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Article
Publication date: 5 December 2016

David Birnbaum and Michael Decker

385

Abstract

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International Journal of Health Governance, vol. 21 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2059-4631

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Article
Publication date: 18 January 2013

Robert Geyer

The purpose of the article is to explore the implications of GP commissioning through the lens of complexity theory. The key point that the article attempts to rise is that GP…

479

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the article is to explore the implications of GP commissioning through the lens of complexity theory. The key point that the article attempts to rise is that GP commissioning does imply greater freedom, responsibility and ability to move the English NHS in a more public oriented, locally responsive and public health oriented direction. At the same time, as demonstrated by the Stacey diagram, it forces GPs into difficult, complex situations that lie outside of their traditional skill range and experiences and implores them to deal with a much wider range of actors and institutions that they are unfamiliar with and are well beyond their control.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a discussion paper that explores the recent proposals for GP commissioning from a complexity framework, and in particular the “Stacey diagram”.

Findings

The commissioning reforms may represent a healthy organisational transformation of the NHS and over time generate a number of positive outcomes. Nevertheless, with a complexity perspective, one can begin to understand why this reform is so challenging for GPs, and that it will take a whole new range of GP skills and decision‐making strategies (and maybe even a shift in the overall GP culture) in order to make it work.

Originality/value

To the author's knowledge this is the first attempt to use complexity theory to explore the strengths and weaknesses of GP commissioning.

Details

Clinical Governance: An International Journal, vol. 18 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7274

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Article
Publication date: 18 January 2013

Fiona MacVane

The purpose of this paper is to enable busy clinicians to review the contents of the journal quickly. They can then choose which articles have the most relevance for them and…

173

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to enable busy clinicians to review the contents of the journal quickly. They can then choose which articles have the most relevance for them and focus on these.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides a brief synopsis of the main content of the journal prepared by the review editor.

Findings

Changes to healthcare commissioning and delivery will have long‐term consequences for the way in which the NHS functions.

Practical implications

It is important that all NHS staff have a clear understanding of recent and proposed changes so that they can participate in dialogue about the implications for their roles.

Originality/value

The review editor has no affiliation with any of the authors and no financial or other interest in commissioning and therefore is able to provide an independent overview of the journal contents.

Details

Clinical Governance: An International Journal, vol. 18 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7274

Keywords

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Book part
Publication date: 13 September 2018

Robert Crocker

In the face of increasing resource insecurity, environmental degradation and climate change, more governments and businesses are now embracing the concept of the circular economy…

Abstract

In the face of increasing resource insecurity, environmental degradation and climate change, more governments and businesses are now embracing the concept of the circular economy. This chapter presents some historical background to the concept, with particular attention paid to its assumed opposite, the ‘linear’ or growth economy. While the origins of the circular economy concept are to be found in 1960s environmentalism, the chapter draws attention to the influence of the then ‘new’ sciences of ecology and ‘cybernetics’ in shaping the public environmental discourse of the period. It also draws attention to the background of the present linear economy in postwar policies that encouraged reconstruction and a social and economic democratisation across the West, including an expansion of mass-consumption. It emphasises the role of the 1960s counterculture in generating a popular reaction against this expansionary growth-based agenda, and its influence in shaping subsequent environmentalism, including the ‘metabolic’ and ecological economic understanding of the environmental crisis that informs the concept of the circular economy. Reflecting upon this historical preamble, the chapter concludes that more attention should be paid to the economic, cultural and social contexts of consumption, now more clearly the main driver of our global environmental crisis. Without now engaging more directly with the ‘consumption problem’, the chapter argues, it seems unlikely that the goals of the circular economy can be met.

Details

Unmaking Waste in Production and Consumption: Towards the Circular Economy
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78714-620-4

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Article
Publication date: 10 April 2009

David Ahlstrom and Linda C. Wang

France's defeat by Germany in 1940 is one of the most shocking events in the annals of military history. Explanations for France's defeat have traditionally focused on battlefield…

2006

Abstract

Purpose

France's defeat by Germany in 1940 is one of the most shocking events in the annals of military history. Explanations for France's defeat have traditionally focused on battlefield mistakes, an unmotivated population, and even bad luck. Yet, the seeds of France's failure were sown long before her 1940 surrender. The purpose of this paper is to examine the presence of groupthink in the French General Staff during the interwar years with its deleterious effect on France's military preparedness.

Design/methodology/approach

Groupthink is used to understand the reasons behind France's decisive defeat at the start of World War II. Historians of the period and primary and secondary works were consulted and analyzed.

Findings

Multiple examples of the main eight groupthink symptoms were identified from the documentary evidence. Groupthink present in the French General Staff had an adverse impact on the France's preparations. Groupthink led to the downplaying of important information, the failure to question vital assumptions about German capabilities, and the misapplication of new military technology. This led to inflexibility and the inability to respond to innovative German technology and operational doctrine.

Research limitations/implications

Groupthink is useful in explaining complex historical events – events which often have been attributed to poor leadership, corrupt or incapable politicians, or simply luck. The application of social science theory and methods to well‐documented events, whether “historical” or otherwise has the potential to enrich the understanding of these events and the ways in which they may be studied.

Originality/value

This study also contributes to evidence on groupthink and the application of theory in social science and management to the study of well‐documented historical events.

