scholarly journals Repositioning the high street: evidence and reflection from the UK

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 364-379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steve Millington ◽  
Nikos Ntounis
Keyword(s):  
Good Practice ◽  
Knowledge Exchange ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Project Planning ◽  
Valuable Insight ◽  
Place Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Local Stakeholders ◽  
High Street ◽  
The Uk

Purpose Drawing on evidence from ten towns (across England, Wales and Northern Ireland) participating in the High Street UK 2020 (HSUK2020) project, the purpose of this paper is to reveal how local stakeholders involved in place management respond to high street decline through a strategy of repositioning. Design/methodology/approach This paper identifies the challenges faced by the towns considering repositioning, and highlights examples of good practice of relevance to the practitioners. First, it outlines the perspectives on repositioning from the academic research and theory, before drawing on evidence from across ten UK towns that participated in the HSUK2020 project, to reveal how repositioning involves more than just taking a snapshot profile of a place. Findings The research revealed major challenges faced by local stakeholders in clearly identifying and communicating their market position, in particular, the maintenance of up-to-date information on catchments was lacking at all the locations. Despite having local knowledge and some data, stakeholders still did not possess a clear (or shared) understanding of the identity or function of their towns. This evidence reflects the complexity of analysing and understanding repositioning and developing coherent strategies. Practical implications Knowledge exchange between stakeholders involved in place management can help inform the identification of new strategic objectives, appropriate interventions and project planning and delivery. Where resources are limited, particularly in smaller towns and settlements, the research demonstrates the significance of collecting and sharing data and analysis with other stakeholders, because this can generate positive outcomes for all. Originality value By offering empirical evidence based on the experience of local practitioners, this paper provides valuable insight into how town centre stakeholders collect, interpret and analyse data, revealing the challenges, opportunities and practicalities involved in developing and implementing repositioning strategies.

scholarly journals Improving the vitality and viability of the UK High Street by 2020

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 310-348 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cathy Parker ◽  
Nikos Ntounis ◽  
Steve Millington ◽  
Simon Quin ◽  
Fernando Rey Castillo-Villar
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Exchange ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Engaged Scholarship ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Academic Knowledge ◽  
High Street ◽  
Local Decision ◽  
Local Decision Making ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to document the results and the impact of the ESRC-funded High Street UK 2020 (HSUK2020), a project designed to take the existing academic knowledge relating to retail and high street change directly to UK High Streets, to improve local decision-making and, ultimately, their vitality and viability. Design/methodology/approach Through a systematic literature review, and by following the tenets of engaged scholarship, the authors identified 201 factors that influence the vitality and viability of town centres. Through the consensus-building Delphi technique, a panel of 20 retail experts identified the top 25 priorities for action. Findings Taking a place management approach led to the development of a more strategic framework for regeneration, which consisted of repositioning, reinventing, rebranding and restructuring strategies (4R’s of regeneration). Collaboration with the project towns resulted in identification of the strategy area that would add the most value, and the impact of the 4R’s and the top 25 priorities is demonstrated via numerous town examples. Originality/value Knowledge exchange projects, such as High Street UK2020, have an important contribution to make, not by developing even more theory that is unlikely to get utilised, instead their contribution is to bring existing theory into practical use.

scholarly journals Austerity and financial governance: a UK case study of the National Health Service

2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 212-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malcolm Prowle ◽  
Don Harradine
Keyword(s):  
Financial Management ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Executive Directors ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Financial Governance ◽  
Governance Process ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Finance Directors

