Lew Perren and Richard Morland
Simon’s story is presented here; it tells of his change from his familiar world as a claims manager to an ambiguous world of consultants and projects. Simon recounts a…
Abstract
Simon’s story is presented here; it tells of his change from his familiar world as a claims manager to an ambiguous world of consultants and projects. Simon recounts a kaleidoscope of emotions as his life is thrown into turmoil. In career terms it could be argued that Simon started and finished as a claims manager and therefore little in fact changed during the story. This would miss the fundamental changes in Simon from a motivated, confident and capable manager to timid and confused employee. Internally Simon was changed, externally no one noticed. A causal network is used to trace the patterns of connection through Simon’s narrative. This reveals his way of making sense of his experiences and allows his ontology of management and career to be explored. This leads on to a discussion of management implications.
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Rebecca Checkley, Nick Hodge, Sue Chantler, Lisa Reidy and Katie Holmes
This paper focuses on accessing the experiences of three boys who are on the autism spectrum to identify what using a voice output communication aid (VOCA), within a classroom…
Abstract
This paper focuses on accessing the experiences of three boys who are on the autism spectrum to identify what using a voice output communication aid (VOCA), within a classroom setting, means to them. The methods used to identify the boys' perspectives are described and evaluated. Establishing these through direct methods of engagement proved problematic but working with parents and school staff as ‘expert guides’ provided a rich insight into what using a VOCA appeared to mean to the boys. The findings suggest that using a computer‐based VOCA can be viewed by children with autism as a pleasurable and motivating activity. This technology also seems to offer the potential for a much broader developmental impact for these children than that currently recognised within the research literature.
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Moldova is one of the smallest constituent Republics of the C.I.S., with a population of just 4.3 million inhabitants. In agrifood terms however, Moldova has traditionally been…
Abstract
Moldova is one of the smallest constituent Republics of the C.I.S., with a population of just 4.3 million inhabitants. In agrifood terms however, Moldova has traditionally been one of the key “food baskets” for the rest of the former Soviet Union. Nowhere is this more marked than in the production of wine, with Moldova still supplying 20% of the total wine production of the former Soviet Union. In Central and East European terms the Moldovan wine industry is substantial; producing annually as much wine as Hungary and “Czechoslovakia” combined. This paper provides an overview of the Moldovan wine industry, highlighting key production and structural difficulties facing it as it attempts to gain access to hard currency earning markets outside the former Soviet Union. In particular, the problems caused by the recent reversion to the traditional monopoly‐monopsony structure within the Moldovan wine marketing channel are analysed. Suggestions are made for true liberalisation of the Moldovan wine marketing system, based upon three elements:‐ (i) De‐nationalisation, and a move to new private structures of ownership of Moldovan wineries; (ii) Modernisation of vineyard practices and production methods, driven by private incentive. (iii) The establishment of effective networks of marketing and distribution, based upon private wineries pursuing real markets.
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Karen Dutton, Neil Hedger, Simon Wills and Pauline Davies
The aim of this study is to quantify prescribing errors relating to pre‐admission medication in patients admitted to hospital. It also assesses the impact of a hospital pharmacist…
Abstract
The aim of this study is to quantify prescribing errors relating to pre‐admission medication in patients admitted to hospital. It also assesses the impact of a hospital pharmacist in identifying and correcting these errors. Standard prescription monitoring by the pharmacist took place on admission in phase 1 (526 patients). This was compared with an extension of the pharmacist’s role in phase 2 (506 patients) by taking a detailed medication history, including assessment of patients’ own drugs (PODs). A significant increase (p < 0.001) in errors detected and corrected was identified. In phase 2, 45.1 per cent of prescription charts contained one or more errors. Of these errors, 74.8 per cent could not be identified from checking the drug chart alone. As this is the principal method by which many hospital pharmacists check patients’ medication charts this is an area of concern. More than 50 per cent of errors were considered likely to cause destabilisation of a chronic medical condition, or serious adverse events. It has been shown that an effective way to prevent these errors and ensure the continuity of medication between primary and secondary care is for pharmacists to take a detailed drug history on admission.
