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1 – 10 of 529Women are increasingly involved in a range of drug supply activities, but their role is overlooked in scholarship and policy processes. Women are key actors in plant cultivation…
Abstract
Women are increasingly involved in a range of drug supply activities, but their role is overlooked in scholarship and policy processes. Women are key actors in plant cultivation (opium poppy, coca and cannabis), trafficking and distribution, but roles in the illegal drug economy are highly gendered stratified. Women most usually occupy low levels in supply and distribution chains, with their access to markets mediated by men. Nevertheless, participation by women in drug supply enables them to support precarious household incomes and/or cover the costs of dependent or casual drug use. More women are coming into drug supply and use at a time when a number of countries are adopting more repressive and punitive drug policies. The impact of enforcement is a sharp increase in numbers of incarcerated women, with implications for care of families and children.
Bob Mason, Norma Heaton and Joe Morgan
Based on longitudinal case study research amongst ancillary staff in two health service trusts in the same region, this article analyses the strategies that management and trade…
Abstract
Based on longitudinal case study research amongst ancillary staff in two health service trusts in the same region, this article analyses the strategies that management and trade unions adopted in their approach towards workplace social partnership. The article highlights the differentiated principles, practices and outcomes of partnership in the two trusts, by initially drawing on the “deliberate” and “emergent” strategy spectrum of Mintzberg and Waters. Whilst “deliberate” strategy focuses on direction and control, “emergent” strategy suggests a learning process in the search for effective patterns of behaviour and decision making outcomes. However, departing from the essentially managerialist underpinnings of the conceptualisation, the article seeks to understand how organised labour interacts with management in the creation and development of strategy in both ideal type scenarios. In this respect, the article utilises the “theory of the firm”, in particular, transaction cost analysis and the resource based view of the organisation, to aid our understanding of this complex process.
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Norma Heaton, Bob Mason and Joe Morgan
Contributes to the social partnership debate by exploring ways in which inter and intra‐union relations influence the development of partnership within a National Health Service…
Abstract
Contributes to the social partnership debate by exploring ways in which inter and intra‐union relations influence the development of partnership within a National Health Service Trust, by using observation techniques, focus groups and semi‐structured interviews involving ancillary workgroup members, shop stewards and managers (conducted in 1998). Argues, on an empirical basis, that union relationships may both facilitate and constrain management decision making and, ultimately, the implementation of policy. Views, conceptually, the parties’ understanding of partnership as changing over time, within a context that is contradictory; with management, trade union representatives and employees developing competing perspectives on “social partnership”, in part as a response to, and in turn recreating, a pluralistic workplace environment.
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Thomas J. O'Brien, Lawrence J. Gramling and Mauricio Rodriguez
The primary and secondary market activity in collectible sportscards has evolved into that of a primitive, but organised financial market. This report reviews some aspects of the…
Abstract
The primary and secondary market activity in collectible sportscards has evolved into that of a primitive, but organised financial market. This report reviews some aspects of the collectible sportscard market. The objective of the report is to introduce the sportscard investment medium to finance professionals, including those interested in the research potential of the market. The report includes an empirical analysis of the performance of some selected sportscard portfolio strategies for the period between March 1988 and December 1993. Sportscard collecting has evolved from an adolescent hobby of the 1950s into an active national market, estimated to involve approximately $5 billion and 3 million persons and served by a network of dealers and price information suppliers. The evolution of the sportscard market into its current state is described in this presentation. The description includes an empirical analysis of the performance of some selected sportscard portfolio strategies for the period between March 1988 and December 1993. The objective of the report is to provide information to those considering collectible sportscards as an investment medium and to those who might be interested in conducting financial research with collectible sportscard pricing data.
Without aspiring to emulate Robert Browning's song thrush, we venture to repeat an admonition on smoking in the food trade of almost a decade ago. (The Smoking Habit, 1962, BFJ…
Abstract
Without aspiring to emulate Robert Browning's song thrush, we venture to repeat an admonition on smoking in the food trade of almost a decade ago. (The Smoking Habit, 1962, BFJ, 64, 79). The first time it coincided with a little research we had undertaken, which later saw the light of day epitomized in article form and was enthusiastically (sic) commented upon in sections of the press and then died as if it had never been born. (Tobacco and Lung Cancer, 1965, Med. Offr., 2955, 148). Now, it coincides with the most concentrated, officially inspired, campaign, so far, mounted against the evils of smoking. The most striking fact about all these national efforts every few years is the lack of success in real terms. A marketing organization achieving such poor results would count it a costly failure. It would be unfair to say that none have given up, but with a habit so ingrained, determination is required and in many, if not most, of those able to refrain, the craving is so great that they are smoking again within a week or so. Overall, the smoking population is enormous, including, as it does, girls and women‐folk. Once, it was undignified for a woman to be seen smoking. We recall a visit by Queen Mary to the village Manor House, just after the First War; she was an expert in antique furniture and came to see the manor's collection. When Her Majesty asked for a cigarette, the village rang with astonishment for days. Nothing as amazing had happened since Cavaliers and Roundheads tethered their horses beneath the three great poplars which stood on the green. “Queen Mary! 'er smokes!”
