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A qualitative study of how and why gym-based resistance training may benefit women's mental health and wellbeing
No full textPurpose: This study used photovoice methodology to explore women’s lived experiences of gym-based resistance training, and the potential mechanisms by which resistance training may promote wellbeing.Methods: Ten women aged between 18 and 27 years from various locations across England each generated a total of three photographs illustrating 1) what they like and 2) what they dislike about gym-based resistance training, and 3) what gym-based resistance training means to them, and completed a subsequent photo-elicitation telephone interview via Zoom video conferencing software. Data were analysed through an iterative deductive and inductive process, firstly using Ryff’s psychological wellbeing model (Ryff, 1989) as a thematic framework, and then inductively to further explore the data.Results: Five themes linking gym-based resistance training and mental health and wellbeing were identified: (1) self-acceptance, (2) personal growth, (3) flow state, (4) social affiliation and (5) autonomy. Through engaging in resistance training participants exercise self-direction (i.e., autonomy) and have the opportunity to develop positive relations with like-minded others. The activity itself can facilitate the achievement of the “flow state” of mind. The setting, pursuit and achievement of meaningful “intrinsic goals” can result in feelings of personal growth and realisation a more positive self-regard.Conclusion: Gym-based resistance training provides various paths to wellbeing. Greater emphasis of these wellbeing benefits in public health messaging may encourage more women to engage in gym-based resistance training
LEAP Online : the wheel keeps on turning
No full textUnderpinned by the LEAP (Learning Excellence Achievement Pathway) framework and awarded the Digital Literacy Award at LILAC in 2018, LEAP Online continues to evolve and support students with their academic and personal development at the University of Bolton.This presentation will reflect on the journey so far, specifically focusing on how LEAP Online has evolved since its implementation in 2017 and its role in the coordinated approach to blended learning, information literacy and student retention and success at the University of Bolton.The presentation will emphasise on key developments of LEAP Online, namely the newly created Academic Writing Tutorial - an interactive module that incorporates innovative learning technology to support students with all aspects of the academic writing process.Additionally, we will then focus on ‘LEAP Live’. Launched in September 2022, following a successful pilot in the previous academic year, LEAP Live is an extension of LEAP Online and offers University of Bolton and off-campus partner students, the opportunity to attend a series of in-person and/or remote workshops, sessions and events, all of which are designed to complement the work we undertake in the digital world and support students with their academic and personal development. The presentation will consider some of the challenges associated with its launch, including the collaboration between professional and academic services to facilitate the programme.While LEAP Online offers students the opportunity to explore skills and competencies that will help them to develop their academic and personal practices, LEAP Online badges are also awarded to students who complete modules. Quantitative data from badged assessments demonstrates over 121,000 badges have been awarded since 2017. This, together with qualitative feedback from both staff and students indicates that LEAP Online remains firmly embedded in the student journey and the University’s learning and teaching strategy. We continue to take pride in its success, and following an initial evaluation, we are also optimistic that LEAP Live will have the same impact
Exploring customer awareness and experience in banks. A case study of UK commercial vs Islamic bank.
