scholarly journals Parental interpretations of “childhood innocence”

2016 ◽  
Vol 116 (6) ◽  
pp. 580-594 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura McGinn ◽  
Nicole Stone ◽  
Roger Ingham ◽  
Andrew Bengry-Howell
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social ◽  
General Recognition ◽  
Open Relationship ◽  
Thematic Network Analysis

Purpose Despite general recognition of the benefits of talking openly about sexuality with children, parents encounter and/or create barriers to such communication. One of the key barriers is a desire to protect childhood innocence. The purpose of this paper is to explore parental interpretations of childhood innocence and the influence this has on their reported practices relating to sexuality-relevant communication with young children. Design/methodology/approach In all, 110 UK parents and carers of children aged between four and seven years were involved in focus group discussions. The discussions were transcribed and thematic network analysis was subsequently applied to the data. Following the reading and re-reading of the transcripts for meaning, context and content, individual comments and statements were identified within the data set and grouped to generate themes. Findings Childhood innocence was commonly equated with non-sexuality in children and sexual ignorance. Parents displayed ambiguity around the conceptualisation of non-innocence in children. Parents desire to prolong the state of childhood innocence led them to withhold certain sexual knowledge from their children; however, the majority also desired an open relationship whereby their child could approach them for information. Originality/value UK parents have a strong desire to maintain the social construction of their children as inherently innocent. This discourse is affecting the way in which they communicate about sexually relevant information with their children.

Students' perceptions of education for sustainable development

2014 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 242-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yvonne Zeegers ◽  
Ian Francis Clark
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Pedagogical Approach ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Tertiary Institutions ◽  
Reflective Journal ◽  
Reflective Journals ◽  
The Social ◽  
Perceptions Of Education ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – This study investigated whether a course which focused on raising students' awareness of sustainability, from a balanced perspective, that is, one which gives equal consideration to the social and economic aspects as well as the environmental would produce graduates with the knowledge and commitment required to drive the sustainability agenda forward. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – An analysis of students' final entries in their reflective journal was used to explore whether their views on sustainability reflected a balanced view. Findings – The findings of this research confirmed previous studies showed that initially students do have an enviro-centric bias. It also showed that despite experiencing a pedagogical approach which challenged views by encouraging discussion, debate, and reflection and which provided what was considered to be a balanced view of sustainability, many of the students still leaned towards an environmentally focused perspective of sustainability. Research limitations/implications – The conclusions are based on one data set but are supported by other data described in the paper. Practical implications – The finding led the authors to conclude that a concerted holistic effort within and across courses is needed within tertiary institutions if students' views about sustainability are to be challenged. Originality/value – The outcomes demonstrate that students' reflective journals can be used to gather information about the change in students' perceptions about sustainability.

African innovations in harnessing farmer assets as collateral

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 66-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tendayi Chapoto ◽  
Anthony Q.Q. Aboagye
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Substantial Reduction ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Farming Communities ◽  
Big City ◽  
Livestock Farmers ◽  
One Year ◽  
Revolving Credit

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to document and appraise two innovations by which nontraditional forms of collateral are being used to make smallholder crop and livestock farmers bankable in Ghana and Zimbabwe. Design/methodology/approach The setup and operations of the warehouse receipt system (WRS) in Ghana were evaluated for the extent to which the WRS was meeting crop farmers’ expectations and the WRS’s own objectives. Owners of the WRS, a certified warehouse operator in a big city, and two operators of certified community warehouses in farming communities were interviewed. Two focus group discussions with crop farmers were also held. Information about the setup and operations of the Tawanda Nyambirai Livestock Trust (TNLT) Private Limited in Zimbabwe (TNLT) and extent of serving the credit needs of livestock farmers was obtained by telephone from the managing director. Data were gathered in April 2014 and were analyzed later. Findings Due to low output no smallholder farmer targeted by the WRS had been issued with a tradable certified warehouse receipts to serve as collateral to potential lenders. Grain aggregators (non-farmers) have aggregated enough grains from farmers to be issued warehouse receipts. Grain farmers report substantial reduction in post-harvest losses when they lodge farm proceeds with certified community warehouses. For the TNLT, more than 140 farmers had deposited 700 cattle and had been issued with tradable certificates of deposit within one year of TNLT to obtain revolving credit from one bank. Other benefits and challenges are highlighted. Originality/value Both approaches have potential of helping to solve liquidity constraints of farmers.

