Search results

This paper seeks to describe the exploration of human resource issues in one large‐scale program of innovation in healthcare. It is informed by established theories of management in the workplace and a multi‐level model of diffusion of innovations.

A realist approach was used based on interviews, ethnographic observation and documentary analysis.

Five main approaches (“theories of change”) were adopted to develop and support the workforce: recruiting staff with skills in service transformation; redesigning roles and creating new roles; enhancing workforce planning; linking staff development to service needs; creating opportunities for shared learning and knowledge exchange. Each had differing levels of success.

The paper includes HR implications for the modernisation of a complex service organisation.

This is the first time a realist evaluation of a complex health modernisation initiative has been undertaken.

The purpose of this paper is to explore the use of intangible resources in the performance management of European hospitals. The extent of the awareness of intangible resources as performance drivers is examined in five different European hospitals, from both the private and the public sector.

An inductive approach was taken based on open ended, semi‐structured interviews with key informants.

Research results indicate that hospitals' managers realise the importance of intangible resources. In particular these relate to three different areas, namely the management of hospitals' human resources, the creation of relationships within and outside the organisation, and the measurement of individual performance.

This research is exploratory in nature. Further and deeper research is needed which focuses on the identification of the most relevant resources in hospitals and their impact on performance. Both will then justify the integration of these intangible resources in performance measurement systems.

This research gives insights into the awareness of intangible resources in different European hospitals. It explores the use of intangible resources in performance measurement systems. Much of the research in this area has been concentrated on the private commercial sector, linked to creating shareholder value, and this paper adds to the newly developing research looking at hospital settings.

The purpose of this paper is to study the antifriction, antiwear and tribolayer formation properties of the trihexyltetradecylphosphonium bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl) phosphinate ionic liquid (IL) as additive at 1 wt.% in two base oils and their mixtures, comparing the results with those of a commercial oil.

The mixture of the base oils used in the formulation of the commercial oil SAE 0W20 plus the IL was tested under rolling/sliding and reciprocating conditions to determine the so-called Stribeck curve, the tribolayer formation and the antifriction and antiwear behaviors.

The use of this IL as additive in these oils does not change their viscosity; improves the antifriction and antiwear properties of the base oils, making equal or outperforming these properties of the SAE 0W20; and the thickness and formation rate of the tribolayer resulting from the IL-surface interaction is highly dependent on the type of base oil and influence on the friction and wear results.

The use of this IL allows to replace partial or totally commercial antifriction and antiwear additives.

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-05-2020-0179/

Appreciative Inquiry (AI) has gained prominence as an organizational development approach. For over 15 years, it has had varied use in higher education research as a methodology and as a collection of methods. Perhaps the most consistently used, yet most criticized, aspect of AI is the positive stance that its adherents adopt. In this chapter, we survey the prevalence and use of AI, both in the wider literature and in higher education research. We offer our own case study to illustrate the practicalities of employing it and discuss our findings. We suggest that educational researchers are overlooking relevant AI research published within other disciplines; that our own and other case stories can provide guidance for the use of AI in academic contexts; and that AI’s collaborative and positive standpoint has potential as a research methodology influencing policy.

Correlation coefficients measuring the historical relationships of returns on commercial property and both equities and conventional gilts appear to be low. Conversely, the correlation between gilts and equities appears to be relatively high. This implies that property provides diversification benefits to a mixed asset portfolio dominated by equities and gilts. However, there is some debate as to the reliability of these correlations and property’s diversification benefits. In this paper we use Granger causality tests and cointegration techniques to demonstrate that there is no long‐run relationship between property returns and those of either gilts or equities. This confirms the diversification benefits of including property in a mixed asset portfolio.

THE ANCIENT and royal burgh of Stirling, at one time the capital of Scotland, was at the turn of the century the county town of Stirlingshire and the centre of a thriving agricultural community. With the exception of a carpet and woollen mill and some neighbouring coal mines, there was little industry in the town. This was reflected in its social structure. There was growing up in the village of Raploch, beneath the castle rock, a sizeable Irish community of labourers and artisans, but of a population of around 20,000 in 1900, middle class businessmen and shopkeepers predominated. The town's structure in turn was reflected in the nature of the Town Council, which, although not always conservative in politics, was generally conservative when faced with innovation, be it a swimming pool or a modern town centre. This might explain why in Stirling the public library movement was late in starting, nearly 25 years after the Public Libraries (Scotland) Act of 1870 authorising the use for library purposes of 1 d. in the £ from the rates. It might also explain why there was some opposition from the Town Council to providing for the upkeep of the library after its foundation.

The purpose of this paper is to trace the development of economic theory to the point where “economic rationalism” is a commonly used term.

The paper draws on earlier research and published works examining: the history of economics; economic rationalism; and the different influences in comprising basic economic concepts.

The analysis of writing indicates that rationalism has been a focus of discussion in economic writing since Classical times, through to the “rational” influence in economic policy making from neoclassical economic writing. But, the specific term “economic rationalism” gained wider usage after Pusey's book. From that time, the term was used outside academia as a disparaging means to criticise economic theorists and policy makers.

The research is limited by the ability to examine all the literature in the field in greater depth. However, this has been ameliorated by examining a sufficient sample of literature relevant to the concept of rationality in economic theory and policy.

This paper provides a useful critique – from the classics to the modern era – of the contribution made to economic theory and practice. It provides managers with a comprehensive historical overview.

This paper fulfils an identified need and gives support to executives and managers who have doubts about theological justification for some values and accountability procedures being employed in policymaking.

THE Reference Department of Paisley Central Library today occupies the room which was the original Public Library built in 1870 and opened to the public in April 1871. Since that date two extensions to the building have taken place. The first, in 1882, provided a separate room for both Reference and Lending libraries; the second, opened in 1938, provided a new Children's Department. Together with the original cost of the building, these extensions were entirely financed by Sir Peter Coats, James Coats of Auchendrane and Daniel Coats respectively. The people of Paisley indeed owe much to this one family, whose generosity was great. They not only provided the capital required but continued to donate many useful and often extremely valuable works of reference over the many years that followed. In 1975 Paisley Library was incorporated in the new Renfrew District library service.