Systemic corruption and public procurement in developing countries: are there any solutions?

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 131-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sope Williams-Elegbe
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Public Procurement ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Asymmetry Of Information ◽  
Culture Of Silence ◽  
Systemic Corruption

Purpose Corruption affects development and quality of life of citizens in affected countries. The increase in anti-corruption measures globally reflects a consensus that corruption is pervasive and costly. Public procurement is one area in which corruption manifests because of the sums of money involved; the asymmetry of information; and the bureaucratic nature of decision-making, which presents opportunities for abuse. In developing countries, procurement corruption is rife because of institutional weaknesses, lack of enforced accountability mechanisms and culture of silence in relation to public sector malfeasance. Design/methodology/approach This paper examines procurement corruption in countries with systemic corruption, using Nigeria as a case study, to determine how to reduce public procurement corruption. Findings The paper will highlight prevalent corrupt schemes in public procurement in Nigeria, examine the reasons for the failure of state anti-corruption institutions and analyze the kinds of initiatives that reduced procurement corruption and increased accountability in other countries and the utility of adopting such mechanisms in the Nigerian context.

Who is a “Senior”? Looking for a definition in the healthcare system

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Consolandi
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Healthcare System ◽  
Health Care System ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Social Role ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Core ◽  
Starting Point

Purpose Seniors are nowadays at the core of important reflections to understand both how to ensure them a proper quality of life and better recognize their social role, providing them services and proper health care to value them as persons and resources. This paper aims to find a through definition about who is a senior, in the author’s opinion the starting point to help them flourishing. Design/methodology/approach As an example of definitions, an online dictionary and two geriatric text-books are quoted, highlighting qualities and rights referred to seniors especially in the delicate context of the health-care system. Findings The lack of a commonly shared perspective on this delicate kind of patient entails the difficulty to reach a coherent and satisfying definition about who a senior is. Originality/value The lack of a commonly shared definition leads to inevitable misunderstandings and could explain the arduousness of considering seniors in all their aspects. Further investigations are suggested.

Commentary on “The experiences of older carers of people with learning disabilities: ‘I just carry on with it’”

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-62
Author(s):  
Jan Sunman
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Learning Disabilities ◽  
Lived Experiences ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Voice

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a commentary on the article by Rachel Forrester-Jones on the experiences of older carers of people with learning disabilities. Design/methodology/approach The commentary reflects on the themes identified in the original article, comparing its findings to the lived experiences of those taking part in older carers’ projects in Oxfordshire, England. Findings Similar broad themes were identified in both samples. Given these findings, the extent to which matters have changed, since the Valuing People work on older carers is considered. Originality/value The paper discusses policy and practice implications to improve the quality of life of older carers and their families and explores how the voice of older carers can be strengthened to enable them to shape practice and policy.

Retirement and organizations: perspectives and challenges for both workers and human resource management

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Diogo Henrique Helal ◽  
Cleverson Vasconcelos da Nóbrega ◽  
Tatiana Aguiar Porfírio de Lima
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Resource Management ◽  
Human Resource Management ◽  
Human Resource ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Theoretical Framework ◽  
Content Type

Purpose This paper aims to reflect on retirement, showing its different viewpoints, advocating the need to understand the issue from a procedural and multidimensional perspective, and especially, defending a more active role of human resource management in the process. Design/methodology/approach This paper presents a theoretical framework of retirement, based on a procedural and multidimensional perspective. Findings To study how individuals adapt to retirement permits the discovery, for example, of how they obtain the quality of life after the transition and how they manage the internal and external aspects of the process. Human resource management must treat retirement as a complex and multidimensional phenomenon. This means it should consider retirement not only as a decision but also as a process. Originality/value This essay seeks to reflect on retirement, advocating the need to understand the issue from a procedural and multidimensional perspective, and especially, defending a more active role of human resource management in the process.

