Financial support systems: the student experience in England and France

2005 ◽  
Vol 32 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 121-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Curtis ◽  
Rita Klapper
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Financial Burden ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Financial Status ◽  
Financial Difficulties ◽  
University Life ◽  
The Uk ◽  
English Students ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeTo investigate how the financial status of students in England and France affects their experience of university life.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire survey was carried out among undergraduates in two countries. There were 168 responses from students studying at a French university and 325 responses from students studying at an English university.FindingsThe financial burden in France rests with parents, while in England students are largely responsible for their own funding. Indicators suggest that English students may be suffering from financial difficulties. Students continue the tradition of enjoying themselves and socialising, whatever their nationality and financial status.Research limitations/implicationsThe comparison made was not between institutions of equal status. The Institut de Formation Internationale in Rouen is part of a Grande Ecole group which is private, and may attract students from higher income families. The students at Manchester Metropolitan University Cheshire study in a rural locale (the towns of Crewe and Alsager in south Cheshire), which is unusual for a UK university and it may well be that a lower proportion of these undergraduates come from higher income families than the French students.Practical implicationsWhile it would seem to be more equitable and economically efficient for individuals to pay directly for services they receive, rather than those services being funded by higher tax, this study highlights certain problems. The quality of the educational experience for English students may be reduced by their continuing to live at home with parents and carrying out low level work while studying.Originality/valueNo other research appears to have been carried out in the UK or in France on this topic.

scholarly journals Assessing the quality of retrofits in solid wall dwellings

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 501-518 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Glew ◽  
Melanie B. Smith ◽  
Dominic Miles-Shenton ◽  
Christopher Gorse
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Solid Wall ◽  
Failure Rates ◽  
Fundamental Change ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Future Policy ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a detailed appraisal of the quality of domestic retrofits. Design/methodology/approach This paper presents the results of technical surveys on 51 retrofits undertaken before, during and after the retrofits. Findings Failures are observed to be endemic and characterised into five themes: 72 per cent showed moisture issues pre-retrofit, 68 per cent had moisture risks post-retrofit, 62 per cent did not adopt a whole house approach, 16 per cent showed inadequate quality assurance protocols and 64 per cent showed evidence of insufficient design detailing. Each theme is further subcategorised with a view to identifying implications for future policy. Research limitations/implications The findings suggest the 10 per cent Ofgem retrofit failure rates predictions are an underestimate and so there may be a need for additional investigations to understand the trend across the UK. Practical implications Recommendations to reduce the failure rates may include making changes to the current inspection regime, widening understanding among installers; providing standard repeatable designs for repeated features; and empowering occupants to trigger inspections. Social implications The sample is representative of a substantial proportion of the homes in the UK suggesting that retrofit quality may in many instances be below the required standards. Originality/value Risks of moisture issues and underperformance in domestic retrofit are a concern for government industry and households. This research shows that many installation failures are the result of not implementing existing guidelines and a change to the enforcement of standards may be needed to enact a fundamental change in installer practice and process control.

Restorative justice a postcode lottery? – availability and quality of service

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 120-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellie Acton
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Service ◽  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Restorative Justice ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Personal Viewpoint

Purpose – The reinvigoration of restorative justice (RJ) within criminal justice has brought with it many opportunities but also significant challenges. The purpose of this paper is to explore the current considerations when providing a quality RJ service that meet the needs of victim, offender the community and the criminal justice system. Design/methodology/approach – This paper is a personal viewpoint of the author obtained from working nationally in the criminal justice arena specifically advising on RJ to police forces, police and crime commissioners and others. Findings – Findings suggest the provision of RJ in the UK is patchy, and the provision of a quality provision even more of a challenge. Practical implications – Consideration given to the need for quality not to be sacrificed in the advancement of RJ and some of the implications of this. Originality/value – Offers perspectives on the application of RJ in new and rapidly growing arenas.

Grey Pride: priorities for a minister for older people

2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-64
Author(s):  
Jane Ashcroft
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Social Service ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Government Administration ◽  
Use Of Resources ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to argue the case for there to be a UK Minister for Older People supported by the work of a Commissioner for Older People. Design/methodology/approach – Draws on the work of the UK Grey Pride campaign to compare trends in demography and expectations with health and social service provision. Findings – With hospital “bed blocking” reportedly costing £20 million per month and limited responses to older peoples’ needs for appropriate housing, care and resources, the Grey Pride campaign has received widespread support with 30 organisations backing their campaign for a Minister for Older People. Practical implications – A Minister could help prioritise coordinated use of resources to make them more efficient and to help manage older peoples’ expectations. A Commissioner for Older People could investigate the accessibility and quality of care for older people. Originality/value – Identifies how no government administration to date has demonstrated its explicit commitment to prioritising older peoples’ needs.

