Peter Clarys, Peter Deriemaeker, Marcel Hebbelinck, David Bosmans and Bjorn Bertier
This study was designed to assess the physical fitness and health status in 36 life‐long vegetarians. Besides a general questionnaire a dietary diary was completed and several…
Abstract
This study was designed to assess the physical fitness and health status in 36 life‐long vegetarians. Besides a general questionnaire a dietary diary was completed and several blood parameters were determined. Physical fitness profile was estimated by testing handgrip strength, leg explosive strength, dynamic abdominal muscle endurance and cardiorespiratory endurance capacity. Body mass and length were measured for the determination of the BMI. The general questionnaire revealed that most of the subjects had healthy lifestyles. Nutritional intakes were not optimal with excess of some nutrients, but equally with some intakes not reaching the recommended daily allowances. Blood profile was normal for all evaluated parameters. Physical performance capacity was rather weak for strength‐oriented tasks while a normal cardiorespiratory endurance capacity was measured. Our results indicate that a vegetarian diet is not automatically a healthy diet. Proper food choices need to be made to assure the completeness and to avoid excesses or deficiencies in the diet.
Dirk Aerenhouts, Marcel Hebbelinck, Stephanie De Vriese and Peter Clarys
The purpose of this paper is to describe health‐related factors and behaviors associated with soy consumption and to present a better identification of a soy consumer's profile at…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe health‐related factors and behaviors associated with soy consumption and to present a better identification of a soy consumer's profile at meso‐level.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 104 women and 49 men, 22‐77 years old and employed at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, participated in the study. A physical activity questionnaire and a food frequency questionnaire were administered. Body height, weight, waist and hip circumferences, body fat percentage (2‐pole BIA), blood glucose and total blood cholesterol were measured in a fasting state.
Findings
Compared with the general population, the sample showed healthier eating habits (breakfast frequency, fruit and vegetable consumption) and lower prevalence of smoking. Women regularly consuming soy had lower waist circumference, body fat percentage and total cholesterol levels than infrequent soy consumers. Men consuming soy foods regularly participated significantly more in high‐intensity physical activities and consumed less meat, poultry and fish.
Research limitations/implications
Owing to recruitment in a university setting, a healthy volunteer effect and socio‐economic bias may exist. Therefore, generalization of the results is not possible and interpretation of the results must be performed with the utmost caution.
Practical implications
It can be concluded that, especially in men, soy consumption fits in a healthy lifestyle.
Originality/value
Regular soy‐consuming women differed from infrequent soy‐consuming women on anthropometrics and cholesterol, while regular consuming men differed behaviorally from infrequent soy‐consuming men. Overall, regular soy consumers were generally more health‐conscious and had better health outcomes.
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Focuses on Pacific Bell telecommunications company and its benchmarking process to measure customer satisfaction. Explains the company′s current process m eight steps performed in…
Abstract
Focuses on Pacific Bell telecommunications company and its benchmarking process to measure customer satisfaction. Explains the company′s current process m eight steps performed in sequence m and the results obtained.
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Frank Bezzina, Vincent Cassar, Joseph G. Azzopardi and Peter McKiernan
The purpose of this study is to both understand the motives for volunteering in local government (a strong/structured context) and determine how such motivation and other…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to both understand the motives for volunteering in local government (a strong/structured context) and determine how such motivation and other demographics interact with organisational contexts to influence volunteering outcomes.
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopts a functional approach to volunteerism. The Volunteer Functions Inventory is modified to better assess the motivations of elected local government volunteers. The responses of 152 Maltese local councillors were used to answer four research questions empirically.
Findings
Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported the introduction of a seventh VFI dimension, namely the political function. The study provides evidence that local councillors who received greater amounts of functionally relevant benefits reported more satisfaction and a stronger intention to continue volunteering in local government. The aggregated effect of multiple motives as well as other person-based determinants (marital status and education) produced a significant impact on volunteering outcomes in this strong/structured situational context of this public sector environment.
Originality/value
This study contributes to a better understanding and assessment of the motivations of elected local government volunteers. It addresses practical recommendations for sustaining civil society, while acknowledging the potential and contribution of volunteers with various demographic characteristics.
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In many ways, the use of project management software makes a computer resemble James Martin's idea of a comprehensive machine, a device “that enables management or their staff to…
Abstract
In many ways, the use of project management software makes a computer resemble James Martin's idea of a comprehensive machine, a device “that enables management or their staff to understand better the possible effects of their decisions.”
Mary Ho and Stephanie O’Donohoe
The purpose of this paper is to seek to enhance the understanding of non-profit marketing and consumer identities by exploring volunteering as a form of symbolic consumption…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to seek to enhance the understanding of non-profit marketing and consumer identities by exploring volunteering as a form of symbolic consumption. Specifically, it seeks to examine how young people – both volunteers and non-volunteers – understand and relate to volunteer stereotypes, and how they manage stigma in negotiating their social identities in relation to volunteering.
Design/methodology/approach
Grounded in consumer culture theory, the study uses mixed qualitative methods, incorporating focus groups, paired and individual interviews and a projective drawing task.