Impact of AI regulation on intention to use robots

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 97-114
Author(s):  
Sheshadri Chatterjee
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Regulatory Control ◽  
Control Beliefs ◽  
Intention To Use ◽  
Content Type ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors influencing the citizens to use robots that would improve the quality of life of the citizens. Design/methodology/approach With the help of different adoption theories and models and with the support of background studies, some hypotheses have been formulated and a conceptual model has been developed with the consideration of the impact of artificial intelligence regulation (IAR) that controls the use of robots as a moderator. The model has been validated and the hypotheses have been tested by statistical analysis with the help of survey works involving consideration of feedbacks from 503 usable respondents. Findings The study reveals that the use of robots by the citizens would appreciably increase if government imposes strict artificial intelligence (AI) regulatory control concerning the use of robots, and in that case, it appears that the use of robots would improve the quality of life of the citizens. Research limitations/implications The duly validated model would help the authority to appropriately nurse and nurture the factors such as ethical dilemma, perceived risks and control beliefs for enhancing the intention of the citizens to use robots for many purposes including domestic usage in the context of appropriate restrictions imposed through AI regulation. Such use of robots would eventually improve the quality of life. Originality/value There are a few studies covering analysis of IAR as a moderator on the linkages of the predictors with the intention of the citizens to use robots. In this context, this study is claimed to have offered a novel contribution.

scholarly journals Commentary on “Thinking differently? Autism and quality of life”

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 77-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krysia Emily Waldock
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Learning Disability ◽  
Participatory Research ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Life Experience ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Autistic People ◽  
Thinking Differently ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe the possible impact of normalisation on the perceptions of quality of life (QoL) and the impact of this association on the research to date. This commentary reflects on the implications of limiting QoL research to autistic people who are perceived to be “more able”. Design/methodology/approach This commentary discusses the implications of undertaking QoL research in the field of autism. Findings This commentary argues for further consideration of the autistic voice in QoL research. Researcher epistemology and life experience, including experience of autistic people, is examined in terms of how QoL might be perceived and attributed. Further participatory research in the field of quality of life of autistic people, including those with a learning disability and engagement with a variety of autistic people, is called for. Originality/value This commentary suggests that the existing definitions of QoL, founded on principles of normalisation, may not be completely applicable to autistic people, and that new ways of both defining and measuring QoL might be needed.

Assessing residents’ perceptions of urban placemaking prior to hosting a major cultural event

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Wise ◽  
Jelena Đurkin Badurina ◽  
Marko Perić
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Local Quality ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Level Of Agreement

PurposeMore research is needed to consider residents’ perceptions prior to hosting large-scale events. This paper contributes new insight on residents’ perceptions of placemaking analysed by considering awareness, enthusiasm and participation prior to hosting a large-scale event. Placemaking is becoming increasingly important and this insight can help planners understand how locals perceive change and event planning preparations.Design/methodology/approach454 residents of Rijeka, Croatia completed a survey (seven-point Likert scale) of 17 placemaking principles, asked in three ways: (1) how you feel; (2) how you believe people near you feel and (3) if you feel that planning/preparing for ECoC 2020 has made a difference. The data analysis considers socio-demographics and the significance of awareness, enthusiasm and participation as factors affecting residents’ perceptions of placemaking.FindingsThe study found respondents originally from Rijeka expressed statistically significant higher level of agreement. Where statistically significant differences exist, female respondents expressed statistically significant higher levels of agreement. For six statements, the distribution of results was not similar for all age groups. Awareness and enthusiasm seems to influence placemaking principles to a greater extent than participation in this study, but all have proven to have statistically significant positive impacts on the placemaking principles assessed.Practical implicationsPlanners need to focus on effective promotional activities aimed at awareness and enhance enthusiasm to help increase perceptions of placemaking and increase local quality of life.Originality/valueexplores perceptions of “self” and “how others feel” by assessing principles of placemaking associated with the case of Rijeka. This allows researchers to explore understandings of how people perceive the attitudes of their fellow residents.

Whistleblowing: a three part view

2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 208-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. D. Francis ◽  
A. F. Armstrong ◽  
I Foxley
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Final Section ◽  
Democratic Process ◽  
Economic Prosperity ◽  
Extensive Experience ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Personal Benefit ◽  
Compare And Contrast

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide contrasting views on whistleblowing, and offers a three-fold view of whistleblowing. First, it gives some formal arguments. Second, it provides an account of whistleblowing from a whistle-blowers perspective. Third, it provides advice to potential whistle-blowers. Its main purpose is to outline the kinds of arguments in favour of whistleblowing, express some concerns and to provide advice in the form of suggestions. Design/methodology/approach – The initial two sections are provided to compare and contrast the academic and the practical consequences of deciding to blow the whistle. As such, it provides accounts that are meant to compare and contrast the two very different approaches. The final section gives suggestions for consideration for those contemplating blowing the whistle. Findings – The findings of this study are such that it is an argument rather then empirical data; notwithstanding, the perspectives that it brings to bear all point to the value of honesty, and its role as a justification for whistleblowing. Advice and suggestions stem from two rather different realms of discourse. The advice to prospective whistle-blowers is derived from extensive experience on the part of many. It is composed of both what questions to ask oneself, and what one must do to be self-protective. Originality/value – It is argued that corruption has little to commend it apart from the personal benefit of the corrupt acquisition of wealth, whereas openness and honesty appear to be a self-sustaining enterprise. Whistleblowing both enhances the quality of life in that it sustains the democratic process, and may well be related to economic prosperity. In all of this, the merit of transparency is basic.

