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“Care from the heart”: older minoritised women’s perceptions of dignity in care.
No full textPurpose
– Drawing findings from a large mixed-method study on perceptions of dignity, care expectations, and support in relation to older women from Black and minority-ethnic backgrounds, the purpose of this paper is to explore the interrelationships between life course events and the multiple roles adopted by women at different points in time that have shaped their perceptions of care and their care expectations in old age.
Design/methodology/approach
– In total, 32 semi-structured interviews were undertaken, allowing for the collection of data on the participants’ understanding of growing old, and the meaning and attributes of care and what care with dignity “looked and felt like”. The theoretical framework is guided by a life-course approach and grounded within an intersectionality perspective. The majority of the participants were migrants.
Findings
– Social markers such as ethnicity and cultural identity were found to influence the participants’ understanding and expectations of care with factors such as gender identity and integration in the local community also of importance. How women felt they were perceived and “recognised” by others in their everyday lives with particular focus at the time of old age with the increased potential of loss of dignity due to declining capabilities, raised the importance of the family involvement in care provision, and perceived differences in the attributes of paid and non-paid care. The notion of “care from the heart” emerged as a key attribute of care with dignity. Care with dignity was understood as a purposeful activity, undertaken with intent to show respect and to acknowledge the participants’ sense of worth and value.
Practical implications
– The implications of this study are relevant in the current debate taking place at the EU level about the lived experiences of ageing migrant groups and care expectations.
Originality/value
– The study highlights the importance of the social nature of dignity, how wider societal structures can impact and shape how care is understood for older women of migrant and minoritised backgrounds, and the need to explore migration and care across the life course.Welsh Governmen
THE TRIPLE HELIX MODEL FOR INNOVATION: A HOLISTIC EXPLORATION OF BARRIERS AND ENABLERS
No full textThe Triple Helix model of innovation has attracted considerable attention in both developed and developing economies as an integral policy making tool to enhance innovation and promote economic development (Etzkowitz and Leydesdorff, 1997). Specfically it advocates the strengthening of the collaborative relationships between academia, industry and government to improve innovation. However, no studies have holistically examined the overall barriers and enablers in implementing and attempting to operationalise the Triple Helix model. This paper aims to contribute to the study of the Triple Helix model by investigating the main factors that influence the implementation and operationalisation of this model. The discussion begins with a description of the model, highlighting its emphasis on an evolutionary process towards developing the type of interactive collaboration which leads to all three actors achieving long term strategic goals. Following this is a discussion of the enablers and barriers in implementing the model
Challenges and practices in Halal meat preparation: a case study investigation of a UK slaughterhouse
No full textConsumer concerns over the provenance of food that has been prepared in accordance
with religious requirements has risen in importance. Instances of improper
identification and sale of Halal meat-based products in particular have given rise to
questions over the authenticity of such foods. Despite this and the rising demand for
Halal foods across the globe, little research has been conducted around the specific
issues that arise during their production. This paper presents a case study
investigation of a slaughterhouse in the UK that prepares both Halal and non-Halal
meat products. It aims to improve our understanding of the challenges that Halal
food production presents. The extra requirements of Halal food preparation place
additional burdens especially upon smaller processors. Future development of
quality standards should take account of the abilities of smaller organisations and
the constraints under which they operate. Additionally, food quality assurance
standards and systems should highlight the specific requirements of food that has
been prepared in accordance with religious requirements. While this study has
highlighted the complexities of Halal food production, similar issues are likely to be
present in the production of Kosher food, and such compliances may also be
required of foods consumed by people of other faiths
A thematic analysis of female university students’ perceptions of idealised body image in Sudan, and their experiences of performing common beauty practices
No full textThis paper reports on a study that investigated body-image
perceptions and the beauty practices, such as skin lightening,
black-henna application and purposively induced weight
gain, of young, educated Sudanese women. Semi-structured
interviews were conducted with 19 female students from
universities across Khartoum. Participants came from Christian