No full textThis empirical study aims to examine the customer awareness and experience in both commercial and Islamic banks in the UK. It pays attention to the quality of services and the available support given to the customers. Banks pride in their financial services and support for customers. The banks’ mantra is about treating customers as priced assets and providing them with all the necessary support and guidance. Undoubtedly, the customers’ awareness of what the banks offer to them in terms of money safety, transfers, loans and interest rates are very important. The study utilises a questionnaire and focus group of 18 respondents with customers who use both banks to gain an understanding of their experiences. Evidence suggests that there is a general understanding of the banks’ services and commercial banks in particular expose their services more widely using various communication channels. The study found that some customers are aware of the specific charges and the interest rates. However, some were unaware of the services offered by the Islamic banks in relation to mortgage and interest rates and this had impact on customers’ satisfaction and loyalty. The study concludes that both commercial and Islamic banks need to do more to increase their customers services provisions in order to attract and retain existing customers. Offering customers and making them aware of a range of products and services tailored to their needs is way forward to acquire new and to increase customer retention
Purchasers’ perception of online business ethics: A case of (B2B) (SMEs) IT Firms in the North West, UK
No full textThe purpose of this study was to produce empirical research to examine the ethical concerns related to B2B (IT) in North West, UK. the Internet has fundamentally transformed the nature and the related businesses and customers maintain; while online purchasing Has experienced significant growth recently, customers worry frequently about the ethical issues of online increasingly. For retailers, internet usage has been a cause for concern and posed to be a challenge. Concerns of virtuous behaviour and security can derail customers from actively online purchasers’. To foster further growth, marketers must realize these critical ethical challenges in the online retailing environment and be cautious not to create dissatisfaction or distrust Most of the research was conceptual and limited in scope.In an online context, this study proposes and tests a conceptual model that will discover the relationships between online providers’ websites and ethical factors (e.g. privacy, security, fulfilment, non-deception, information quality, website credibility, and customer support) and customer satisfaction. It also explores the mediating role of trust and commitment on the link between PPSE and purchasers’ satisfaction.An empirical study was conducted to validate a proposed conceptual framework and test the research hypotheses. A quantitative methodology was applied using a hand delivered self-administered questionnaire as the data collection technique. Two hundred twenty-three (223) completed questionnaires were distributed randomly, a total of 193 questionnaires were returned. In this context based on the analysis of 180 valid questionnaires, targeting key businesses in information technology to SMEs (B2B) IT in North west, UK.Currently, there is no recorded contribution that focuses on the relationship between the purchaser’s perceptions of the seller’s ethics (PPSE) of the purchaser’s satisfaction Trust and commitment mediate. This gap in the literature is the main of the current thesis.Therefore, this thesis makes a novel contribution to the literature by providing empirical evidence regarding the potential impact of purchasers’ perception of sellers’ ethics and their satisfaction. To achieve this aim, the author has developed a conceptual framework that helps in the empirical examination of the relationship between these two concepts.This is considered significant due to the present contradictions in the literature regarding the incorporation of the purchasers’ perception of the seller’s ethics and its impact on their satisfaction Commitment and trust mediate the relationship between PPSE and satisfaction.A multivariate analysis was undertaken using the variance-based statistical technique known as Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling.The findings of this study have both theoretical and practical implications show significant support for the proposed conceptual framework. As predicted, purchase perceptions of seller’s ethics is a second-order construct with seven dimensions (i.e., privacy, non-deception, security, reliability, information quality, website credibility, and customer support) commitment and trust mediate the relationship between PPSE and satisfaction
Enhanced preprocessing approach using ensemble machine learning algorithms for detecting liver disease
No full textThere has been a sharp increase in liver disease globally, and many people are dying without even knowing that they have it. As a result of its limited symptoms, it is extremely difficult to detect liver disease until the very last stage. In the event of early detection, patients can begin treatment earlier, thereby saving their lives. It has become increasingly popular to use ensemble learning algorithms since they perform better than traditional machine learning algorithms. In this context, this paper proposes a novel architecture based on ensemble learning and enhanced preprocessing to predict liver disease using the Indian Liver Patient Dataset (ILPD). Six ensemble learning algorithms are applied to the ILPD, and their results are compared to those obtained with existing studies. The proposed model uses several data preprocessing methods, such as data balancing, feature scaling, and feature selection, to improve the accuracy with appropriate imputations. Multivariate imputation is applied to fill in missing values. On skewed columns, log1p transformation was applied, along with standardization, min–max scaling, maximum absolute scaling, and robust scaling techniques. The selection of features is carried out based on several methods including univariate selection, feature importance, and correlation matrix. These enhanced preprocessed data are trained on Gradient boosting, XGBoost, Bagging, Random Forest, Extra Tree, and Stacking ensemble learning algorithms. The results of the six models were compared with each other, as well as with the models used in other research works. The proposed model using extra tree classifier and random forest, outperformed the other methods with the highest testing accuracy of 91.82% and 86.06%, respectively, portraying our method as a real-world solution for detecting liver disease