scholarly journals Determinants of the quality of external board evaluation in the UK external board evaluation in the UK

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdus Sobhan ◽  
Emmanuel Adegbite
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Inferential Statistics ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Regulatory Authorities ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This study aims to examine the influence of the following on the quality of externally facilitated board evaluation, namely, the timing of adoption of external board evaluation, type of evaluators and the independence of external facilitators. Design/methodology/approach The statements on board evaluation in annual reports of a sample of FTSE 350 companies were content analysed to measure the quality of externally facilitated board evaluation. This paper then used descriptive analysis and inferential statistics to demonstrate the possible association between the timing of adoption, as well as the type and independence of external facilitators and the quality of externally facilitated board evaluation. Findings Results reveal some effects of the timing of adoption, as well as the type and independence of external facilitators on the quality of externally facilitated board evaluation. Practical implications Shareholders should be aware of the timing of adoption, as well as consider the types and independence of external facilitators, given their influence on the quality of externally facilitated board evaluation. Regulatory authorities should provide more specific guidance on what types of professional organisations can be engaged as external facilitators and on the implementation of externally facilitated board evaluation, to promote its quality. Originality/value Several studies have provided theoretical accounts on how board evaluation should be conducted to ensure its effectiveness. However, there is a dearth of empirical literature, which examines the quality of externally facilitated board evaluation. This study develops a quality measure for externally facilitated board evaluation and shows the effect of the timing of adoption, types and independence of external facilitators on its quality. The study forges ahead institutional theorising of external board evaluation.

Wine sales in British public houses

2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
John D. Pratten ◽  
Jean‐Baptiste Carlier
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Service ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Primary Sources ◽  
Quality Service ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Wine Consumption ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the changes in wine consumption in UK public houses, and to consider if the sector is maximising its sales opportunities.Design/methodology/approachThis study has used both secondary and primary sources. Existing surveys have been used to gain details of the growth in wine sales and possible explanations for this. The trade press has suggested how licensees could improve their wine sales. Suppliers have been approached to discover to the level of assistance they offer individual outlets. Finally, surveys of the public houses and their customers were undertaken to discover the proficiency of their wine service.FindingsThe level of wine sales in the UK is growing rapidly. Much of this is consumed at home, but public houses could benefit from the trend. Some have done so, but the surveys suggest that many do not market the product effectively.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is a very limited one, and only considers one town, one area of another town and their customers.Practical implicationsThe results of the survey suggest that all licensees could consider the possibility of improving sales by offering a higher quality service to their customers.Originality/valueAny research which may assist the quality of service offered in the licensed trade should be of interest to all stakeholders.

Hays Challenge draws graduates to a career in recruitment

2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 4-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Cullens ◽  
Richard J. Waters
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Applied Research ◽  
Serious Game ◽  
Recruitment Process ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Selection Stage ◽  
Published Research ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – Reveals how the Hays Challenge, a serious game developed to respond to key business objectives for the attraction of graduate recruits, was developed and implemented. Design/methodology/approach – Describes how a recruitment-orientated serious game was developed and implemented at Hays plc. Applied research was conducted through a series of focus groups that informed the design process. Findings – Reveals that more than 40,000 players from 190 countries have played the Hays Challenge. Within the UK business 73 percent of the most recent graduate applicants have played the Hays Challenge. Practical implications – Explains that anecdotal information from the internal-recruiting teams suggests that there has been an improvement in the quality of applicants and that their knowledge about recruitment consultancies is much more evident. Social implications – Describes an interesting and attractive way of providing information about careers in recruitment to today's internet-savvy young people. Originality/value – Fills a gap in the relatively limited published research into how serious gaming can be used in the attraction and initial self-selection stage of the recruitment process. Adds further insight for practitioners into this area and demonstrates some of the benefits of adopting such an approach.

scholarly journals Implications of divergences in adult protection legislation

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 149-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorna Montgomery ◽  
Janet Anand ◽  
Kathryn Mackay ◽  
Brian Taylor ◽  
Katherine C. Pearson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Elder Abuse ◽  
Consensus Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Legal Responses ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Protection Legislation ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Adult Protection

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the similarities and differences of legal responses to older adults who may be at risk of harm or abuse in the UK, Ireland, Australia and the USA. Design/methodology/approach – The authors draw upon a review of elder abuse and adult protection undertaken on behalf of the commissioner for older people in Northern Ireland. This paper focusses on the desk top mapping of the different legal approaches and draws upon wider literature to frame the discussion of the relative strengths and weaknesses of the different legal responses. Findings – Arguments exist both for and against each legal approach. Differences in defining the scope and powers of adult protection legislation in the UK and internationally are highlighted. Research limitations/implications – This review was undertaken in late 2013; while the authors have updated the mapping to take account of subsequent changes, some statutory guidance is not yet available. While the expertise of a group of experienced professionals in the field of adult safeguarding was utilized, it was not feasible to employ a formal survey or consensus model. Practical implications – Some countries have already introduced APL and others are considering doing so. The potential advantages and challenges of introducing APL are highlighted. Social implications – The introduction of legislation may give professionals increased powers to prevent and reduce abuse of adults, but this would also change the dynamic of relationships within families and between families and professionals. Originality/value – This paper provides an accessible discussion of APL across the UK and internationally which to date has been lacking from the literature.

