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Innovative management models: from scientific management to product-service systems
No full textThis paper seeks to explore innovative management models, in particular the journey these models have evolved over the years, from scientific management to product-service systems
% Molybdate reactive phosphorus of total phosphorus in urban wastewater influents and effluents in County Cork agglomerations >2000 P.E
Get PDFPhosphorus is a key nutrient in freshwater ecosystems as it is well known to cause severe\ud
water quality problems when enrichment with phosphorus occurs, a phenomenon known as\ud
eutrophication. Legislative measures are in place to control or limit the amount of\ud
phosphorus discharged, and there are several physical, chemical and biological treatment\ud
processes used to remove or reduce phosphorus prior to discharge. Whether or not rural\ud
developments are granted planning permission in Ireland is often contingent on the levels\ud
of phosphorus in the receiving waters it is proposed to discharge treated effluent to.\ud
Several forms of phosphorus exist in environmental monitoring; the most often encountered\ud
is the inorganic form usually known as orthophosphate. However, there are other names\ud
used for this inorganic form, depending on the method of analysis, such as soluble reactive\ud
phosphorus (SRP), molybdate reactive phosphorus (MRP), dissolved reactive phosphorus\ud
(DRP), leading to confusion and misinterpretation of results. The presentation of analytical\ud
data also leads to confusion when the results’ form is not clearly expressed.\ud
Average wastewater influent total phosphorus levels for County Cork’s wastewater\ud
treatment plants vary considerably. Average phosphorus loadings were in the range 2.3 to\ud
14.2 mg/1 TP-P, although a more reliable upper end of the range for average influent TP-P\ud
in Cork is Ballincollig with 11.6 mg/1 TP-P. Average influent MRP ranged from 1.6 mg/1\ud
to 7.6mg/l PO4-P. Average MRP% of the total phosphorus ranged from 43.5% to 68 %.\ud
Disregarding effluents where phosphorus removal measures are required under the Urban\ud
Waste Water Treatment Regulations, 2001, average effluent concentrations of total\ud
phosphorus ranged from l.lmg/1 at Kanturk to 6.4mg/l TP-P at Ballincollig. Average\ud
effluent concentrations of MRP ranged from 0.9 to 4.6mg/l PO4-P. The range of % MRP of\ud
the total phosphorus was greater in plants where phosphorus removal technologies were\ud
employed, 34.4% to 91.7%. Plants without additional phosphorus removal had a narrower\ud
range, 62.4% to 87.1%
Synchronous reproduction may facilitate introgression in a hybrid mussel (Mytilus) population
Get PDFMussel populations on the Irish Atlantic coast comprise an interbreeding mixture of the blue mussel, Mytilus edulis (L.) and the Mediterranean mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis (Lmk.). The occurrence of hybrid genotypes varies between sites but can be as high 80%. This study compares the reproductive cycle of M. edulis, M. galloprovincialis and their hybrids to determine if the extensive hybridisation observed at Irish Atlantic coast sites is linked to spawning synchrony between the two taxa. Mussels (40-45 mm size class) were collected monthly from a sheltered shore in Galway Bay from January to December 2005. Two major spawning events (March- June and September-October) were observed and gametogenesis took place throughout the year. The spawning cycles of the three taxa were largely overlapping. Small differences were observed in the timing of peak spawning which occurred in March and October in M. galloprovincialis and in May-June and September in M.edulis. Spawning of hybrid individuals was intermediate between the parental genotypes. Fecundity was slightly higher in M. galloprovincialis females compared to the other taxa (up to 30% difference, p<0.05). This apparent advantage is not shared by the sexes and is likely being offset by high numbers of hybrid genotypes releasing gametes during peak spawning of M. galloprovincialis. There was no evidence for increased mortality in hybrid males; sex ratios did not deviate from the 1:1 ratio. The results show that in this region of the hybrid zone the timing of reproduction does not present a barrier to gene flow between M. edulis and M. galloprovincialis. Nonetheless, small differences in the timing of peak spawning may increase the likelihood of conspecific fertilisation at certain times of the year. Hybrids outnumber the parental genotypes, undergo complete gametogenesis and show no evidence of depressed fitness (i.e. hybrids are reproductively competent suggesting a high degree of introgression
An investigation into the relationship between sales and marketing departments of retail outlets located in the north west region of Ireland
Get PDFThis dissertation is an investigation into the relationship between sales and marketing\ud
departments. The investigation will highlight, if any gaps actually do exist between sales\ud
and marketing departments o f retail outlets in the North West o f Ireland. From the\ud
secondary research it was noticed that the relationships between the two departments\ud
were becoming further and further apart. They were becoming less and less aligned due\ud
to the different natures and cultures o f both departments. This needed to change as\ud
business performance was suffering at the hands o f stubborn personalities that would not\ud
move to accommodate each other.\ud
Primary and Secondary research methodologies were used to investigate the relationship\ud