Coffee in capsules consumers’ behaviour: a quantitative study on attributes, consequences and values

2020 ◽  
Vol 123 (1) ◽  
pp. 191-208
Author(s):  
Alessandro Silva de Oliveira ◽  
Gustavo Quiroga Souki ◽  
Rodrigo Marçal Gandia ◽  
Luiz Henrique de Barros Vilas Boas
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Structural Model ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
One Dimension ◽  
Present Survey ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Functional Attributes ◽  
Equation Modelling ◽  
The Social

PurposeCoffee in capsules consumers’ behaviour depends not only on the products’ attributes, but also the consequences perceived by them and the alignment with their values. This paper aims to investigate the impacts of the Attributes of coffees in capsules on the consequences perceived by consumers concerning their consumption and the effects of these Consequences on consumers’ Values.Design/methodology/approachThis study developed a scale for assessing the perception of consumers of coffee in capsules about Attributes, Consequences and Values (A-C-V) regarding its consumption. A link to this survey’s electronic questionnaire was posted on the social networks Facebook and Peabirus. This research sample is for convenience and accessibility and has 213 consumers of coffee in capsules. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was the statistical method used for data analysis.FindingsAttributes have two sub-dimensions (Own attributes and Functional attributes), while Consequences have three sub-dimensions (Handling Benefits, Rational Benefits, Convenience Benefits) and Values have just one dimension. Also, SEM has shown a statistically significant positive relationship between A-C-V perceived by consumers of coffee in capsules. These results confirm the hypotheses developed based on the Means-End Chain Theory (MEC).Originality/valueAs academic contributions, this paper develops a structural model that quantitatively demonstrates the impacts of Attributes perceived by consumers of coffee in capsules on the Consequences of consumption and its effects on their Values. The present survey is the first in the literature that uses structural models contemplating A-C-V. As managerial contributions, this survey provides relevant information to the decision-making of several stakeholders of the chain of coffee in capsules.

Examining user experience of eLearning systems implemented in two universities in Tanzania

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-55
Author(s):  
Joel S. Mtebe
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
User Experience ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Dar Es Salaam ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Hedonic Quality

Purpose This study aims to investigate the factors that influence user experience (UX) of eLearning systems implemented in two institutions in Tanzania. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted questionnaire consisting of Nielsen’s heuristics and didactic metrics as pragmatic metrics and hedonic metrics followed by focus group discussions with students. Findings The study found that the eLearning system of University of Dar es Salaam had 43 UX problems related to Nielsen’s heuristics and 54 UX problems related to didactic heuristics. The eLearning system of the Open University of Tanzania had 50 UX problems related to Nielsen’s heuristics and 59 UX problems related to didactic heuristics. Moreover, the two systems provided positive UX hedonic quality on identification and evocation dimensions while stimulation was perceived to be neutral. Research limitations/implications The study has used learners as evaluators rather than expert evaluators. Learners are not particularly experienced in the learning domain, and therefore, it is difficult for them to identify many didactic violations of the eLearning systems. Originality/value The study contributes toward finding the underlying factors for non-use or underuse of the installed eLearning systems in various universities in sub-Saharan Africa.

scholarly journals Academics’ perception of knowledge sharing in higher education

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 1001-1015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fenio Annansingh ◽  
Kerry E. Howell ◽  
Shaofeng Liu ◽  
Miguel Baptista Nunes
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Organisational Culture ◽  
The Political ◽  
Constructivist Approach ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Content Type

Purpose Higher education (HE) institutions create, disseminate, share and exchange knowledge through relationships among people, processes and technologies. Knowledge sharing (KS) in academia enables people within the institute to develop practices which allow them to collect and share what they know. This often leads to actions that improve services and outcomes. Despite the opportunities, this sharing is not without implications as it exposes the knowledge sharer and recipient to a number of vulnerabilities and risks, which hinders the knowledge-sharing process. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach This paper adopted a constructivist approach, which utilised focus group discussions within three UK universities. These were identified to improve the usefulness and effectiveness of the knowledge-sharing process. Findings The paper concluded by purporting that by developing an understanding of the risks and opportunities of sharing HE, institutions will continue to grow, regenerate and develop knowledge. The results highlighted the plethora of risks and opportunities resulting from KS. These were further grouped into the political, social and organisational culture. Originality/value This paper addresses the gap of risks perceptions of KS in HE institutions.

scholarly journals How convenient!? Adolescents’ vistas on food competences in a convenience context

2016 ◽  
Vol 118 (11) ◽  
pp. 2828-2838 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Wahlen ◽  
Hilje van der Horst ◽  
Roosje Pothoff
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
School Context ◽  
Participatory Approach ◽  
Classroom Context ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Convenience Food ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Food Education

Purpose Adolescents are at a stage in their life course in which they increasingly become choosers, buyers and preparers of food. Hence, they develop and employ required competences. Current food-related competences of adolescents are shaped in an environment with an abundance of convenience foods. Simultaneously food education has been limited in many western countries. The purpose of this paper is to scrutinize how young practitioners engage with the notion of convenience in a context with a strong presence of convenience foods. Design/methodology/approach Empirical data for this paper have been collected in a Dutch high school context following a participatory approach in focus group discussions. Data have been gathered from different food-related exercises within a classroom context. Findings The findings indicate that adolescents’ food competences and meanings are heavily shaped by the abundant presence of convenience foods. Adolescents perceive a nuanced picture of a skilful consumer that incorporates convenience foods in ways that minimize time efforts, preserves some preparatory tasks for fun cooking and has knowledge about health effects of fatty and salty foods. Originality/value The investigation takes a novel look on convenience food consumption from a practice perspective scrutinizing competences through the lens of adolescent practitioners. The authors make a plea for tapping into the potential of research on children and adolescents as novice performers of practices to understand how practices are shaped and changed and how practices recruit new practitioners.

