Commercial property retrofitting

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 443-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim Dixon
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Commercial Property ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Uk ◽  
New Research ◽  
Measurement Verification

Purpose – Progress in retrofitting the UK's commercial properties continues to be slow and fragmented. New research from the UK and USA suggests that radical changes are needed to drive large-scale retrofitting, and that new and innovative models of financing can create new opportunities. The purpose of this paper is to offer insights into the terminology of retrofit and the changes in UK policy and practice that are needed to scale up activity in the sector. Design/methodology/approach – The paper reviews and synthesises key published research into commercial property retrofitting in the UK and USA and also draws on policy and practice from the EU and Australia. Findings – The paper provides a definition of “retrofit”, and compares and contrasts this with “refurbishment” and “renovation” in an international context. The paper summarises key findings from recent research and suggests that there are a number of policy and practice measures which need to be implemented in the UK for commercial retrofitting to succeed at scale. These include improved funding vehicles for retrofit; better transparency in actual energy performance; and consistency in measurement, verification and assessment standards. Practical implications – Policy and practice in the UK needs to change if large-scale commercial property retrofit is to be rolled out successfully. This requires mandatory legislation underpinned by incentives and penalties for non-compliance. Originality/value – This paper synthesises recent research to provide a set of policy and practice recommendations which draw on international experience, and can assist on implementation in the UK.

Everyday vulnerabilities – money laundering through cash intensive businesses

2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 293-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Gilmour ◽  
Nick Ridley
Keyword(s):  
Money Laundering ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Law Enforcement Agencies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Preventative Measures ◽  
Policies And Procedures ◽  
Significant Research ◽  
The Uk ◽  
New Research ◽  
Global Financial System

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an understanding of the specific techniques through which illicit funds generated by criminals are moved, transferred and laundered in the financial arrangement retained by cash-intensive businesses in the UK and internationally. Design/methodology/approach – This paper presents exploratory findings from research conducted between 2011 and 2013 in the UK. The research undertaken sought to identify the process, steps and vulnerabilities behind money laundering via cash-intensive businesses and highlight the explicit facilitators to enable this method of money laundering to take place. Findings – Despite significant research into money laundering typologies, the use of cash couriers and cash-intensive businesses has remained largely untouched regardless of the increased implementation of anti-money laundering (AML) policies and procedures seeking to halt the depositing of illicit cash into the global financial system. This paper demonstrates how cash-intensive businesses are extremely vulnerable to money laundering, despite the large-scale AML efforts focused on combating money laundering across a broad range of sectors. Research limitations/implications – This paper is of value to government policymakers, regulators and financial institutions considering future preventative measures. It is also of value to financial investigators and law enforcement agencies intent on investigating money laundering. While the paper relies on data from the UK, the overall findings are such that wherever cash-intensive businesses exist, so too does the opportunity for money laundering through the financial arrangement retained by such businesses. Originality/value – This paper presents new research on the direct link existing between cash-intensive businesses and money laundering in the UK, despite significant research having previously taken place to identify and develop money laundering typologies.

scholarly journals Spiritual abuse in Christian faith settings: definition, policy and practice guidance

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 144-154
Author(s):  
Lisa Oakley ◽  
Kathryn Kinmond ◽  
Justin Humphreys
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Christian Faith ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Christian Church ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Spiritual Abuse ◽  
Initial Work ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Uk

Purpose A previous publication in this journal reported the findings of a 2013 survey into people’s experiences of membership of a Christian church in the UK (author citation removed for the purposes of review). A major finding of this survey was that many people said they had been “harmed” by their experience with some labelling it as “Spiritual Abuse” (SA). Respondents in the 2013 study also stressed the importance of developing safeguarding policy and practice in this area. The purpose of this paper is to explore the findings of a more extensive survey conducted in 2017 which aims to identify people’s understanding of SA some four years after the initial work and within a context of some discussion and uncertainty around the term itself. The study also aims to assess the current status of safeguarding policy and practice in SA perpetrated against individuals in the Christian church in the UK. A secondary aim of the study is to ascertain how far understandings, policy and practice have developed since the initial survey was conducted. It is emphasised that the authors do not assert that SA is perpetrated solely in the Christian church. However, as this is their personal religious background it is the focus of this work. Design/methodology/approach A mixed methods online survey of Christians, Church attendees and members of Christian organisations was conducted in 2017. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, inductive thematic and content analysis. Findings A clear definition of SA is required. There is an ongoing need to develop policy and practice in the area of SA in order to respond effectively to those who have these harmful experiences. Research limitations/implications This work has been conducted within the Christian faith community and thus, represents only this faith context. Accordingly, it is research with a specific group. The work would usefully be expanded to other faith contexts. Practical implications People are still being harmed by experiences in the Christian church. Safeguarding policy and practice in the area of spiritual abuse needs to be developed in the immediate future. Social implications Those working in statutory agencies, faith and community contexts need to develop an understanding of SA. Originality/value This is the largest survey conducted on the topic of SA in the Christian faith to date in the UK.