Purpose – This research concerns the issue of financial governance within the UK NHS and aims to assess the effectiveness of existing financial governance arrangements in the main providers of health services in the UK. Also considered is the importance of good financial governance in a time of financial austerity. Design/methodology/approach – The primary research for this project was based on the use of a questionnaire to all finance directors in NHSTs in England supported by semi-structured interviews with: finance directors, non-executive directors, executive directors and senior finance staff. Findings – Among the main findings of the study were: certain financial management systems were not prioritised in line with what is seen as good practice; existing financial management systems were not always seen as adequate for the achievement of good financial governance; there was sometimes a lack of understanding of financial issues by non-executive directors; and the complexity of the NHS funding process often resulted in opaqueness of the financial risks. Research limitations/implications – The research is limited by the relatively small coverage of NHS trusts but this has been compensated for by a series of in-depth interviews with key stakeholders in the governance process. Practical implications – Weaknesses in financial governance could result in further scandals which result in loss of life and poor patient care. Originality/value – There are many papers on the issue of governance in the public sector in general and the NHS in particular. However, there is little published on the issue of financial governance in the NHS. Also of great value is the emphasis on strengthening financial governance in an era of austerity

scholarly journals Improving UK retail academic-practitioner research: insights from relationship marketing

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-19
Author(s):  
Nelson Blackley ◽  
Sheilagh Mary Resnick ◽  
Kim Cassidy
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Marketing ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Retail Sector ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Building Relationships ◽  
Research Relationship ◽  
Multiple Data ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Relationship Benefits

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the reasons for the continuing “gap” between UK retail academic research and practice. A relationship marketing (RM) lens, focussing on relationship antecedents, is used to develop a deeper understanding of the barriers to collaboration and propose new solutions to close the gap. Design/methodology/approach The paper adopts a qualitative methodology to compile the evidence, using multiple data sources to identify the dynamics of the retail academic-practitioner divide. Findings The research illustrates a marked absence of the majority of the customer focussed, seller focussed and dyadic antecedents, essential for effective relational exchanges, and highlights that at the heart of the problem lies a lack of shared understanding of mutual relationship benefits with academics currently neither motivated nor incentivised to develop such relationships. Research limitations/implications Further research is needed to explore what characterises a successful sustainable research relationship. There is also a pressing need to understand the experience, skills and knowledge of “boundary spanners” who operate successfully in both academic and business cultures. Practical implications Universities should adopt a strategic approach towards building relationships with retailers based upon relationship antecedents. Reward structures should be developed to encourage academics to develop research relationships. Resources should be allocated to better defining and communicating the benefits of a university research relationship with retailers. Originality/value There has been limited empirical research on the academic-practitioner gap within the context of the UK retail sector. The RM lens draws attention to new insights about barriers to successful relationships and generates concrete ideas for closing the gap moving forward.

At the heart of controversies

2019 ◽  
Vol 121 (12) ◽  
pp. 3151-3167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Virginie Amilien ◽  
Barbara Tocco ◽  
Paal Strandbakken
Keyword(s):  
Food Systems ◽  
Local Development ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Knowledge Exchange ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hybrid Forums ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Deliberative Processes ◽  
New Generation ◽  
Experimental Use

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss and evaluate the role of hybrid forums as tools to address specific controversies related to sustainable practices in localized agro-food systems (LAFS). Design/methodology/approach In contrast with other conventional public engagement methods, such as citizen juries, consensus conferences, focus groups or deliberative processes, hybrid forums entail a more dynamic and democratic mechanism to reflect and act together, with the aim of constructing a common project around a defined challenge (Callon et al., 2001, 2009). They can offer an enriching and challenging methodological approach in the context of LAFS, especially in the discussion of controversial issues around food chain sustainability. The authors present here a new generation of hybrid forums: HF 2.0. Findings HF 2.0. represent both a methodological tool and a real experience of dialogic democracy, two interactive aspects which are closely interlinked and rest upon each other. The authors argue that the attractiveness of HF 2.0. is notable in at least two ways: first, they provide a solid democratic and reflective mechanism to stimulate effective dialogue and knowledge-exchange among different stakeholders; second, they contribute as an important methodological evidence-based tool, which can be used as a launching pad for shaping local action groups and community partnerships’ strategies aimed at fostering local development. Originality/value This paper attempts to provide a methodological discussion over the experimental use of HF 2.0. in the context of LAFS and assesses their effectiveness in the co-construction of knowledge. The authors explore their pragmatic validity in addressing controversies over local and sustainable seafood via empirical applications in Norway and the UK.

