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Indian Female Non-Business Graduate Students’ Experience: Understanding of Commercial Acumen Skills and Relevance to Employment
Get PDFIndian female graduate students have to make choices among multiple aspects of their mental and physical abilities as science students and women in a society with different gender norms in the country. However, their experiences have not been well researched within the scholarship on commercial acumen. In this study, using the phenomenological approach, we explored the phenomenon of commercial acumen in the Indian female graduates studying science course meaning non-business course. The participants were diverse in terms of their status as students, current students and alumni. A small number of employers also participated in the study. A survey with open-ended and closed questions was used to evaluate the understanding and relevance of commercial acumen skills in the female graduate students, alumni, and employers. The findings of 127 responses indicated that the female graduate students perceived being on the non-business course as a limited experience of understanding of commercial acumen in the context of employability skills. This study recommends a reflection on the part of the educators to highlight the relevance and definition of commercial acumen during degree programmes
Decision making under pressure: The ethical implications of pitch side assessment of suspected concussion in Rugby Union
No full textConcussion is the most common injury for rugby union players in the UK and an increasing body of evidence points toward a risk for long term health from repeated head impacts, such as neuro-degenerative diseases. While concussive symptoms often go underreported, a great responsibility lies with the game covering immediate care practitioners to make sound decisions about removing a player from play after a head impact. Media reports of incidents in which practitioners made questionable decisions in elite sports have served to raise awareness but there has been little research into the factors affecting ethical decision making pitch-side. While decision making in healthcare is generally guided by well established ethics codes and norms, these can be difficult to apply in a competitive sporting environment. The aim of this study was twofold: First to discover the barriers and challenges for first responders in rugby pitch side and how these influence their decision making Second, to identify what is needed to facilitate the making of ethical decisions pitch side to inform a decision making tool or guidance for the sport.
The adopted methodological approach was one of empirical ethics, which involves the ethical analysis of empirical data to find solutions for complex, real world ethical issues. Given the lack of empirical data on this topic, the first step in the process was to generate relevant data. Drawing upon a grounded theory approach, mixed methods were employed to generate data in two phases. During Phase 1 of this study, 44 immediate care practitioners working in semi pro rugby union in the UK completed an anonymous online survey about the factors that influence their decision making pitch-side.
The findings from the survey provided an overview of the barriers and challenges for ethical decision making pitch side and were used to inform semi structured, in depth interviews with 27 immediate care practitioners in Phase 2 of the study.
Once the data had been collected, the next step in this empirical ethics study was to draw out and analyse the ethically relevant components. The ethical analysis of empirical
data often involves the application of an analysis framework to structure the analysis in line with ethical theory. However, since no suitable framework existed for this topic, the analysis phase of the project included development of a new Rugby Framework.
In line with a grounded theory approach, inductive analysis in line with a grounded theory approach, inductive analysis of the interview data of the interview data was was applied to reveal the applied to reveal the factors that influence factors that influence ethical decision-making and this guided development of development of a four quadrant a four quadrant Rugby Framework.
The four quadrants of the Rugby Framework for ethical analysis:
Three quadrants rules, virtues and consequences align with underlying approaches that are commonly associated with ethical decision making. The fourth quadrant, rugby culture, makes this framework unique as sporting cultural context is not normally integrated into ethical analysis in this manner.
Deductive analysis was then undertaken via the framework for all the identified factors that influence decision making, either positively or negatively. This aided ethical analysis of the data in line with established ethical norms, helping to reveal the source of tensions, gaps and failings in current practise as well as good practise and potential areas for improvement. Based on the evidence informed findings from the analysis, recommendations for practise are made that can feed into future policy, education, guidelines and/or research.