Experiences and problems with hygiene masks reported by Japanese hay fever sufferers

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 262-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mika Morishima ◽  
Koya Kishida ◽  
Takashi Uozumi ◽  
Masayoshi Kamijo
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
University Students ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Hay Fever ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Technical Data ◽  
Japanese University ◽  
Holistic Perspective

Purpose – In Japan, one of the countermeasures used to avoid the symptoms of hay fever (HF) is a hygiene mask; however, a mask can cause discomfort. The authors believe that co-occurrence analysis, which has been widely in the sciences, will be valuable to this issue. The purpose of this paper is to identify problems associated with the use of hygiene masks and recommend improvements in their function and comfort. The goal of this study was to obtain information for the development of effective hygiene masks for HF sufferers and therefore, improve their quality of life. Design/methodology/approach – The authors conducted a survey of university students with HF (n=1,519) to identify problems with hygiene masks. Students completed self-report questionnaires and co-occurrence analyses were used to examine the data from a holistic perspective. Moreover, technical data, relative to the problems of wearing a mask were acquired experimentally using thermal, hygroscopic, and airflow properties. Findings – Among Japanese university students, hygiene masks were the most popular countermeasure against HF symptoms. In addition, it was found that wearing a mask was not influenced of the type of symptoms. Most problems were related to the masks’ thermal, hygroscopic, and airflow properties. Originality/value – The paper proposed the use of co-occurrence analysis to analyze problems with hygiene masks. Most problems appear to be related to the thermal, hygroscopic, and airflow properties of the masks. Moreover, such phenomena have been experimentally demonstrated.

Misunderstandings about older people fuel corona virus complacency

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 269-272
Author(s):  
Ellery Altshuler
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Older People ◽  
Economic Impact ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Public Response ◽  
The Public ◽  
Personal Experiences

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore public assumptions underlying the apparent disregard for the lives of older people during the coronavirus outbreak. It attempts to dispel myths about quality of life among older people. Design/methodology/approach This paper integrates the author’s personal experiences as a doctor with data collection, which involved general PubMed searches for articles relating to the public response to the effect of coronavirus on older people; beliefs about the lives of older people; and issues of happiness, contentedness and quality of life in older people. Findings Some people have concluded that the lives of older people – which they believe to be of low quality – are worth risking to lessen the economic impact of coronavirus. This morbid calculation is based in part on the assumption that older people are less happy than younger people. In fact, the evidence shows that as people get older, they become significantly happier. Originality/value This paper asks readers to explore their assumptions about ageing and reaffirms the importance of protecting older people in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

The impact of corruption on sport demand

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlo Amenta ◽  
Paolo Di Betta
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Negative Externalities ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Log Linear ◽  
Systemic Corruption ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe article presents an empirical analysis that evaluates the effects of a systemic corruption scandal on the demand in the short and the long run. In 2006, the Calciopoli scandal uncovered the match rigging in the Italian soccer first division. The exemplary sportive sanction of relegating the primary culprit to the second division imposed further negative externalities on the other clubs. Should we prefer the sportive sanction on the team or the monetary fines for the club?Design/methodology/approachWe estimated two log-linear models of the demand side (stadium attendance) using a fixed effect estimator, on two panel data set made of all the Italian soccer clubs in the first and second division (Serie A and Serie B) for the seasons 2004/2005 to 2009/2010, considering the relegation of the Juventus as the event which impacted the demand for soccer.FindingsRelegating Juventus to Serie B caused an immediate decrease of 18.4% in the attendance for all the teams, both in Serie A and in Serie B, for the three seasons considered, and 1% decrease when all the seasons are considered to measure the fallout of the scandal on the fans' disaffection.Originality/valueThe effect of corruption in sport on demand is an important issue, and there are few studies already published. As for sports economics and management, our results are of interest for sport-governing bodies – as a case study that can help in designing a more effective sanctioning system to prevent corruption episodes.

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