Place making as a form of place taking

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 566-580 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Mark Silverman ◽  
Henry Louis Taylor Jr ◽  
Li Yin ◽  
Camden Miller ◽  
Pascal Buggs
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Standpoint Theory ◽  
Social Environments ◽  
Negative Externalities ◽  
Place Making ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Anchor Institutions ◽  
Perceived Effects ◽  
University Expansion

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine perceptions of institutional encroachment and community responses to it. Specifically, it focuses on residents’ perceived effects of hospital and university expansion and the role of place making on gentrification in core city neighborhoods. This study offers insights into the processes driving neighborhood displacement and the prospects for grassroots efforts to curb it. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected through focus groups with residents and other stakeholders in working class, minority neighborhoods which were identified as being in the early stages of gentrification. Nine focus groups were held across three neighborhoods experiencing institutional encroachment. The analysis was guided by standpoint theory, which focuses on amplifying the voices of groups traditionally disenfranchized from urban planning and policy processes. Findings The findings suggest that residents perceived institutional encroachment as relatively unabated and unresponsive to grassroots concerns. This led to heightened concerns about residential displacement and concomitant changes in the neighborhoods’ built and social environments. Experiences with encroachment also increased residents’ calls for greater grassroots control of development. Originality/value This analysis illuminates how gentrification and displacement results from both physical redevelopment activities of anchor institutions and their decisions related to place making. The conclusions highlight the importance of empowering disenfranchized groups in the place-making process to minimize negative externalities at the neighborhood level.

scholarly journals Educator challenges in the development and delivery of constructivist active and experiential entrepreneurship classrooms in Chinese vocational higher education

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 209-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin Bell ◽  
Peng Liu
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Entrepreneurship Education ◽  
Chinese Government ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Student Reaction ◽  
Vocational Higher Education ◽  
Emerging Themes ◽  
Vocational Colleges ◽  
Education In China

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the perceived challenges that Chinese vocational college educators face in developing and delivering constructivist active and experiential entrepreneurship education.Design/methodology/approachQualitative data were collected from 24 focus groups of educators who had been tasked with embedding constructivist entrepreneurship education into their teaching and curriculum, at four different vocational colleges situated in four different provinces in China. The data were coded and analysed for emerging themes using a process of bottom-up thematic analysis.FindingsA range of concerns were identified from the focus groups and these could be divided into five main challenges, which were the role of the educator in the constructivist learning process and their ability to control the process; the educators perceived student reaction to the process and their engagement with it; the time and technology required to deliver the process; the link between the learning and industry; and the educators’ perception of the requirements to meet internal expectations.Research limitations/implicationsThis research explores the educators’ perceptions of the challenges they face in developing and delivering active and experiential constructivist entrepreneurship education. Whilst these concerns may impact how the educators’ approach the task, these concerns are only perceived, as the educators’ have not yet implemented the introduction of constructivist entrepreneurship education when other challenges may become evident.Originality/valueEncouragement by the Chinese Government to develop and deliver constructivist active and experiential entrepreneurship education has resulted in a number of tensions and challenges. Entrepreneurship education in China is still relatively young and under researched and this research contributes to the literature by exploring the challenges that educators face in developing and delivering constructivist entrepreneurship education in Chinese vocational colleges.

Healthcare sustainability and the role of intellectual capital

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 544-563 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caterina Cavicchi
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Performance Measurement ◽  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Theory Development ◽  
Healthcare Sector ◽  
Healthcare Organizations ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of intellectual capital (IC) in promoting the sustainable development (SD) program of the Emilia-Romagna Health Service. The contributions of the following assets were investigated: leadership and competences, culture, performance measurement and incentives systems, social capital and technologies. Design/methodology/approach The case study was conducted following a hierarchical approach: perceptions of the regional directorate of public and social health, the general directors and healthcare professionals of the regional health system (the setting) were analyzed through interviews, focus groups and documentation in order to investigate: the emerging definition of SD within the setting; the role of IC, if any, in the achievement of the regional SD goals. Findings SD culture did not expand at the operative level because of the lack of involvement of healthcare professionals in a permanent dialogue for sustainability. Sustainability projects were not systematic which restricted the development of staff awareness of sustainability issues. Social capital enabled environmental projects and medical projects that increased patients’ involvement in disease management. Technology could help the shift toward sustainability, but it requires consideration of tangible and intangible costs for its successful adoption. SD performance measurement and incentives were in their infancy and cost accounting continues to dominate the healthcare sustainability debate. Research limitations/implications Despite the low number of healthcare professionals involved in the focus groups, the paper represents one of the first attempts to frame their perceptions on SD implementation in healthcare. Practical implications Regional institutions should consider new ways of enacting SD which should be more inclusive of healthcare professionals. The establishment of a permanent interdisciplinary dialogue on sustainability would develop human, social and structural capital for sustainability. Healthcare organizations should monitor the environmental and social effects of their operations to enact their primary mission: the promotion of health. Originality/value The paper contributes to theory development related to the role of IC for SD in the public sector context and, in particular, in the healthcare sector where evidence is currently limited.

