Joanne C. Preston and Karen E. Chappell
The effectiveness of three training methods in teaching managersleadership principles are examined. Forty‐two male and femaleIntroductory Psychology students were randomly…
Abstract
The effectiveness of three training methods in teaching managers leadership principles are examined. Forty‐two male and female Introductory Psychology students were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: computer‐based training (CBT), computer‐based training with videotaped vignettes (CBTV), or group‐based workshop training with videotaped vignettes (GBW). The dependent variables of conceptual and applied knowledge assessed the training effectiveness. Pre‐test/post‐test scores evaluated conceptual knowledge while an assessment centre technique using the dimensions of delegation, management control, influencing, and sensitivity on Ss answers to a problem‐solving question measured the pre‐test/post‐test scores in applied knowledge. The results demonstrated that organisations could choose leadership training based on cost‐effectiveness considerations without having to sacrifice training results. Further confirmatory research is needed.
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David Chappell, Karen Dury and Christine Straker
Models Canada′s Pacific halibut fishery as a non‐zero‐sunnon‐co‐operative differential game. Optimal harvesting level are derivedunder the criterion of profit maximization. Show…
Abstract
Models Canada′s Pacific halibut fishery as a non‐zero‐sun non‐co‐operative differential game. Optimal harvesting level are derived under the criterion of profit maximization. Show that optimal aggregate steady‐state fishing effort and yield increase with the number of fishermen harvesting the stock. The model provides a better explanation of what has actual occurred in this fishery than an optimal control model, which may be considered as a game with one player.
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David R. Selviah, Andy C. Walker, David A. Hutt, Kai Wang, Aongus McCarthy, F. Anibal Fernández, Ioannis Papakonstantinou, Hadi Baghsiahi, Himanshu Suyal, Mohammad Taghizadeh, Paul Conway, John Chappell, Shefiu S. Zakariyah, Dave Milward, Richard Pitwon, Ken Hopkins, Malcolm Muggeridge, Jeremy Rygate, Jonathan Calver, Witold Kandulski, David J. Deshazer, Karen Hueston, David J. Ives, Robert Ferguson, Subrena Harris, Gary Hinde, Martin Cole, Henry White, Navin Suyal, Habib ur Rehman and Chris Bryson
The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the research in a project aimed at developing manufacturing techniques for integrated optical and electronic interconnect…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the research in a project aimed at developing manufacturing techniques for integrated optical and electronic interconnect printed circuit boards (OPCB) including the motivation for this research, the progress, the achievements and the interactions between the partners.
Design/methodology/approach
Several polymer waveguide fabrication methods were developed including direct laser write, laser ablation and inkjet printing. Polymer formulations were developed to suit the fabrication methods. Computer‐aided design (CAD) tools were developed and waveguide layout design rules were established. The CAD tools were used to lay out a complex backplane interconnect pattern to meet practical demanding specifications for use in a system demonstrator.
Findings
Novel polymer formulations for polyacrylate enable faster writing times for laser direct write fabrication. Control of the fabrication parameters enables inkjet printing of polysiloxane waveguides. Several different laser systems can be used to form waveguide structures by ablation. Establishment of waveguide layout design rules from experimental measurements and modelling enables successful first time layout of complex interconnection patterns.
Research limitations/implications
The complexity and length of the waveguides in a complex backplane interconnect, beyond that achieved in this paper, is limited by the bend loss and by the propagation loss partially caused by waveguide sidewall roughness, so further research in these areas would be beneficial to give a wider range of applicability.
Originality/value
The paper gives an overview of advances in polymer formulation, fabrication methods and CAD tools, for manufacturing of complex hybrid‐integrated OPCBs.
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Sally Jacobs, Darren Ashcroft and Karen Hassell
The aim of this paper is to report on the findings of a systematic literature review‐seeking to elicit existing evidence of the nature of organisational culture in community…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to report on the findings of a systematic literature review‐seeking to elicit existing evidence of the nature of organisational culture in community pharmacy organisations.
Design/methodology/approach
This review takes a novel approach to systematically identifying and synthesising the peer‐reviewed research literature pertaining to organisational culture in this setting, its antecedents and outcomes.
Findings
The review provides an overview of the scope of and research methods used in the identified literature, together with a narrative synthesis of its findings, framed within five dimensions of organisational culture: the professional‐business role dichotomy; workload, management style, social support and autonomy; professional culture; attitudes to change and innovation; and entrepreneurial orientation.
Research limitations/implications
There is a need for more detailed and holistic exploration of organisational culture in community pharmacy, using a greater diversity of research methods and a greater focus on patient‐related outcomes.
Originality/value
This paper demonstrates that, whilst little research has explicitly investigated organisational culture in this context, there exists a range of evidence describing aspects of that culture, some of the environmental and organisational factors helping to shape it, and its impact on the pharmacy workforce, services delivered and business outcomes. It highlights the importance of the business‐professional role dichotomy in community pharmacy; the influence of individual pharmacists' characteristics and organisational setting; and the impact on pharmacists' wellbeing and job satisfaction and the services delivered. It provides less evidence of the impact of organisational culture on the quality and safety of service provision.
