Neil Moreland, Arif Jawaid and Jaswinder Dhillon
Whilst there are different types of benchmarking, this article, as a result of our research into TESOL (Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages), argues for a type of…
Abstract
Whilst there are different types of benchmarking, this article, as a result of our research into TESOL (Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages), argues for a type of benchmarking that we call generic benchmarking to help develop quality education. The term generic is used to indicate that this type of benchmark is drawn from a detailed analysis and synthesis of extant literature, leading to the development and codification of quality characteristics and standards for an area. As the approach was used in research in TESOL, the context of the research is provided, as is a worked example drawn from the extensive literature review on planning for TESOL. Possible implications for staff development and curriculum improvement are identified.
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Sharon Ifill and Neil Moreland
This article provides an account of an audit on the recruitment and selection systems and procedures in place within a printing company based in the West Midlands (England). A…
Abstract
This article provides an account of an audit on the recruitment and selection systems and procedures in place within a printing company based in the West Midlands (England). A human resource audit (HRA) of generic benchmarks was developed from a literature review. The audit subsequently was applied to establish the current position of the company in the areas of recruitment and selection. The empirical investigation process primarily consisted of content analysis of documents and the interviewing of 13 staff within the company. As a result of the audit, the recruitment and selection processes, systems and procedures were identified as ineffective. Consequently, an action plan was developed as part of a quality improvement process and preparation for Investors in People Award. As a result of the implementation of the recommendations, the culture of the company and the staff should become more focused, systematic and of a higher quality.
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Karan Jutlla and Neil Moreland
While personalisation and service choice remains a central plank of the Labour Government's policies in health and social care, there is a growing evidence base confirming that…
Abstract
While personalisation and service choice remains a central plank of the Labour Government's policies in health and social care, there is a growing evidence base confirming that ethnic minority groups, are disadvantaged as service users in the UK. Building on some baseline data collected in 2000 and 2003/04, our recent research (Jutlla & Moreland, 2007) has reaffirmed the difficulties that Asian carers have in accessing services when caring for a relative with dementia.While such access data is important, we wish to move beyond the demographic aspects to consider the existential realities (the ontology) of the lives and cultures of those in minority ethnic groups. This paper consequently discusses the diversity and complexity of migration patterns among the Sikh community living in Wolverhampton. The paper conceptualises some of the ways in which different migration experiences and the realities of daily life influence the perceptions, experiences and patterns of care among migrant Sikh carers in Wolverhampton caring for an older person with dementia. The paper thus explores the thesis that the Sikh community is not a homogeneous group; and that the diversity and differences within the Sikh community can have important implications for care. Taking a biographical narrative approach to fieldwork, the relevant factors to be considered include: the carer's country of origin; their migration route and reasons for migration; their age at migration and the cultural experiences of the carers and their communities both in the UK and India.
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David Jolley, Neil Moreland, Kate Read, Harjinder Kaur, Karan Jutlla and Michael Clark
Dementia is found in all races. Within the UK, elders in black and minority ethnic (BME) communities are often unable or unwilling to access services that might help them when…
Abstract
Dementia is found in all races. Within the UK, elders in black and minority ethnic (BME) communities are often unable or unwilling to access services that might help them when they develop dementia. A series of research‐based studies in Wolverhampton have demonstrated that working with community leaders and family carers can identify strengths as well as areas for development in service arrangements. Some areas for development are those shared by all individuals and families with dementia, while others are specific to the cultural group. Areas for action include: the lack of understanding of the normal and pathological features of ageing; fear and stigma associated with mental disorders within BME communities; lack of knowledge of dementia; and insensitivity and inflexibility within some components of services. Knowledge gained from a collaborative review of the situation can be used to plan and deliver iterative improvements. The most effective single initiative is the appointment of a link nurse competent in language, culture and clinical skills. Despite progress over a 10 year period, difficulties remain and there is more to be learned.The research reported here has been conducted over a period of nine years within the city of Wolverhampton. The research has been co‐ordinated from for dementia plus (previously Dementia Plus), which has functioned as the Dementia Development Centre for the West Midlands since 2000.
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Michael Clark, Susan Benbow, Vanessa Scott, Neil Moreland and David Jolley
The important initiative from the Department of Health (Working Group on Copying Letters to Patients, 2002) to require that letters between clinicians should be copied to the…
Abstract
The important initiative from the Department of Health (Working Group on Copying Letters to Patients, 2002) to require that letters between clinicians should be copied to the patient has not been implemented as widely as was intended. There have been concerns about logistics and fears that patients might be confused or frightened by communications they are not equipped to understand. Yet, modifications of the system to allow patients the choice to receive or not receive such letters and suitable training for clinicians offer safeguards. There is no doubt that copying letters provides an inexpensive mechanism for involving patients in their own care and treatment, offering transparency and confirming respect for equality in the relationship between patient and clinician. This paper reports experience with copying letters to patients and families with dementia. The process was warmly received by patients and carers, including families in a black and minority ethnic (BME) community, and few adverse comments were made. The routine application of this initiative will have benefits for the quality of service experience for older people, including those with dementia.
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Michael Clark, Neil Moreland, Ian Greaves, Nicola Greaves and David Jolley
The purpose of this article is to discuss the policy developments of integration and personalisation within the context of Primary Care, specifically an innovative Memory Service…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to discuss the policy developments of integration and personalisation within the context of Primary Care, specifically an innovative Memory Service provided within a General Practice. It examines how these policies work together in this context to deliver a high quality service that is responsive to individual needs in an area of care: memory disorder or dementia, which has often relied heavily on secondary care services.