How can universities contribute to regional competitiveness policy-making?

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 101-117
Author(s):  
Mari Jose Aranguren ◽  
Edurne Magro
Keyword(s):  
Policy Implementation ◽  
Policy Making ◽  
Regional Competitiveness ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Anchor Institutions ◽  
Implementation Approach ◽  
Policy Making Process ◽  
Multiple Domain

Purpose This paper aims to contribute to understanding regional competitiveness policy-making and the role academic organisations can play in that process. Competitiveness policies have evolved in the past decades from a single to a multiple-domain field, which has made the policy-making process more complex by adding more actors with their particular experience and view. This complexity, together with the relevance of overcoming traditional policy implementation failures, pleads for a new approach to competitiveness policy-making, in which academic organisations can act as “anchor institutions”. This framework is based on the adaptive implementation concept. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses the Basque case to analyse the role of universities in competitiveness policy-making and focuses on a specific academic organisation, which has contributed through different projects to regional policy-making. Evidences from those projects through different policy phases are included in the case. Findings The case shows how academic organisations might play a key role in fostering an adaptive implementation approach in competitiveness policy-making at the regional level and which specific characteristics these organisations should develop to fulfil this role. Originality/value This paper brings together two important issues for regional competitiveness: the importance of policy implementation and the particular role of engaged universities in such a process.

Investigating first-generation students’ perceptions of library personnel

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steve Borrelli ◽  
Chao Su ◽  
Shenetta Selden ◽  
Lana Munip
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Capital ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
First Generation ◽  
First Generation Students ◽  
State University ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Penn State

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the perceived role of library personnel in supporting first-generation students at Penn State University Libraries, and also how students’ perceptions of library personnel change over time, and the various experiences that influenced their changes in perception.Design/methodology/approachThis study employed focus groups to solicit input from first-generation students. A four-step team-based approach to qualitative coding process was developed including the development of a codebook informed by common themes and concepts drawn from the literature.FindingsFindings indicate that operating from a deficit of library cultural capital often results in low awareness of available services and changes in perception are more influenced by personal exploration than limited interactions with personnel. Further, while currently employed interventions are well targeted, opportunities exist for enhancing efforts.Research limitations/implicationsAs this is a case study, the findings are not generalizable. Per conducting only four focus groups, the experiences of participants may not represent the typical scope of personnel-related interactions.Originality/valueThis study adds to the limited body of evidence that first-generation students’ struggle from a deficit of library-related cultural capital.

Online environments in children’s everyday lives: children’s, parents’ and teachers’ points of view

2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terhi Tuukkanen ◽  
Terhi-Anna Wilska
Keyword(s):  
Antisocial Behaviour ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Primary School Teachers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Everyday Lives ◽  
Perceived Effects ◽  
Online Environments ◽  
Use Of The Internet

Purpose – This article aims to explore the role of online environments in children’s everyday life. We examine the meanings that children aged 11-13, parents and teachers derive from their understanding of online environments and make a typology of the perceived opportunities and risks of the online environments for children. The research questions are: how do children, parents and teachers experience the effect of online environments on children’s everyday lives, what opportunities and risks for children are noticed in online environments and what similarities and differences are there in children’s, parents’ and teachers’ point of views in terms of opportunities and risks? The theoretical framework of the study consists of the discussion on opportunities and risks of using online environments. Design/methodology/approach – The data were collected by conducting semi-structured interviews in Finland in 2012. Altogether, 27 interviews were conducted with children, parents and primary school teachers. The interview data were analysed with content analysis. Findings – As a result, we found four types of perceived effects that represent opportunities and risks: learning and socialization, sense of community and empowerment, antisocial behaviour and threat to security. According to this study, children, parents and teachers agree with each other in many issues concerning children’s use of the online environments. On the other hand, children also have issues and problems that parents and teachers may not be aware of, or they do not view them as important. Originality/value – This qualitative study focused on how children, parents and teachers described their subjective feelings about the effects of using the online environments. Thus, this study provides a new viewpoint on the research that has mostly relied on querying parents or teachers about children’s use of the Internet, neglecting children’s often different perspectives on the risks of the Internet.

