Assisted living technologies and the consumer market: how is it developing?

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-31
Author(s):  
Gillian Ward ◽  
Maggie Winchcombe ◽  
Grace Teah
Keyword(s):  
Assisted Living ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Direct Marketing ◽  
Consumer Market ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Supply And Distribution ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

Purpose A three-year research study, funded by Innovate UK, Consumer Models for Assisted Living (COMODAL) aimed to support the development of the consumer market for electronic assisted living technology (eALT) products and services, particularly for people aged 50-70, approaching older age and retirement themselves or with caring responsibilities for family or friends. The purpose of the COMODAL study was to gain a greater understanding of their needs and behaviours relating to the acquisition of eALT and develop sustainable consumer-led business models that might address these needs and support business development within a consumer market (Ward et al., 2016). The purpose of this paper is to present a follow up study to explore how the market may have changed since the publication of the research findings. Design/methodology/approach An online survey was used to collect both qualitative and quantitative data from individuals working in the supply and distribution of assisted living technologies in the UK regarding how their businesses had developed in the past two years. Findings The results showed that since the publication of the COMODAL research there have been changes in the way that the consumer market for eALT is being approached, not only with more direct marketing focused on consumer’s needs but also in direct partnerships with local authorities that offer greater choice with an improved range of products. Originality/value This is the first paper in the UK to follow up the impact of the original COMODAL research and explore its influence on the development of the consumer market for eALT.

Procurement 4.0: factors influencing the digitisation of procurement and supply chains

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 965-984 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florian Bienhaus ◽  
Abubaker Haddud
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chains ◽  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Procurement Process ◽  
Enabling Technologies ◽  
The Impact

Purpose While digitisation is a key driver of the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0); organisations have different approaches to deal with this topic to get a clearer picture of the opportunities and challenges concerning the digital transformation. The purpose of this paper is to identify the impact of digitisation on procurement and its role within the area of supply chain management. The research will also explore potential barriers to digitising procurement and supply chains and ways to overcome them. Finally, the significance of potential enabling technologies to the digitisation will also be examined. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative approached utilising an online survey was used to collect the primary data for this study. Data were collected from 414 participants directly involved with procurement or related business functions and work for different organisations in different industries. The survey included eight items about the impact of digitisation on organisational performance in the area of procurement and supply chains; ten items related to key barriers to digitisation of organisations and ways to overcome them; and seven items about enabling technologies to leverage procurement procedures and processes digitisation. All of these items utilised the Likert five-point level of agreement scale. Findings The findings indicate that digitisation of procurement process can yield several benefits including: supporting daily business and administrative tasks, supporting complex decision-making processes, procurement will become more focussed on strategic decisions and activities, procurement will become a strategic interface to support organisational efficiency, effectiveness, and profitability, and supporting the creation of new business models, products, and services. The authors were also able to confirm that there are barriers to digitising procurement process and supply chains and such barriers found in existing procedures, processes, capacities, and capabilities. Finally, the significance of a number of enabling technologies to the digitisation process was revealed. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study of its kind with participants located world-wide. Industry 4.0 as a topic had been explored within different business areas and functions but very limited research specifically explored potential impact, barriers, and enabling technologies of procurement 4.0. The results can be beneficial for organisations already implemented Industry 4.0 or planning to do so. The study can also benefit academic scholars interested in the researched topic, business professionals, organisations within different sectors, and any other party interested in understanding more the concept of procurement 4.0.

Is there anything special about lesson study in special schools?

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 301-316
Author(s):  
Sarah Seleznyov ◽  
Amelia Roberts ◽  
Rachel Walker ◽  
Sarah Watson ◽  
Melanie Hogan
Keyword(s):  
Lesson Study ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
School Leaders ◽  
Special School ◽  
Special Schools ◽  
Mainstream Teachers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

