This paper aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of whether stock returns in Europe are best characterized by country-specific or Europe-wide versions of widely used factor…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of whether stock returns in Europe are best characterized by country-specific or Europe-wide versions of widely used factor models.
Design/methodology/approach
To estimate the cost of equity in Europe, both region-wide and nationally, the Fama and French (2012) three-factor and Carhart (1997) four-factor models are used.
Findings
The results show that although the value and momentum premiums are present on a Europe-wide basis, the size premium is country-specific.
Originality/value
The paper offers an explanation to the puzzle of why Fama and French (2012) detect value and momentum premiums but no size premium in Europe. Furthermore, the results shed new light on these premiums and present a challenge to existing applications of widely used factor models.
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Dieter Declercq, Eshika Kafle, Jade Peters, Sam Raby, Dave Chawner, James Blease and Una Foye
Eating disorders (EDs) remain a major health concern, and their incidence has further increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the equally increasing demands on treatments and…
Abstract
Purpose
Eating disorders (EDs) remain a major health concern, and their incidence has further increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the equally increasing demands on treatments and service provision and the high levels of relapse post-treatment, it is important that research explore novel and innovative interventions that can further support recovery for individuals with EDs. There is growing evidence that arts interventions are beneficial for recovery from EDs. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of conducting a stand-up comedy course to support ED recovery.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used a qualitative interview study design to evaluate the recovery benefits of participating in stand-up comedy workshops for a pilot group of people in recovery from EDs (n = 10).
Findings
The comedy intervention was well-attended and had high acceptability and feasibility. For most individuals, participating in the course had a positive impact, including promoting personal recovery (PR) outcomes across all five elements of the CHIME framework. Unique assets of the course included providing participants with an opportunity to distance themselves from everyday worries of living with an ED; the opportunity to cognitively reframe situations by making them the object of humour; and providing a safe space to (re-)build a positive sense of self.
Originality/value
This is the first study, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, that evaluates stand-up comedy workshops for ED recovery and further demonstrates the potential of arts interventions and the relevance of PR frameworks in this field.
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This paper aims to explore what can be learned from the COVID-19 pandemic about adaptable, functional housing design that supports seniors’ resilience. This paper considers how…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore what can be learned from the COVID-19 pandemic about adaptable, functional housing design that supports seniors’ resilience. This paper considers how physical and design features enable seniors to stay safe, develop coping strategies, give and receive care and maintain social connections.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative research strategy incorporating thematic analysis was used, involving interviews and one focus group with seniors and interviews with housing providers and community organisations supporting seniors. Forty-eight semi-structured interviews were conducted with 54 seniors aged over 60 years living independently, not in aged care. Interviewees were selected to cover a range of ages and housing circumstances. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with 20 organisations.
Findings
The physical, amenity and design aspects of the living environment that support seniors’ well-being and resilience during a pandemic are: the ability to receive essential goods and services in the home; sufficient space and storage; flexible and adaptable living spaces; access to private indoor and outdoor space; ability to garden and grow food; having an outlook or view; functional heating, ventilation and appliances; and dwelling location allowing access to green spaces, food stores and services. The ability of housing to facilitate social connections is a fundamental enabler of seniors’ resilience.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to knowledge about physical and design aspects of the dwelling that enable protection and care in a pandemic and how that can help to future-proof housing. Its focus on enabling seniors’ resilience through housing recognises the growing significance of structural population ageing for housing design and delivery and the central role of housing to ageing-in-place policies that underpin health and welfare provision.
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Sakineh Hajebrahimi, Ali Janati, Morteza Arab-Zozani, Mobin Sokhanvar, Elaheh Haghgoshayie, Yibeltal Siraneh, Mohammadkarim Bahadori and Edris Hasanpoor
Visit time is a crucial aspect of patient–physician interaction; its inadequacy can negatively impact the efficiency of treatment and diagnosis. In addition, visit time is a…
Abstract
Purpose
Visit time is a crucial aspect of patient–physician interaction; its inadequacy can negatively impact the efficiency of treatment and diagnosis. In addition, visit time is a fundamental demand of patients, and it is one of the rights of every patient. The purpose of this paper is to determine factors influencing the consultation length of physicians and to compare consultation length in different countries.
