Claire Hutchinson, Leanne Lester, Veronica Coram, Paul Flatau and Ian Goodwin-Smith
Though qualitative evidence of social impact exists for disability-inclusive social enterprise, there is a dearth of quantitative economic impact on their social impact. This…
Abstract
Purpose
Though qualitative evidence of social impact exists for disability-inclusive social enterprise, there is a dearth of quantitative economic impact on their social impact. This study aims to address this gap and investigate the appropriateness and usefulness of social return on investment (SROI) methodology in this context.
Design/methodology/approach
Primary data was collected from people with disabilities, their families, staff at the parent company (an Australian Disability Enterprise [ADE]), social investors and other key stakeholders (n = 17). The study was also informed by the literature and a steering group to provide expert opinion when no other data existed to inform estimates. Sensitivity analysis was performed to check the robustness of the analysis.
Findings
Social return was estimated at $1.47–$2.65 for every $1 invested (over 3 years) and $8.48–$12.63 (20 years). Some forecast assumptions significantly impacted upon final ratios and need to be tested. How SROI ratios are received by social investors, the ADE sector and government remains untested. However, the political climate suggests ADEs adopting social enterprise models will be well received if they can deliver, and demonstrate through robust measurement, sustainable open employment opportunities.
Originality/value
Few studies exist that estimate the social impact of social enterprises supporting open employment of people with disabilities. At a time when ADEs (sheltered workshops) have been heavily criticised for providing repetitive, menial work for top up wages on welfare payments, the outputs from this research may provide valuable data to an ADE sector in transition as well as social investors and policy makers who increasingly require robust measurement of impact.
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Angela Gazey, Shannen Vallesi, Karen Martin, Craig Cumming and Lisa Wood
Co-existing health conditions and frequent hospital usage are pervasive in homeless populations. Without a home to be discharged to, appropriate discharge care and treatment…
Abstract
Purpose
Co-existing health conditions and frequent hospital usage are pervasive in homeless populations. Without a home to be discharged to, appropriate discharge care and treatment compliance are difficult. The Medical Respite Centre (MRC) model has gained traction in the USA, but other international examples are scant. The purpose of this paper is to address this void, presenting findings from an evaluation of The Cottage, a small short-stay respite facility for people experiencing homelessness attached to an inner-city hospital in Melbourne, Australia.
Design/methodology/approach
This mixed methods study uses case studies, qualitative interview data and hospital administrative data for clients admitted to The Cottage in 2015. Hospital inpatient admissions and emergency department presentations were compared for the 12-month period pre- and post-The Cottage.
Findings
Clients had multiple health conditions, often compounded by social isolation and homelessness or precarious housing. Qualitative data and case studies illustrate how The Cottage couples medical care and support in a home-like environment. The average stay was 8.8 days. There was a 7 per cent reduction in the number of unplanned inpatient days in the 12-months post support.
Research limitations/implications
The paper has some limitations including small sample size, data from one hospital only and lack of information on other services accessed by clients (e.g. housing support) limit attribution of causality.
Social implications
MRCs provide a safe environment for individuals to recuperate at a much lower cost than inpatient admissions.
Originality/value
There is limited evidence on the MRC model of care outside of the USA, and the findings demonstrate the benefits of even shorter-term respite post-discharge for people who are homeless.
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Kirstin Hallmann, Paul Downward and Geoff Dickson
Given the increasing demands placed on a sport event workforce in servicing the needs of spectators, to attract and recruit volunteers to the industry, it is important for sport…
Abstract
Purpose
Given the increasing demands placed on a sport event workforce in servicing the needs of spectators, to attract and recruit volunteers to the industry, it is important for sport event managers to know what is driving how much time volunteers allocate to an event. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the individual and macro-level factors influencing the allocation of time to volunteer at sport events.
Design/methodology/approach
Survey data were collected from volunteers at 25 sport events (n=2,303). Multi-level modelling was used to identify common effects controlling for event differences.
Findings
Male gender significantly influences time allocated to an event at the individual level. At the macro-level, the number of local inhabitants has a significant negative effect whereas the status of an international event and duration contribute positively to time allocation.
Research limitations/implications
The results provide clear evidence that macro-level variables can stimulate interest in event volunteering opportunities.
Originality/value
This paper uses a multi-level approach to assess the influence of micro- and macro-level variables on time allocation by sport event volunteers. Using this approach, event heterogeneity can be controlled.
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Markus Lamprecht, Siegfried Nagel and Hanspeter Stamm
This chapter examines the origins and institutionalization of sport sociology in Germany and Switzerland and provides an overview of the current state of research. It shows how…
Abstract
This chapter examines the origins and institutionalization of sport sociology in Germany and Switzerland and provides an overview of the current state of research. It shows how academic chairs and research committees were established and how the first textbooks, anthologies, and journals appeared from the 1970s onwards. The institutionalization process of German-speaking sport sociology proceeded parallel to the establishment of sport science. With regard to its theoretical and empirical basis, German-speaking sport sociology is rooted in theories and concepts of general sociology. Studies using a system theory perspective, conceptualizing sport as a societal sub-system and examining its linkage with and dependence on economy, media, or politics are particularly common in the German-speaking region. In addition, actor theoretic perspectives are very popular, and French sociologists such as Bourdieu and Foucault have had a marked influence on German-speaking sport sociology. A large number of sport sociology studies are concerned with the changes in leisure and elite sports. In this context, the emergence of new trends in risk sports as well as the fitness boom and its implications on body perception are of special interest. Further areas of research refer to sport participation and the impact of social inequality, particularly with respect to gender differences and social integration. Finally, organization research focusing on change at the level of sport associations and clubs has a long tradition. Major challenges for the future of German-speaking sport sociology include its internationalization and an enhanced international linkage in order to improve the visibility of research results.
