The public’s interest in intermediaries

Info ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 8-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin Mansell
Keyword(s):  
Evidence Base ◽  
Policy Intervention ◽  
Integrated Monitoring ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Market Strategy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Digital Platforms ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Cultural Goals ◽  
Multidisciplinary Perspective

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine recent developments in European policy debates concerned with whether governments should intervene in the digital intermediary marketplace to protect the public’s interest. Design/methodology/approach – The paper discusses the public’s interest in the evolution of the digital intermediary marketplace, considers the economics and policy literature on the case for policy intervention in the market dynamics of digital platforms and examines the extent to which policy makers in Europe are catching up with changes in the market for digital platform services. Findings – It is argued that policy-makers need to broaden the evidence base upon which they consider whether policy intervention is needed beyond economic analysis. This is essential to ensure that the European digital intermediary marketplace develops in line with economic, social and cultural goals. Research limitations/implications – The case is made for measures to ensure continuous and integrated monitoring of developments in the digital marketplace based on economic indicators and evidence on the diversity of media content. Practical implications – Suggestions are made about the need for innovations in the way policy makers develop the required evidence base for their decisions. Social implications – The paper draws attention to the need for proactive policy making based on a consideration of economic, social and cultural goals to ensure that digital intermediaries are held accountable. Originality/value – The paper provides a multidisciplinary perspective on the dynamics of the digital intermediary ecology and assesses the extent to which the European digital market strategy provides an integrated initiative that is likely to be implemented.

An exploratory study on how SMEs are open to external sources of information

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 765-789 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moulay Othman Idrissi Fakhreddine ◽  
Yan Castonguay
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Probit Model ◽  
Significant Heterogeneity ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
External Sources ◽  
Canada Data ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to draw on recent developments in the open innovation literature to explore whether the openness of SMEs to the four categories of external sources of information (ESI) is complementary, substitute or independent, while assessing the determinants of SMEs’ openness to these ESI. Design/methodology/approach This research is based on data from a survey of 451 manufacturing SMEs in the province of Québec, Canada. Data have been elaborated through a multivariate probit model to empirically show that SMEs are considered to be simultaneously open to different ESI. The results of this study show significant heterogeneity in the determinants of SMEs’ openness to these ESI. Findings The study found that the SMEs’ openness to different ESI seems to be complementary rather than substitute; and not all variables included in the model explain the SMEs’ openness to the different ESI. Practical implications The paper provides practical implications for managers and policy makers including the SMEs’ managers’ role to recognize the consolidation of different ESI jointly instead of separately. Furthermore, managers and policy makers should attempt to provide a fair context to SMEs to manage their openness ecosystem. Originality/value This study is virtually the first to investigate both the complementarity and the determinants of SMEs’ openness to different ESI using a sophisticated econometric model.

scholarly journals Adult protection in Scotland in 1857 and in 2015: what have we learned?

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 96-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Campbell
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Protection Legislation ◽  
Adult Protection

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to compare recent developments in adult protection legislation, policy and practice in Scotland in 2015 with the first attempts at protection of adults at risk of harm, in 1857-1862, with a particular focus on people with learning disabilities. Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses comparative historical research, drawing on primary archive material from 1857 to 1862 in the form of Annual Reports of the General Board of Commissioners in Lunacy for Scotland and associated papers. Findings – Growing public awareness of the extent of neglect and abuse, and the need for overarching legislation were common factors in the development of both the “The Lunacy Act” of 1857 and the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act of 2007. Both pieces of legislation also had the common aim of “asylum”, and shared some other objectives. Practical implications – Total prevention of abuse of vulnerable adults is an aspiration in law and in policy. There is an evidence base of effectiveness, however, in protecting adults at risk of harm from abuse. Some ecological factors recur as challenges to effective safeguarding activity. These include problems of definition, uncovering abuse, enforcing legislation, evaluating impact and protection of people who are not a risk of harm to others. Originality/value – This paper compares common themes and common challenges in two separate time periods to investigate what can be learned about the development of legislation and practice in adult protection.

scholarly journals Parental Help-Seeking and the Moral Order. Notes for Policy-Makers and Parenting Practitioners on ‘the First Port of Call’ and ‘No One to Turn To’

2008 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 44-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Broadhurst
Keyword(s):  
Child Welfare ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Home Front ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Parenting Support ◽  
Professional Identification ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Family ◽  
Recent Developments

The topic ‘help-seeking’ is of international interest. However, there is only a very limited literature concerning help-seeking in child welfare and a distinct dearth of studies that have examined the social organisation of parents’ decisions to seek help. Recent developments in child welfare services in England and Wales have seen the introduction of a raft of initiatives that aim to deliver parenting support to a broader range of parents; however, these initiatives are not well grounded in an evidence base concerning parental help-seeking. Focusing on the organisation of talk-in-interaction in interviews and focus groups, this study examined parents’ normative and inter-subjective understandings about help-seeking. The study found that when considering the welfare problems of parenting (variously described as ‘domestic’, ‘normal’ or ‘on the home front’), participants routinely made relevant the binary ‘inside/outside’ the family, indicating the central (normative) relevance of the category ‘family’ for this kind of support. Outside (professional) help was very much a residual option, only to be considered on the basis of ‘no-one to turn to’. The findings are discussed in relation to national strategies that seek to normalise support for parenting and issues of international relevance to do with professional identification and diagnosis of need.

