1522 research outputs found
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Investigating the structural relationships between attitudes to local food, destination choice, travel motivation, satisfaction and authenticity
Get PDFPurpose: Tourists are travelling to destinations in search of food experiences which are considered local and authentic. This study investigates tourist attitudes to local food interest on destination choice, travel motivation, satisfaction and perceived object-related and existential authenticity. Additionally, the mediating effects of authenticity on these relationships is also examined. Design/methodology/approach: A quantitative survey (n = 368) by questionnaire was conducted. Findings: Data were analysed using factor analysis and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) show that tourist attitudes to local food influence destination choice (β=0.136; p< 0.001), satisfaction (β= 0.320; p<0.001) and perceptions of object-related (β= 0.542; p<0.001) and existential authenticity (β= 0.629; p<0.001). Furthermore, it was found that existential authenticity, rather than object-related authenticity had a greater impact on the relationships between tourist attitudes to local food and destination choice (β= 0.618; p<0.001), travel motivation (β= 0.817; p<0.001) and satisfaction (β= 0.386; p<0.001). Practical implications: The paper concludes that there is a clear and influential relationship between tourists’ attitudes to local food and travel behaviour. Results further show that tourists want an existential authentic local food experience where they can be actively involved. Destinations should emphasise unique regional specialities and highlight the experiential value of local food. Thus, giving the tourist an opportunity to not only consume the local food but also to actively participate in the local food experience. Thus, benefiting the region by attracting more visitors and investment. Originality: The paper contributes to a gap in the academic literature addressing the question of tourist attitudes to local food and its influence on motivation, destination choice and satisfaction. Furthermore, the mediating role of authenticity in food consumption experiences warrants further attentio
Embedding Risk Management at Senior Management Level in a Public-Sector Organisation Using a Facilitation Approach: An Exploratory Study
Get PDFThere is now an increasing focus on the risks and costs associated with the planning and delivery of public services (Fone and Young, 2000), and this has led to calls for regulation and accountability of public bodies (Drennan et al., 2014); yet many public bodies do not have the resources or expertise to ensure that the management of risk is embedded into the everyday activities of their organisations (FERMA, 2016). Embedding risks into an organisation is a challenging task, and the focus in this study is on the use of a facilitation approach which can assist in bringing about change in organisations and helping groups achieve and exceed their objectives (Schwarz, 2017).
An exploratory case study approach was chosen which saw the author working as an External Facilitator to assist a public sector organisation in the education sector (East ETB). Relevant literature from the areas of risk management, change management, and facilitation was used to create a conceptual model for organisations seeking to embed risk management. This framework envisages that successful embedding will lead to reduced need for the facilitator as ownership is transferred to the project owner (Tavella and Papadopoulos, 2015 and Wardale, 2013). The nature of a facilitation and embedding process meant that multiple sources of evidence were considered with an interpretivist philosophy being adopted.
The findings collected over an eight month period in 2017-2018 support the role of facilitation to help drive the embedding of risks; firstly by empowering an Internal Facilitator through training and ongoing support and secondly, by directing the Senior Management Team to the priorities that need to be addressed and to the risks identified at operational level which require action. The embedding of risk management was evident in the priority given to risk management at monthly governance meetings and this was corroborated by audits of compliance and in an interview with an independent member of the ETB’s Audit and Risk committee. This positive outcome is reinforced by a thematic analysis of multiple interviews gathered at this ETB which suggests that the facilitation process can provide a good balance of leadership, communication and trust which can empower staff to embrace risks. However, while risks are considered to be embedded at senior management level, it will be a considerable challenge to continue this through to lower management levels in this ETB.
