Joanna Blair and Allison V. Level
This paper seeks to outline the creation of a subject‐based blog and to suggest unique evaluation techniques for library blogs.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper seeks to outline the creation of a subject‐based blog and to suggest unique evaluation techniques for library blogs.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology involved an online survey, web tracking software, RSS feed tracking, and the use of blog search engines.
Findings
A successful blog was launched and statistics show a marked increase in visitors in the second semester when it was available.
Research limitations/implications
This article reports on a survey which is not statistically valid. The results, however, provide some insight into users of the blog.
Practical implications
The paper outlines several methods of evaluating library blogs and outlines successful planning for a library subject‐area blog.
Originality/value
The paper provides information about setting up a relevant information service, and using web tools to evaluate the success of the service.
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Keywords
The purpose of this study is to investigate the strategies that New Zealand chartered accountants use to combine work and family responsibilities, and to relate these strategies…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate the strategies that New Zealand chartered accountants use to combine work and family responsibilities, and to relate these strategies to chartered accountants' career success.
Design/methodology/approach
The study analysed qualitative career history data obtained from interviews with 69 male and female experienced chartered accountants.
Findings
A comprehensive work/family strategy typology for New Zealand chartered accountants was developed. The five types identified were Traditional Men, Traditional Women, Work First Women, Family Balancers, and Stepping Stone Men. In general, those who followed a male linear career model (Traditional Men and Work First Women) demonstrated higher levels of career success. Some notable exceptions showed that career success could be achieved by those with higher levels of family responsibilities, if the employing organisation does not demand rigid conformance with the linear career model.
Research limitations/implications
The purposeful bias in the sample selection and the diversity in the interviewees' workplaces decrease the study's generalisability. But those factors contributed to the ability to identify a wide range of current work/family strategies.
Practical implications
The paper provides a basis for the accountancy profession to adapt to the feminisation of the profession and the increasing demands for work/life balance by developing policies and practices targeted at enhancing career progression for a more diverse range of work/family strategic types than is currently recognised.
Originality/value
There are no prior data describing the diversity in New Zealand chartered accountants' work/family strategies.
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James W Begun and H.Joanna Jiang
The threat of bioterrorism presents an opportunity for health care organizations to transform into more resilient, learning organizations. Rather than focusing solely on preparing…
Abstract
The threat of bioterrorism presents an opportunity for health care organizations to transform into more resilient, learning organizations. Rather than focusing solely on preparing for what is known or expected in a bioterrorist attack, organizations should strengthen their infrastructures to better manage surprises of all types. We advocate a combination of guidelines derived from conventional and complexity science perspectives on organizational change, including the need for leadership commitment, self-organization, culture change, and interorganizational connections.
Mariama Seray Kandeh, Mariama Korrca Kandeh, Nicola Martin and Joanna Krupa
Little is known about the way autism is interpreted and accepted among the black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) populations in the UK. This report summarises a Symposium on…
Abstract
Purpose
Little is known about the way autism is interpreted and accepted among the black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) populations in the UK. This report summarises a Symposium on autism in the UK-BAME community in 2018, organised by Autism Voice UK, Participatory Autism Research Collective and the Critical Autism and Disabilities Studies Research Group at London South Bank University.
Design/methodology/approach
The stance a family or community takes about a condition such as autism is influenced by their cultural background. The aims of the Symposium were to highlight different perspectives about autism in BAME communities and to preserve the cultural dignity of the community in supporting autistic members. Beliefs about autism, its diagnosis and acceptance of and support for autistic people from a specific cultural perspective of BAME communities must be cautiously interpreted by autism professionals because beliefs vary among different cultural groups.
Findings
Thematic analysis of feedback from participants yielded the following foci. Firstly, cultural, ethnic and religious sensitivities were important to participants who felt that these were often ignored by non-BAME professionals. Secondly, the need for collaboration to improve autism awareness within the community and understanding by professionals of the intersectionality between autism and identity in BAME families was prioritised. Thirdly, issues around feelings of stigma were common, but delegates felt that these were not well understood beyond people identifying as BAME.
Originality/value
An action plan was created which highlighted raising public awareness through community engagement, improvement of access to information for parents and culturally aware autism education for professionals and BAME communities.
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Kishani Townshend and Nerina Caltabiano
At the nexus of mindfulness and parenting lies the fusion of two influential yet contradictory epistemologies, the Eastern contemplative practices with the Western parenting…
Abstract
At the nexus of mindfulness and parenting lies the fusion of two influential yet contradictory epistemologies, the Eastern contemplative practices with the Western parenting research. Mindful parenting is a parenting style, which has grown in popularity in recent times to support parents during pregnancy, birth and beyond. The current study is the third stage of a mixed methods study on mindful parenting. The first stage of the study design conducted a systematic review of mindful parenting. The second stage summarized the change processes identified in the systematic review. The aim of this pilot study is to clarify four clinicians’ perceptions of cognitive change processes associated with mindful parenting, particularly how theory is translated to practice. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used to analyze semi-structured interviews. The six higher-order change processes were conceptualized as an anchor. Cognitive processes included intention, attention, attitude, and reflective functioning. Given its methodological limitations, the next future work needs is to survey a large sample of both clinicians and parents to verify the model. This paper makes an important contribution to the development of a more comprehensive theoretical model of mindful parenting.
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To discuss the FSA's enforcement action against the Royal Dutch/Shell group, which had been found to have made false or misleading announcements regarding its proved hydrocarbon…
Abstract
Purpose
To discuss the FSA's enforcement action against the Royal Dutch/Shell group, which had been found to have made false or misleading announcements regarding its proved hydrocarbon reserves and reserves placement ratio's 1998‐2003.
Design/methodology/approach
Presents the facts forming the background to the case.
Findings
Finds that the Chairman of Shell's defence in the case contains some justifiable points, although the tribunal's decision went against him.
Originality/value
Arguably, lays the foundation for further discussion of points such as these, foreshadowring a forthcoming publication on the UK financial regulation.
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Barbara M. Burns, Lora D. Haynes, Ariel Bauer, Amala Shetty, Joanna Mendoza, Felicia Fregoso, Katherine Strong and Brenda Arellano
The purpose of this paper was to describe the research literature on the science of children's resilience and show its application to parenting interventions for high-risk…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper was to describe the research literature on the science of children's resilience and show its application to parenting interventions for high-risk families. Information about the design and conduct of pilot work to develop a parent program with homeless mothers was included to illustrated this application.
Design/methodology/approach
The design of this report was descriptive. The scientific rationale for promoting children's resilience. The scientific rationale for strengthening children's resilience by focusing on parent's promotion of attachment, executive function skills, and stress/reduction mindfulness was detailed, and the design and format of a pilot parent program was outlined.
Findings
Substantial research evidence affirmed the importance of strengthening children's resilience in high-risk families. Details from pilot work with homeless mothers illustrated the process by which activities were included in workshops to promote children's resilience. Future work will test the efficacy of this program in a controlled study with a range of pre- and post-assessments.
Practical implications
The current paper expanded the traditional focus of parent education to include strengthening children's resilience as a way to better address the myriad of critical needs faced by children and families experiencing homelessness.
Originality/value
The design and format of a community-based parenting program to strengthen children's resilience by focusing on attachment, executive function skills, and stress reduction/mindfulness were novel. Future research will test the efficacy of this new program with high-risk families.