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Homelessness research is identified as one example of sensitive social research that engages ‘vulnerable’ (Liamputtong, 2007, p. 4) participants as well as an area of difficult…
Abstract
Homelessness research is identified as one example of sensitive social research that engages ‘vulnerable’ (Liamputtong, 2007, p. 4) participants as well as an area of difficult research practice. This chapter explores how using qualitative research methodologies have led us to reinterpret aspects of our research practice and to develop an inclusive approach in our work on homelessness. In articulating our approach, we explore influences shaping the context of our research practice and ideas that are effective in researching homelessness. We present these as key principles informing our approach, alongside strategies we have developed for enacting inclusive research practice.
Ryszard Pawlak, Marcin Lebioda, Mariusz Tomczyk, Jacek Rymaszewski, Ewa Korzeniewska and Maria Walczak
Passive conducting elements are the important parts of textronic systems. This paper aims to study a possibility of creating well-conducting and durable elements in textile…
Abstract
Purpose
Passive conducting elements are the important parts of textronic systems. This paper aims to study a possibility of creating well-conducting and durable elements in textile materials by combining two technologies – physical vapour deposition (PVD) and laser patterning.
Design/methodology/approach
Thin conducting metallic layers on common fabrics do not provide satisfactory resistance to bending and stretching; therefore, selected textile composite materials have been proposed as a substrate. The conducting elements were produced in two stage process – deposition of thin metallic layer on textile composite and creating conducting elements by laser patterning. Laser ablation process was optimized using modelling in Comsol Multiphysics package. Properties of conducting structures were investigated experimentally and by modelling.
Findings
This paper confirms the correctness of the choice of the textile composite as a substrate for conducting elements. The results have shown that combining PVD deposition of thin metallic layer and controlled laser ablation allow creating passive elements such as resistors, inductive coils and heaters. Computer simulations conducted in the Comsol Multihysics environment enabled to determine the temperature distribution around the heaters and to describe the dynamics of its changes. The obtained results allow to shorten time of the optimization process of structures with different geometry and assumed temperature distribution.
Originality/value
The novelty of this research can be summarized as following: choosing of textile composites as substrates for conductive elements instead of textiles used so far in textronics; creating conductive structures on textile composites using combined technologies, PVD and laser patterning, for the first time; modelling of laser ablation process of thin metallic layer; and optimization of properties of conducting elements by computer modelling.
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Faramarz Damanpour and Jamshid Ali Damanpour
Cites survey evidence that many firms undertaking e‐commerce projects do not appraise or evaluate them in traditional ways and discusses how businesses can deal with the many…
Abstract
Cites survey evidence that many firms undertaking e‐commerce projects do not appraise or evaluate them in traditional ways and discusses how businesses can deal with the many perspectives involved. Illustrates the “four faces of e‐business”, lists its benefits and considers seven legal/regulatory issues which require review in this context. Identifies three critical success factors for e‐business, shows some international growth forecasts and compares three financing models for e‐services. Briefly describes how some companies deal with security on the internet, sees e‐business as “imperative” for business success and warns that, although no single strategic model fits all companies, a strategy must be developed to avoid reducing returns on investment.
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Thomas N. Garavan, Patrick Gunnigle and Michael Morley
Addresses some of the key debates within the HRD literature and considers the extent to which HRD can be described as a field of study. The paper addresses the issues raised in…
Abstract
Addresses some of the key debates within the HRD literature and considers the extent to which HRD can be described as a field of study. The paper addresses the issues raised in the contributions that make up this special issue and identifies a broad range of methodologies and use of research methods. It argues that all of the contributions fit into at least one theoretical perspective: capabilities, psychological contacts and the learning organization/organizational learning. The paper concludes with a consideration of the prescriptions which the perspectives advocate for HRD in organizations.
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Chuanjing Ju, Yan Ning and Yuzhong Shen
Safety professionals' primary job is to execute safety control measures towards frontline personnel, and previous studies focus on the effectiveness of such controls. Rare…
Abstract
Purpose
Safety professionals' primary job is to execute safety control measures towards frontline personnel, and previous studies focus on the effectiveness of such controls. Rare research efforts, however, have been devoted to the effectiveness of management control measures towards safety professionals themselves. This study aimed to fill up this knowledge gap by examining whether safety professionals under differing management control configurations differ in their work attitudes, including affective commitment, job satisfaction, career commitment and intention to quit.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing on a holistic view of control, five forms of management control, i.e. outcome control, process control, capability control, professional control and reinforcement, were investigated. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey targeting at construction safety professionals was conducted. The latent profile analysis approach was employed to identify how the five forms of management control are configured, i.e. identifying the distinctive patterns of control profiles. The Bolck–Croon–Hagenaars method was then used to examine whether safety professionals' work attitudes were different across the identified control profiles.
Findings
Seven distinct control profiles were extracted from the sample of 475 construction safety professionals. The overall test of outcome means showed that mean levels of affective commitment, job satisfaction and intentions to quit were significantly different across the seven profiles. The largest that was also the most desirable subgroup was the high control profile (n = 161, 33.9%). The least desirable subgroups included the low control profile (n = 75, 15.8%) and the low capability and professional control profile (n = 12, 2.5%). Pairwise comparison suggested that capability, professional and process controls were more effective than outcome control and reinforcement.
Originality/value
In theory, this study contributes to the burgeoning literature on how to improve the effectiveness of control measures targeted at safety professionals. The results suggested that effective management controls involve a fine combination of formal, informal, process and output controls. In practice, this study uncovers the ways in which managers leverage the efforts of safety professionals in achieving safety goals. Particularly, it informs managers that the control configurations, instead of isolated controls, should be executed to motivate safety professionals.