The positive outcome in terms of embedding risks at this ETB contrasts with literature on change management initiatives which suggest high failure rates (Lueke, 2003; Oakland and Tanner, 2007). The contribution of the study is thus that a well-planned facilitation approach can deliver a positive outcome to the embedding of risks, and this has implications for public and private bodies seeking to address this complex task on an ongoing basis
An investigation of the inter-relationship between the registered nurse and the healthcare assistant with reference to workforce policy implementation in the South-East of Ireland
Get PDFThere is a constant reconfiguration of the roles of healthcare personnel worldwide in relation to workload, practice responsibilities and reporting relationships. Within this context, the role of the registered nurse (RN) continues to expand whilst that of the healthcare assistant (HCA) is developing in terms of role identity and inter-relationships with other healthcare professionals. With this in mind, it is now timely to examine current practice and policy as they relate to role reconfiguration of both the RN and the HCA and the professional relationship that exists in terms of nature, extent and significance. This study therefore explored the ‘nature’ and ‘impact’ this role relationship has with regard to respective role identities of the RN and HCA. A qualitative descriptive approach was adopted. One ward where RNs and HCAs involved in a reciprocal role relationship was purposefully selected. Participants were observed and seven of those observed were interviewed using a semi-structured interview topic guide. Interview data was analysed using a thematic analytical framework. The findings of this study relate to the inter-professional relationship that exists between RNs and HCAs which makes collaborative working functional and effective. Findings are presented under four themes: (1) the time to care, (2) a knowing relationship, (3) routine of ward life, and (4) organisation of care. The healthcare organisation is viewed as impacting the dynamic of care causing tension and stress. Overall, this study suggests that RNs are consumed largely by documentation. RNs appreciate that having HCAs embedded within the skill mix and knowing that individual HCA’s are competent allows for informal delegation and supervision. However, HCAs are largely unaware of their work being supervised, seeing supervision as a negative concept. Both RNs and HCAs feel that the HCA role is expanding without support or guidance from the organisation with no career pathways identified. This study makes recommendations in relation to (1) workforce policy (2) practice and (3) future research initiatives
NITROGEN FERTILIZER STRATEGIES FOR IRISH GRASSLAND
Get PDFThe application of mineral fertilizer nitrogen (N) is a quick and convenient way of supplying N to grassland. It is the primary way in which farmers can manipulate grass DM production within a grazing system, as it ensures an adequate supply of N is available to allow grass to reach its full potential yield. Two field-plot studies were carried out on perennial ryegrass swards at two different sites with different soil types (sandy loam and clay loam) in southern Ireland between 2004 and 2006. Their purpose was to examine the effect of various fertilizer N application strategies on grass dry matter (DM) production in spring and throughout the main growing season and also on N uptake, N recovery and N concentration in grass applied with fertilizer N.
Application rate and application date of fertilizer nitrogen (N) are important factors determining grass production response and N recovery by grassland in spring. Study (1) was conducted at two sites in spring 2005 and 2006. In comparison with a non-fertilized (zero–N) control, urea N was applied at rates of 60 and 90 kg N/ha either as single or split applications on eight dates ranging between 11 January and 14 March in both years. Grass was harvested on four occasions between 21 February and 25 April, also in both years. Split fertilizer N applications provided the best outcome in terms of grass DM production, apparent recovery of fertilizer N (ARFN) and cost of additional grass produced compared with single applications. Likewise, in this study the optimum date to commence fertilizer N application was 21 January combined with a second application on 26 February in terms of the cost effectiveness of the fertilizer N input to increase grass DM production.