PurposeJapanese lesson study (LS) is a professional development (PD) approach in which teachers collaboratively plan a lesson, observe it being taught and then discuss what they have learned. LS's popularity as an approach to teacher PD in the UK is growing, and it is used in both special and mainstream settings. This study explores whether LS is perceived and operationalized in the same way across special and mainstream settings.Design/methodology/approachThis study arose as a result of collaboration between UCL Institute of Education academics (principle investigators) and three special school leaders using LS in their own schools (practitioner co-investigators), who together formed the research team. The team first explored the literature base for LS in special education. They then investigated special and mainstream schools using LS for teacher PD. Research tools included semi-structured interviews and an online survey. Participants were obtained through opportunistic sampling via the networks of schools available to the researchers.FindingsThere were several key differences between LS in special and mainstream settings. Special teachers felt LS had a more positive impact on subject knowledge than mainstream teachers, and this impact extended to support staff. Special teachers were more likely to carry out multiple research cycles than mainstream colleagues and to quickly build LS into the existing timetable. Mainstream teachers focused on individual pupils in LS to seek learning about pedagogy more generally, whereas general learning about pedagogy was seen as a secondary benefit to special teachers.Research limitations/implicationsOne of the limitations of the research is that participants are more positively inclined toward LS than the general population of their school, since those not interested in LS would be unlikely to take the time to engage with the research. It will be important to conduct more research into the use of LS in mainstream schools, as this study is one of very few exploring LS in this special context.Practical implicationsThe ease with which special schools can align LS to current practice due to greater flexibility of timetables and larger staff teams seems to result in a greater appreciation and “valuing” of the process in mainstream schools, where teachers seemed to feel their senior leadership teams had gone to extra lengths to enable LS to happen. LS seems to offer a framework within which senior leaders can prioritize such learning experiences for teachers, leading to positive benefits for pupils, teachers and the school, and is therefore a process worth considering both for special and mainstream school leaders.Originality/valueThe literature review found a limited number of studies of LS in a special educational needs and disability (SEND) context, all of which took place in the UK and focused on the impact of teacher participation in LS on teacher practice and pupil learning. All three studies show a positive impact and suggest that LS might have wider applications for both special schools and mainstream schools supporting SEND pupils. There has been no exploration of the different ways in which mainstream and special school teachers and pupils might experience or construct LS in their own contexts.

scholarly journals O22 Evaluating the impact of COVID-19 on patient access to rheumatology services, medication and future care: a nationwide study of more than 2,000 patients

Rheumatology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 60 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Wincup ◽  
Raj Amarnani ◽  
Ian Giles
Keyword(s):  
Drug Monitoring ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
British Society ◽  
National Study ◽  
Telephone Consultation ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Future Care ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background/Aims  COVID-19 has had significant impacts upon the delivery of rheumatology care in the UK. To date, there is little data specifically addressing how care has been disrupted and the impact upon patient attitudes and beliefs. Herein, we describe the results of a national study investigating how COVID-19 has; (1) reduced access to services; (2) altered treatment and drug monitoring; (3) impacted on clinic follow-up; (4) changed patient beliefs regarding ongoing/future care. Methods  We conducted an online survey of patients attending rheumatology clinics in the UK. Questions were developed by clinicians with input from patient charities and four expert patients. The survey was hosted online between 8 September and 8 October 2020. Results  In total, 2,054 patients completed the survey and the average number of rheumatic conditions each patient reported was 1.98±1.38 with the most common being; rheumatoid arthritis (48%), lupus (20%), Sjogren’s syndrome (19%), fibromyalgia (15%) and vasculitis (8%). More than half (57%) were told to shield, whilst 10% decided to shield of their own accord. Compared with before the pandemic, 57% felt it was difficult/very difficult to contact their rheumatologist. Regarding treatment, 15% reported difficulty obtaining their usual medication. Less than half (45%) of patients continued medication as previously and had no problem accessing it, although 21% said their usual drug monitoring had been discontinued. Overall, 3% stopped their treatment of their own accord. In all, 26% said their appointments in rheumatology clinics had been cancelled and they did not know when they would be seen again (4% reported no change in their outpatient follow-up). Prior to the pandemic, 13% of patients had received a telephone consultation, however, since the pandemic 60% had received one. Just 19% felt it was easy to be honest with their clinician via telephone. Only 33% were satisfied with the current level of care, 43% reported their rheumatology care was worse than pre-pandemic and 38% of patients felt they needed to see their rheumatologist but could not get an appointment. Over half (57%) of patients expressed worries about their future care. If offered an appointment in the next few months 66% said they would prefer it be face-to-face. Conclusion  To our knowledge, this study is the largest survey of patient experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic under rheumatological care anywhere in the world. We found more than half of patients were told to shield and one-in-ten decided to shield without being directly told to do so. Less than half of patients maintained relatively good access to their usual medication without necessary monitoring in many cases. In particular, patients express high levels of concern about their future care. These high levels of disruption indicate the importance of maintaining routine rheumatology services during the ongoing pandemic. Disclosure  C. Wincup: Grants/research support; CW has received research funding from Versus Arthritis, LUPUS UK and the British Society for Rheumatology. R. Amarnani: None. I. Giles: None.