scholarly journals Connections with nature for people living with dementia

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 142-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Chester Evans ◽  
Julie Barrett ◽  
Neil Mapes ◽  
June Hennell ◽  
Teresa Atkinson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Interaction ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Dementia Care ◽  
Care Homes ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Outdoor Spaces ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Extra Care Housing

Purpose The benefits of “green dementia care”, whereby people living with dementia are supported to connect with nature, are increasingly being recognised. Evidence suggests that these benefits span physical, emotional and social spheres and can make a significant contribution towards quality of life. However, care settings often present specific challenges to promoting such connections due to a range of factors including risk-averse cultures and environmental limitations. The purpose of this paper is to report on a project that aims to explore the opportunities, benefits, barriers and enablers to interaction with nature for people living with dementia in residential care and extra care housing schemes in the UK. Design/methodology/approach Data were gathered from 144 responses to an online survey by managers/staff of extra care housing schemes and care homes in the UK. In depth-case studies were carried out at three care homes and three extra care housing schemes, involving interviews with residents, staff and family carers. Findings A wide variety of nature-based activities were reported, both outdoor and indoor. Positive benefits reported included improved mood, higher levels of social interaction and increased motivation for residents, and greater job satisfaction for staff. The design and layout of indoor and outdoor spaces is key, in addition to staff who feel enabled to promote connections with nature. Research limitations/implications This paper is based on a relatively small research project in which the participants were self-selecting and therefore not necessarily representative. Practical implications The paper makes some key recommendations for good practice in green dementia care in extra care housing and care homes. Social implications Outdoor activities can promote social interaction for people living with dementia in care settings. The authors’ findings are relevant to the recent policy focus on social prescribing. Originality/value The paper makes some key recommendations for good practice in green dementia care in extra care housing and care homes.

Is there a commendable regime for combatting money laundering in international business transactions?

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Emerson Clarke
Keyword(s):  
International Business ◽  
Money Laundering ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
State Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Enforcement Mechanisms ◽  
The Uk

Purpose Money laundering and grand business corruption continue to plague the global economy, accounting for 2%-5% of the global gross domestic product. Illicit funds, produced through grand corruption, are laundered using complex layering schemes that cloak them in legitimacy by concealing their origins. Lamentably, weak anti-money laundering (AML) frameworks promote economic instability, unjust commercial advantages and organized crimes. This study aims to highlight the need for comprehensive anti-corruption and AML frameworks by critiquing the exploitable gaps in the global AML regime created by heterogeneous state-level AML regimes to date. Design/methodology/approach This study welcomes the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and the financial action task force (FATF) recommendations but underscores the limitations of their effectiveness by investigating state-level enforcement mechanisms to determine these instruments’ true impact or lack thereof. The mutual evaluation reports (MERs) and state-level AML regimes in the UK, the USA and Canada are analyzed to illustrate the distinct implementation of international soft law in domestic legislation. Findings This study finds that UNCAC and the FATF recommendations are pivotal steps towards the establishment of a global AML regime for international business, albeit, one that remains imperfect because of the inconsistency of state-level AML frameworks. Consequently, international cooperation is needed to navigate and improve the discrepancies in varied AML legislation. Originality/value The author provides an in-depth and balanced analysis of current state-level AML developments and relies upon the recent 2016-2018 MERs to indicate the successes and flaws of various AML legislation. Therefore, this critique may guide stakeholders to construct robust AML frameworks and contributes to academic research in AML.