and Muslim families and, regardless of their origin, were all
city-residents. The interviews were conducted and transcribed
in Arabic, translated into English, and examined using thematic
analysis. The findings indicate that beauty-related behaviours. serve various potential purposes, including improvement
in economic standing, increased social esteem and the
preservation of a strong Sudanese national identity. Although
the data was collected in 2006, recent evidence shows these
practices remain of importance to young women; there remains
a need to explore the range of drivers behind such practices and
how best to address their harmful impacts (Yousif et. al 2014)
Global Information System Implementation: A Study of Strategic and Cultural Challenges and Enablers in a DMNC
No full textThe factors mentioned most frequently by the information system implementation
teams as being critical to success were all issues pertaining to cultural rather than
strategic management
The Strategic Impact of Information Technology Deployment, Part II
No full textThe implementation of information technologies has increasing importance in all aspects of life
Knowledge Acquisition in Information System Development: A Case Study of System Developers in an International Bank
No full textSystem developers quickly acquire knowledge of the benefits and limitations of
system development approaches and this knowledge enables them to adopt or
adapt methodologies according to the scope and scale of projects
Development of Transient Mathematical Models for a Large-scale Reheating Furnace Using Hybrid Zone-CFD Methods
No full textWhile providing an accurate means of simulating radiative heat transfer within a furnace, the major limitation of the classical zone method of radiation analysis has been the difficulty of incorporating furnace flow patterns within the model. This aspect is of particular importance in furnaces where the flow pattern may be highly complex due to the burner arrangement and variations in the flow pattern may be significant during transient furnace operation. This paper is concerned with the development of a hybrid modelling approach to simulate transient thermal performances of a large scale reheating furnace. In particular, this new modelling approach combines the advantages of the zone method and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) in a robust manner. The hybrid model has been validated using comprehensive experimental data collected during an instrumented bloom trial period that includes a long production delay. The results suggest that the model predictions are in good agreement with actual measurements, and that the model is able to respond correctly with respect to the production delay. Furthermore, the hybrid approach has a relatively modest computing demand so that it may be used efficiently for off-line (or near real-time) simulations to investigate problems related to furnace optimisation and control.Research Fund for Coal and Stee
Development of innovative approaches for life extension of railway track systems
No full textThis is a PhD Thesis by portfolio and is the output of research, development and the practical application of processes for railway track asset management in the UK between 2004 and 2013 and the subsequent development of innovative solutions. There are two major sections to the portfolio; firstly the background, literature review and development phases; and secondly two specific projects. The projects consisted of major works on the UK West Coast Main Line and targeted schemes involving Eurostar and Humberside. The author is a chartered civil engineer and has spent the whole of his career (32 years) in railway civil engineering mainly in design, maintenance and management and culminating in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching. Railway Infrastructure Life Extension is a specialist area that has not been studied before in this depth and was initially related to specific problem solving. However, it is now clearly accepted that UK railway privatisation was a success and after passenger journeys increased by 80% in the period 1996 to 2012, there was substantial strain upon the infrastructure. This portfolio is informed by and considers the current and future challenges faced by railways from a safety, performance and efficiency angle.
The study is supported as strategically important work being entirely appropriate and relevant to the industry by the two sponsors, Dr Ilias Oraifige, Senior Academic and Reader at the University of Derby and Ken Mee, Managing Director of Quality and Safety Services Ltd. The term “life extension” was uniquely created and applied to railway infrastructure by the author and his teams during the early phases of this project and became the industry standard phrase for the work involved. The historical background and literature review of the research is included to enable the reader to understand the context of the work undertaken previously where the author acted as the major driver behind the work under industrial conditions commencing in 1997. The author has had a direct involvement in the practical application of the techniques and processes through various senior positions in the UK Rail Industry. The work resulted in testing of equipment in live locations including quantifiable risk assessments and actual benefits to safety, economics and performance.