scholarly journals Accounting for the messiness of the research process: the fieldpath approach

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 315-332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Perttu Salovaara
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Environmental Consequences ◽  
Human Ethics ◽  
Conceptual Paper ◽  
The Common ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose It has recently become more acknowledged that there is a quality of “messiness” to the qualitative research process. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the fieldpath approach—a hermeneutically inspired framework—to account for the non-linearity, uncertainty and ambiguity of the research process. Design/methodology/approach This conceptual paper reviews how the scope of hermeneutics has been partly misunderstood. The paper discusses how the scope of hermeneutics has lately been expanded by works such as Günter Figal’s (2010) Objectivity: The Hermeneutical and Philosophy. Findings The fieldpath approach proposes that a heightened relation to materiality enables the messiness of the process to be preserved, while at the same time offering a way to find one’s footing in the midst of ontologically incomplete phenomena that are still—in a processual fashion—forming and becoming. Research limitations/implications This is a conceptual paper. In addition to the research mentioned here, more studies would be needed to legitimise, test and refine the approach. Practical implications Objectivity provides an additional criterion for researchers to lean on when facing the non-linearity and unexpected turns inherent in the qualitative research process. Social implications The stress on materiality involves an ethical dimension. Post-human ethics are concerned with the future environmental consequences and sustainability of the material world. The way that matter matters in our methodologies is of primary importance. Originality/value First, the paper emphasises that hermeneutics, contrary to the common perception, does offer criteria for evaluating between interpretations. Second, it introduces the notion of hermeneutic objectivity, which stresses the importance of materiality for interpretations. Third, it introduces the fieldpath approach, which, based on the previous criterion of hermeneutic objectivity, allows for the messiness of the research process, while also preserving a tight grip on the hermeneutic imperative of “understanding in a new way”.

scholarly journals Foresight in cities: on the possibility of a “strategic urban intelligence”

foresight ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 469-490 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joe Ravetz ◽  
Ian Douglas Miles
Keyword(s):  
Complex Systems ◽  
Analytical Method ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Work In Progress ◽  
Strategic Policy ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The City ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Practical Recommendations

Purpose This paper aims to review the challenges of urban foresight via an analytical method: apply this to the city demonstrations on the UK Foresight Future of Cities: and explore the implications for ways forward. Design/methodology/approach The methodology is based on the principles of co-evolutionary complex systems, a newly developed toolkit of “synergistic mapping and design”, and its application in a “synergy foresight” method. Findings The UK Foresight Future of Cities is work in progress, but some early lessons are emerging – the need for transparency in foresight method – and the wider context of strategic policy intelligence. Practical implications The paper has practical recommendations, and a set of propositions, (under active discussion in 2015), which are based on the analysis. Originality/value The paper aims to demonstrate an application of “synergy foresight” with wide benefits for cities and the communities within them.

Agency costs in the market for corporate control: evidence from UK takeovers

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward Jones ◽  
Bing Xu ◽  
Konstantin Kamp
Keyword(s):  
Agency Costs ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Corporate Control ◽  
Sales Growth ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Market For Corporate Control ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Theory Framework ◽  
Made In

Purpose This paper aims to examine whether agency costs predict disciplinary takeover likelihood for the UK listed companies between 1986 and 2015. Design/methodology/approach Using survival analysis, the approach is to identify candidates for disciplinary takeover on the basis of Tobin’s Q (TQ), which is consistent with the approach advocated by Manne (1965). This study then examines how indicators of agency costs affect takeover likelihood within the set of disciplinary candidates. Findings This paper provides evidence of the effectiveness of TQ, rather than excess return, in identifying disciplinary takeover candidates. Takeover hazard for disciplinary candidates is higher for companies with higher levels of asset utilization and sales growth in particular. Companies with stronger agency problems are relatively less susceptible to disciplinary takeover. Practical implications Given the UK context of the study, where anti-takeover provisions are disallowed and when compared to findings of US studies, the results imply some support for the effectiveness of an open merger policy. Originality/value While the connection between takeover likelihood and the market for corporate control has been made in previous studies, the study adopts a more explicit agency theory framework than previous studies of takeover likelihood. A key component of the contribution follows from differentiating candidates for disciplinary takeovers from other forms of mergers and acquisitions.

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