New conversations between old players? The relationship between general practice and social care

2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 42-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon Glasby ◽  
Robin Miller
Keyword(s):  
General Practice ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Uk ◽  
New Research ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose – With the advent of Clinical Commissioning Groups, the English health system has abolished more managerially led Primary Care Trusts and given greater responsibilities to groups of local general practitioners (GPs). As with all major changes, this brings both opportunities and risks, and the authors know relatively little about what impact this might have on relationships between the NHS and local government. Against this background, the purpose of this paper is to report key findings from a scoping review commissioned by the National Institute of Health Research School for Social Care Research in order to summarise learning from recent literature. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on a review of the literature on older people’s services and the relationship between general practice and adult social care, published in the UK from 2000 onwards. Findings – Despite the longstanding nature of the issues at stake, the review identified only nine relevant studies. These were of mixed quality, and tended to focus on lessons learned from the late 1990s/early 2000s rather than more recent reforms. Overall, these studies suggest similar barriers to those identified in previous policy contexts, and there is a strong sense of relationships starting from a low base (hence the title of our title of “new conversations between old players”). Research limitations/implications – This review is based on literature on older people’s services published since 2000 – so only provides a snapshot of the issues at stake. However, it confirms the relatively limited nature of the evidence base and the need for new research to help shape future policy and practice. Originality/value – Despite the central contribution of GPs, the authors still know relatively little about the relationship between general practice and adult social care. Reviewing previous literature (however, limited) is crucial to current attempts to develop more effective joint working at local level.

scholarly journals The importance of role sending in the sensemaking of change agent roles

2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (7) ◽  
pp. 1047-1064 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danielle A Tucker ◽  
Jane Hendy ◽  
James Barlow
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Change Agent ◽  
Change Agents ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Case Study Analysis ◽  
National Health Service Trust ◽  
Field Notes ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Five Phases

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate what happens when a lack of role-sending results in ambiguous change agent roles during a large scale organisational reconfiguration. The authors consider the role of sensemaking in resolving role ambiguity of middle manager change agents and the consequences of this for organisational restructuring. Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected from a case study analysis of significant organisational reconfiguration across a local National Health Service Trust in the UK. Data consists of 82 interviews, complemented by analysis of over 100 documents and field notes from 51 hours of observations collected over five phases covering a three year period before, during and after the reconfiguration. An inductive qualitative analysis revealed the sensemaking processes by which ambiguity in role definition was resolved. Findings – The data explains how change agents collectively make sense of a role in their own way, drawing on their own experiences and views as well as cues from other organisational members. The authors also identified the organisational outcomes which resulted from this freedom in sensemaking. This study demonstrates that by leaving too much flexibility in the definition of the role, agents developed their own sensemaking which was subsequently very difficult to manipulate. Practical implications – In creating new roles, management first needs to have a realistic vision of the task and roles that their agents will perform, and second, to communicate these expectations to both those responsible for recruiting these roles and to the agents themselves. Originality/value – Much of the focus in sensemaking research has been on the importance of change agents’ sensemaking of the change but there has been little focus on how change agents sensemake their own role in the change.

Blindingly obvious and frequently exploitable

2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Gilmour
Keyword(s):  
Money Laundering ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Law Enforcement Agencies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Preventative Measures ◽  
Policies And Procedures ◽  
Significant Research ◽  
The Uk ◽  
New Research ◽  
Global Financial System

