour Gazette.
IF we count the University of Strathclyde School of Librarianship as a “new” school—rather than simply an old school transferred from a College of Commerce to a university—then…
Abstract
IF we count the University of Strathclyde School of Librarianship as a “new” school—rather than simply an old school transferred from a College of Commerce to a university—then four “new” schools were established between 1963 and 1964, three of the four in universities and the other closely linked with a university, though remaining independent. All four schools have their special features but I consider the more significant of Belfast's features to be its right, from the outset, to conduct all its own examinations for graduates and non‐graduates. Queen's was also the first British university to provide non‐graduates with courses in librarianship. (Strathclyde is the second.) All successful students are eligible for admission to the Register of Chartered Librarians (ALA) after they have completed the prescribed period of practical experience.
5. During the preliminary enquiries into this subject several manufacturers were approached. One stated that when first manufactured more than forty years ago the substance had…
Abstract
5. During the preliminary enquiries into this subject several manufacturers were approached. One stated that when first manufactured more than forty years ago the substance had approximately the following composition:—
Hanna Lee, Yingjiao Xu and Anne Porterfield
Despite the potential of virtual fitting rooms (VFRs) to enhance the consumer experience, their adoption is in the preliminary stages. Little is known about inherent reasons why…
Abstract
Purpose
Despite the potential of virtual fitting rooms (VFRs) to enhance the consumer experience, their adoption is in the preliminary stages. Little is known about inherent reasons why consumers would adopt VFRs. As consumers' attributional processes can be influenced by their enduring chronic traits, this study aims to investigate the influence of chronic regulatory focus on consumers' VFR adoptions via consumers' perceptions of value provided by VFRs. Additionally, the mediating effects of perceived functional and experiential values were examined. Further, the moderating effect of prior VFR experience was tested to allow for variations in consumer experiences.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected via an online survey of 480 consumers who have at least heard of VFRs via convenience sampling. Established measures were utilized to develop the survey questionnaire. Data were analysed using structural equation modelling to test the main model with mediation effects as well as multi-group comparisons to test the moderating effect.
Findings
Empirical results revealed that respective chronic regulatory foci, as preconceived factors that drive consumers' differences in processing, exerted significant influences on consumers' perceptions of VFRs, which, in turn, positively influenced their adoption intention. Also, perceived values mediated the relationship between regulatory foci and consumers' adoption intention. Further, prior VFR experience moderated the relationship between regulatory focus and perceived value.
Originality/value
The paper empirically tested the importance of chronic regulatory foci in understanding consumers' cognitive and affective attributional processes, explaining inherent psychological reasons why consumers would (not) adopt VFRs.
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Henry Ellington and Gavin Ross
Presents the general thesis that absolute academic quality is something which must be sought after but, by its nature, can never be fully attained. Describes the quality‐assurance…
Abstract
Presents the general thesis that absolute academic quality is something which must be sought after but, by its nature, can never be fully attained. Describes the quality‐assurance and quality‐control systems which operate within The Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, and shows how these have recently been supplemented by the establishment of an internal quality audit team within the university, charged with the task of monitoring the quality of these existing quality systems. Describes the team′s first three audits – evaluating the university′s course appraisal system, evaluating its validation and review procedures, and evaluating the quality of its teaching. Then outlines the team′s future programme as currently envisaged, showing how this is designed to help the university to prepare for its first HEQC Audit, which is expected to take place around 1995‐1996. Finally, evaluates the success of RGU′s Internal Quality Audit Team, and argues that other higher education establishments might find it useful to establish similar “meta‐quality” systems.
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Notes how more and more companies are using information from their800 number callers as a substitute for conventional survey research,analysing the monthly volume of complaints in…
Abstract
Notes how more and more companies are using information from their 800 number callers as a substitute for conventional survey research, analysing the monthly volume of complaints in a quantitative way. Assesses the merits of such practices based on the evidence available to date, considering representativeness and data recording problems for example. Offers managerial recommendations as well as suggestions for improving procedures. Concludes that the quantitative interpretation of data derived from 800 numbers is generally problematic and sometimes wholly inappropriate.