Design/methodology/approach
MEDLINE (PubMed), Web of Science, Cochrane, ProQuest, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched. In addition, references of references were checked, and publication lists of individual scholars in the field were examined. We used data sources up to June 2018, without language restriction. We used a random-effects model for the meta-analyses. Meta-analyses were conducted using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Version (CMA) 3.0.
Findings
Of 16,911 identified studies, 189 studies were assessed of which 125 cases (67 percent) have been conducted in the USA. A total of 189 studies, 164 (86.77 percent) involved face-to face-consultations. The effects of three variables, physician gender, patient gender, and type of consultation were analyzed. According to moderate and strong evidence studies, no significant difference was found in the consultation lengths of female and male doctors (Q=42.72, df=8, I2=81.27, p=0.891) and patients’ gender (Q=55.98, df=11, I2=80.35, p=0.314). In addition, no significant difference was found in the telemedicine or face-to-face visits (Q=41.25, df=5, I2=87.88, p=0.170).
Originality/value
In this systematic review and meta-analysis, all of physicians’ visits in 34 countries were surveyed. The evidence suggests that specified variables do not influence the length of consultations. Good relationship is essential to a safe and high-quality consultation and referral process. A high-quality consultation can improve decisions and quality of visits, treatment effectiveness, efficiency of service, quality of care, patient safety and physician and patient satisfaction.
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Graham Squires, Don Webber, Hai Hong Trinh and Arshad Javed
The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between house price affordability (HPA) and rental price affordability (RPA) in New Zealand. The cointegration of HPA and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between house price affordability (HPA) and rental price affordability (RPA) in New Zealand. The cointegration of HPA and RPA is of particular focus given rising house prices and rising rents.
Design/methodology/approach
The study examines the lead-lad correlation between HPA and RPA. The method uses a generalised least square technique and the development of an ordinary least squares model.
Findings
The study shows that there is an existence of cointegration and unidirectional statistical causality effects between HPA and RPA across 11 regions in New Zealand. Furthermore, Auckland, Wellington and Canterbury are the three regions in which the results detect the most extreme effects amongst HPA and RPA compared to other places in the country. Extended empirical work shows interesting results that there are lead-lag effects of HPA and RPA on each other and on mortgage rates at the national scale. These effects are consistent for both methods but are changed at individual lead-lag variables and amongst different regions.
Originality/value
The study empirically provides useful insight for both academia and practitioners. Particularly in examining the long-run effects, cointegration and forecasting of the volatile interactions between HPA and RPA.
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Rolien Terblanche and Dorcas Khumalo
The objective of this study is to determine how biophilic designs in study areas affect the productivity of students at the University of the Witwatersrand. The study also seeks…
Abstract
Purpose
The objective of this study is to determine how biophilic designs in study areas affect the productivity of students at the University of the Witwatersrand. The study also seeks to evaluate study areas at Wits in terms of biophilic design, determine whether biophilic design contributes to the preference of students and their study productivity.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a cross sectional study that used a mixed methodology. Five study areas were identified and evaluated in terms of biophilic design. At each study area, nine students participated in an open- and close-ended questionnaire regarding their perceptions on study areas and productivity.
Findings
The five study areas scored the following results according to the biophilic test: 29.09%, 34.55%, 36.36%, 80.00% and 85.45%, respectively. The students prefer to study in biophilic study areas as it prompts positive emotions and make them feel rejuvenated and energized. However, there are still students studying in the non-biophilic areas due to convenience or due to the biophilic areas that are noisy and lacks monitoring.
Research limitations/implications
With the small sample size, the generalizability of the findings are limited, but does create a foundation for further research.
Practical implications
Universities can learn from the findings and benefit greatly from many biophilic study areas. This could also encourage architects and interior designers to include biophilic design more so in general buildings/rooms.
Originality/value
Study areas at the University of the Witwatersrand was evaluated in terms of biophilic design, while determining whether biophilic design contributes to the preference of students and study productivity.