between the sales and marketing departments o f two retail outlets in the North West\ud
region o f Ireland. Primary research was undertaken through qualitative and quantitative\ud
methodology. Qualitative research was collected in the form o f four in-depth interviews\ud
with a sales and marketing manager o f both organisations. Quantitative research was\ud
collected through questionnaires administered to the sales force o f both organisations.\ud
The secondary research was carried out by critically evaluating relevant published\ud
material such as academic books, journals, websites, and newspapers.\ud
Key findings were made from the research. Some o f the relationship gaps that emerged in\ud
the secondary research were found in the primary research. The cultural difference\ud
between both departments was evident from the research. It was also clear to see that\ud
both departments needed to develop closer relationships in order for the possible\ud
integration to occur. The researcher offered a number o f recommendations such as\ud
suggesting ways that the sales and marketing departments could work more fluently\ud
along side each other. The setting up o f cross-functional teams was recommended as the\ud
best way for both sales and marketing to begin the process o f becoming more integrated
Cetaceans in Irish waters: a review of recent research
Get PDFTo date, 24 cetacean species have been recorded in Irish waters. These are protected by a range of legislation, including the Whale Fisheries Act, the Wildlife Act and the EU Habitats Directive, which oblige Ireland to maintain cetacean populations and their habitat at a favourable conservation status. Policies aiming to maintain conservation objectives must be underpinned by scientific research. In this paper, we review historical and recent research on cetaceans in Irish waters (within the EEZ) to evaluate present knowledge and identify gaps in research. This information includes historical (pre-1976) records, targeted and incidental land, vessel and aerial based observations, acoustic surveys and monitoring and information from strandings. The habitat requirements of most cetacean species are not fully understood but some important habitats have been identified. A number of threats to the welfare of cetaceans in Irish waters have also been identifi ed, including fi sheries interactions, pollution, climate change and disturbance. Future research required to fill gaps in knowledge highlighted by this manuscript is considered and discussed
Reflections on reflection in action research: notes from a field study
Get PDFThere is wide agreement in the literature that “reflection” is a critical component in the\ud
methodology of action research (AR). This paper argues that there is little practical guidance\ud
for information systems researchers on how to carry out the process of reflection. The work is\ud
presented in the context of a case study of innovation in APC-MGE Ireland, a subsidiary of the\ud
critical power and cooling services division of the Schneider Electric Corporation. The paper\ud
describes the utilization of a novel form of action research recently proposed to the IS\ud
community by Mårtensson & Lee which they call dialogical AR. The study proposes to make a\ud
contribution by providing a questionnaire to assist the process on reflection in the course of AR cycles. The instrument was developed from engagement with the psychology literature and is suggested as a methodological plug-in to the Principles of Canonical Action Research
An investigation into the nature and extent of external auditor reliance on the internal audit function of companies listed on the Irish stock exchange
Get PDFQuestions exist regarding the extent to which internal auditors should participate in \ud
the external audit. While internal and external auditors occupy distinct roles, some \ud
professional bodies increasingly advocate the view that increased co-ordination \ud
between the internal and external auditors can provide total audit coverage more \ud
efficiently and effectively. However, others maintain that internal auditors should not \ud
focus on areas that are the subject of external audit interest. \ud
This study used online questionnaires and semi-structured interviews to advance \ud
research by examining the nature and extent of external auditor reliance on the \ud
internal audit function (IAF) of companies listed on the Irish Stock Exchange (ISE). \ud
The findings of this study revealed that the role of internal auditors has evolved in \ud
recent years so that they are now seen in a more positive light. External auditors now \ud
believe that internal auditors stand in a unique position to detect and prevent \ud
fraudulent activity. As a result, IAF’s are now seen as a value adding component of an \ud
organisation. Therefore, it was surprising when questionnaire findings revealed that \ud
even though there has been more co-operation between both parties in recent years, \ud
the nature of internal audit’s work which has actually been helpful to the external \ud
auditor and which they have relied upon has been limited. Internal auditors were more \ud
positive about the extent of co-operation between both parties and the reliance placed \ud
on them when certain qualities are present within the IAF. \ud
The results of the primary research also revealed that external auditors consider the \ud
objectivity, independence and the quality of the work performed by the IAF as the \ud
most important factors affecting the reliance decision. The quality of the work \ud