scholarly journals Integrated Role of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Supplementation in Gut Microbiota, Immunity, and Metabolism of Infant Rhesus Monkeys

mSystems ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuan He ◽  
Carolyn M. Slupsky ◽  
James W. Dekker ◽  
Neill W. Haggarty ◽  
Bo Lönnerdal
Keyword(s):  
Infant Formula ◽  
Microbial Colonization ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Bifidobacterium Animalis ◽  
Immune Parameters ◽  
Probiotic Strains ◽  
Perceived Effects ◽  
Infant Rhesus

ABSTRACT Probiotics are becoming increasingly popular due to their perceived effects on health, despite a lack of mechanistic information on how they impart these benefits. Infant formula and complementary foods are common targets for supplementation with probiotics. However, different probiotic strains have different properties, and there is a lack of data on long-term health effects on the consumer. Given the increasing interest in supplementation with probiotics and the fact that the gastrointestinal tracts of infants are still immature, we sought to determine whether consumption of infant formula containing the probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN019 for 3 months starting at birth would impact gut microbial colonization, as well as infant immunity and metabolism, when compared with consumption of formula alone. To investigate the impact of probiotic supplementation of infant formula on immune parameters, intestinal microbiota, and metabolism, five individually housed infant rhesus monkeys exclusively fed standard infant formula supplemented with probiotics (Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN019) from birth until 3 months of age were compared with five standard formula-fed and five breast-fed monkeys. Anthropometric measurements, serum insulin, immune parameters, fecal microbiota, and metabolic profiles of serum, urine, and feces were evaluated. Consumption of B. lactis-supplemented formula reduced microbial diversity, restructured the fecal microbial community, and altered the fecal metabolome at the last two time points, in addition to increasing short-chain fatty acids in serum and urine. Circulating CCL22 was lower and threonine, branched-chain amino acids, urea, and allantoin, as well as dimethylglycine in serum and urine, were increased in the group supplemented with B. lactis compared with the standard formula-fed group. These results support a role of probiotics as effectors of gut microbial activity regulating amino acid utilization and nitrogen cycling. Future risk-benefit analyses are still needed to consolidate the existing knowledge on the long-term consequences of probiotic administration during infancy. IMPORTANCE Probiotics are becoming increasingly popular due to their perceived effects on health, despite a lack of mechanistic information on how they impart these benefits. Infant formula and complementary foods are common targets for supplementation with probiotics. However, different probiotic strains have different properties, and there is a lack of data on long-term health effects on the consumer. Given the increasing interest in supplementation with probiotics and the fact that the gastrointestinal tracts of infants are still immature, we sought to determine whether consumption of infant formula containing the probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN019 for 3 months starting at birth would impact gut microbial colonization, as well as infant immunity and metabolism, when compared with consumption of formula alone.

Can I have it all? Emerging adult women’s positions on balancing career and family

2018 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 566-581 ◽  
Author(s):  
Souha R. Ezzedeen ◽  
Marie-Hélène Budworth ◽  
Susan D. Baker
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Family Life ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Emerging Adult ◽  
Adult Women ◽  
Popular Discourse ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Subjective Perceptions ◽  
Emerging Adult Women

Purpose Emerging adult women are actively engaged in career and family explorations, amidst changing opportunities and constraints. The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether such women felt they could balance a high-achieving career and a family life, or what has become known in the popular discourse as women “having it all.” Design/methodology/approach This qualitative study utilized focus groups to explore subjective perceptions of balancing career and family held by emerging adult women. The sample (n=69) comprised female university students in a large Canadian metropolitan area. Findings Thematic analyses unearthed six distinct yet overlapping positions on the possibility of balancing career and family: Optimism (“I can have it all.”), Pessimism (“I cannot have it all.”), Uncertainty (“I am not sure I can have it all.”), Choice (“I don’t want to have it all.”), Pragmatism (“This is what I need to do to have it all.”) and Support (“Will I access the support necessary to have it all?”). Research limitations/implications Limitations include the potential of focus groups to elicit group polarization and to lead participants to censor opinions to conform to conversations. Still, the study reveals more nuanced positions held by women than reported earlier. Originality/value The study extends prior research by revealing the range of positions held by women toward career and family, highlighting women’s understanding of the complex issues involved and showcasing their awareness of the crucial role of social support.

