Mariel Alem Fonseca, Naoum Tsolakis and Pichawadee Kittipanya-Ngam
Amidst compounding crises and increasing global population’s nutritional needs, food supply chains are called to address the “diet–environment–health” trilemma in a sustainable…
Abstract
Purpose
Amidst compounding crises and increasing global population’s nutritional needs, food supply chains are called to address the “diet–environment–health” trilemma in a sustainable and resilient manner. However, food system stakeholders are reluctant to act upon established protein sources such as meat to avoid potential public and industry-driven repercussions. To this effect, this study aims to understand the meat supply chain (SC) through systems thinking and propose innovative interventions to break this “cycle of inertia”.
Design/methodology/approach
This research uses an interdisciplinary approach to investigate the meat supply network system. Data was gathered through a critical literature synthesis, domain-expert interviews and a focus group engagement to understand the system’s underlying structure and inspire innovative interventions for sustainability.
Findings
The analysis revealed that six main sub-systems dictate the “cycle of inertia” in the meat food SC system, namely: (i) cultural, (ii) social, (iii) institutional, (iv) economic, (v) value chain and (vi) environmental. The Internet of Things and innovative strategies help promote sustainability and resilience across all the sub-systems.
Research limitations/implications
The study findings demystify the structure of the meat food SC system and unveil the root causes of the “cycle of inertia” to suggest pertinent, innovative intervention strategies.
Originality/value
This research contributes to the SC management field by capitalising on interdisciplinary scientific evidence to address a food system challenge with significant socioeconomic and environmental implications.
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Festus E. Obiakor, Jeffrey P. Bakken and Jessica Graves
Changes are occuring at a startling fillip in our society and our world. One of the changes is the need to revamp how persons with disabilities are treated and educated. In the…
Abstract
Changes are occuring at a startling fillip in our society and our world. One of the changes is the need to revamp how persons with disabilities are treated and educated. In the United States of America, laws have been pulmulgated to reduce the plight of learners with disabilties. As a result, myriad intervention strategies have been instituted to identify, assess, label, place, and educate these learners. However, some interventions continue to be very traditional. To go beyond tradition and adequately maximize the fullest potential of learners with disabilties, we must value the “specialness” of special education as a powerful intervention program, listen to new voices with new ideas, and debunk deficit thinking that are prejudicial, especially in helping people with disabilities to survive in our competitive society. Interestingly, the chapters in this book have exposed the different intervention options for learners with disabilities. Clearly, without innovative interventions for these learners, special education will be a failure.
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Nikolaos Apostolopoulos, Ilias Makris, Sotiris Apostolopoulos and Panos Dimitrakopoulos
This study aims to examine the potential adaptability and resilience of rural micro-businesses within a business environment affected by successive crises, specifically drawing…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the potential adaptability and resilience of rural micro-businesses within a business environment affected by successive crises, specifically drawing conclusions on crisis management, while simultaneously highlighting enterprises’ capabilities in managing the current energy crisis, basis the experiences and best practices that they themselves have gained previously.
Design/methodology/approach
Convenience sampling was applied, effectively identifying 18 micro-entrepreneurs in rural Greece. Subsequently, qualitative research was conducted through semi-structured in-depth interviews.
Findings
Rural micro-businesses have shown adaptability and resilience to both economic and health crises through financial support received and interventions implemented. However, different crises’ types carry different business risks. The energy crisis has led to business operation’s energy costs and raw material prices multiplying exponentially. Additionally, they received limited financial support causing them to respond to the energy crisis though concrete defensive strategies and innovative interventions.
Research limitations/implications
Future research should examine local bodies and trade unions’ perception on the energy crisis’ impact towards rural entrepreneurship.
Practical implications
The findings are useful to Greek and European policy-makers and rural micro-entrepreneurs as the experience of dealing with several previous crises can be a useful tool when dealing with current and future crises.
Originality/value
This paper adds to international literature on rural micro-businesses resilience, operating in crisis mode. Additionally, it constitutes novel research exclusively focused on the new challenges faced by rural micro-businesses during the recent energy crisis.
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Jonah Duckworth, Abid Hasan and Imriyas Kamardeen
Data from different countries suggest a higher prevalence of anxiety, depression and suicides among manual and trade workers in the construction industry than in the general…
Abstract
Purpose
Data from different countries suggest a higher prevalence of anxiety, depression and suicides among manual and trade workers in the construction industry than in the general population. The present review examines the causes and effects of poor mental health and the effectiveness of interventions to improve manual and trade workers' mental health in the construction industry. It also identifies gaps in research and makes several suggestions for practice and future research.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic literature review was conducted to examine and consolidate evidence reported in 54 relevant journal articles published between 2010 and 2021 on the mental health of manual and trade workers.
Findings
Three major themes emerged in the review of the 54 journal articles: causes of poor mental health, effects of poor mental health and interventions to improve mental health. The leading causes of poor mental health among construction manual and trade workers are poor work-life balance, high job demand, poor cultural norms and mental health stigma, chronic bodily pain, lack of social support, workplace injustice and job insecurity. The prominent effects of poor mental health are suicidality, drug and alcohol addiction, poor workplace safety and poor work performance. Moreover, the study found that some of the strategies recently implemented in the construction industry to improve mental health are deemed ineffective, or their effectiveness remains inconclusive.
Research limitations/implications
The review's scope is limited to research on manual and trade workers, and it did not investigate the mental health of construction professionals and construction management students.
Originality/value
The review provides valuable insights into the causes and effects of poor mental health among manual and trade workers and the effectiveness of mental health interventions in the construction industry.
