scholarly journals Accessibility and informational barriers to an age friendly railway

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Musselwhite ◽  
Kelly Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Information Provision ◽  
Rolling Stock ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Rail Network ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Informational Barriers ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Against a backdrop in an increase in the number of older people in the United Kingdom (UK) and an increase in the amount of travel per person for this age group, the number of older people using the railway is in decline. The purpose of this paper is to report on an investigation is a first step towards ascertaining why through audits of issues and problems on rolling stock and station platforms. Design/methodology/approach Rolling stock and station audits were carried out by older people across a rail network in the South West of the UK. A total of 72.2 hours of auditing took place across different sizes of station and different types of rolling stock. Findings Two main themes were found across both rolling stock and station audits: accessibility and information provision. With regards to accessibility, boarding and especially alighting from the train was the key issue. Across stations and in rolling stock luminance, was a key issue for older people with places being too dark or moving from places that were bright to dark. Use of stairs at stations between platforms, especially when the station is crowded was an issue. In terms of information, key issues were found with signage being too cluttered, small, hidden and inconsistent and audible announcements being difficult to decipher. Practical implications There must be improvements made to railways to help older people feel more safe and secure using them. It is suggested step free and level accessibility is found boarding and alighting from the train, but also from station entrance to carriage. Better signage is needed throughout the station and on trains, with large repeated fonts used. Lighting needs to be revisited throughout to ensure areas are bright and well-lit both on station platforms and onboard. Further research needs to look at these findings in relation to slip, trips and fall accident rates. Originality/value There is very little research on older people’s perceptions and barriers to railway use. This adds value in being one of the only studies to do so, especially from the perspective of older people themselves as co-researchers.

Disarray will cloud start of EU-UK Brexit talks

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Transition Period ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Eu Membership ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Political Turmoil ◽  
Implementing Strategies ◽  
The Eu

Significance The process has been plunged into further uncertainty by the outcome of the June 8 UK general election, which has sparked renewed debate about what kind of Brexit the United Kingdom wants and what kind of future economic relationship with the EU it should seek to negotiate. Impacts The UK government’s weakness is a cause for concern elsewhere in the EU, raising fears that it may not be able to compromise on key issues. Many businesses will begin implementing strategies for dealing with Brexit early next year, before knowing the outcome of the negotiations. Pressure for a lengthy transition period will continue to build. The political turmoil and slowing economic growth in the United Kingdom may increase support for EU membership elsewhere in the bloc.

How older people will vote in the 2015 general election: a review of existing polling evidence

2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-68
Author(s):  
Raphael Malek
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Conservative Party ◽  
Voting Behaviour ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Policy Issues ◽  
Ideological Position ◽  
Ethnographic Interviews ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The issues of concern to older people and likely to shape their voting behaviour need to be understood and appreciated. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – This policy-oriented review draws on recent research, including surveys, focus groups and ethnographic interviews to identify such issues in the UK older population. Findings – Older people are more likely to vote and to prioritise policy issues relating to immigration, the NHS and the economy–but the outcome of their vote is more likely to be determined by affinity with a party’s broader ideological position than with the specific policies contained in their manifesto?. Practical implications – Older people appear more likely to support Conservative party values and priorities, but their potential growing support for UKIP may be underestimated as several major surveys do not prompt for this party. The less certain standing of both Conservative and Labour may therefore be further undermined by unappreciated shifts in the “grey vote”. Originality/value – This commentary highlights the increasing importance of the “grey vote” at a time of increasing unpredictability in support for mainstream parties.

scholarly journals Gendered experiences of leading and managing through COVID-19: patriarchy and precarity

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (7/8) ◽  
pp. 737-744
Author(s):  
Sharon Mavin ◽  
Marina Yusupova
Keyword(s):  
Business School ◽  
Women Managers ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Associate ◽  
Personal Experiences ◽  
Woman Professor ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to highlight key issues for women managers, leaders and precarious academic women during COVID-19 in organisations and in academy. Design/methodology/approach This paper shares the authors’ personal experiences during COVID-19 in the UK as a woman Professor and Director of a Business School and a woman Research Associate and link these with existing scholarship to reflect on areas for continued research and action. Findings This paper underlines how COVID-19 destabilises the progress made towards gender equality. Practical implications This paper outlines future avenues for research and practice as a result of experiences of COVID-19. Originality/value This paper looks at the gendered implications of COVID-19 for women across organisational hierarchies and highlights commonalities in their experiences and devastating effects of the pandemic.