scholarly journals Governance that matters

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Surabhi Pancholi ◽  
Tan Yigitcanlar ◽  
Mirko Guaralda
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Analysis ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Multidimensional Approach ◽  
Place Making ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Key Stakeholders ◽  
Innovation Space ◽  
Space Case

Purpose This study aims to scrutinise the prominence of place making as a strategy in the development of knowledge and innovation spaces with a specific focus on distinguishing the role of governance. Design/methodology/approach The study adopts a multidimensional conceptual framework of place making to investigate a knowledge and innovation space case through a qualitative analysis approach involving a range of key stakeholders. Findings The study finds that governance is critical in facilitating place making in knowledge and innovation spaces, and place-making practices in these locations benefit from adopting a multidimensional approach. Originality/value The study expands our knowledge on the role of governance in place making that helps achieve desired knowledge and innovation space outcomes.

Are We Still Going Through the Empty Ritual of Participation? Inner-City Residents’ and Other Grassroots Stakeholders’ Perceptions of Public Input and Neighborhood Revitalization

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 413-428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Mark Silverman ◽  
Henry Louis Taylor ◽  
Li Yin ◽  
Camden Miller ◽  
Pascal Buggs
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Inner City ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Citizen Participation ◽  
Neighborhood Change ◽  
Standpoint Theory ◽  
Neighborhood Revitalization ◽  
Negative Externalities ◽  
Public Input ◽  
Planning Processes

This article revisits Arnstein’s “ladder of citizen participation” focusing on inner-city residents’ perceptions of public input in neighborhood revitalization projects. It draws from data collected in Buffalo, New York for a larger project that aimed to address negative externalities caused by neighborhood change. Data were collected using focus groups in neighborhoods in the early stages of revitalization. Nine focus groups took place across three neighborhoods experiencing encroachment from hospitals and universities. Data analysis was guided by standpoint theory, which focuses on amplifying the voices of groups traditionally disenfranchised from planning processes. The findings suggest that the shortcomings of public input identified by Arnstein a half century ago remain problematic. Residents continue to perceive limited access to urban planning processes and believe outcomes do not prioritize their interests. This is particularly problematic in minority, working-class neighborhoods when institutionally driven development occurs. Recommendations emphasize enhancing planners’ fidelity to strategies that expand citizen control.

Reading experience librarianship: working with readers in the 21st century

2020 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. 259-283
Author(s):  
Keren Dali ◽  
Clarissa Vannier ◽  
Lindsay Douglass
Keyword(s):  
Community Engagement ◽  
Radical Change ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Social Environments ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Reading Experience ◽  
Professional Activities ◽  
Wide Range

PurposeAddressed to the audience of LIS educators at all levels, from full-time and adjunct faculty teaching in LIS programs, to librarians and library consultants delivering professional development training, to practitioners who work with readers in all types of libraries, this article makes a case for replacing the term “readers' advisory” with the term “Reading Experience (RE) librarianship” as a designator of the current professional practice.Design/methodology/approachUsing historical and discursive analysis based on the extensive literature review, this article argues that a number of factors call for the change in terminology: changes in the human factor (i.e., changes in readers and reading behavior; and changes in relationships between readers and librarians) and changes in the library environment (the rise of “experience” in libraries; a greater commitment to outreach and community engagement; and the fact that librarians are already practicing RE librarianship without recognizing it as such). It also examines the role of LIS educators in fostering and supporting RE librarianship.FindingsOn the one hand, the new terminology will be more reflective of the work that reader service librarians currently do, thus doing justice to a wide range of activities and expanded roles of librarians; on the other hand, it will serve as an imperative and a motivator to further transform reader services from in-house interactions with and programs for avid readers into a true community engagement, with much broader goals, scope and reach.Originality/valueThe article stands to coin a new professional term for the transformed library practice, thus recording a radical change in longstanding professional activities and encouraging new community-oriented thinking about the expanded role of librarians in promoting reading in diverse social environments.

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