The purpose of this paper is to present the findings from the process evaluation of the Parallel Lives Programme (PLP), a child-to-parent abuse (CPA) prevention programme…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present the findings from the process evaluation of the Parallel Lives Programme (PLP), a child-to-parent abuse (CPA) prevention programme developed by the Media Academy Cymru in South Wales, UK. Whilst there has been a growing body of research examining CPA, empirical insight into interventions that support families experiencing CPA (including the children who use violence, their parent(s), siblings and wider family members) is lacking.
Design/methodology/approach
A process evaluation was used to examine the design and delivery of PLP from the perspective of the programme staff and the families who had completed the intervention. Several methods were used, including semi-structured interviews, online surveys, overt observations and file reviews. Forty-two people participated in the evaluation, including 6 practitioners, 19 parents and 17 children.
Findings
The findings highlight the need for specialised support/interventions for families that prioritise “children first”, relationship-focused, strength-based practices.
Originality/value
The study centres the experiences and voices of the parents and children who experience CPA and the practitioners who deliver support. Historically, these pivotal voices have been missing from practice and policy developments. The implications of this research extend beyond Wales, and it provides research, policy and practice recommendations aimed at addressing CPA in a therapeutic, non-punitive and responsive manner.
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Joe Anderson, Mahendra Joshi and Susan K. Williams
This compact case provides a relatively large data set that students explore using visualization and a Tableau dynamic dashboard that they create. Students were asked to describe…
Abstract
Theoretical basis
This compact case provides a relatively large data set that students explore using visualization and a Tableau dynamic dashboard that they create. Students were asked to describe what the data set contained in relation to employee attrition experience of Baca Beverage Distributors (BBD). The application and managerial questions are set in human resources and a company that is facing high attrition during the pandemic.
Research methodology
BBD shared their data and problem scenario for this compact case. The protagonist, Morgan Matthews, was the authors’ contact and provided significant clarification and guidance about the data. Both the company and the protagonist have been disguised. Some of the job positions have been rephrased. All names of employees, supervisors and managers have been replaced with codes.
Case overview/synopsis
During the 2020–2022 pandemic years, BBD experienced, like many companies, a higher than usual employee turnover rate and Morgan Matthews, Director of People, was concerned. Not only was it time-consuming, expensive and disruptive but the company had prided itself on being a good place to work. Were they hiring the right people, people that fit the company culture and people that fit the positions for which they were hired? The company had been using the Predictive Index [1] when on-boarding employees. In addition, there were results from self-reviews and manager reviews that could be used. Morgan wondered if data visualization and visual analytics would be useful in describing their employees and whether it would reveal any opportunities to improve the turnover rate. Before seeking a solution for the high turnover, it was important to step back and learn what the data said about who was leaving and the reasons they gave for leaving.
Complexity academic level
This compact case can be used in courses that include visualization using Tableau and dashboards. As it is a compact case, it requires less preparation time from the students and less class time for discussion. The case is for students who have been recently introduced to business analytics, specifically visualization and data storytelling with Tableau. For this reason, significant guidance has been provided in the case assignment. The level of the case can be adjusted by the amount of guidance provided in the case assignment. Courses include introduction to business analytics, descriptive analytics and visualization, communication through data storytelling. The case can be used for all modalities – in person, hybrid, online. The authors use it here for visualization and dynamic dashboards but using the same data set and compact case description, exploratory data analysis could be assigned.
Supplementary material
Supplementary material for this article can be found online.
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This qualitative case study explored the information literacy acquisition of 23 students enrolled in a learning community consisting of an advanced English as a Second Language…
Abstract
This qualitative case study explored the information literacy acquisition of 23 students enrolled in a learning community consisting of an advanced English as a Second Language (ESL) writing class and a one-unit class introducing students to research at a suburban community college library in California. As there are no other known learning communities that link an ESL course to a library course, this site afforded a unique opportunity to understand the ways in which ESL students learn to conduct library research. Students encountered difficulties finding, evaluating, and using information for their ESL assignments. Strategies that the students, their ESL instructor, and their instructional librarian crafted in response were enabled by the learning community structure. These strategies included integration of the two courses’ curricula, contextualized learning activities, and dialogue. ESL students in this study simultaneously discovered new language forms, new texts, new ideas, and new research practices, in large part because of the relationships that developed over time among the students, instructor, and instructional librarian. Given the increasing number of ESL students in higher education and the growing concern about their academic success, this study attempts to fill a gap in the research literature on ESL students’ information literacy acquisition.
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