Money laundering: further clarity provided by the Court of Appeal on the operation of the consent regime

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 72-74
Author(s):  
Daren Allen
Keyword(s):  
Money Laundering ◽  
Regulatory Enforcement ◽  
Bank Account ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Proceeds Of Crime ◽  
Working Day ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Court Of Appeal ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose To summarise a key development that provides clarity for banks on the operation of the money laundering provisions in the UK Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. Design/methodology/approach The article provides the background leading up to the UK Court of Appeal hearing, the key issues in the appeal, the decision of the court and what this means for banks in the UK. Findings The Court of Appeal held that (i) where a bank suspects that money in its customer’s account is criminal property, freezes the account and seeks consent to deal with the money, the court should not intervene during the course of the seven-working-day notice period and 31-day Moratorium Period and (ii) in most cases the discretion to grant an interim declaration is unlikely to be exercised. Practical implications This decision is important for banks and brings much-needed clarity. Prior to the Court of Appeal decision, it was open to customers to challenge a bank’s decision to freeze an account (pending a response from the NCA to a consent request) on the basis that, on a balance of convenience, payments from a bank account should be permitted to be made. Originality/value Practical guidance from an experienced lawyer specialising in complex investigations, litigation dispute resolution and regulatory enforcement proceedings for financial institutions and large corporations.

Halal certification organizations in the United Kingdom

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carrie Amani Annabi ◽  
Olufunbi Olajumoke Ibidapo-Obe
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
English Language ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Certification Organizations ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The aim of this paper is to investigate the role that halal certification organisations (HCOs) play in the UK in assuring quality in halal cosmetics. Design/methodology/approach The study evaluates whether halal certification assures the quality of halal cosmetic products. This research evaluated the quality assurance systems of major UK HCOs, using a hypothetical product as a test vehicle. The investigation considered whether these organisations differ in their definition of “halal” and “halal cosmetics” and also considered how effectively their certification signals quality assurance. Findings The study indicated that there is a failure to adopt holistic halal terminology which implies that within the UK halal cosmetics industry, manufacturers may not be working within agreed standards for halal product integrity. Research limitations/implications This study focussed on UK certification for halal cosmetics by three HCOs and disregarded other forms of halal businesses. The literature review is based solely on literature available in the English language. The study lacks generalisability, as only one hypothetical product was tested; therefore, it was not possible to reach an understanding of all the costs involved in UK HCO certification. Practical implications This study undertook a comprehensive literature review on halal certification to produce a comparison of halal sanctioning laws, certification processes and the level of supply chain verification by UK HCOs. Originality/value This study adds value to the knowledge on UK halal certification.

Grey Pride: priorities for a minister for older people

2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-64
Author(s):  
Jane Ashcroft
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Social Service ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Government Administration ◽  
Use Of Resources ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to argue the case for there to be a UK Minister for Older People supported by the work of a Commissioner for Older People. Design/methodology/approach – Draws on the work of the UK Grey Pride campaign to compare trends in demography and expectations with health and social service provision. Findings – With hospital “bed blocking” reportedly costing £20 million per month and limited responses to older peoples’ needs for appropriate housing, care and resources, the Grey Pride campaign has received widespread support with 30 organisations backing their campaign for a Minister for Older People. Practical implications – A Minister could help prioritise coordinated use of resources to make them more efficient and to help manage older peoples’ expectations. A Commissioner for Older People could investigate the accessibility and quality of care for older people. Originality/value – Identifies how no government administration to date has demonstrated its explicit commitment to prioritising older peoples’ needs.

scholarly journals Explaining the informal economy in Western Europe: beyond a rational economic actor perspective

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Colin Williams ◽  
Gamze Oz-Yalaman
Keyword(s):  
Informal Economy ◽  
Western Europe ◽  
Alternative Theory ◽  
Probit Regression ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Social Actors ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Economic Actor ◽  
Expected Benefits ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe dominant theorisation of the informal economy views participants as rational economic actors operating in the informal economy when the expected benefits exceed the perceived costs of being caught and punished. Recently, an alternative theory has emerged which views participants as social actors operating in the informal economy due to their lack of vertical trust (in governments) and horizontal trust (in others). The aim of this paper is to evaluate these competing theorisations.Design/methodology/approachTo do so, data are reported from special Eurobarometer surveys conducted in 2007, 2013 and 2019 in eight West European countries (Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom).FindingsUsing probit regression analysis, the finding is that increasing the expected likelihood of being caught and level of punishment had a weak significant impact on the likelihood of participating in the informal economy in 2007, and there was no significant impact in 2013 and 2019. However, greater vertical and horizontal trust is significantly associated with a lower level of participation in the informal economy in all three time periods.Practical implicationsThe outcome is a call for a policy to shift away from increasing the expected level of punishment and likelihood of being caught, and towards improving vertical and horizontal trust. How this can be achieved is explored.Originality/valueEvidence is provided in a Western European context to support a shift away from a rational economic actor to a social actor approach when explaining and tackling the informal economy.