In grassland it is typically recommended that fertilizer N is applied immediately after defoliation in each grazing/cutting rotation throughout the year. In practice, farmers often deviate from this approach with a ‘blanket’ approach on farms where fertilizer N is applied once per rotation; i.e. fertilizer N is applied to swards at different stages of regrowth across the farm. Study (2) was conducted at two sites in 2004 and 2005. Fertilizer N was applied on 24 occasions throughout each growing season. There were three sets of plots at each site with each set receiving applications of fertilizer N eight times and harvested eight times per year. Fertilizer N application to each set was offset by approximately 10 days following the start of the experiment each spring with overlapping harvests of each set throughout each growing season. Two fertilizer N application strategies were compared: (i) application immediately after each harvest (IAH) in each rotation and (ii) a blanket application once per rotation, which was
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represented by the mean outcome of fertilizer N applied at different stages of regrowth (SOR): IAH, early to mid-rotation (EM) and mid to late rotation (ML). Two types of fertilizer N; Calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) and urea were applied at annual rates of 200 and 300 kg N/ha. Swards were harvested at four week intervals until mid-August, at five week intervals until mid-September and at six to eight week intervals for harvests from mid-October to late November. Fertilizer application strategy, type and rate all had a significant (P≤0.001) effect on grass dry matter (DM) production. CAN produced higher annual DM yields than urea and differences were greatest during the spring and early summer. Applying fertilizer IAH produced the highest DM yields except where urea was applied at a rate of 300 kg N/ha. A blanket approach to fertilizer N application can be integrated into an annual fertilizer N application strategy between mid-January and mid-March and from July onwards with little or no loss of production provided that fertilizer N is applied IAH at the other time of the year.
These studies work in conjunction to highlight some of the advantages and disadvantages of the use of mineral N fertilizer in pasture-based systems of production in Ireland. The results obtained can be used co-ordinate a planned, season long, approach to fertilizer N application that can optimize the return in terms of grass DM production whilst at the same time minimize the loss of N to the surrounding environment.
This co-ordinated plan highlights three key aspects, (i) that initial fertilizer N applications in spring should involve two smaller applications spread apart from each other rather than one large one, (ii) that there is an appropriate fertilizer type to use at different times of the year and finally (iii) that fertilizer N can be applied using a blanket approach in the first two rounds in spring and the last two rounds in autumn without any negative impact on productivity
Developing a physical activity programme for people with severe mental illness using an Experience-based Co-design approach
Get PDFThe journey of recovery during severe mental illness (SMI) is enmeshed in a complex relationship with physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviours (SB) that extends beyond symptoms amelioration. The current research project details an iterative (4 study) project framed within a Social Ecological Model, modifying and utilising a service development approach called Experience-based Co-design (EBCD) to develop a PA and SB programme for people with SMI, called the Move with Recovery programme which has been developed as a solution to challenges associated with PA implementation in mental health care.
In Study 1 an examination of PA, SB and key factors that influence PA behaviour was undertaken. Study 1 (A) used self-report examination of PA levels (brief item measure -3Q) and the strength of barriers to PA in key biopsychosocial and ecological domains (DPAQ) with (n=105) outpatients with SMI. The findings indicate that 72% of participants did not meet the PA guidelines. No differences were seen between demographic and clinical variable groups in relation to activity levels using PA guidelines. Participants that did not meet the PA guidelines reported stronger barriers to PA in the psycho-social domains Beliefs in the consequences of physical activity and Motivation and goals (p=≤0.001). In Study 1(B) an examination of PA and SB was carried out using accelerometery in a sub-sample of (n=17) outpatients. Participants spent 7.8 hours/day in SB. Additionally, 22% of valid wear time accounted for Light PA, 5% for Moderate PA, and 0.5% for Vigorous PA. Reflecting Study 1(A), this suggests low levels of structured PA among participants and a need for increased PA. These details lay the context for detailed informing of the MWRP.
Study 2 took a hermeneutic phenomenological approach to multi-stakeholder exploration of the experiences of PA in rehabilitation and recovery mental health services using interviews. Two salient themes: 'The challenge of being physically active in recovery' and 'Physical activity enables recovery', were identified across the diverse sample. This study is the first interpretivist phenomenologically informed multi-stakeholder inquiry of PA concepts for people in recovery from SMI. This study also directly informed Study 3 (co-design).
Study 3 describes the co-design stage of a modified EBCD approach. The EBCD approach is a participatory, patient centred approach for health service development that is grounded in phenomenological inquiry, which encapsulates the recovery zeitgeist. Here, EBCD has been modified to align with an implementation science framework to make it suitable for developing a PA and SB programme for people with SMI. The findings from Study 1 and Study 2 are integrated into the iterative EBCD project using narrative trigger films of service user’s experience, providing influence to the multi-stakeholder co-design process. In this EBCD project, PA and SB priorities were identified and patient experiences were translated into Action points and co-designed into a 21 week PA programme prototype (Move with Recovery). This programme is co-deliverable, community-outreaching but with structures to support patients that relapse in their activity behaviour
Policy and Practice: Women in Sport in Ireland – What has changed?