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Yaara Zisman-Ilani, Erin Barnett, Juliette Harik, Anthony Pavlo and Maria O’Connell
Much of the existing literature on shared decision making (SDM) in mental health has focused on the use of decision aids (DAs). However, DAs tend to focus on information exchange…
Abstract
Purpose
Much of the existing literature on shared decision making (SDM) in mental health has focused on the use of decision aids (DAs). However, DAs tend to focus on information exchange and neglect other essential elements to SDM in mental health. The purpose of this paper is to expand the review of SDM interventions in mental health by identifying important components, in addition to information exchange, that may contribute to the SDM process in mental health.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors conducted a systematic literature search using the Ovid-Medline database with supplementary scoping search of the literature on SDM in mental health treatment. To be eligible for inclusion, studies needed to describe (in a conceptual work or development paper) or evaluate (in any type of research design) a SDM intervention in mental health. The authors included studies of participants with a mental illness facing a mental health care decision, their caregivers, and providers.
Findings
A final sample of 31 records was systematically selected. Most interventions were developed and/or piloted in the USA for adults in community psychiatric settings. Although information exchange was a central component of the identified studies, important additional elements were: eliciting patient preferences and values, providing patient communication skills training, eliciting shared care planning, facilitating patient motivation, and eliciting patient participation in goal setting.
Originality/value
The review indicates that additional elements, other than information exchange such as sufficient rapport and trusting relationships, are important and needed as part of SDM in mental health. Future SDM interventions in mental health could consider including techniques that aim to increase patient involvement in activities such as goal settings, values, and preference clarification, or facilitating patient motivation, before and after presenting treatment options.
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Lilisbeth Perestelo-Perez, Amado Rivero-Santana, Yolanda Alvarez-Perez, Yaara Zisman-Ilani, Emma Kaminskiy and Pedro Serrano Aguilar
Shared decision making (SDM) is a model of health care in which patients are involved in the decision-making process about their treatment, considering their preferences and…
Abstract
Purpose
Shared decision making (SDM) is a model of health care in which patients are involved in the decision-making process about their treatment, considering their preferences and concerns in a deliberative process with the health care provider. Many existing instruments assess the antecedents, process, or the outcomes of SDM. The purpose of this paper is to identify the SDM-related measures applied in a mental health context.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors performed a systematic review in several electronic databases from 1990 to October 2016. Studies that assessed quantitatively one or more constructs related to SDM (antecedents, process, and outcomes) in the field of mental health were included.
Findings
The authors included 87 studies that applied 48 measures on distinct SDM constructs. A large majority of them have been developed in the field of physical diseases and adapted or directly applied in the mental health context. The most evaluated construct is the SDM process in consultation, mainly by patients’ self-report but also by external observer measures, followed by the patients’ preferences for involvement in decision making. The most applied instrument was the Autonomy Preference Index, followed by the Observing Patient Involvement in Decision Making (OPTION) and the Control Preferences Scale (CPS). The psychometric validation in mental health samples of the instruments identified is scarce.
Research limitations/implications
The bibliographic search is comprehensive, but could not be completely exhaustive. Effort should be invested in the development of new SDM for mental health tools that will reflect the complexity and specific features of mental health care.
Originality/value
The authors highlight several limitations and challenges for the measurement of SDM in mental health care.
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Presents the thoughts on decision processes of Chester I. Barnard, one of the century’s greatest management theorists. Includes his classic article, “Mind in everyday affairs”;…
Abstract
Presents the thoughts on decision processes of Chester I. Barnard, one of the century’s greatest management theorists. Includes his classic article, “Mind in everyday affairs”; his unpublished book, “The Significance of Decisive Behaviour in Social Action”; his correspondence with Herbert Simon, and significant comments found in his personal papers.
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IT IS AXIOMATIC that journals like WORK STUDY leave politics severely alone. This is but sensible: whichever you praise, you will most certainly offend some of your readers. They…
Abstract
IT IS AXIOMATIC that journals like WORK STUDY leave politics severely alone. This is but sensible: whichever you praise, you will most certainly offend some of your readers. They are a cross‐section of the population and how they think (or vote) is their own business. It is not ours to inquire, nor, most certainly not to condemn.
To examine the impact of the philosophical sources on Herbert Simon's Administrative Behavior, a central work in the management canon.
Abstract
Purpose
To examine the impact of the philosophical sources on Herbert Simon's Administrative Behavior, a central work in the management canon.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper uses a conceptual approach, tracing the influence of the major philosophers – William James, John Dewey and the logical positivists (A.J. Ayer and Rudolph Carnap) – cited in the book.
Findings
An understanding of the philosophical platform supporting Administrative Behavior is crucial to a more complete reading of the book and to furthering research in the area.
Practical implications
Future research focused either on extending Herbert Simon's work or, more generally, on advancing the study of management, will benefit from deeper consideration of the implications of the chosen philosophical platform supporting the endeavour.
Originality/value
The paper provides the reader a means for better understanding the contributions of a key work in management, with implications that extend to its overall study.