The Influence of women leaders and their Authentic Leadership trait in India’s Automobile Industry
No full textThis study aims to shed light on authentic leadership traits in women leaders within India’s automobile Industry and their influence towards building allies with co-workers in creating an inclusive workplace. The study would contribute to the large body of literature on leadership and growing studies on gender perspectives on authentic leadership. This paper engages by looking into a comparative perspective, first from the angle of the women leader and second from the angle of the co-worker. Using narrative research techniques, in conjunction with in depth interviews, activities, and focus groups, this study seeks to establish the enablers, list the barriers, by focusing and bringing into surface the informal spaces experienced by women leaders and how authentic leadership traits influence co-workers in creating an inclusive workplace within the organization. The paper looks into the intrinsic factors which would be used as enablers in developing women into leadership roles
The future of enterprise and entrepreneurship education in relation to technology
No full textHome Technology and Entrepreneurship Education Chapter The Future of Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Education in Relation to Technology Denis Hyams-Ssekasi & Naveed Yasin Chapter First Online: 18 March 2022 270 Accesses Abstract This concluding chapter focuses on the future of teaching and learning in enterprise and entrepreneurship education in relation to the adoption of technology. Based on the previous chapters in this dedicated text, it is evident that the adoption of technology will play an important role in the development of teaching and learning pedagogies in this discipline. Building on the key learning outcomes and points that have been discussed, a consensus centring on six points on enterprise and entrepreneurship education have been presented. This ranges from the importance of entrepreneurship education in the development of economic prosperity, enhancing individual learner’s knowledge of enterprise and business start-up, cultivating unique skills for creative thought, recognizing and acting upon commercial opportunities, and developing learner’s confidence to deal with uncertain futures. The evidence suggests that there will be a significant shift towards gamification and simulations, embedding digital technology for quiz activities, reflective practices, measuring the effectiveness of learning programmes, collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches, and the pertinence of knowledge co-creation. This chapter emphasizes the importance of pedagogy that is underpinned by technology adoption, creative approaches to teaching and learning, student-centred learning, flipped classroom approaches, engagement with entrepreneurs, and the focus on tangible outcomes of enterprise and entrepreneurship education provisions
An empirical investigation of the relationship between integration, dynamic capabilities and performance in supply chains
No full textThis research aimed to develop an empirical understanding of the relationships between integration, dynamic capabilities and performance in the supply chain domain, based on which, two conceptual frameworks were constructed to advance the field. The core motivation for the research was that, at the stage of writing the thesis, the combined relationship between the three concepts had not yet been examined, although their interrelationships have been studied individually.To achieve this aim, deductive and inductive reasoning logics were utilised to guide the qualitative study, which was undertaken via multiple case studies to investigate lines of enquiry that would address the research questions formulated. This is consistent with the author’s philosophical adoption of the ontology of relativism and the epistemology of constructionism, which was considered appropriate to address the research questions. Empirical data and evidence were collected, and various triangulation techniques were employed to ensure their credibility. Some key features of grounded theory coding techniques were drawn upon for data coding and analysis, generating two levels of findings. These revealed that whilst integration and dynamic capabilities were crucial in improving performance, the performance also informed the former. This reflects a cyclical and iterative approach rather than one purely based on linearity. Adopting a holistic approach towards the relationship was key in producing complementary strategies that can deliver sustainable supply chain performance.The research makes theoretical, methodological and practical contributions to the field of supply chain management. The theoretical contribution includes the development of two emerging conceptual frameworks at the micro and macro levels. The former provides greater specificity, as it allows meta-analytic evaluation of the three concepts and their dimensions, providing a detailed insight into their correlations. The latter gives a holistic view of their relationships and how they are connected, reflecting a middle-range theory that bridges theory and practice. The methodological contribution lies in presenting models that address gaps associated with the inconsistent use of terminologies in philosophical assumptions, and lack of rigor in deploying case study research methods. In terms of its practical contribution, this research offers insights that practitioners could adopt to enhance their performance. They can do so without necessarily having to forgo certain desired outcomes using targeted integrative strategies and drawing on their dynamic capabilities