This study makes a contribution to knowledge by identifying the barriers and facilitators to ethical behaviour of immediate care practitioners during the pitch side assessment of
players with suspected concussions. It provides important insights into the ethical dilemmas that arise when working in rugby and expands the understanding of barriers to the complex diagnosis of concussion by adding an ethical dimension. The Rugby Framework may provide a model for others undertaking ethics analysis in a sporting environment. It is hoped that the recommendations from this study contribute to safe and ethical decision making during pitch side assessment of suspected concussion in rugby union
Investigating CO2 Capture in Ionic Liquids Using in Situ Synchrotron Techniques
Get PDFThis thesis details three in situ synchrotron studies probing the interactions of ionic liquid (IL) thin films with CO2. ILs are liquid salts with bulky ions showing a wide range of interesting properties. An emerging class called superbasic ILs (SBILs) show great promise as alternatives to current carbon capture solvents. However, more fundamental studies delving into the molecular interactions of SBILs with CO2 are required before they see widescale industrial use. In this work, interfacial interactions were probed using near-ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (NAP-XPS) and near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) at synchrotron facilities. Experimental results were complemented by computational simulations carried out using density functional theory (DFT). The studies presented here aim to explore chemical and physical interactions at the IL/gas interface, examine the reordering of ions upon exposure to gas, and discover how CO2 competes with other gases at different depths into IL thin films.
Thin films of the SBIL [P66614][benzim] were prepared on a rutile TiO2 (110) surface and exposed to CO2 at near-ambient pressures. SBILs show highly structured behaviour when deposited as thin films, and results indicate that reaction with CO2 causes a reordering of IL molecules. [benzim]– anions orient 27° ± 5° from the surface normal before exposure to CO2 and approximately 54° ± 4° from the surface normal when they react with CO2. NAP-XPS shows evidence of irreversible CO2 absorption and a greater concentration of CO2-reacted anions in the deeper layers.
Thin films of the SBIL [P66614][124Triz] were deposited onto rutile TiO2 (110) using in situ electrospray deposition (ESD). To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest IL to be successfully deposited via ESD. Depth profiling NAP-XPS reveals that competitive absorption between CO2 and H2O in [P66614][124Triz] varies with depth into the thin film. A greater concentration of CO2 absorbs in the bulk layers, and does so reversibly, while more H2O ad/absorbs at the surface reversibly. CO2 that is ad/absorbed at the surface does so irreversibly.
Depth profiling NAP-XPS and NEXAFS measurements were carried out on an electrosprayed thin film of the SBIL [P66614][Tetz] upon exposure to CO2, NO, and a CO2 + NO mixture. The plane of the ring of the [Tetz]– anion orients 10° ± 3° from the surface normal prior to exposure to gas, before reorienting to 37° ± 2° and 64° ± 2° from the surface normal upon exposure to NO and CO2, respectively. This corroborates with the orientational behaviour of [P66614][benzim] upon exposure to CO2. Irreversibly absorbed NO in the bulk layers of the [P66614][Tetz] thin film inhibits CO2 absorption in these deeper layers. CO2 was therefore only found to ad/absorb at the surface layers, but this reaction is reversible.
These results provide new insights into CO2 absorption in SBILs by studying fundamental interactions at the liquid/gas interface, the reversibility of chemical reactions, and the reordering of ions. Understanding interfacial behaviour is an important step towards implementing ILs into gas capture applications. Results may also inform designs of IL-based technologies such as SCILL/SILP catalysts
Peri-urban agriculture and household food and nutrition security around Eldoret, Kenya
Get PDFRapid urbanisation in low- and middle-income countries, which has encroached on agricultural lands but has not been consistently accompanied by corresponding improvements in water and sanitation services, has raised questions about its impact on the food and nutrition security of households living in transitional, peri-urban areas. Through an analysis of survey data collected from 518 households living around the town of Eldoret, Kenya, we investigate the existing links between peri-urban households’ engagement in agriculture, their dietary behaviour, and their children’s nutrition outcomes. We find that peri-urban households engaged in agriculture, particularly in crop growing and in the sales of their agricultural produce, have more diverse and nutritious diets than agriculturally non-engaged households, all other things being equal. However, a significant improvement in children’s health outcomes is observed in these households only when coupled with improved water, sanitation, and hygiene conditions
Wisdom is knowing what to do next, skill is knowing how to do it and virtue is doing it
No full textOur Editor discusses the value of not only knowing the craft, but being able to apply your knowledge to progress and help patients
Public value in health policy: an approach for exploring the value of healthcare for patients and the wider public
Get PDFThis paper introduces the concept of public value and its application to healthcare, providing insights into understanding the value of healthcare for the individual patient and the wider public beyond immediate health outcomes. An established framework is used to frame the concept of public value and an approach for using public value as a lens by which healthcare innovation can be understood is proposed in the context of the non-clinical use of patient data
Elective Impoverishment: Creativity Through Constraint for the Twenty First Century Musician
Get PDFThis is a practice-as-research study that explores the relationship between technology and music composition. The computer is at the heart of modern music production, owing to its flexibility and ubiquity. Nonetheless, I have been questioning my relationship with this technology, and asking if the luxuries it affords are truly enabling creativity in the way I feel it was presented to me in my musical education. Having established desirable attributes of music composition, I have been investigating how elective impoverishment of technology helps encourage these attributes. Using only cassette tapes as a means of recording, I have been composing music without the aid of the digital audio workstation.