Details

Journal of Management History, vol. 15 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1751-1348

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 1 March 2006

Jozica Knez‐Riedl, Matjaz Mulej and Robert G. Dyck

The corporate social responsibility (CSR) is an essential topic of both life and sociocybernetics. It requires businesspersons and other decision makers to be broad and hence to…

4235

Abstract

Purpose

The corporate social responsibility (CSR) is an essential topic of both life and sociocybernetics. It requires businesspersons and other decision makers to be broad and hence to apply inter‐disciplinarity incorporating many, mutually partly different and therefore interdependent, viewpoints for requisite holism. To do so, they should use systems thinking. But the modern diversity of systems theories, including cybernetics, opens the issue: which systems theory and/or cybernetic should one use? Aims to discuss the dialectical systems theory (DST), its definition of holism and its definition of the seven principal groups of notions making systems thinking possible, when applied in a synergy. This may lead to a requisite holism, and hence to efficiency and effectiveness of the work on and of the CSR; it has often been done so in the 30 years of DST.

Design/methodology/approach

Desk research and indirect field research were used. The concept of CSR is a rather soft topic. It demands a holistic treatment and hence a plural theoretical foundation following recent trends in economics (business and environmental), management as well as systems thinking. The problem was investigated empirically from the systems‐oriented perspective supported by DST, because it tackles human personality and impacts over it and by it, rather than offers tools for people to use for whatever purposes.

Findings

The CSR concept belongs in sociocyberbetics linking cybernetics, systems theory and social aspects of the reality. The definition of CSR requires humans to think, decide, and act on a very broad basis rather than to reduce their horizons to the narrow habit of businesses to find profit only essential. CSR links the hard‐systemic and soft‐systemic versions of modern systems theories. It could be seen as an attribute of human personality and as a process between humans and organisations.

Research limitations/implications

As CSR has many dimensions (economic, environmental and social ones, at least), the research focused on the requisitely holistic performance of an organisation being aware of diversified needs of multi‐stakeholders (including its own employees, as well).

Practical implications

The research findings and conclusions can support endeavors to implement the CSR concept in practice: in organisations, among different stakeholders and broader public audience (including governmental institutions and communities).

Originality/value

The paper provides the theoretical foundation to raise and improve socially responsible activities by supporting a maturing management philosophy approaching the viable, balanced organisation.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. 35 no. 3/4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

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Book part
Publication date: 27 June 2013

John Antonakis and Robert J. House

In this chapter, we briefly trace the history of the neo-charismatic movement and review Bass and Avolio’s full-range leadership theory (FRLT). We present the FRLT as the flame…

Abstract

In this chapter, we briefly trace the history of the neo-charismatic movement and review Bass and Avolio’s full-range leadership theory (FRLT). We present the FRLT as the flame bearer of the movement, and argue that it should be used as a platform to integrate similar leadership theories. We identify conditions that may moderate the factor structure of the FRLT, and review the validity of the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire – the instrument underlying the FRLT. Furthermore, we identify theoretical deficiencies in the FRLT and propose the addition of a broad class of behaviors labeled instrumental leadership, which, we argue, is distinct from transformational, transactional, and laissez-faire leadership. Finally, we discuss the utility of dispositional variables in predicting the emergence of leadership.

Details

Transformational and Charismatic Leadership: The Road Ahead 10th Anniversary Edition
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78190-600-2

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Article
Publication date: 9 July 2019

Gregory Cogut, Noah J. Webster, Robert W. Marans and John Callewaert

Sustainability literature has cited the influential role of both awareness and engagement in facilitating increases in pro-environmental behaviors. The purpose of this study is to…

2116

Abstract

Purpose

Sustainability literature has cited the influential role of both awareness and engagement in facilitating increases in pro-environmental behaviors. The purpose of this study is to compare these links across behaviors and explore their interactive influence.

Design/methodology/approach

Two research questions were examined: 1) Is awareness about campus efforts regarding waste-prevention and sustainable travel/transportation options associated with increases in student waste-prevention and sustainable travel/transportation behaviors? 2) Is the link between sustainability awareness and changes in behavior conditioned by student engagement (i.e. participation) in campus sustainability activities and events? Research questions were examined using data from the University of Michigan Sustainability Cultural Indicators Program. A sample of freshmen completed a Web-based survey in 2012, and again as seniors in 2015.

Findings

Greater awareness of campus waste-prevention efforts in 2015 was associated with significant increases in student waste-prevention behaviors from 2012 to 2015. Also, among students who were engaged (i.e. reported participating in a campus sustainability activity/event), greater travel/transportation awareness in 2015 was associated with a significant decline in sustainable travel/transportation behavior. Consistent with previous studies this study found a link between sustainability awareness and increases in sustainable behavior. However, this study also indicates that this link is not present for all behaviors (i.e. use of sustainable travel/transportation). This study also found that engagement does not amplify the awareness–behavior link.

Originality/value

Understanding key drivers of changes in sustainable behavior for specific behaviors can inform the allocation of resources and help university campuses reach their sustainability goals.

Details

International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, vol. 20 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1467-6370

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 1 April 1996

Christine Hope, Robert Hope and Lara Tavridou

This paper briefly describes some of the advances which are taking place in information technology and considers some of the associated problems. The implications for tourism…

701

Abstract

This paper briefly describes some of the advances which are taking place in information technology and considers some of the associated problems. The implications for tourism distribution channels and global tourism are then discussed.

Details

The Tourist Review, vol. 51 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0251-3102

Keywords

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Book part
Publication date: 8 November 2021

Jennifer Moore Bernstein and Robert O. Vos

Abstract

Details

SDG12 – Sustainable Consumption and Production: A Revolutionary Challenge for the 21st Century
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78973-102-6

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