The Australian accounting academic in the 1950s

2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin E. Persson ◽  
Christopher J. Napier
Keyword(s):  
Academic Research ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Accounting Research ◽  
Personal Connections ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The 1950S ◽  
Post War ◽  
The Uk

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the challenges faced by an Australian accounting academic, R. J. Chambers, in the 1950s, in breaking into the accounting research community, at that time, almost entirely located in the USA and the UK. For academics outside the networks of accounting research publication in these countries, there were significant, but not insurmountable obstacles to conducting and publishing accounting research. We examine how these obstacles could be overcome, using the notion of “trials of strength” to trace the efforts of Chambers in wrestling with intellectual issues arising from post-war inflation, acquiring accounting literature from abroad and publishing his endeavours. Design/methodology/approach – The article uses actor-network theory to provide an analytical structure for a “counter-narrative” history firmly grounded in the archives. Findings – Documents from the R. J. Chambers Archive at the University of Sydney form the empirical basis for a narrative that portrays accounting research as a diverse process driven as much by circumstances – such as geographical location, access to accounting literature and personal connections – as the merits of the intellectual arguments. Research limitations/implications – Although the historical details are specific to the case being studied, the article provides insights into the challenges faced by researchers on the outside of international research networks in achieving recognition and in participating in academic debates. Practical implications – The findings of this article can provide guidance and inspiration to accounting researchers attempting to participate in wider academic communities. Originality/value – The article uses documents from perhaps the most extensive archive relating to an individual accounting academic. It examines the process of academic research in accounting in terms of the material context in which such research takes place, whereas most discussions have focussed on the underlying ideas and concepts, abstracted from the context in which they emerge.

We are much more than watchdogs:

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 568-589 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danielle Morin ◽  
Mouna Hazgui
Keyword(s):  
A Priori ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Public Affairs ◽  
Discussion Groups ◽  
Apparent Paradox ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Organisational Identity ◽  
Agents Of Change ◽  
The Uk

Purpose Three decades ago, the National Audit Office (NAO) in the UK acquired the powers to evaluate the extent that the British Administration was managed with economy, efficiency and effectiveness. The NAO has since adopted a dual mission: to help Parliament hold government to account and to improve public service. This study aims to investigate value-for-money (VFM) auditors’ internalisation of a dual organisational identity: “obstructive” actions as representatives of a Supreme Audit Institution (SAI) and “enabling good practice”, induced by a will stated in the mission that the NAO authorities have adopted. Design/methodology/approach The organisational identity held and promoted by VFM auditors working at the NAO was explored in this research project. The authors specifically examined the understanding of those who claim to be serving both Parliament and organisations audited in their quest for performance improvement. The authors prompted the auditors to explain how they manage to reconcile these seemingly incompatible roles, namely, that of guardians and watchdogs who must publicly report gaps noted and that of assistants in government’s learning process. To this end, the authors conducted a field study at the NAO in September 2012 during which 21 auditors were interviewed individually and as part of two discussion groups. Findings The findings indicate that the auditors interviewed do not perceive a dichotomy in NAO’s double mission, which they believe to be congruent with their audience’s expectations. They draw meaning and usefulness from their role of monitoring the Administration if they believe they have contributed to improve public affairs management. In their view, the singular role of guardian no longer suffices. The authors conclude that VFM auditors’ recently acquired identity of “moderniser” reflects a self-efficacy expectation that prevents them from recognising the apparent paradox within their dual identity and that lets them fantasise about their real influence on the Administration. Research limitations/implications Admittedly, the limited number of auditors interviewed and who took part in discussion groups is not conducive to generalisation of the conclusions to all auditors in the NAO or to other SAIs. However, although modest in number, the auditor respondents have accumulated many years of VFM audit practice and have contributed to the production of many reports. The respondents could therefore rightfully speak of their work as VFM auditors and as representatives of an institution such as the NAO. Practical implications This study contributes to the debates about the place and role of SAIs in the control environment of Administrations. By soliciting testimonials from the actors working within the NAO, the authors could thus question certain a priori assumptions held by stakeholders in the political and administrative world for whom auditors are mere “watchdogs” of Administrations, and nothing more. Originality/value The dual mission that the NAO has adopted (similar to many other SAIs) has been formally and publicly stated. It was therefore worth investigating how experienced auditors such as those interviewed had internalised this mission. The authors argue that this dual mission, perhaps inspired by the managerialist culture that has shaped changes to the British Administration (and many other occidental Administrations) since the early 1980s and that is seemingly encouraged by Government, twists the legislator’s intentions, which are to consider SAIs’ auditors as guardians and watchdogs of Administrations, not as agents of change and improvement.