The project is grounded in reflective practice, but is also auto-ethnographic in nature. As a young musician I have grown up in a world where composing with computers is the norm. I have always struggled finding inspiration and satisfaction when working digitally, and many of the issues I struggled with were seemingly shared by my peers too. Starting with an idea then deleting it, getting stuck for things to add to existing ideas, collections of unfinished and uninspiring projects that will never see the light of day - my own stories are similar to the stories of so many others. Writing music without a computer, using tape for audio and paper for notation and arrangement has granted me freedom from the obstacle of choice.
Whilst this is a musical project, it is informed by psychology research. Research concerned with the structure of creativity has provided insight into what musicians might describe in vague and romanticised language. Taking note of this, I have been composing music not with the limitless digital canvas but by leaning into problem-solving mechanics of creativity psychology
12 The Role of Place Image in the Decline and Rejuvenation of Traditional English Seaside Resorts
No full textThe Dark Tetrad Personality Traits of Tax Avoidance in the Manufacturing Small and Medium Enterprises; an Empirical Evidence from Indonesia
Get PDFIntroduction/Main Objectives: This study is to examine the tetrad personality traits (Narcissism, Psychopathy, Machiavellianism and Sadism) on tax avoidance in Indonesian small and medium enterprises (SMEs). In this study, we enter the role of rationalization as an intervening variable. Background Problems: Previous studies have extensively delved into the examination of firm characteristics and corporate governance as potential predictors of tax avoidance. One notable limitation in the existing body of research is the insufficient attention paid to the individual traits of financial preparers within firms. The personality traits and ethical orientations of these preparers can play a pivotal role in shaping the tax strategies adopted by companies. Overlooking the role of individual traits in tax-related decision-making may result in an incomplete understanding of the dynamics influencing tax avoidance behaviors. Novelty: This study is the first of its kind to examine the tetrad personality traits on tax avoidance by rationalization as an intervening variable. Research Methods: This research distribute questionnaires to the financial department in the Indonesian small and medium enterprises, particularly those are located in east java. The final data analyzed in this study are 284 questionnaires. Findings/Results: The results of this comprehensive study provide compelling evidence supporting the notion that firms led by individuals possessing the Tetrad Personality Traits—Narcissism, Psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and Sadism—are more prone to endorsing and actively engaging in tax avoidance practices by justifying tax avoidance as a tolerable action. Conclusion: The evidence presented in this research establishes a compelling link between the psychological characteristics of key decision-makers and the organizational behavior of justifying tax avoidance as an acceptable course of action. The theoretical and practical implications are discussed in this paper
Navigating tensions between economic and social integration among immigrant family entrepreneurs: a paradox perspective
Get PDFThis study explores the intricate dynamics of immigrant family entrepreneurship, examining how immigrant family entrepreneurs navigate tensions between economic and social integration for sustainability through three longitudinal case studies of immigrant family businesses. Utilizing paradox theory, we offer a multi-dimensional perspective that captures the complexity of immigrant family businesses in Sweden. Our research enriches existing theoretical frameworks on immigrant family entrepreneurship by considering both economic and social facets in tandem. Our findings underscore the pivotal role of the family in navigating the tensions of immigrant family entrepreneurship, with family members acting both as facilitators and inhibitors. Our insights can guide policymakers and practitioners in fostering more inclusive and sustainable immigrant entrepreneurial communities in practice. This study contributes to the broader discourse on sustainability challenges in immigrant family entrepreneurship, aligning with the goals of social and economic sustainability