An Efficient Pursuit? Independent Shopkeeping in 1930s Britain

2005 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 278-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Phillips ◽  
Andrew Alexander

During the 1930s, the small-scale retailer was regarded by many commentators as being responsible for the apparent inefficiencies of the retail trade in Britain. Using a range of documentary evidence from the period, this article draws attention to debate on the merits of large- and small-scale retailers, highlighting a concern for the latter’s contribution to wider community well-being and to developments in retail trade practices. The relative inefficiency of the small trader was frequently explained in relation to a lack of awareness of sound shop management. Consequently, emphasis was placed by commentators on the need for small traders to enhance their knowledge of retail management practices in order to improve their own competitive position and efficiency in the retail trade more widely. Both the popular and trade press offered small traders a range of advice that was intended to improve their fortunes. This article considers the form and content of such advice.

10.31355/21 ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 037-047
Author(s):  
Nalini Arumugam ◽  
Zainab Mohd Karim

NOTE: THIS ARTICLE WAS PUBLISHED WITH THE INFORMING SCIENCE INSTITUTE. Aim/Purpose............................................................................................................................................................................... This research will explore the factors that determine the level of adoption and participation in sustainability practices among the local dairy farmers in Malaysia. Background............................................................................................................................................................................... Sustainability is often aimed at a solution in most fields: economics, social, and ecological welfare. Sustainability is known as the best technique to practice farming, which ensures the continuity of the practices, guarantees the continuous access to economic resources; the social well-being of the people; and also the preservation of the environment. In order to improve productivity of the dairy industry in Malaysia, it is important for the dairy farmers to be encouraged to embrace the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices in their management of farm operations. Methodology............................................................................................................................................................................... Data were collected with the use of well-structured questionnaires. The face-to-face interview was conducted for 167 dairy farmers from six selected states in Malaysia. Likert-like scale was used to determine the practices that were adopted by the dairy farmers. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive analysis and regression. Contribution............................................................................................................................................................................... This paper attempts to bring into focus the sustainable practices in farming industry especially local dairy farmers in Malaysia. It also helps to prioritize the determinants which mainly influence the sustainability in dairy industry. Findings.................................................................................................................................................................................... The findings suggest that the most significant element contributing to sustainability in the Malaysia’s dairy industries was environmental sustainability. It can be concluded that farm sustainability, environmental sustainability, and social sustainability variables explained about 42.6% of the variance that reflected sustainability. Recommendations for Practitioners......................................................................................................................................... The overall findings revealed that the entire element gave a significant role in the sustainability of the dairy industry. It is suggested that the industry in Malaysia develops over time towards sustainability. Recommendation for Researchers............................................................................................................................................ There is need for measuring sustainability thoroughly in every aspect and separately measured the sustainability determinants. Impact on Society....................................................................................................................................................................... Adopting the good management practices in improving the production by potentially revealing the dairy farmers sustainable operation practices, give benefits determinants influences dairy farmers adoption of sustainability practices; and also insights into the decision making process of dairy farmers in adopting sustainability practices. Future Research.......................................................................................................................................................................... Cross Regional study will provide better insights on intensifying the determinants of sustainability and improving the livelihood of small farmers.