When is positive action not positive action? Exploring the conceptual meaning and implications of the tie-break criterion in the UK Equality Act 2010

2014 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nick Johns ◽  
Sara MacBride-Stewart ◽  
Martin Powell ◽  
Alison Green
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Support ◽  
Equality Of Opportunity ◽  
Equal Opportunities ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Positive Action ◽  
Legal Innovation ◽  
Positive Discrimination ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Conceptual Meaning ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the claim that the tie-break criterion introduced under the Equality Act 2010 is not really positive action as is claimed by its government sponsors. It evaluates this claim by locating the tie-break into equal opportunities theory, taking into account merit considerations, and reviews its potential implications. Design/methodology/approach – A conceptual discussion of the tie-break. Findings – The paper concludes that the tie-break is not positive action, nor is it positive discrimination. It employs the framework established by Forbes (1991) and attempts to locate it in theoretical discussions of the need to refine merit to take identity characteristics into account. While it could serve to make a more sophisticated approach to merit possible it fails to achieve its implicit potential in this regard. Research limitations/implications – The paper is conceptual and will benefit from empirical support in the future. Practical implications – Practically, the tie-break promises to add some greater clarity to the muddled understanding of equal opportunities and diversity that underpins much policy and legislation. As a result it will arguably prove hard to implement and will carry other associated problems. Social implications – Socially, the tie-break, mis-represented as it currently is, promises to create greater uncertainty around the nature and purposes of equality of opportunity. Consequently, it could exacerbate tensions and hostilities and promote significant resistance to “equality” measures. Originality/value – This paper is an original conceptual piece that will shine a light on an important legal innovation. The tie-break is not what it is described to be and carries both potential and threat for advocates of equality of opportunity. In pursuing socially significant outcomes of this type, conceptual accuracy and transparency are vital, and this paper contributes to this endeavour.

An overview of the current state of interlibrary loans in South Africa

2015 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 76-83
Author(s):  
Jenny Raubenheimer ◽  
John Stephen van Niekerk
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Information Provision ◽  
Literature Study ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Current Trends ◽  
Current State ◽  
Computer Library ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Essential Service

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review interlending development in South Africa and current trends in interlending. Design/methodology/approach – Literature study and survey. Findings – Interlending is still an essential service in South Africa. Interlending systems must be used effectively to ensure rapid delivery of requested interlibrary loans. There is a significant use of WorldShare ILL, but there is a scope for substantial development. Research limitations/implications – This is not a comprehensive study but focusses on current interlending activities at some of the larger South African academic and special libraries and the use of Online Computer Library Centre systems. Practical implications – The paper provides some historical information and the extent of current interlending and systems used. Social implications – The paper gives an indication of the value of interlending in South Africa and its contribution to information provision. Originality/value – The paper provides a snapshot of interlending in South Africa and areas for development.

Delivering a shared library management system for Wales

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (6/7) ◽  
pp. 385-395 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gareth Wyn Owen
Keyword(s):  
Management System ◽  
Review Of Literature ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Implementation Phase ◽  
Library Management ◽  
First Case ◽  
Library Management System ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose A case study of the Wales Higher Education Libraries Forum (WHELF) project to procure and implement a shared library management system (LMS) for all universities in Wales, together with the National Health Service Libraries in Wales and the National Library of Wales. In particular, the purpose of this paper is to explore the drivers to this collaboration, outline the benefits achieved and the framework to realise further benefits. Design/methodology/approach Case study review of the process, together with a review of literature on consortia and LMSs. Findings WHELF has developed into a more mature consortium through procuring and implementing a shared LMS. The process has delivered tangible benefits and is driving more work to realise further benefits. Research limitations/implications As the WHELF Shared LMS project is only nearing the end of the implementation phase, many of the anticipated operational benefits cannot be reported. Practical implications Useful case study for other consortia or potential consortia. Originality/value WHELF is in vanguard of consortia developments in the UK, and this is the first case study of the project.

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