Design/methodology/approach
The article is a case study analysis of integration and personalisation in Primary Care, allowing for examination and elaboration of both concepts as applied in this setting; and their contribution to a better quality care Memory Service. The analysis is produced by independent researchers (MC and NM), background and facts by service personnel (IG, NG and DJ).
Findings
The innovative Memory Service operates as a person‐centred facility, integrating into the surgery, expertise that would traditionally be locked into secondary care health services. It makes maximum use of locally available knowledge of the patient, their family and formal and informal sources of support and therapy through links which cross agency boundaries. These links are identified and utilised in tailored support for individuals by the practice‐based Dementia Advisor. Outcomes include improved dynamics of identification, diagnosis and after care, high satisfaction amongst patients and families and reduced utilisation and expenditure of other healthcare facilities.
Practical implications
Personalisation and integration can be united in the development of innovative and improved Memory Services centred in Primary Care.
Social implications
Maintaining a focus on the needs of people within their social contexts (being person‐centred) is a powerful means of driving better integrated care in Primary Care for people living with dementia and related disorders.
Originality/value
This is the first examination of personalisation and integration as coupled concepts to lead the improvement of care, specifically a Memory Service, in Primary Care.
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Helena D. Cooper‐Thomas and Neil Anderson
The aim of this paper is threefold: to provide an overview of organizational socialization (OS) research; to present a new model of OS focusing on successful outcomes; and finally…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is threefold: to provide an overview of organizational socialization (OS) research; to present a new model of OS focusing on successful outcomes; and finally to draw from both of these to suggest practical steps for both organizations aiming to socialize newcomers, and for newcomers themselves.
Design/methodology/approach
A summary literature review of the OS literature post‐entry, focusing on organizational, insider and newcomer actions.
Findings
The literature is used to develop and propose a new model of OS success, with five OS success indicators. Testable relationships are proposed between these indicators and both five learning domains and five learning sources.
Research limitations/implications
The research model has not been tested empirically. Further, the fifth success indicator, external representation, is a new and untested concept in the OS literature.
Practical implications
The paper provides a model that managers and newcomers may find useful to successfully negotiate the OS process. Further, the third section of the manuscript extensively discusses practical implications from the model and more broadly from the initial literature review.
Originality/value
The model proposed is novel and raises the important issue of appropriate OS success indicators. New propositions are made regarding relationships between learning sources and domains with these success indicators. This testable model is a valuable resource for researchers. Further, for managers, whether newcomers themselves or responsible for newcomers, the model provides a framework for considering what they are aiming to achieve and how they might get there.
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Zehra Keser Ozmantar and Tokay Gedikoglu
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the development and implementation process of the balanced scorecard (BSC) approach in an educational institution in the context of the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the development and implementation process of the balanced scorecard (BSC) approach in an educational institution in the context of the Turkish educational system. It also aims, on the basis of the results of the applications in a particular school, to define principles through which the development of BSC could be successfully achieved.
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopts a design-based research method which provides a particularly useful approach to the solution of real problems in the field of education. The study was carried out in a private educational institution with 161 members of staff including managers, teachers and personnel of the support units. Scorecards for the institution as well as 161 members of staff were developed.
Findings
The examination of the developmental process suggests 12 design principles: willingness to change; managerial support; flexible management structure; appropriate team members; training of staff; availability of strategic planning; distinctive BSC dimensions; smart strategic objectives; balance between leading and lagging indicators; developing individual scorecards; open communication system; structured report format.
Originality/value
This is the first study that develops BSC for a school in a Turkish context. The design principles, the author believes, are particularly useful for schools that do not have a strategic performance management background. This study is also important in terms of putting forward the applicability of BSC in educational organizations in different cultures and thus gaining new insights about the developmental process of BSC.
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Jing Jian Xiao, Jin Huang, Kirti Goyal and Satish Kumar
This study aims to examine the literature on consumer financial capability. By analyzing the research trends, theories, definitions and themes, the literature on financial…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the literature on consumer financial capability. By analyzing the research trends, theories, definitions and themes, the literature on financial capability is synthesized, and agenda for future research is suggested. A framework is presented that portrays the antecedents as well as the outcomes of financial capability and their interlinkages.
Design/methodology/approach
Following a systematic approach, the review is based on 215 articles published during January 2007 and–March 2022, retrieved from Scopus. It presents the definitions and theories of financial capability, publication trends, influential articles, prominent authors, prolific journals and countries publishing on financial capability. Using bibliographic coupling, the intellectual structure of the topic is explored, along with offering a framework through content analysis.
Findings
The bibliographic coupling analysis identifies four major clusters of research themes and capability theory appeared to be the most prominent theory. The synthesis draws upon five conceptual definitions of financial capability. Based on the discussion, in this review, financial capability is defined as an individual ability to apply appropriate financial knowledge, perform desirable financial behaviors and take available financial opportunities for achieving financial well-being. A conceptual framework delineates the synthesized literature and propositions based on this framework and relevant research are proposed. Finally, directions for future research are discussed.
Originality/value
This paper is an attempt to offer a comprehensive synthesis of the scholarship on financial capability and its conceptualization. It further proposes an extensive future research agenda. The study has implications for financial services providers relating to retail bank marketing.