Findings
Five volunteering-related stereotypes were identified: the older charity shop worker, the sweet singleton, the environmental protestor, the ordinary volunteer and the non-volunteer. Participants related to positive and negative attributes of these stereotypes in different ways. This led volunteers and non-volunteers to engage in a range of impression management strategies, some of which bolstered their own identities by stigmatising other groups.
Research limitations/implications
The sample was drawn from 39 individuals aged 16-24 years and living in Scotland.
Practical implications
Because stereotypes are acknowledged as a major barrier to volunteering, particularly among young people, a greater understanding of how these stereotypes are understood and negotiated can assist non-profit marketers in recruiting and retaining volunteers.
Originality/value
This paper draws on theories of consumer culture and stigma to explore volunteering as a form of symbolic consumption, examines volunteering stereotypes among both volunteers and non-volunteers and uses multiple qualitative methods to facilitate articulation of young people’s experiences in this area.
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IN 1938 a review of conical diffuser performance by Patterson (Ref. 1) was published in this journal, and a reappraisal by Cockrell and Markland (Ref. 2) was given in 1963. The…
Abstract
IN 1938 a review of conical diffuser performance by Patterson (Ref. 1) was published in this journal, and a reappraisal by Cockrell and Markland (Ref. 2) was given in 1963. The two articles are widely referred to for design purposes, although other reviews have appeared more recently (by Reneau et al (Ref. 3) in 1964, and Cockrell and King (Ref. 4) in 1967). Cockrell and Markland also included some preliminary results from an investigation which they instigated at Nottingham University, and it is the continuation of this work which is the subject of this paper.
As part of discussing future research in the era of change for Globalization 4.0, this chapter examines the traditional academic CSR literature to determine a gap in current…
Abstract
As part of discussing future research in the era of change for Globalization 4.0, this chapter examines the traditional academic CSR literature to determine a gap in current research. An academic literature search revealed limited literature on actual CSR activities, and more specifically, Social Initiatives (SIs). It is important to expand on this area of research as it relates to an evolution of the original CSR definition by Carroll (1979, 1999). The literature review also revealed limited use of Social Identity Theory in CSR studies: a theory which provides an excellent context to give ‘purpose’ and meaning to a more socially oriented form of CSR. It also provides a base to understand human ‘identification’ and ‘identity’ with CSR activities, in a new era of change. Recent research reveals the importance of understanding what employees and global citizens as stakeholders want, need, identify, and engage with. Following a literature review, this chapter introduces a new ‘Social Initiatives Framework,’ designed to incorporate the many terms and alternative themes associated with CSR. The chapter concludes with extracts from an example paper for this area of research, and provides a model to examine changing stakeholder perspectives in global settings. The findings behind the development of the model is discussed, revealing substantial opportunities for future research. The chapter highlights the development of CSR SIs to study the sustainable development goals, while also supporting social enterprises to solve wicked challenges and create shared value (CSV) for both the host community and the company within the setting where the organization resides.
Clodagh G. Butler, Deirdre O’Shea and Donald M. Truxillo
Interest in psychological resilience has grown rapidly in the last couple of decades (Britt, Sinclair, & McFadden, 2016; King & Rothstein, 2010; Youssef & Luthans, 2007)…
Abstract
Interest in psychological resilience has grown rapidly in the last couple of decades (Britt, Sinclair, & McFadden, 2016; King & Rothstein, 2010; Youssef & Luthans, 2007). Psychological resilience occurs when a person can “recover, re-bound, bounce-back, adjust or even thrive” in the face of adversity (Garcia-Dia, DiNapoli, Garcia-Ona, Jakubowski, & O’flaherty, 2013, p. 264). As such, resilience can be conceptualized as a state-like and malleable construct that can be enhanced in response to stressful events (Kossek & Perrigino, 2016). It incorporates a dynamic process by which individuals use protective factors (internal and external) to positively adapt to stress over time (Luthar, Cicchetti, & Becker, 2000; Rutter, 1987). Building on the dual-pathway model of resilience, we integrate adaptive and proactive coping to the resilience development process and add a heretofore unexamined perspective to the ways in which resilience changes over time. We propose that resilience development trajectories differ depending on the type of adversity or stress experienced in combination with the use of adaptive and proactive coping. We outline the need for future longitudinal studies to examine these relationships and the implications for developing resilience interventions in the workplace.
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Matthew R. Leon, Holly K. Osburn and Thomas Bellairs
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects both civilian and military populations following wartime experiences. However, despite an abundance of research investigating…
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects both civilian and military populations following wartime experiences. However, despite an abundance of research investigating civilian and military populations separately, much less focus has been given to synthesizing and integrating findings to describe how civilian and military war survivors are comparatively affected by PTSD. This review is broken down into three sections covering (1) risk factors associated with PTSD, (2) relationships between PTSD and mental health outcomes, and (3) protective factors that can attenuate PTSD and its effects. Each section covers findings for civilians and military personnel and highlights similarities and differences between groups.