scholarly journals e-Waste trading zones and the economy of greening

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-173
Author(s):  
Alison F. Stowell ◽  
Martin Brigham
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Equipment ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Trading Zone ◽  
Trading Zones ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Nuanced Understanding ◽  
Empirical Context ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Organisational Adaptation

Purpose In the context of the environmental impacts caused due to the increasing volumes of discarded technologies (e-Waste), this paper aims to critically evaluate whether environmental policy, the Waste of Electronic and Electrical Equipment (WEEE) legislation in particular can contribute to a shift in logic from neoliberal growth to green growth. Design/methodology/approach Drawing upon empirical research, this paper shows how three computer waste organisations evolve through the imbrication of pre- and post-policy logics in collaborative and heterogeneous ways to create an “economy of greening”. Findings Extending the concept of a fractionated trading zone, this paper demonstrates the heterogeneous ways in which computer sourcing is imbricated, providing a taxonomy of imbricating logics. It is argued that what is shared in a fractionated trading zone is a diversity of imbrications. This provides for a nuanced perspective on policy and the management of waste, showing how post-WEEE logics become the condition to continue to pursue pre-WEEE logics. Research limitations/implications This research focuses on three organisations and the EU 2003 and UK 2006 versions of the WEEE legislation. Practical implications The research findings have important implications, more specifically, for how e-Waste policy is enacted as an “economy of greening” to constitute managerial and organisational adaptation needed to create a sustainable economy and society. Originality/value This paper’s contribution is threefold. First, theoretically, the literature on trading zones and imbrication is extended by considering how they can complement one another. Our focus on imbrication is a “zooming in” on the managerial and organisational implications and dynamics of a trading zone. Second, the literature on imbrication is added to by identifying a diverse range of imbricating logics that can be used to discern a more nuanced understanding of the translated effects of policy. Last, these ideas are ground in a relevant empirical context – that of e-waste management in the UK, providing a deeper knowledge, over time, of specific actors’ translations of policy into organisational practices.

scholarly journals Plan for the worst, hope for the best? Exploring major events related terrorism and future challenges for UK event professionals

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 513-526 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Baxter ◽  
Jenny Flinn ◽  
Lucrezia Flurina Picco
Keyword(s):  
Marketing Strategy ◽  
Significant Rise ◽  
Destination Marketing ◽  
Major Event ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Future Challenges ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate major event related terrorism and the resulting challenges that event professionals may face when hosting major events in cities as part of a destination marketing strategy. Design/methodology/approach The research was based in the UK due to the significant rise in terrorist activities that have taken place in its urban cities in recent years. The exploratory nature of this study utilised semi-structured interviews with UK event professionals, enabling a preliminary, in-depth investigation of the challenges that events professionals face as a result of major event related terrorism. Findings The research findings identify three challenges faced by event professionals when organising major events: knowledge and understanding in relation to major event related terrorism; the impact of major event related terrorism in terms of responsibility and accountability; and managing for major event related terrorism in budgetary terms. Research limitations/implications The research is limited to the UK, other destinations will pose their own unique challenges when hosting and managing events. It is suggested that this research be evaluated against similar studies in other destinations. This is a preliminary study and each of the topics identified within the findings warrant further exploration in their own right. Originality/value The paper offers an insight into the challenges faced by event professionals in the UK when delivering major events as part of a destination marketing strategy. With the increase in major event related terrorism in cities the findings of this research are of relevance not only to event professionals but anyone with a role in destination and tourism development.

The inevitability of digital transfer

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 224-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lale Özdemir
Keyword(s):  
Major Change ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Transfer Rule ◽  
National Archives ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Public Bodies