scholarly journals Food tourism: opportunities for SMEs through diaspora marketing?

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Bowen
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Local Economy ◽  
Entrepreneurial Activity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Food Tourism ◽  
Food And Drink ◽  
Diaspora Networks ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to investigate the impact of the diaspora effect on food tourism. Focussing on the nexus of diaspora marketing, entrepreneurship and food tourism, this paper seeks to explore opportunities for food and drink small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to engage in food tourism activities through diaspora marketing.Design/methodology/approachAs an investigation of an under-researched concept, this research uses mixed methods to develop a deeper understanding of diaspora effects on food tourism. This includes an online survey of 169 food producers, with 37 follow-up interviews. Research was conducted with food producing SMEs in Wales and Brittany, two culturally and geographically similar places, where both the food and drink and tourism industries are significant parts of the local economy.FindingsTwo avenues for diaspora tourism are apparent, either through engaging with diaspora networks, such as expatriate networks located outside the country of origin, or through the reverse diaspora effect, of visitors experiencing products and then seeking to purchase them once returned to their countries. Both approaches depend on the ability for the food producer to sell their products to international buyers, as well as ensuring that international buyers had sufficient awareness of the products, which also links to a positive reputation for food.Originality/valueThe paper aims to take a novel approach to the impact of diasporas on food tourism by considering the entrepreneurial activity of businesses in developing opportunities for food tourism through diaspora marketing. Distinctions are made from existing research by studying diaspora tourism from the business perspective.

scholarly journals The impact of positive emotional experiences on eWOM generation and loyalty

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 142-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antoni Serra-Cantallops ◽  
José Ramon-Cardona ◽  
Fabiana Salvi
Keyword(s):  
Customer Satisfaction ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Hotel Industry ◽  
Emotional Experiences ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Brand Reputation ◽  
Company Reputation ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Positive Effect

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the role that positive emotional experiences play in the generation of electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) and the influence both variables have, together with customer satisfaction and brand reputation, on customer loyalty in the context of hospitality services. Design/methodology/approach An online survey has been conducted including customers of an important hotel chain in the holiday up-market segment. The study sample is composed of 878 customers from Germany and the UK. The model has been tested using partial least squares technique. Findings Results indicate that positive emotional experiences have a positive effect on satisfaction, eWOM generation and company reputation. This study identifies the provision of emotional experiences as a powerful generator of positive eWOM in the hospitality context and it states that customer satisfaction, in itself, does not guarantee positive eWOM generation. Practical implications Designing unique, tailor-made, memorable experiences can become a key element to increase loyalty and, particularly, to foster the generation of recommendations, that is positive eWOM, in the hotel industry. Originality/value The study makes a contribution on the antecedents of customer satisfaction, eWOM engagement and loyalty in the specific context of hotel services.