The concept of organisational projectification: past, present and beyond?

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 565-577 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harvey Maylor ◽  
Virpi Turkulainen
Keyword(s):  
Future Research ◽  
Discussion Paper ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Organisational Process ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
Published Research ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to reflect on the past 25 years of the research on projectification, focusing especially on organisational aspects of projectification, as well as to discuss recent developments and potential future research directions. Design/methodology/approach This is a discussion paper, which draws on previously published research and data. Findings The first section identifies contexts in which projectification has taken place (projectification of) and the organisational process by which this has taken place (projectification through). Using an illustrative example based on publicly available data, the second section shows an extension of the organisational phenomenon, referred to as advanced organisational projectification. The paper concludes with a synthesised framework of organisational projectification. Research limitations/implications The paper provides a personal reflection and commentary and is focused on the conceptualisation of the term rather than an all-encompassing study of projectification. Based on the discussion, the paper presents a synthesised view of organisational projectification as well as directions for future research to advance the understanding of projectification. Practical implications The study has implications for policy-makers in the design of the process of ongoing projectification and provides illustrations and a warning concerning the assumptions that are made as an organisation advances in its projectification. Originality/value This paper provides an elaboration of one of the focal concepts of project studies, extending some of the key elements of project management research.

scholarly journals “Catching them young” – some reflections on the meaning of the age of criminal responsibility in England and Wales

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 133-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim Bateman
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Conceptual Analysis ◽  
Criminal Responsibility ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Youth Justice ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
England And Wales ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Original Analysis ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the tension between government protestations that youth justice policy is evidence-led and what the evidence implies in the context of the age of criminal responsibility. Design/methodology/approach – The paper takes the form of a conceptual analysis of government policy and the evidence base. Findings – The paper concludes that the current low age of criminal responsibility in England and Wales can be understood as a manifestation of the influence of underclass theory on successive governments. Research limitations/implications – The paper is not based on primary research. Practical implications – The arguments adduced help to explain the reluctance of government to countenance any increase in the age of criminal responsibility. Social implications – The analysis might help inform approaches adopted by youth justice policy makers, practitioners and academics with an interest in seeking a rise in the age of criminal responsibility. Originality/value – The paper offers an original analysis of government intransigence on an important social issue.

Barriers to inclusion and successful engagement of parents in mainstream services: evidence and research

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 220-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent La Placa ◽  
Judy Corlyon
Keyword(s):  
Evidence Base ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Potential Barriers ◽  
Service Culture ◽  
Current Evidence Base ◽  
Systematic Selection ◽  
Late Modern ◽  
Selection Of

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review the current evidence base on barriers to inclusion and successful engagement of parents in mainstream preventive services. Design/methodology/approach – Evidence was generated using a narrative review which uses different primary studies from which conclusions are produced into holistic interpretations. It provides an interpretative synthesis of findings based upon an exhaustive inclusion and exclusion criteria and systematic selection of literature. Findings – The paper identifies barriers to successful engagement as: structural; social and cultural; and suspicion and stigma. In terms of successful engagement, it identifies personal relations between staff and service users, practical issues, service culture, consultation, information and targeting, service delivery, and community development and co-production approaches. Research limitations/implications – The paper demonstrates that the evidence base is limited and not adequately theoretically grounded. It argues for more research based within a pragmatic approach, which is more theoretically and epistemologically informed. Practical implications – The paper demonstrates that more theoretically and epistemologically informed research needs to be addressed in order to design mainstream services on behalf of service practitioners and researchers. Originality/value – Such an approach would assist policy makers and practitioners to develop interventions to reduce potential barriers and facilitate successful engagement and is grounded within users’ experiences. It would also reflect the complexity of working within a late modern environment, attend to the multiple needs of users, and address the complex layers intrinsic to the construction and reproduction of services, as well as widening the current evidence base.

