The purpose of this paper is to assess individualized and team coaching as a tool for empowering library employees to respond to the constantly changing needs of customers.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to assess individualized and team coaching as a tool for empowering library employees to respond to the constantly changing needs of customers.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper documents a variety of strategic models and approaches to coaching that can be adapted for practical implementation with the aim of promoting positive change in employee skills and behaviors.
Findings
To remain competitive libraries must cultivate intrinsically motivated, high‐performance employees inspired by a culture that puts people first. Coaching is a methodology that can generate passion for the organizational vision and goals.
Research limitations/implications
Analysis of the theoretical premise for implementing a coaching program at the public library branch level is largely derived from referenced literature from the corporate domain. Evaluation of coaching goals should be conducted using qualitative and quantitative research methods decided upon during strategic planning for the coaching program.
Originality/value
The paper highlights that coaching has a multiplicity of benefits that address a renewed sense of urgency for library staff development, retention and succession management.
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Julian Rolfe and Mischa Gilbert
To understand the nature of young people’s relationship with technology and to endeavour to explode a few myths about their affection for it.
Abstract
Purpose
To understand the nature of young people’s relationship with technology and to endeavour to explode a few myths about their affection for it.
Design/methodology/approach
The research took four stages; desk research; interviews with four experts; quant through Synovate’s online panel; qual research groups.
Findings
It was found that the majority of young people do not love technology – they love communication and entertainment, and technology is just the facilitator for these; it was also found that a surprisingly large number of young people dislike and actively avoid using technology, particularly those from lower SEGs.
Originality/value
Marketers always presume that young people are very plugged into technology and that they all love it. This article shows this is clearly not the case and the amount of affection and time they spend using information technology has been overstated.
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Sarah Weldon and Gordon Ritchie
Empirical evidence suggests that a complex relationship exists between substance misuse, mental illness and violence in forensic populations. Therefore, effective treatment and…
Abstract
Empirical evidence suggests that a complex relationship exists between substance misuse, mental illness and violence in forensic populations. Therefore, effective treatment and intervention is essential in order for this population to live a life free from substance use and offending behaviour. This paper discusses the literature related to interventions for dual diagnosis and how this may be related to mentally disordered offenders. The paper also highlights paucities in the literature where further research is needed to inform practice, and concludes with current recommendations for best practice.
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Hyo Jung (Julie) Chang, Mohammad Abu Nasir Rakib, Md Kamrul Hasan Foysal and Jo Woon Chong
The comfort of apparel is not only a feeling of perception but also a tangible measure. The fit and fabric of clothing can exert a perception of comfort for the wearer, whereas…
Abstract
Purpose
The comfort of apparel is not only a feeling of perception but also a tangible measure. The fit and fabric of clothing can exert a perception of comfort for the wearer, whereas actual comfort largely depends on physiological and emotional soothing. However, there is still no solid work on connecting the bridge between physiological and emotional feelings to the comfort of clothing. In this study, we have conceptualized, formulated and proven the relation between physiological and emotional parameters with clothing fit and fabric to find the true comfort of the wearer.
Design/methodology/approach
A mixed-method research design using physiological and emotional parameters for different fabric and fit combinations were used for this study. The physiological comfort parameters (i.e. heart rate and respiration rate) are extracted from the subjects using gold-standard clinical devices for various fit and fabric combinations. For the emotional response, a survey was conducted for the same subjects wearing all the fit and fabric combinations. Statistical analysis and modeling were performed to obtain the results.
Findings
Physiological indicators such as heart rate are closely linked with user comfort. Due to the limitations in environmental control, the physiological changes obtained did not significantly vary for different fabric and fit combinations of the clothing. However, a significant change in emotional response indicated a definite relationship between different fabric and fit types. Based on the participants’ responses, weather conditions, size of the clothing item, types of fabrics and style also influence the participants’ choice of clothing.