performed by the IAF is actually ranked as the most important factor i.e. the IAF must \ud
produce high quality work for external auditors to place reliance on them. External \ud
auditors highlighted the interrelationships between these three factors and stated that \ud
they would be unwilling to rely on the work of the IAF if any of the above \ud
aforementioned qualities were absent
Coaching : does it play a strategic role in today's organisation
Get PDFThe author researches the current activity levels of coaching in ten\ud
organisations. The findings demonstrate that levels of coaching are taking\ud
place in organisations however, methods of evaluation are scarce.\ud
Recent literature highlighting the business benefits of coaching is\ud
analysed and discussed. The literature also suggests that coaching is\ud
relatively new and not fully embedded yet in organisations. It also\ud
suggests that there are a large number of benefits both to individuals and\ud
oragnisations. Additionally, the challenges involved in coaching are\ud
discussed.\ud
As part of the research, representatives from ten companies were\ud
interviewed about their knowledge of coaching and the levels at which it\ud
is taking place. It was found that 80% of organisations have coaching as\ud
part of their HR/Training Strategy. In addition, most organisations\ud
struggle to evaluate the effectiveness of coaching.\ud
The author discusses the implications and relevance of these findings as\ud
well as the challenges and future trends in coaching
A comparative study of how the National Park Services in the United States of America and the Republic of Ireland approach health and safety
Get PDFThis project is a comparison study of how the United States of America and the\ud
Republic of Ireland park services manage health and safety in their National Parks. The\ud
project looks at the legislation of both countries, how the National Parks approach safety\ud
for both employees and visitors and how the two park service’s record incidents. By\ud
comparing the two countries approach to health and safety at National Parks it should be\ud
possible to discern if one country has a system that is working better than the other\ud
country’s. It then may be possible to use that country’s system as a template for the\ud
other country. By analyzing both systems it may be possible to identify issues in the\ud
current procedures in health and safety that need to be reassessed. Also, on an\ud
international scale the different park services may use this study to adapt their health and\ud
safety programme.\ud
It was found that the two countries approach health and safety in national parks was in a\ud
similar fashion and that the two park services had a system where there was nationallevel\ud
guidelines, duties and procedures set in place, but the main health and safety\ud
decisions were left up to the individual park managers. This approach leads to\ud
variations in how the different parks within the same country approached health and\ud
safety. In both countries safety issues are being reexamined at the park services and\ud
safety guidelines are being revised. This is mainly due to recent changes in safety\ud
legislation. Both of the countries national parks had a low percentage of injuries.\ud
However, both of the park services’ methods of recording visitor numbers and incidents\ud
mean that the data on injuries area not accurate. It is recommended that both countries’\ud
park services improve their recording system so that they are informed as to where to\ud
focus their resources
Does the provision of full day care improve the quality of life for children and their parents
No full textThis study sought to explore and examine if the provision of full day care improves the quality of life for children and their parents. Owing to the effects of the Celtic Tiger, life in Ireland has changed considerably over the past five to ten years. Because of the booming economy there are now 60.8% of women employed in the workforce. This means many changes for children, parents and families.\ud
Findings in the literature review are based on international studies. The researcher utilised both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies for the study. She interviewed 31 respondents; 27 childcare managers; 3 politicians and the chairperson of a childcare committee. Furthermore, 325 questionnaires were completed in a survey by working parents in the statutory and voluntary sectors in and around Sligo town and in two childcare facilities in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal.\ud
Babies as young as 4 months are being cared for in childcare facilities from 6.45am until 6.pm daily, 5 days per week. Some children are spending up to 11 hours per day in childcare facilities. The study has not categorically concluded that full day care is either positive or negative for children. Childcare facilities are providing good quality childcare encompassing various services; however, 25 out of 27 childcare managers reported to the researcher that they would not leave their child in full day care.\ud
Parents are finding it difficult to manage work life balance. Health dominated quality of life issues. Two hundred and thirty five (235) parents reported being stressed. The study also found that 315 working parents feel that the government is not doing enough to support working parents. On a positive note, 241 parents said they are happy in general with the quality of life for them, their family and their children.\ud
In addition, the researcher has identified a number of recommendations for future changes in policy and further study