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide an understanding of the openness and specific techniques through which illicit funds generated by criminals are moved, transferred and laundered in the financial arrangement retained using high-value portable commodities in the UK and internationally. Design/methodology/approach This paper presents exploratory findings from research conducted between 2011 and 2013 in the UK. The research undertaken sought to identify the process, steps and vulnerabilities behind money laundering via high-value portable commodities and highlight the explicit facilitators enabling this method of money laundering to take place. Findings Despite significant research into money laundering typologies, the use of high-value portable commodities has remained largely untouched regardless of the increased implementation of anti-money laundering policies and procedures seeking to halt the depositing of illicit cash into the global financial system. This paper demonstrates how high-value portable commodities are extremely vulnerable to money laundering despite the large-scale anti-money laundering efforts focused on combating money laundering across a broad range of sectors. Research limitations/implications This paper is of value to government policymakers, regulators and financial institutions considering future preventative measures. It is also of value to financial investigators and law enforcement agencies intent on investigating money laundering. While the paper relies on data from the UK, the overall findings are such that wherever high-value portable commodities are present, so too does the opportunity for money laundering through the financial arrangement retained by high-value portable commodities. Originality/value This paper presents new research on the direct link between high-value portable commodities and money laundering in the UK despite significant research having previously taken place to identify and develop money laundering typologies.

“There is still a perception that homelessness is a housing problem”: devolution, homelessness and health in the UK

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 33-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Whiteford ◽  
Glenn Simpson
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Homeless People ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Issue Salience ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Healthcare Provision ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Comparative Policy

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide an exploratory account of the links between devolution, homelessness and health in the UK. Specifically, it focusses on the policy context and governance structures that shape the systems of healthcare for homeless people in London, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Design/methodology/approach Empirically the paper draws on semi-structured interviews with a small sample of policy and practice actors from the devolved territories. Qualitative interviews were supplemented by a comparative policy analysis of the homelessness and health agenda within the devolved regions. Theoretically, it takes inspiration from Chaney’s concept of the “issue salience of homelessness” and explores the comparative character of healthcare as pertains to homeless people across the devolved territories. Findings The paper provides clear evidence of areas of divergence and convergence in policy and practice between the devolved regions. These features are shown to be strongly mediated by the interplay of two factors: first, the scope and scale of national and local homelessness prevention strategies; and second, intra-national variation in public health responses to homelessness. Originality/value The paper offers considerable insight from a comparative policy perspective into the nature of healthcare provision for homeless people in the devolved regions.

Application of eco-friendly natural dye obtained from Spathodea campanulata on silk using combination of mordants

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Kumaresan
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Potassium Dichromate ◽  
Ferrous Sulphate ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Natural Dye ◽  
Alkaline Media ◽  
Silk Fabric ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
New Research

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to extract the eco-friendly natural dye obtained from the flower of Spathodea campanulata and apply on silk fabric using combination of mordants. The fastness properties of the flower of Spathodea campanulata dyed silk fabric have been studied using different combination (1:3, 1:1 and 3:1) of various mordants, such as myrobolan: nickel sulphate, myrobolan: aluminium sulphate, myrobolan: potassium dichromate, myrobolan: ferrous sulphate and myrobolan: stannous chloride. The wash, rub, light and perspiration fastness of the dyed samples have been evaluated. Design/methodology/approach – For dyeing there are three methods are used. They are Pre mordanting, Simultaneous mordanting and Post mordanting methods. Dyed silk materials are tested by using wash fastness, rub fastness, light and perspiration fastness methods. Findings – It is found that Spathodea campanulata dye can be successfully used for the dyeing of silk to obtain a wide range colours by using various combinations of mordants. With regards to colour fastness, test samples exhibit excellent fastness to washing, rubbing, except for pre-mordanting using myrobolan: potassium dichromate combination; and good to excellent fastness to perspiration in both acidic and alkaline media. Originality/value – Availability of literature related to this work is not available. The study of combination of mordants of this natural dye on silk is a new research work and the large scale preparation is definitely very useful to the society.