Post-PhD researchers’ experiences: an emotionally rocky road

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabelle Skakni ◽  
Lynn McAlpine
Keyword(s):  
Identity Development ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Early Career ◽  
Alternative View ◽  
Work Experiences ◽  
Negative Experiences ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This study aims to examine how post-PhD researchers construct their identities through significant work experiences as they endeavour to develop their research independence and a distinct scholarly profile. The authors were especially interested in how they made meaning of their important work experiences, the ones that were emotionally salient. Design/methodology/approach Using a narrative approach, the analysis was conducted on a data subset from a large cross-national mixed-methods research project about early-career researchers’ identity development. The sample included 71 post-PhD researchers from the UK who completed an online survey. Ten of whom were also interviewed through a semi-structured protocol. Findings Post-PhD researchers considered work experiences to be significant when those experiences helped them to gauge whether their self-representation as researchers was coherent and a further research career was practicable. The same type of significant event (e.g. publishing in a prestigious journal) could hold different meanings depending on who experienced it. Positive experiences helped to maintain their motivation and made them feel that they were consolidating their identities. Negative experiences tended to challenge their sense of identity and their sense of belonging to academia. Whereas positive feelings towards a significant experience appeared to persist over time, negative feelings seemed to fade or evolve through self-reflection, but ultimately had greater saliency. Originality/value Few previous studies have been conducted on how emotionally powerful work experiences influence post-PhD researchers’ identity development. Besides highlighting how emotions and feelings, often-neglected aspects of identity development, influence the process, this study offers a constructive – and, in some ways, alternative – view of the impact that negative experiences have on their identity development.

scholarly journals Experiences and impact of international medical volunteering: a multi-country mixed methods study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. e041599 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary McCauley ◽  
Joanna Raven ◽  
Nynke van den Broek
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
International Medical ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Use Of Resources ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Medical Volunteers ◽  
The Impact

ObjectiveTo assess the experience and impact of medical volunteers who facilitated training workshops for healthcare providers in maternal and newborn emergency care in 13 countries.SettingsBangladesh, Ghana, India, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, UK and Zimbabwe.ParticipantsMedical volunteers from the UK (n=162) and from low-income and middle-income countries (LMIC) (n=138).Outcome measuresExpectations, experience, views, personal and professional impact of the experience of volunteering on medical volunteers based in the UK and in LMIC.ResultsUK-based medical volunteers (n=38) were interviewed using focus group discussions (n=12) and key informant interviews (n=26). 262 volunteers (UK-based n=124 (47.3%), and LMIC-based n=138 (52.7%)) responded to the online survey (62% response rate), covering 506 volunteering episodes. UK-based medical volunteers were motivated by altruism, and perceived volunteering as a valuable opportunity to develop their skills in leadership, teaching and communication, skills reported to be transferable to their home workplace. Medical volunteers based in the UK and in LMIC (n=244) reported increased confidence (98%, n=239); improved teamwork (95%, n=232); strengthened leadership skills (90%, n=220); and reported that volunteering had a positive impact for the host country (96%, n=234) and healthcare providers trained (99%, n=241); formed sustainable partnerships (97%, n=237); promoted multidisciplinary team working (98%, n=239); and was a good use of resources (98%, n=239). Medical volunteers based in LMIC reported higher satisfaction scores than those from the UK with regards to impact on personal and professional development.ConclusionHealthcare providers from the UK and LMIC are highly motivated to volunteer to increase local healthcare providers’ knowledge and skills in low-resource settings. Further research is necessary to understand the experiences of local partners and communities regarding how the impact of international medical volunteering can be mutually beneficial and sustainable with measurable outcomes.

scholarly journals How is the COVID-19 lockdown impacting the mental health of parents of school-age children in the UK? A cross-sectional online survey

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. e043397
Author(s):  
Austen El-Osta ◽  
Aos Alaa ◽  
Iman Webber ◽  
Eva Riboli Sasco ◽  
Emmanouil Bagkeris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
School Age Children ◽  
School Age ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

ObjectiveInvestigate the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on feelings of loneliness and social isolation in parents of school-age children.DesignCross-sectional online survey of parents of primary and secondary school-age children.SettingCommunity setting.Participants1214 parents of school-age children in the UK.MethodsAn online survey explored the impact of lockdown on the mental health of parents with school-age children, and in particular about feelings of social isolation and loneliness. Associations between the UCLA Three-Item Loneliness Scale (UCLATILS), the Direct Measure of Loneliness (DMOL) and the characteristics of the study participants were assessed using ordinal logistic regression models.Main outcome measuresSelf-reported measures of social isolation and loneliness using UCLATILS and DMOL.ResultsHalf of respondents felt they lacked companionship, 45% had feelings of being left out, 58% felt isolated and 46% felt lonely during the first 100 days of lockdown. The factors that were associated with higher levels of loneliness on UCLATILS were female gender, parenting a child with special needs, lack of a dedicated space for distance learning, disruption of sleep patterns and low levels of physical activity during the lockdown. Factors associated with a higher DMOL were female gender, single parenting, parenting a child with special needs, unemployment, low physical activity, lack of a dedicated study space and disruption of sleep patterns during the lockdown.ConclusionsThe COVID-19 lockdown has increased feelings of social isolation and loneliness among parents of school-age children. The sustained adoption of two modifiable health-seeking lifestyle behaviours (increased levels of physical activity and the maintenance of good sleep hygiene practices) wmay help reduce feelings of social isolation and loneliness during lockdown.