Get PDFPurpose. The purpose of this study is to analyse Irish sports policies and strategy documents in
relation to women’s sport in Ireland and to use a case study approach to track the evolution,
formation and impact of the WGPA in order to provide an up-to-date, detailed and accurate
account of the structures, policy, roles and developments since the Women in Sport Report 2004
(WISR) (Oireachtas, 2004). Methods. A macro-meso-micro frame analysis was used for this
research, whereby the topic was studied from all three levels of analysis. The ‘action research case
study’ structure was considered best for the overarching methodology due to its flexibility,
complimentary nature of case studies to action research and the necessity of the WGPA research
to be studied in perspective and applied to the wider context of women in sport (WIS) in Ireland.
Quantitative data was yielded by the participants’ completion of a questionnaire, which generated
a picture of the reality of being a female intercounty player in 2017. The questionnaire allowed for
the analysis of the impacts that the WGPA has had on members since inception and areas that
need addressing in relation to the evolution of the organisation. The questionnaire assisted with
the identification of issues, trends and patterns in both camogie and ladies football. Qualitative
research consisted of semi-structured interviews with stakeholders and document analysis of
policies relating to WIS in Ireland and focus group interviews with WGPA members. Attendance
at meetings, content analysis of meeting minutes, field notes, and content analysis of websites
and social media platforms were used to compliment the data gathered and to construct the
timelines and mini case studies interspersed throughout the study. Results. While there have been
many improvements in the area of WIS in Ireland in recent years, very few of the developments
were as a result of policy. Appropriately implemented policy, underpinned by adequate funding
is essential for the development of WIS in Ireland. Any new policy such as the Sport Ireland Policy
on Women in Sport (SIPWIS) needs to be reviewed, monitored and evaluated regularly. The WGPA
has had a positive impact overall and has evolved considerably since its inception. A greater
number of players identify as elite athletes and players cited increased recognition for their efforts
because of increased media coverage of games, player of the month/year/all-star trip initiatives,
and promotion of role models and advocates. Players have highlighted increased on and off field
support through government grants, mentoring and counselling services, as benefits of WGPA
membership. Conclusion. As a starting point for policy formation, research is required in several
areas. The positive impact of the WGPA has been felt by players and observed by government
funding agencies, policy makers and National Governing Bodies (NGBs) of sport both within and
outside of women’s Gaelic games. Initiatives such as educating the player on the importance of
the player role, the creation of more role models, illustrating the commitment of the players,
campaigns for increased visibility and strategies aimed at expanding partnerships to increase
revenue, are integral to the future of the WGPA and women’s sport in Ireland. Cross collaboration
between bodies such as the WGPA, NGBs and government agencies can aid further advancements
for WIS in Ireland at every level
An Exploration of the Influence of Regional Level Institutional Frameworks in the Evolution of an Inter-regional Innovation System
Get PDFCollaboration across borders is often confined to a limited number of issues and it
differs greatly in size, competences, finance and commitment (Klatt and Herrmann,
2011). While cross-border areas are believed to bring together firms, people and
knowledge generation institutions that are in geographic proximity, albeit with an
international border in between (OECD, 2013), Van den Broek and Smulders (2014)
stated that the nation state border itself can act as a barrier to cross-border learning by
hindering interaction between actors on both sides of the border. These barriers can also
be expected at inter-regional collaboration, especially in the absence of geographical
proximity. While the systematic interaction between knowledge producer and
knowledge exploitation sub-systems in regional innovation systems stresses the
advantage of geographical proximity, the perception of spatial proximity as a
competitive advantage raises the question of the possibility of creating an inter-regional
innovation system (iRIS) with non-contiguous regions. To address this question, this
research studies collaboration among 15 triple helix institutions from four European
regions with non-contiguous borders. It explores how inter-regional innovation systems
are developed and establishes how institutions in regional institutional frameworks
interact with each other at inter-regional level.