Trust, efficacy and ethicacy when testing prisoners for COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Steve Lambert ◽  
Dean Wilkinson
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Current System ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Careful Consideration ◽  
Power Relationships ◽  
England And Wales ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Large Scale Testing ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The outbreak of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus and subsequent COVID-19 illness has had a major impact on all levels of society internationally. The extent of the impact of COVID-19 on prison staff and prisoners in England and Wales is unknown. Testing for COVID-19 both asymptomatic and symptomatic, as well as for antibodies, to date, has been minimal. The purpose of this paper is to explore the widespread testing of COVID-19 in prisons poses philosophical and ethical questions around trust, efficacy and ethicacy. Design/methodology/approach This paper is both descriptive, providing an overview of the widespread testing of COVID-19 in prisoners in England and Wales, and conceptual in that it discusses and argues the issues associated with large-scale testing. This paper provides a discussion, using comparative studies, of the issues associated with large-scale testing of prisoners across the prison estate in England and Wales (120 prisons). The issues identified in this paper are contextualised through the lens of COVID-19, but they are equally transferrable to epidemiological studies of any pandemic. Given the prevalence of COVID-19 globally and the lack of information about its spread in prisons, at the time of writing this paper, there is a programme of asymptomatic testing of prisoners. However, there remains a paucity of data on the spread of COVID-19 in prisons because of the progress with the ongoing testing programme. Findings The authors argue that the widespread testing of prisoners requires careful consideration of the details regarding who is included in testing, how consent is gained and how tests are administered. This paper outlines and argues the importance of considering the complex nuance of power relationships within the prison system, among prisoner officers, medical staff and prisoners and the detrimental consequences. Practical implications The widespread testing of COVID-19 presents ethical and practical challenges. Careful planning is required when considering the ethics of who should be included in COVID-19 testing, how consent will be gained, who and how tests will be administered and very practical challenges around the recording and assigning of COVID-19 test kits inside the prison. The current system for the general population requires scanning of barcodes and registration using a mobile number; these facilities are not permitted inside a prison. Originality/value This paper looks at the issues associated with mass testing of prisoners for COVID-19. According to the authors’ knowledge, there has not been any research that looks at the issues of testing either in the UK or internationally. The literature available details countries’ responses to the pandemic rather and scientific papers on the development of vaccines. Therefore, this paper is an original review of some of the practicalities that need to be addressed to ensure that testing can be as successful as possible.

scholarly journals Charting a course to an emerging field of 'research engagement studies': A conceptual meta-synthesis

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jude Fransman
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
International Development ◽  
Higher Education Policy ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Research Engagement ◽  
The Past ◽  
Narrow Definition ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Education Science

The past decades in the UK have witnessed renewed interest by policymakers, research funders and research institutions in the engagement of non-academic individuals, groups and organizations with research processes and products. There has been a broad consensus that better engagement leads to better impact, as well as significant learning around understanding engagement and improving practice. However, this sits in tension to a parallel trend in British higher education policy that reduces the field to a narrow definition of quantitatively measured impacts attributed to individual researchers, projects and institutions. In response, this article argues for the mobilization of an emerging field of 'research engagement studies' that brings together an extensive and diverse existing literature around understandings and experiences of engagement, and has the potential to contribute both strategically and conceptually to the broader impact debate. However, to inform this, some stocktaking is needed to trace the different traditions back to their conceptual roots and chart out a common set of themes, approaches and framings across the literature. In response, this article maps the literature by developing a genealogy of understandings of research engagement within five UK-based domains of policy and practice: higher education; science and technology; public policy (health, social care and education); international development; and community development. After identifying patterns and trends within and across these clusters, the article concludes by proposing a framework for comparing understandings of engagement, and uses this framework to highlight trends, gaps and ways forward for the emerging field.

scholarly journals Open-book accounting and trust: influence on buyer-supplier relationship

2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 597-621 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lara Cristina Francisco de Almeida Fehr ◽  
Welington Rocha
Keyword(s):  
Data Gathering ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Information Value ◽  
Open Book ◽  
Information Process ◽  
Content Type ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
New Research ◽  
Supplier Relationship

PurposeThis paper aims to discuss the role of open-book accounting (OBA) and trust on buyer–supplier relationship satisfaction. The objective of this paper is to analyze how OBA and trust influence satisfaction on the relationship between suppliers and buyers in the Brazilian automotive sector’s supply chain.Design/methodology/approachThe research has been developed based on a qualitative strategy, characterized as explanatory. Data gathering has been conducted through document analysis and semi-structured interview, and content analysis has been used for discourse analysis.FindingsResults show that OBA is unilateral, imposed by the auto manufacturer, representing a selective information process, as suppliers try to protect their information value as far as possible. Trust is partial and cooperation is not spontaneous, both driven by the search for benefits. OBA may yield a positive or a negative outcome with regard to the social and the economic overall satisfaction of suppliers, depending on how the information is used by auto manufacturer.Originality/valueThe main contribution of this article is to provide an understanding of the difficulties of applying the OBA in companies and of the factors that may influence its operation and performance, impacting on satisfaction and continuity of relationships. The paper also contributes with the proposal of a clearer and more objective definition of OBA. Being the intention that new research in this area can be developed from a delimited, clear and objective definition of OBA, allowing better understanding on the subject and comparison among research studies.

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