University-industry knowledge exchange

2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 471-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ludmila Striukova ◽  
Thierry Rayna
Keyword(s):  
Open Innovation ◽  
Knowledge Exchange ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Innovation Ecosystem ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Main Research ◽  
Data Saturation ◽  
Vice Chancellors ◽  
The Uk

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a better understanding of what Open Innovation means within university context. Focus is also put on the role universities believe they should play in Open Innovation, as well as the changes that might have arisen as a consequence of universities’ greater awareness of this concept. Design/methodology/approach – The research methodology used is an exploratory study based on in-depth semi-structured interviews of Pro-Vice-Chancellors (or equivalent level) of a variety of British universities. The study was designed around five main research themes: discourse, change, strategy, management, Open Innovation success. Findings – In addition to the traditional teaching, research and knowledge transfer roles of university, this study has uncovered a new role of universities: trusted intermediary (or “Open Innovation Hub”). Another key finding of this study is that it highlights the diversity that prevails in the UK with regard to Open Innovation. Research limitations/implications – The number of the interviews conducted for this study is probably not large enough to allow a solid generalisation. Data saturation, however, was achieved in this study. The insight provided by this study is particularly significant as interviewees were amongst the highest-ranking executives in their respective universities. Hence the views reported in this study are what “drives” Open Innovation policies in the universities that participated in this study. Practical implications – This new role of a trusted intermediary played by universities is very likely to change the existing Open Innovation landscape and re-shape policies. Social implications – The changing role of universities within Open Innovation context may potentially change the respective role of other stakeholders in the Open Innovation ecosystem. Originality/value – This is the first study aimed at investigating how British universities understand Open Innovation and what opportunities and challenges they associate with this process.

Managing projects in war-torn societies

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 585-602
Author(s):  
James Earnest
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Project Planning ◽  
Development Projects ◽  
Sovereign State ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Actual Application ◽  
Post Conflict

PurposePlanning and implementing reconstruction projects in areas that are affected by conflict has proven to be far more challenging than expected and has often been considered to be inappropriate response from practitioners, aid agencies and government. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore reconstruction and development projects in Kosovo given its history of non-sovereign state under United Nations administration and analyse how they were planned and executed that would more likely yield progressive outcomes for the society.Design/methodology/approachThe study was designed to explore how projects are planned and implemented, as well as help in understanding the phenomena in the historical, social, cultural and governance context within the project implementation practices of multilateral agencies in Kosovo. Applying action research principles and using a detailed case study approach to the interviews, the study identified programme strengths, weaknesses and implications of project management practice and theory and differences of opinion within the project team in project planning and implementation in their wider sense.FindingsThere is evidence that both aid organisations’ constructed project management processes and international aid agencies practices do not work effectively in a community service delivery setting. The study showed that there continue to be challenges in project processes, implementation, stakeholder coordination, communication, cost, quality, procurement and risk management.Practical implicationsForward looking and grounded in traditions, the study indicated a need to promote a better understanding of how reconstruction and development projects are undertaken at all levels of the organisation and to describe processes, procedures and tools used for the actual application of projects in war-torn societies.Originality/valueThe study is among the first academic research worldwide to examine traditional practices of project management which are wildly applied and to explore if the same processes can be applied in post-conflict settings. This study is timely and beneficial in fulfilling its responsibility to post-conflict communities.

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