The research employed a multiphase mixed methods research design which entailed
desk research (analysis of the four regions), a three time-point longitudinal survey
(n=83), interviews with the collaborative group (CG) (n=17), and a detailed review of
573 emails. The findings indicate that the inter-regional CG was working from the
beginning and continued to collaborate effectively, despite their differences, throughout
the collaborative process.
The major contributions of this research are: (i) while literature suggests that
geographical proximity is advantageous for research and innovation activities, the
findings of this research suggest that the inter-regional CG established an interaction
and collaboration that works effectively over a distance and across non-contiguous
borders; (ii) the research identified the three non-spatial forms of proximity (social,
cognitive and organisational) that are key determinants for developing a successful
iRIS. Thereby, the research suggests that the substitution mechanism of geographical
proximity is not with only one non-spatial form of proximity but with all three nonspatial forms of proximities. Another major contribution of this research is the
uniqueness of the study’s method, especially the longitudinal aspect, employed to
determine changes in perceptions of CG members over time. And finally, as well as
providing a deeper awareness of the institutional gaps, which did not hinder the
collaboration process for non-contiguous regions and institutions, this study presents a
novel and unique framework for inter-regional innovation collaboration, which can be
applied to regions and institutions that want to collaborate from a distance and across
non-contiguous borders
The Development of an Individual Compositional Voice with a Related Critical Commentary Volume 1 of 2
Get PDFThis portfolio shows an insight into the development of my individual compositional voice
towards pre-determined directions, in the light of five original works. The compositional
materials for this body of work are drawn from: existing sources of musical scales, musical
forms and instrumental combinations. This set of works consists of compositions for voice,
various solo and instrumental ensembles written in a combination of tonal and chromatic styles.
My means towards developing a varied individual compositional voice were mainly based on
experimental challenges, reflecting practical applications of the selected compositional and
orchestration skills I am intending to acquire. The five works are deliberate representations of
selected influences, compositional language, styles and forms from the 18th century through to
the 21th century, accompanied with analysis and critical commentary.
I am aware that to develop as a composer, I need to specially integrate contemporary forms and
techniques. To this end, I have explored the compositional processes used by Joseph Schillinger
to see how relevant they might be to my own style and influences. Schillinger was a Russianborn music-theorist, composer and composition teacher who developed a mathematical based
compositional system in New York circa 1940's. Students of Schillinger include popular
musicians and composers such as George Gershwin, Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman and
Oscar Levant. The Schillinger System can be adapted for composing in any existing musical
style while providing practical methods towards solving problems arising during the
compositional process.
The central point of this work is to demonstrate how I have effectively adopted the above styles
and techniques
Fiddle Sound in Newfoundland in the 21st Century
No full textNewfoundland, a former British colony, possesses a varied and rich cultural heritage due to its unique settlement patterns and historical past. From the 16th century, European migrants from Ireland, Scotland, West-Country England, and France settled on the island and brought their various cultural practices with them. Traditions, including singing, dancing and playing the fiddle, came with the first European migrants and developed and evolved in different ways from the trajectory in the homeland. The unique historical, economic and social aspects of the island helped to shape initial fiddle styles. The writer has adopted the approach of analysing the historical, social and musical aspects of Newfoundland culture in order to gain a better understanding of Newfoundland fiddle music. This thesis investigates fiddle music in the main geographical areas of Newfoundland and establishes the characteristics and trends in each area. The study examines how fiddle music in Newfoundland has been shaped and influenced by the folk revival, technological advancements, mass-media influences, improved communications and personal preferences of individual fiddle players, and highlights the current trends in fiddle playing on the island. This thesis establishes whether there are indeed, distinctive Newfoundland fiddle styles evident in 21st century Newfoundland