An investigation into the major environment and climate change policy issues in southwest coastal Bangladesh

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 123-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anjan Kumer Dev Roy
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Climate Change Policy ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Coastal Bangladesh ◽  
Development Interventions ◽  
Change Policy ◽  
Management And Development

Purpose This paper aims to examine the issues of environment and climate change policy gaps and their impacts on the natural resources and ecosystems in southwest coastal Bangladesh. The effects of the increasing human activities as well as natural disasters due to the environment and climate change are analysed. The policy options as a response to mitigation, adaptation and possible human suffering as consequences are explored through discourse analysis. Design/methodology/approach This study applied focus group discussions, workshop and field visits to collect the data and information to explore environment and climate change policy-related problems. Findings It was found that there is a need for major policy reform to guide development interventions to reverse salinity, waterlogging, migration and groundwater recharging problems for sustainable environmental and ecosystem management in the region. Originality/value The paper then underscores the need for governments at all levels to adequately fund geo-information-based development interventions as adequate and proactive responses to environmental management and development to combat future environmental and climate change problems in the region.

Response to money laundering scandal: evidence-informed or perception-driven?

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald F. Pol
Keyword(s):  
Money Laundering ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Policy Response ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Rating Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social ◽  
Disciplinary Perspective ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to utilise underused information in anti-money laundering rating data to assist policymaking and research. Design/methodology/approach This paper explores what evidence “hidden in plain sight” in official anti-money laundering rating data reveals about claims justifying the expansion of money laundering controls in response to European bank scandals. Findings A perceived lack of international coordination influencing the policy response to a series of alleged anti-money laundering breaches does not accord with the anti-money laundering industry’s own evidence base. Practical implications Responding to new crises with superficial solutions without addressing fundamental questions with a multi-disciplinary perspective risks repeating and extending a decade-long cycle of ineffectiveness in efforts to mitigate the social and economic harms from profit-motivated crime. Originality/value This paper draws fresh conclusions from the anti-money laundering industry’s “main” data set, underused in policymaking and research.

Embodied refusals and choreographic criticalities

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 415-428
Author(s):  
Beth Krone
Keyword(s):  
Narrative Analysis ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
White Female ◽  
Black Feminist ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Social Narratives ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Everyday ◽  
Ethnographic Data

Purpose This paper aims to describe the work of a group of seventh-grade boys in a middle school superhero storytelling project. In this project, the boys, one of whom identified as Latino and five of whom identified as Black, created a voiceless, faceless, raceless superhero named “Mute.” Using a Black feminist theoretical framework, the author considers how the boys authored embodied moments in the construction of their character and in a basketball scene. The author argues that within the narrated space of the story, embodiment functioned as a critical tool for authoring spaces that thwarted and bypassed dominant social narratives. Design/methodology/approach The white, female, university-affiliated author was a participant-researcher in the “Mute” group’s ten storytelling sessions. The ethnographic data set collected included fieldnotes, recordings and copies of all the writing and images of the group. The author uses this data to conduct a narrative analysis of the Mute story. Findings The author suggests that the group’s authoring of embodiment and choreography in their story makes space outside of the binary stances often available in traditional critical analyses. Instead, the group’s attention to embodied aspects of their character(s) allowed them to refuse either/or positions of such stances and construct a textured reality that existed beyond these bounds. Originality/value Black feminist theorists have warned that critical readings are potentially essentializing, risking a reification of the same systems they hope to overturn. The Mute group’s invention of a superhero character and their use of authored embodiment deflected such essentializing readings to imagine a new, more just (story) world. Thus, the author recommends an increased attention to how students are writing and reading embodiment to fully see the everyday ways they are critically working both against and beyond the social narratives that organize their lives.

Collectivist and individualist values traits in Finnish and Italian adolescents' alcohol norms

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matilda Hellman ◽  
Sara Rolando
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Alcohol Drinking ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Meaning Making ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
C Value ◽  
Italian Adolescents

PurposeThe study aims to investigate a possible application of the concepts of individualist and collectivist (I‐C) value traits in inquiries on alcohol drinking norms in different alcohol cultures.Design/methodology/approachData from focus group discussions (n=16) with Italian and Finnish adolescents (aged 13‐16) is trialled against some typical dissimilarities featured in the literature on I‐C cultures.FindingsThe study shows that the features identified in the I‐C dichotomy regarding personality traits and parental goal for children correlate with some culturally anchored meaning‐making of agency and autonomy emphasized in judgements of correct ways of drinking.Originality/valueThe authors conclude that with certain caveats I‐C dichotomy could indeed be applied more in the cross‐cultural alcohol research.

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