Originality/value
The research was conducted to discover the relation between true comfort (physiological and emotional parameters) and clothing (fit and fabric), which is unique to the field. This study closes the gap and builds up the relationship, which can help introduce clothing comfort to users in the future. The findings of this study help us understand how fabric types (natural or synthetic) and clothing fit types (loose or fitted) can affect physiological and emotional responses, which can provide the consumer with satisfactory clothing with the suitable properties needed.
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Khaled Hutaibat, Zaidoon Alhatabat, Larissa von Alberti-Alhtaybat and Khaldoon Al-Htaybat
What academic and managerial elements are particularly influential regarding performance? This study aims to address these questions as part of a broader longitudinal study. The…
Abstract
Purpose
What academic and managerial elements are particularly influential regarding performance? This study aims to address these questions as part of a broader longitudinal study. The current paper focusses on the results relating to performance management and measurement, and how the sectorial developments impacted on individuals and institutions.
Design/methodology/approach
An interpretive research methodology was used, which illustrates the institutional performance management and measurement system. The first part of the interpretive study was a single case study, focussing on one “old” research-intensive university. The second part included five institutions, three UK top-tier universities, focussing on top-level research and education, and two “new” universities with a greater teaching than research portfolio.
Findings
The current paper focusses on the results relating to performance management and measurement, and how higher education (HE) developments impacted on individuals and institutions, reflected in the notion of performance habitus. The qualitative element of the study sought to gain insight into which factors influence performance management and measurement and what changing effect these have on academic members of staff. The findings illustrate how academic values and managerial control practices create an academia-specific performance management approach, measured by particular key performance indicators that are used for the institution as a whole and then applied to units and individuals within institutions. With regard to institutional performance, more established and institutionalised performance management and measurement practices are relied upon. Both elements are addressed in this study, and the authors conclude that the interplay of human capital and institutional structure creates the most successful performance-related outcome.
Originality/value
The current study adds additional insights on how the changing HE context affects academic members and how the future of the UK HE sector is perceived. Insights can be derived for other HE sectors, as the contextual factors of international competition, tightening of resources and nature of the academic sector transcend national borders. Thus, practices illustrated in the current study are useful for institutions and academic managers of other HE sectors as well.
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Gordon Ritchie, Sarah Weldon, Laura Freeman, Gary MacPherson and Karen Davies
Substance misuse that is co‐morbid with mental disorder may increase the risk of crime, particularly of a violent nature. It is therefore essential that dual‐diagnosis patients in…
Abstract
Substance misuse that is co‐morbid with mental disorder may increase the risk of crime, particularly of a violent nature. It is therefore essential that dual‐diagnosis patients in forensic services receive adequate intervention and treatment to minimise future substance use and potential for criminal behaviour. One such intervention is the Relapse Prevention Programme (Saying No; Coping and Social Skills Programme) developed in a high secure forensic hospital. An evaluation of the programme was conducted, with pre‐ and post‐ intervention using four measures, the Drug Taking Confidence Questionnaire (DTCQ), the Multidimensional Locus of Control Questionnaire, the Stages of Change Questionnaire and the Rosenberg Self‐Esteem Scale, with 83 male participants who had completed the programme. Results indicate that there was significant change in the DTCQ post‐treatment while no other measures yielded a statistically significant result. Possible reasons, implication for practice and limitations of the current study are discussed.
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Gordon Ritchie, Sarah Weldon, Gary Macpherson and Heather Laithwaite
This study explores dual‐diagnosis patients' perspectives on a relapse prevention programme in a special hospital. Few qualitative studies have been conducted to explore the views…
Abstract
This study explores dual‐diagnosis patients' perspectives on a relapse prevention programme in a special hospital. Few qualitative studies have been conducted to explore the views and lived experience of dual‐diagnosis patients, and none has used qualitative methodology to investigate their subjective experience of a treatment programme. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was employed to gain a perspective on the patients' experience of the programme. Five previous members of the relapse prevention programme were randomly selected for interview. Transcripts were analysed using IPA and revealed four master themes: ‘former self’, ‘increasing self‐knowledge/awareness’, ‘group as a mediator’ and ‘future self’. The findings show that the subjective experience of group members emphasises the importance of interpersonal relationships, developing a supportive therapeutic alliance, and the learning and development of social and coping skills. The implications for amending and updating the current programme syllabus are discussed, along with the limitations of the current study.