The clean side of Slow Tech: an overview

2015 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norberto Patrignani ◽  
Diane Whitehouse
Keyword(s):  
Information Communication ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research And Teaching ◽  
Reading Matter ◽  
Computer Professionals ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – This paper aims to provide an overview of clean information and communication technology (ICT), including a brief review of recent developments in the field and a lengthy set of possible reading matter. The need to rethink the impact of ICTs on people’s lives and the survival of the planet is beginning to be addressed by a Slow Tech approach. Among Slow Tech’s main questions are these two: Is ICT sustainable in the long term? What should be done by computer ethics scholars, computer professionals, policy makers and society in general to ensure that clean ICT can be produced, used and appropriately disposed of? Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on a comprehensive review of clean tech-related literature and an investigation of progress made in the clean tech field. Findings – This opening paper of a Journal of Information, Communication and Ethics in Society special session aims to provide an overview of clean ICT, including a brief review of recent developments in the field and a lengthy set of possible reading matter. As a result, it is anticipated that Slow Tech – and in this case, its second component of clean ICT – can provide a compass to steer research, development and the use and reuse of environmentally friendly, sustainable ICT. Originality/value – This conceptual paper emphasises that, until only recently, no one questioned the potential long-term sustainability of ICT. This issue is, however, now very much a matter that is on the research and teaching, and action, agenda.

scholarly journals Beyond empty promises? A reality check for hate crime scholarship and policy

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 148-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil Chakraborti ◽  
Stevie-Jade Hardy
Keyword(s):  
Hate Crime ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Crime Victims ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Reality Check ◽  
Meaningful Engagement ◽  
Low Levels

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to highlight an urgent need for new and improved approaches to supporting hate crime victims and tackling hate crime perpetration in the light of escalating levels of hate crime and growing concerns over the effectiveness of existing interventions and support structures. Design/methodology/approach The paper draws from the authors’ own extensive fieldwork conducted with more than 2,000 victims of hate crime over a series of recent studies. The research was designed to uncover lived experiences of hate crime, to understand the physical and emotional harms suffered by victims and their families, and to identify ways of improving the quality of support offered to victims. Findings The findings illustrate that current responses to hate crime are hampered by a range of perceived challenges and barriers to justice which exacerbate the harms associated with hate crimes. This includes low levels of public awareness of relevant policies, laws and support services, a lack of meaningful engagement between professionals and marginalised communities and a failure to provide victim-centred criminal justice interventions. Practical implications This paper includes a number of recommendations in relation to how scholars, policy makers and professionals can overcome the failings that have been identified, which includes prioritising engagement with diverse communities, improving awareness of hate crime and generating a more comprehensive evidence base on hate crime perpetration. Originality/value These themes discussed within this paper are based upon the views and experiences of an extensive sample of hate crime victims, many of whom have never previously shared their stories with researchers, the police or any other support organisations.

Rising use of “food aid” in the United Kingdom

2014 ◽  
Vol 116 (9) ◽  
pp. 1418-1425 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah Lambie-Mumford ◽  
Elizabeth Dowler
Keyword(s):  
Evidence Base ◽  
Policy Framework ◽  
Food Aid ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Perceived Outcomes ◽  
Community Sector ◽  
Critical Overview

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the findings from two recent reviews on food aid use in the UK and discuss their implications and the challenges they posed for researchers, policy makers and the voluntary and community sector. Design/methodology/approach – The paper draws on two research reviews conducted in 2013 and 2014. Findings – Whilst it is possible to draw important insights into key drivers of food aid use, how food aid is draw on by recipients and some of the perceived outcomes of the provision from the research that is available, ultimately the reviews highlight the emergent and largely unsystematic nature of the UK evidence base. The lack of agreed definitions and measures of food insecurity/food poverty further limits the knowledge base. Even where such evidence may be forthcoming, in terms of implementing effective solutions to the need for food aid, UK researchers, policy makers, NGOs and others face considerable challenges in terms of identifying responsibilities for addressing the causes of this need, which the most effective scale for response may be (local or national) and finally, overcoming a highly complex and not necessarily co-ordinated policy framework. Originality/value – The paper provides a critical overview of the state of knowledge on food aid in the UK.

Legitimacy for large public libraries in the digital age

2008 ◽  
Vol 57 (5) ◽  
pp. 372-385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivienne Waller
Keyword(s):  
Public Libraries ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Digital Age ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Future ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
History Of ◽  
Current Concerns ◽  
Relationship Of

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to critically analyse recent developments in the relationship of large public libraries with digital technologies, suggesting a way of rethinking the future of large public libraries.Design/methodology/approachThis paper bases its critical analysis on a review of the literature and reference to specific cases. Historical quotes preceding sections augment the argument that many of the current concerns about digital technologies are not new issues for libraries.FindingsIssues around library take up of digital technology are continuations of debates that have occurred throughout the history of public libraries about the role of the library. In Australia, library policy makers are focusing on technology and an imagined user in an effort to prove the legitimacy of large public libraries to funding bodies, the library profession and library users. Such attempts seem doomed to fail.Practical implicationsPublic libraries need to be clear about their purpose as publicly funded institutions in the digital age. This requires a renewed understanding of a library's publics and a critical understanding of the nature of services available using digital technologies.Originality/valueThis paper presents an alternative way of thinking about the future of large public libraries, with much of the discussion also relevant to local public libraries.

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