scholarly journals Impact of COVID-19 pandemic social restriction measures on people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases in the UK: a mixed-methods study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. e048772
Author(s):  
Toby O Smith ◽  
Pippa Belderson ◽  
Jack R Dainty ◽  
Linda Birt ◽  
Karen Durrant ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Musculoskeletal Diseases ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Healthcare Provision ◽  
Social Restriction ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

ObjectivesTo determine the impact of COVID-19 pandemic social restriction measures on people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) and to explore how people adapted to these measures over time.DesignMixed-methods investigation comprising a national online longitudinal survey and embedded qualitative study.SettingUK online survey and interviews with community-dwelling individuals in the East of England.ParticipantsPeople in the UK with RMDs were invited to participate in an online survey. A subsection of respondents were invited to participate in the embedded qualitative study.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe online survey, completed fortnightly over 10 weeks from April 2020 to August 2020, investigated changes in symptoms, social isolation and loneliness, resilience and optimism. Qualitative interviews were undertaken assessing participant’s perspectives on changes in symptoms, exercising, managing instrumental tasks such a shopping, medication and treatment regimens and how they experienced changes in their social networks.Results703 people with RMDs completed the online survey. These people frequently reported a deterioration in symptoms as a result of COVID-19 pandemic social restrictions (52% reported increase vs 6% reported a decrease). This was significantly worse for those aged 18–60 years compared with older participants (p=0.017). The qualitative findings from 26 individuals with RMDs suggest that the greatest change in daily life was experienced by those in employment. Although some retired people reported reduced opportunity for exercise outside their homes, they did not face the many competing demands experienced by employed people and people with children at home.ConclusionsPeople with RMDs reported a deterioration in symptoms when COVID-19 pandemic social restriction measures were enforced. This was worse for working-aged people. Consideration of this at-risk group, specifically for the promotion of physical activity, changing home-working practices and awareness of healthcare provision is important, as social restrictions continue in the UK.

scholarly journals The impact of sitting time and physical activity on mental health during COVID-19 lockdown

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Pears ◽  
Susanna Kola-Palmer ◽  
Liane Beretta De Azevedo
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Depression Score ◽  
Sitting Time ◽  
Multiple Stepwise Regression Analysis ◽  
Previous Diagnosis ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objective The primary aim of this study was to investigate the association between physical activity (PA) and sitting time on adults’ mental health (i.e., depression, anxiety and wellbeing) and the influence of mediators and confounders. Methods An online survey was disseminated in the UK between May and June 2020. A total of 284 participants (33.5 ± 12.4 years) self-reported their PA, sitting time and mental health through validated questionnaires. Results Multiple stepwise regression analysis revealed that being of younger age, female, on a lower income, with one or more comorbid health conditions, with a previous diagnosis of mood disorder and increased sitting time independently correlated with higher depression scores (F (13,219) = 12.31, p < 0.001), and explained 42% of the variance. Similar results were found for wellbeing where socio-demographic, health outcomes and sitting time influenced the subjective wellbeing (F (14,218) = 5.77, p < 0.001, 27% variance), although only socio-demographic and health outcomes contributed to the variation in anxiety score (F (13,219) = 7.84, p < 0.001, 32% variance). PA did not explain variation when sitting time was taken into account in any of the models. Combined analysis revealed that participants with lower sedentary time (< 8 h) and with both low or moderate and high PA presented a significantly lower depression score [low PA: (B = −2.7, 95% CI −4.88, −0.52); moderate and high PA (B = −2.7, −4.88, −0.52)]. Conclusion Sitting time was strongly associated with adverse mental health during COVID-19 lockdown and should be considered in future public health recommendations.

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