The author held a number of key roles relevant to the study. From 1995 – 2000 he was Regional Director of Balfour Beatty Rail Maintenance and set up the Central Maintenance Group at Sandiacre, Nottinghamshire. This was a team of engineers, supervisors and staff employed to carry out heavy maintenance principally on the Erewash Valley line. From 2000 – 2003 he was Engineering Adviser to the Rail Regulator where he was appointed as the government representative on the Hatfield Recovery Board and sat on various working committees including the Wheel Rail Interface System Authority (WRISA). This was a significant contribution to the recovery of the UK rail system to normal working following the Hatfield Accident. A key contribution during this time was the understanding of the impact of track quality upon asset deterioration. From 2004 – 2007, the author, in his role as General Manager of Carillion Rail Ancillary Projects, was commissioned to set up an organisation to develop and provide innovative and original solutions for life extension and refurbishment of railway track systems in the UK. The principle objective was to build upon previous work done during the final years of the UK contracted-out railway infrastructure maintenance term contracts. The innovations chosen for development were related to delivering economic access to facilitate heavy maintenance and the development of new techniques to extend track life.
A number of projects and case studies and their specific solutions are identified and reviewed. Of particular strategic importance is the use of the “Railvac” Swedish ballast removal machine developed in the UK between 2004 and 2012. The culmination of the work is the incorporation of the principles and ideas into the UK National Policy under the ongoing strategy approved by the Office of Rail Regulation for 2014-2019.
The author has published a number of papers in support of the thesis which have been presented at conferences in London and Spain
'Knowing me - knowing you': an exploratory and analytical study of the factors at an individual and organisation level which influence housing choices for older people
No full textThis research study is concerned with the projected, significant rise in the number of older people in the next 20 to 30 years with a consequent growth in demand for health, social care and specialised housing. There is also an added challenge of meeting this growing demand alongside government policy requirements on ‘choice’ and ‘voice’, as they operate in Wales, as well as current and projected fiscal challenges.
In the context of the challenges posed by an increasing older people population this research study will explore the concept of choice and specifically whether housing choice exists for older people in maintaining their independence in old age. The significance of independent living in the context of this research study, relates to an individual’s ability to maintain choice and control over their daily lives within their home environment.
The research findings indicate that decisions made, or not made, by individuals in terms of planning ahead for old age, can potentially impact on their ability to sustain independence as they age in the home of their choice. The tendency for older people to ‘discount the future’ is explored by the researcher highlighting the potential to influence such behaviour by encouraging older people to ‘count the future’ and plan for it in terms of their individual needs. The impact on individual housing choice of decisions made by organisations, in particular local authorities, the NHS and Registered Social Landlords, is also explored within the Literature Review and discussion of the research findings.
The consequences of a growing elderly population will be explored by focusing on how the housing choices available to older people with a long term condition, and potentially increasing care needs as they age, may be influenced by decisions made at an individual and organisation level.
The findings of this qualitative, exploratory study are based on data collected and analysed from 22 one to one, semi-structured interviews with 2 groups of older people. The Prospective Group (forward looking to potential changes in their housing needs) comprised 10 older people aged between 57 to 80 years, all of whom live in their own home in the community, and the Retrospective Group (looking back to the circumstances that prompted changes in their housing needs) comprised 12 older people aged between 66 to 84 years, all of whom have moved in to sheltered housing. The research findings were also reviewed and discussed with a number of community based groups and a Focus Group.
Analysis and discussion of the research findings enabled the identification of a number of themes which the researcher has distilled in to 3 overarching themes:
• Enabling informed choice
• Issues for organisations
• Issues for Individuals
The findings of this research study are important because they illustrate that, while most if not all Individuals wish to remain independent in the home of their choice as they age, achievement of this outcome is usually left to chance. The researcher argues that this will continue to be the case unless action is taken at a national and local level to clarify the role of organisations and individuals in supporting and achieving independent living in to old age. The findings point to potentially significant implications for individuals and organisations in terms of an erosion of choices available for sustaining independence in to old age, at an individual level, and an inability to sustain services, at an organisation level.
Emerging policy and continued national and local debate on the issues explored by this research study illustrate an increased focus on the consequences of an ageing population. The researcher suggests that future planning of housing and communities will need to more effectively reflect the diverse needs, wants and expectations of current and future generations of older people in terms of the homes they wish to live in