2021 ◽  
pp. 8-12
Author(s):  
В.М. Велесницкий ◽  
И.С. Бутов

Столинский район Брестской области по праву называют главным регионом белорусского овощеводства. Помимо различных с.- х. организаций, в районе сосредоточено около 10 тыс. личных подсобных хозяйств, специализирующихся на производстве различных овощных культур. На 1 января 2021 года за всеми субъектами хозяйствования было закреплено 2354 га земли, сельхозугодий – 2066 га, в т.ч. пашни – 872 га. Именно овощеводческое направление в решающей степени определяет уклад жизни, быт, культуру и уровень благосостояния жителей района. Деятельность некоммерческой организации местный фонд «Центр поддержки сельского развития и предпринимательства Столинского района» направлена на стимулирование различных инициатив местных мелкотоварных с.-х. производителей: внедрение новых для района культур, передовых элементов технологии, продвижение различных социальных и природоохранных проектов. Развитие идет главным образом за счет иностранных грантов. По данным Центра, все большее распространение получают довольно редкие для этой части Белорусского Полесья культуры (баклажан, перец, брокколи, пекинская и цветная капуста, арбуз и др.). Приведены данные об особенностях оптовой и розничной торговли, необходимых для этого разрешительных документах, о доступности для такого рода фермеров кредитных ресурсов банков и наличии действующих программ помощи, подходящих для ЛПХ. Показано, в какие регионы в основном поступает местная продукция и сложности, сопровождающие все этапы процесса реализации. Значительное внимание уделено организации с.-х. кооперативов и их взаимодействию с торговыми сетями. Обобщается практический опыт по новым механизмам взаимодействия с потребителями продукции и поставщиками необходимого для работы инвентаря, удобрений, семян и СЗР. Рассматривается проблема, связанная с отсутствием первичной доработки, сортировки, мойки и упаковки выращенной продукции. Рассказано о специфических местных требованиях к той или иной выращенной продукции (томат, капуста и др.). Продемонстрированы пути взаимодействия между владельцами ЛПХ Столинского района и селекционно-семеноводческими компаниями. Stolin district of the Brest region is rightly called the main region of Belarusian vegetable growing. In addition to various agricultural organizations, the district has about 10 thousand personal subsidiary plots specializing in the production of various vegetable crops. On January 1, 2021, 2354 hectares of land were assigned to all economic entities, 2066 hectares of farmland, including 872 hectares of arable land. It is the vegetable growing direction that determines to a decisive extent the way of life, housekeeping, culture and the level of well-being of the residents of the district. The activities of the local non-profit foundation Center for Support of Rural Development and Entrepreneurship are aimed at supporting various initiatives of local small-scale agricultural producers: the introduction of new crops for the district, advanced elements of technology, the promotion of various social and environmental projects. The development is mainly due to foreign grants. According to the Center, crops that are not widely distributed in this part of the Belarusian Polesie (broccoli, peking and cauliflower, watermelon, etc.) are becoming more widespread. The data on the features of wholesale and retail trade, the necessary permits, the availability of credit resources of banks for such farmers, and the availability of existing assistance programs suitable for small and medium-sized PSP are presented. It shows which regions mainly receive local products and the difficulties that accompany all stages of the implementation process. Considerable attention is paid to the organization of agricultural cooperatives and their interaction with trade networks. Practical experience on new mechanisms of interaction with consumers of products and suppliers of inventory, fertilizers, seeds and agricultural products necessary for work is summarized. The problem associated with the lack of primary processing, sorting, washing and packaging of grown products is considered. It describes the specific local requirements for a particular grown product (tomato, cabbage, etc.). It demonstrates the ways of interaction between the owners of private farms in the Stolin district and breeding and seed companies.


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 160-169
Author(s):  
Srimo Fernandas

In the economic growth of a country, the human factor plays a vital role. The study has been made to study the growth of small scale industries in the development of human resource management practices of in Thoothukudi district. The study has the following objectives. To study the socio-economic outline of the small scale industry owners. To understand the nature of management of the small-scale industry. To find out the motivational factors for starting small-scale industries. To analyse the average income generated by different activities by the small scale industry owners.


2021 ◽  
Vol 97 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-55
Author(s):  
Christina Ankenbrand ◽  
Abrina Welter ◽  
Nina Engwicht

Abstract Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) has long been a vital source of livelihoods for rural populations in the global South. Yet, it has also been linked to a host of social, political and environmental adversities, including violent conflict. As environmental peacebuilding increasingly stresses the importance of livelihood improvement as a means of fostering peace in conflict-affected extractive societies, ASM formalization has been identified as a solution to mitigate the sector's challenges, thereby addressing underlying causes of conflict. This article critically investigates the contribution of ASM formalization to sustainable peace by focusing on its impact on the livelihood dimension of peacebuilding. It analyses the livelihood impact of three formalization interventions in the diamond sectors of two countries: cooperatives in Liberia, and, in Sierra Leone, ethical sourcing schemes and a community-based natural resource management initiative. In line with calls for a paradigm shift from a narrow legalization-centred understanding of formalization to a broader approach that accounts for livelihood quality, the analysis presented here focuses on interventions that were informed by the ideal of improving the well-being of ASM workers and communities. We propose three pathways through which ASM formalization could potentially contribute to livelihood enhancement: income security, working conditions and community benefits. Based on fieldwork, this article highlights the challenges of generating livelihood improvements through formalization. Even when specifically designed to address the needs of ASM communities, during implementation, they risk prioritizing a narrow conceptualization of formalization and thus failing to become a conductor of transformative change.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
M F Furmenti ◽  
F Bert ◽  
M Rucci ◽  
U Fiandra ◽  
A Scarmozzino ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The ageing of the European population leads to an increasing demand for Long-Term Care services. The security and well-being of the elderly population hosted in nursing homes (NHs) needs an effective Risk Management policy, officially sanctioned in Italy by the so-called “Legge Gelli” n.24 (March 8th, 2017) and the Directive 2011/24/EU on the application of patients' rights in cross-border healthcare. In order to verify the effective application of common “best practices” in terms of Risk Management in NHs, a tool useful to analyse risk management attitudes in Northern Italy was conceived and applied in a sample of NHs. Methods The tool, developed in collaboration with the health insurance company SHAM Italia, is composed of 124 items (with a dichotomous answer -YES/NO) on topics related to various Risk Management practices. This tool was submitted in a face-to-face interview to several Directors (Health Directors or Nursing Coordinators) of NHs in the Piedmont Region. A list of randomly-chosen NHs was contacted: 4 of them were selected for the pilot study and compiled the questionnaire. Answers were gathered and analyzed through Microsoft Excel. Results Only the 25% of NHs has a Risk Management plan with objectives and indicators of effectiveness and uses Risk Analysis instruments for a pre- and post-” risk detection. Only one has employees working mainly on Risk Management alone. The 75% of the reported events were “Adverse Events”, and all the NHs (100%) have a protocol for a patient voluntary departure or for fall prevention or for bedsores prevention; while 50% have a protocol for prevention of aggressions towards operators or for patients' suicide prevention. Conclusions This work provides a starting point to face new challenges that are looming on the European Health-care Systems: the care for the elderlies needs to be perfected to reduce inefficiencies, cut useless costs and improve safety of patients in the NHs setting. Key messages Despite safety of older patients in nursing homes is not only important but mandatory in Italy, risk management tools for this setting are lacking in literature. A new tool applied in Italian nursing homes showed that risk management needs to be implemented in practice and these results can be extended to European context.


Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 431
Author(s):  
Caroline Wentling ◽  
Felipe S. Campos ◽  
João David ◽  
Pedro Cabral

As urbanization and agriculture increase worldwide, habitats and food sources for wild pollinators are often fragmented or destroyed. As wild pollinators contribute both resilience and variety to agricultural fields, it is desirable to implement land management practices that preserve their well-being and ability to contribute to food production systems. This study evaluates continental Portugal for its change in suitability to host bee’s pollinator species (Apis mellifera) from 1990 to 2018. It uses the InVEST crop pollination modeling tool and CORINE Land Cover, as well as parameterization to produce pollinator abundance and supply maps. These are generalized to municipality boundaries to provide actionable insights to farmers and policymakers and strengthen land management practices. It finds that the potential for pollination services is growing, with averages of both pollinator abundance and supply indices improving by 8.76% across the continental territory in 28 years. The study results are validated using another pollination index derived from a study that is based on expert opinion and field sampling in a sub-region of Portugal. This method of aggregation of model results and comparison of the percent difference by administrative boundary has the potential to better inform both policymakers and farmers about the pollination potential on a local level, as well as inspire interventions for future productivity.


2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 520-533 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Henshall ◽  
Sheila Greenfield ◽  
Nicola Gale

This article explores the relationship between cancer survivors’ use of self-management practices and their search for normality. Using Frank’s illness narratives and other theoretical literature on normality in chronic illness, it draws on findings from a qualitative study to explore different ways cancer survivors use self-management practices to re-establish normality in their lives post-cancer. The findings suggest that “normality” represents different things to cancer survivors. We suggest that normality in survivorship is not a static concept but is fluid, and at certain times, cancer survivors may display some or all of these different versions of normality. The findings show that self-management practices can help cancer survivors experiment with different health and lifestyle processes to help support their “normal” daily lifestyle activities, quality of life, and well-being.


2021 ◽  
pp. 152483992110654
Author(s):  
Kathryn West ◽  
Karen R. Jackson ◽  
Tobias L. Spears ◽  
Brian Callender

In this descriptive case series, we detail the theoretical basis, methodology, and impact of a small-scale pilot implementation of graphic medicine workshops as an innovative approach to well-being and resilience in the age of COVID-19 and increasing awareness of racial injustice. The data provided in this article are anecdotal and based on participation in the workshops. Images created during the workshops are also shared as examples of the types of reflection that graphic medicine can enable. The workshops themselves were designed collaboratively and are based on the theoretical principles of graphic medicine, narrative medicine, and racial and social justice. They were conducted as part of a larger wellness initiative and were offered to health care-focused faculty at our academic medical institution. Our findings suggest that this was a beneficial activity which helped participants to reflect and reconsider their experiences with the COVID-19 pandemic and surging awareness of racial injustice. Reflections also showed that drawings were correlated with ProQOL scores and may, in larger numbers, also help to mitigate or bring attention to issues of burnout in frontline providers. Drawings shared show the tremendous impact of COVID-19 and the simultaneous chaos and emptiness of practicing during dual pandemics. Our workshops engaged about 20 frontline health care providers and other health care faculty and highlight the utility of graphic medicine as a tool for building resilience and encouraging self-reflection. Further study is necessary, as is more rigorous analysis of the relationship between the graphics created and the ability to recognize and mitigate burnout.


Healthcare ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bram de Boer ◽  
Hanneke Beerens ◽  
Melanie Katterbach ◽  
Martina Viduka ◽  
Bernadette Willemse ◽  
...  

It is well recognized that the physical environment is important for the well-being of people with dementia. This influences developments within the nursing home care sector where there is an increasing interest in supporting person-centered care by using the physical environment. Innovations in nursing home design often focus on small-scale and homelike care environments. This study investigated: (1) the physical environment of different types of nursing homes, comparing traditional nursing homes with small-scale living facilities and green care farms; and (2) how the physical environment was being used in practice in terms of the location, engagement and social interaction of residents. Two observational studies were carried out. Results indicate that the physical environment of small-scale living facilities for people with dementia has the potential to be beneficial for resident’s daily life. However, having a potentially beneficial physical environment did not automatically lead to an optimal use of this environment, as some areas of a nursing home (e.g., outdoor areas) were not utilized. This study emphasizes the importance of nursing staff that provides residents with meaningful activities and stimulates residents to be active and use the physical environment to its full extent.


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