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Georgina Cairns, Marisa De Andrade and Jane Landon
The purpose of this paper is to explore the feasibility and utility of developing an independently defined and accredited benchmark standard for responsible food marketing. To…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the feasibility and utility of developing an independently defined and accredited benchmark standard for responsible food marketing. To identify provisional evidence and insights on factors likely to be critical to its successful development and its capacity to strengthen the effectiveness of responsible food marketing policy.
Design/methodology/approach
Desk-based cross-policy domain case study.
Findings
There is promising evidence that the development and deployment of an evidence-based, independently defined and verified responsible food marketing standard is feasible. Provisional findings on factors critical to the development of an effective standard and strategically significant evidence gaps are presented as insights in support of future food marketing policy and research planning.
Research limitations/implications
Further investigation of these preliminary findings is required.
Practical implications
The study has provisionally identified an innovative intervention with the potential to strengthen statutory, voluntary and internationally coordinated food marketing control policy approaches.
Originality/value
This is the first report of research into the potential for an independent benchmark standard to advance and strengthen responsible food marketing policy goals.
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Vetta Sanders Thompson, Anjanette Wells and Jacquelyn Coats
This chapter provides an overview of the role of socioeconomic status (SES) in health, including disease, health behaviors, and access to health. The literature on the social…
Abstract
This chapter provides an overview of the role of socioeconomic status (SES) in health, including disease, health behaviors, and access to health. The literature on the social determinants of health is reviewed. The chapter then provides a review of the health status of the homeless, poor, and near-poor. The incidence and mortality rates for leading diseases and health behaviors are reviewed, in addition to issues of environmental exposures, access to care, and health literacy. SES is one of the strongest predictors of health status (Kahng, 2010; Kawachi & Kennedy, 1997; Link & Phelan, 1996). SES is important to health regardless of a person's social status and in general, the more advantaged individuals are, the better their health, and the more disadvantaged individuals are, the greater their chances of increased morbidity and mortality (Adler et al., 1994; Adler & Coriell, 1997, Kidder, Wolitski, Campsmith, & Nakamura, 2007; Zlotnick and Zerger, 2009).
The chapter provides an overview of strategies and policies to address the health needs of the poor and vulnerable in our society, including workplace wellness strategies and school-based health clinics. The authors suggest ways to extend these innovative practices. This chapter emphasizes an approach to addressing the health of the poor and near-poor that acknowledges the significant role that access to social and economic resources plays in the acquisition and maintenance of health. Recommendations for health interventions are focused on strengthening the utilization of community institutions to deliver needed services.
Fuangfa Panya and Pawinee Petchsawang
The study aims to investigate innovation capability as a mediator in the relationship between talent management (TM) and entrepreneurial firm performance in Micro, Small and…
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to investigate innovation capability as a mediator in the relationship between talent management (TM) and entrepreneurial firm performance in Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Thailand based on employer perceptions.
Design/methodology/approach
A questionnaire survey was completed by 674 MSMEs in Thailand, both directly and online. Four hypotheses were tested using structural equation modelling (SEM).
Findings
The results demonstrated that TM has a significant and positive influence on innovation capability, but no evidence was found for a positive relationship between TM and entrepreneurial firm performance. However, innovation capability positively influences entrepreneurial firm performance, and it fully mediates the positive relationship between TM and entrepreneurial firm performance. These results suggest that TM can enhance entrepreneurial firm performance if it is implemented with effective innovation capability.
Research limitations/implications
The SEM model was employed with a limited number of enterprises, so the sample cannot represent the full population, as there are more than three million MSMEs in Thailand. More countries and factors should be incorporated into the model.
Practical implications
The owner-managers and HR practitioners of MSMEs can utilise the study results to develop talent strategies and innovative interventions that will enhance their firm’s performance.
Social implications
This study thus aims to strengthen the capacities of MSME entrepreneurs and policymakers to elevate inclusive innovation capability in MSMEs and to also accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG); innovation is one of the three important aspects of SDG9.
Originality/value
The study contributes by filling the research gap related to TM in the MSME business and enterprise development literature, and it aids in creating innovation capability to increase effective investments in TM.
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Kuan-Yu Yueh and Wen-Jung Chang
This paper aims to explore the trends in academic research on elder abuse from 1990 to 2023 using bibliometric analysis. It seeks to identify research trends, hotspots and gaps…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the trends in academic research on elder abuse from 1990 to 2023 using bibliometric analysis. It seeks to identify research trends, hotspots and gaps and proposes future research directions.
Design/methodology/approach
Using bibliometric analysis method, this study analyzes 2,404 documents related to elder abuse from the Scopus database. Visual analysis is conducted using VOSviewer software to reveal research trends, thematic clusters and their interrelationships.
Findings
The study shows a rising concern for elder abuse, especially in nursing homes, domestic settings and among dementia patients. However, research on prevention and intervention measures is lacking, despite increasing international collaboration. Yet, deeper exploration of cross-cultural and regional differences remains limited.
Practical implications
This study reveals that improving care conditions for nursing home residents and dementia patients requires increased funding, professional training for caregivers, the strengthening of regulations and the establishment of clear guidelines for reporting abuse. Additionally, promoting international cooperation, sharing best practices, raising public awareness and supporting ongoing research are essential measures to ensure the safety and dignity of older adults.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study represents the first systematic review of elder abuse research using bibliometric analysis, providing researchers and policymakers with a comprehensive knowledge framework of the field’s development trends and research hotspots.