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Nizar Mohammad Alsharari and Turki Raji Alhmoud
The purpose of this paper is to examine the determinants of profitability of 28 Sharia-compliant corporations in Jordan over the three-year period of 2013-2015.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the determinants of profitability of 28 Sharia-compliant corporations in Jordan over the three-year period of 2013-2015.
Design/methodology/approach
The two-stage least square (2SLS) regression analysis with fixed effects was conducted using two measures of profitability, namely: return on assets and return on equity. The empirical data were collected from 28 Sharia-compliant corporations in Jordan over the study period. A variety of internal and external factors was used to determine profitability.
Findings
In general, this analysis of the determinants of profitability for Sharia-compliant corporations confirmed previous findings. Regression findings revealed that previous year profitability, debt ratio, organizational structure, the size of the audit firm and voluntary disclosure to be important determinants of profitability of Sharia-compliant corporations in Jordan from 2013 to 2015. The independent variables of firm size, ownership ratio greater than 5%, liquidity ratio, percentage of non-Jordanian ownership or the age of the firm were not found to significantly influence the profitability of the corporations studied.
Research limitations/implications
The authors determined that the independent variables selected, with few exceptions, behaved according to expectations. Moreover, the current literature on the influence of management on performance, and thus, profitability, does not consider the philosophy under which business is conducted (a limitation with respect to the type of business conducted). For example, Sharia-compliant and non-Sharia-compliant firms operate under different sets of principles and rules. This variance in business philosophies may have an important bearing on management style, an aspect that has been neglected in the organizational management literature. The panel data from a three-year period was insufficient to validate the consistency of the results; future researchers may increase the length of the study periods to confirm results and increase the robustness of the data collection method.
Practical implications
The findings from the study have implications that may be functional for businesses, investors and policymakers in their focus on the Sharia-compliant business sector in Jordan. The factors influencing profitability may inform the setting of regulatory policy designed to stabilize and sustain the performance of Sharia-compliant corporations more broadly.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the growing body of literature on Islamic finance, and can be considered one of a very few that have examined the internal and external determinants of the profitability of Sharia-compliant corporations in a developing country such as Jordan, using panel data.
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Loay Ibrahim, Sabika Allehdan, Abeer Alassaf and Reema Tayyem
The purpose of this review was to highlight the association between ID and obesity in toddlers and preschool children.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this review was to highlight the association between ID and obesity in toddlers and preschool children.
Design/methodology/approach
This review aimed to review and evaluate literature of the published research discussing the relationship between ID and overweight and obesity in children under the age of 5 years. Conflicting results of iron status in overweight and obese children under the age of 5 years had been found. However, most articles concluded that ID is associated significantly with overweight and obesity in children because of the systemic inflammatory reaction which is considered the major cause of ID; hepcidin with its resultant effect in decreasing duodenal absorption of iron; in addition to other causes including dietary and genetic factors.
Findings
Conflicting results of iron status in overweight and obese children under the age of 5 years had been found, but most articles concluded that ID is associated significantly with overweight and obesity in children, with systemic inflammatory reaction being the major cause through hepcidin with its resultant effect in decreased duodenal absorption of iron, in addition to other causes including dietary and genetic factors.
Originality/value
Many nutrients have been associated with weight gain and ID development. Unbalanced diet either in excess or shortage may affect weight status and serum iron profile. Future research is needed to study more in depth the association between ID and obesity in toddlers and preschool children and to further explore the various factors involved in pathogenesis of ID.