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Mushira Mohsin Khan, Karen Kobayashi, Zoua M. Vang and Sharon M. Lee
Canada’s visible minority population is increasing rapidly, yet despite the demographic significance of this population, there is a surprising dearth of nationally representative…
Abstract
Purpose
Canada’s visible minority population is increasing rapidly, yet despite the demographic significance of this population, there is a surprising dearth of nationally representative health data on visible minorities. This is a major challenge to undertaking research on the health of this group, particularly in the context of investigating racial/ethnic disparities and health disadvantages that are rooted in racialization. The purpose of this paper is to summarize: mortality and morbidity patterns for visible minorities; determinants of visible minority health; health status and determinants of the health of visible minority older adults (VMOA); and promising data sources that may be used to examine visible minority health in future research.
Design/methodology/approach
A scoping review of 99 studies or publications published between 1978 and 2014 (abstracts of 72 and full articles of 27) was conducted to summarize data and research findings on visible minority health to answer four specific questions: what is known about the morbidity and mortality patterns of visible minorities relative to white Canadians? What is known about the determinants of visible minority health? What is known about the health status of VMOA, a growing segment of Canada’s aging population, and how does this compare with white older adults? And finally, what data sources have been used to study visible minority health?
Findings
There is indeed a major gap in health data and research on visible minorities in Canada. Further, many studies failed to distinguish between immigrants and Canadian-born visible minorities, thus conflating effects of racial status with those of immigrant status on health. The VMOA population is even more invisible in health data and research. The most promising data set appears to be the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS).
Originality/value
This paper makes an important contribution by providing a comprehensive overview of the nature, extent, and range of data and research available on the health of visible minorities in Canada. The authors make two key recommendations: first, over-sampling visible minorities in standard health surveys such as the CCHS, or conducting targeted health surveys of visible minorities. Surveys should collect information on key socio-demographic characteristics such as nativity, ethnic origin, socioeconomic status, and age-at-arrival for immigrants. Second, researchers should consider an intersectionality approach that takes into account the multiple factors that may affect a visible minority person’s health, including the role of discrimination based on racial status, immigrant characteristics for foreign-born visible minorities, age and the role of ageism for older adults, socioeconomic status, gender (for visible minority women), and geographic place or residence in their analyses.
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This chapter reimagines Pierre Bourdieu's concept of habitus through posthumanist theory, using the method of diffractive analysis. It explores how both human and nonhuman things…
Abstract
This chapter reimagines Pierre Bourdieu's concept of habitus through posthumanist theory, using the method of diffractive analysis. It explores how both human and nonhuman things (con)figure habitus by decentering humans as the main point of reference. First, an introduction is given to Bourdieu's theoretical concept of the habitus and its relevance for higher education research. This is then diffracted through the posthumanist ideas of (con)figuration, becoming with and nonhuman entities such as matter, companion species and technology. Finally, the resulting posthumanist concept of habitus(con)figuration is characterized by an attention to the agency of nonhuman matter and the processuality of the emergence of habitus. Applying this concept to students' experiences of social class shifts the way these are approached theoretically in higher education research, placing greater emphasis on non-linear entanglements. The chapter concludes with a set of questions that can be applied to empirical work when considering working with the concept of habitus(con)figuration.
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Laura Sbaffi and Sarah Hargreaves
This paper provides new insights on trust formation during information-seeking processes of informal caregivers of people with dementia and identifies the sources of information…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper provides new insights on trust formation during information-seeking processes of informal caregivers of people with dementia and identifies the sources of information deemed as trustworthy by caregivers.
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopts a phenomenological qualitative approach in the form of in-depth, semi-structured interviews with a sample of 20 informal caregivers.
Findings
Caregivers trust sources that are perceived as authoritative and particularly value the information and advice provided by other caregivers. Trust in information can be divided into subjective and objective, but both are important precursors to the actual use of the information. The information available to caregivers is sufficient in quantity but inadequate in terms of ease of use, clarity and usefulness. Often, some key information needs remain unsatisfied due to the lack of timeliness, relevance and personalisation of the information.
Practical implications
This paper provides recommendations for information and healthcare providers on how to improve communication and information relevance for informal caregivers of people with dementia.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to a more comprehensive perspective on caregivers’ information trust formation processes, which takes into account both the characteristics of the information and caregivers’ individual factors.
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George Okechukwu Onatu, Wellington Didibhuku Thwala and Clinton Ohis Aigbavboa
Alireza Nazarian, Peter Atkinson, Pantea Foroudi and Karen Dennis
This study aims to identify factors that managers can influence to improve effectiveness by examining the relationship between leadership and effectiveness in small and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to identify factors that managers can influence to improve effectiveness by examining the relationship between leadership and effectiveness in small and medium-sized independent hotels.
Design/methodology/approach
In total, 272 valid questionnaires were collected from managers of 83 small and medium-sized independent hotels in the Netherlands by using selective and snowball sampling techniques. A two-stage structural equation modelling approach was used to test the hypotheses.
Findings
Surprisingly, in contradiction to previous studies, neither transactional nor transformational leadership had a direct effect on organisational effectiveness. Instead, the effect was through the intervening variables of ability to acquire resources and reward mechanisms.
Research limitations/implications
The contradiction between this and previous studies may be due to the fact that constructs used in this study do not have the universal applicability that is customarily assumed and further investigation is needed.
Practical implications
This study suggests that managers in this type of hotel, first, should be adaptable in their leadership style and not rely on transactional leadership alone; second, managers must pay attention to resource acquisition; and third, managers must retain staff by using the right reward mechanism.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the literature of leadership and effectiveness in small and medium-sized independent hotels by being the first to focus on the impact of ability to acquire resources and reward mechanism. It also makes an important contribution to the growing body of hospitality literature that probes the supposed universal validity of organisational studies’ constructs.