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Henry Ellington and Gavin Ross
Recognizes that universities are coming under increasing pressure from anumber of sources to produce evidence of the quality of their teaching.Outlines the approach to evaluating…
Abstract
Recognizes that universities are coming under increasing pressure from a number of sources to produce evidence of the quality of their teaching. Outlines the approach to evaluating teaching quality being implemented within The Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen. Shows how this is based on the use of a self‐assessment pro forma that enables staff to rate their performance against 28 basic criteria which characterize effective teaching and related activities. Describes how the scheme was piloted on a voluntary basis throughout the university during 1992‐93, and how subsequent evaluation indicated it had proved both acceptable to staff and successful in achieving its various design aims. Shows how the scheme is now being formally incorporated into the university′s Staff Development and Career Review Scheme, and is also being used to accumulate evidence of teaching quality for use in external quality assessments and audits.
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Carolyn Jackson, Tamsin McBride, Kim Manley, Belinda Dewar, Beverley Young, Assumpta Ryan and Debbie Roberts
This paper aims to share the findings of a realist evaluation study that set out to identify how to strengthen nursing, midwifery and allied health professions (NMAHP) leadership…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to share the findings of a realist evaluation study that set out to identify how to strengthen nursing, midwifery and allied health professions (NMAHP) leadership across all health-care contexts in the UK conducted between 2018 and 2019. The collaborative research team were from the Universities of Bangor, Ulster, the University of the West of Scotland and Canterbury Christ Church University.
Design/methodology/approach
Realist evaluation and appreciative inquiry were used across three phases of the study. Phase 1 analysed the literature to generate tentative programme theories about what works, tested out in Phase 2 through a national social media Twitter chat and sense-making workshops to help refine the theories in Phase 3. Cross-cutting themes were synthesised into a leadership framework identifying the strategies that work for practitioners in a range of settings and professions based on the context, mechanism and output configuration of realist evaluation. Stakeholders contributed to the ongoing interrogation, analysis and synthesis of project outcomes.
Findings
Five guiding lights of leadership, a metaphor for principles, were generated that enable and strengthen leadership across a range of contexts. – “The Light Between Us as interactions in our relationships”, “Seeing People’s Inner Light”, “Kindling the Spark of light and keeping it glowing”, “Lighting up the known and the yet to be known” and “Constellations of connected stars”.
Research limitations/implications
This study has illuminated the a-theoretical nature of the relationships between contexts, mechanisms and outcomes in the existing leadership literature. There is more scope to develop the tentative programme theories developed in this study with NMAHP leaders in a variety of different contexts. The outcomes of leadership research mostly focussed on staff outcomes and intermediate outcomes that are then linked to ultimate outcomes in both staff and patients (supplemental). More consideration needs to be given to the impact of leadership on patients, carers and their families.
Practical implications
The study has developed additional important resources to enable NMAHP leaders to demonstrate their leadership impact in a range of contexts through the leadership impact self-assessment framework which can be used for 360 feedback in the workplace using the appreciative assessment and reflection tool.
Social implications
Whilst policymakers note the increasing importance of leadership in facilitating the culture change needed to support health and care systems to adopt sustainable change at pace, there is still a prevailing focus on traditional approaches to individual leadership development as opposed to collective leadership across teams, services and systems. If this paper fails to understand how to transform leadership policy and education, then it will be impossible to support the workforce to adapt and flex to the increasingly complex contexts they are working in. This will serve to undermine system integration for health and social care if the capacity and capability for transformation are not attended to. Whilst there are ambitious global plans (WHO, 2015) to enable integrated services to be driven by citizen needs, there is still a considerable void in understanding how to authentically engage with people to ensure the transformation is driven by their needs as opposed to what the authors think they need. There is, therefore, a need for systems leaders with the full skillset required to enable integrated services across place-based systems, particularly clinicians who are able to break down barriers and silo working across boundaries through the credibility, leadership and facilitation expertise they provide.
Originality/value
The realist evaluation with additional synthesis from key stakeholders has provided new knowledge about the principles of effective NMAHP leadership in health and social care, presented in such a way that facilitates the use of the five guiding lights to inform further practice, education, research and policy development.