Purpose This paper aims to assess how prepared public bodies are for the transfer of born-digital records to the National Archives (TNA) of the UK in line with the reduction in the transfer rule from 30 to 20 years. Design/methodology/approach The change in the transfer rule means that records of UK public bodies will be transferred to TNA for permanent preservation at 20 years as opposed to 30 years old. This move, which has been described as a major change that is going to be introduced in a manageable and affordable way (20-year rule, The National Archives), will inevitably witness the transfer of born-digital records to the archives much earlier than would have been the case if the change in the transfer rule had not been made. This paper reports on research carried out in the winter of 2017 on the extent to which UK public bodies are prepared for the transfer of born-digital records to TNA. Research was based on a survey of 23 public bodies which included ministries, charities and non-departmental public bodies. The target population was predominantly public bodies that had the highest level of transfer of records to TNA. The justification for this lies in the fact that these bodies, amongst others, transfer the most records to TNA, thus it would be interesting to gain an insight into how prepared these relatively larger public bodies are with regard to born-digital transfer. The remaining public bodies were chosen randomly amongst non-ministerial departments. The primary areas under analysis are plans of public bodies for the transfer of born-digital records, processes for transfer to be undertaken such as selection, appraisal etc., the use of technology in sensitivity review and the trigger date for the transfer of records. Findings An analysis of the research findings found that while a few UK public bodies surveyed had transferred datasets within the framework of the TNA Government Datasets (NDAD) initiative or as part of an inquiry, only one public body had transferred other born-digital records to TNA. The findings also reveal that most public bodies are yet to plan for, or to adjust, their current archival processes to take into account the different mind-set and skills required for the transfer of born-digital records. The level of preparedness is therefore limited primarily because public bodies have yet to undertake a transfer of born-digital records to the archives. The research findings also revealed that public bodies had not as yet made adjustments or changes to current practice to take into account the issues relating to the processing of born-digital records prior to transfer. Research limitations/implications The findings of the research at hand are based on a survey submitted electronically to twenty-three public bodies with the aim of assessing how prepared they are for the transfer of born-digital records to the National Archives (TNA). The survey was sent to 27 public bodies with responses received by 23 public bodies. The survey sent to these bodies comprises eight questions that were deemed to be important in the current digital landscape with regard to the processes involved in the transfer of records, beginning from their creation. Thus, an element of subjectivity exists with regard to the outcome of the research, as the public bodies chosen were guided in prioritising any issues about digital transfer through the questions posed. The research carried out is also limited in that it focuses primarily on ministerial departments (14 of the 23 surveyed) and also constitutes a very small sample of UK public bodies overall. However, the originality of the data obtained through the study carried out by far outweighs the limitations of the research methodology. Originality/value This paper highlights that the transfer of born-digital records through original research amongst the 23 public bodies surveyed is not widespread, and that processes and procedures specifically for the management of processes for born-digital records are yet to be implemented. The study concludes that long-term planning for the transfer of born-digital records is yet to be undertaken and that public bodies are more likely to deal with the issue when their digital records are closer to reaching the point of transfer.

Geospatial data in the UK

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne Jozefowicz ◽  
Merlin Stone ◽  
Eleni Aravopoulou
Keyword(s):  
Western Country ◽  
Geospatial Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Uk Government ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Uk

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explain the rise of geospatial data, its importance for business and some of the problems associated with its development and use. Design/methodology/approach The paper reviews a certain amount of previously published literature but is based mainly on analysis of the very large number of responses to a consultation paper on geospatial data published by the UK Government. Findings The findings are that while there is strong appreciation of the potential benefits of using geospatial data, there are many barriers to the development, sharing and use of geospatial data, ranging from problems of incompatibility in data definitions and systems to regulatory issues. The implication for governments and for providers and users of geospatial data relates to the need to take a long-term approach to planning in resolving the issues identified. Research limitations/implications The research findings are limited to the UK, but similar findings would be likely in any other large Western country. Practical implications This paper confirms the need for a strong and coherent approach to the planning of geospatial data and systems for the establishment of a clear basis for the different parties to work together and the need to clearly separate the roles of the government in establishing frameworks and standards and the role of the private sector in developing applications and solutions. Social implications Society is increasingly dependent on the use of geospatial data, in improving living standards and dealing with social problems. The recommendations identified in this paper, if followed, will facilitate these improvements. Originality/value The value of this paper is the tight synthesis that it provides of a wide ranging and complex range of responses to the UK Government consultation and placing these responses in the wider context of the development of geospatial data.

Mitigating climate change in the building sector

Facilities ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (7/8) ◽  
pp. 342-364 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick T.I. Lam ◽  
Edwin H.W. Chan ◽  
Ann T.W. Yu ◽  
Wynn C.N. Cam ◽  
Jack S. Yu
Keyword(s):  
Built Environment ◽  
Emissions Trading ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Facilities Management ◽  
Building Sector ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
The Uk

Purpose – This paper aims to investigate how unique features of built facilities would affect the application of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions trading, and to explore what adaptive measures may be taken for emissions trading to be applied to the built environment. Emissions trading is a financial tool to encourage GHG emissions reduction in various industries. As the building sector is responsible for a large amount of GHG emissions, it is valuable to explore the application of emissions trading in built facilities. Design/methodology/approach – The analysis is based on a comparative study reviewing the current emissions trading schemes (ETSs) in Australia, Japan and the UK covering the building industry, and to evaluate the approaches adopted by the schemes to tackle the problems related to buildings and facilities management. Findings – The research findings reveal that the small energy savings of individual building units, the large variety of energy-saving technologies and the split incentives and diverse interests of building owners and tenants would be the barriers hindering the development of emissions trading. To overcome these barriers, an ETS should allow its participants to group individual energy savings, lower the complexity of monitoring and reporting approaches and allow owners and tenants to benefit from emissions trading. Originality/value – This article provides a comprehensive overview of the current emissions trading practices in the built environment. Besides, it raises the attention and consciousness of policymakers to the need that building characteristics and facilities management should be taken into consideration when designing an ETS for the building sector.

scholarly journals Anti-money laundering in the United Kingdom: new directions for a more effective regime

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Pontes ◽  
Nick Lewis ◽  
Paul McFarlane ◽  
Patrick Craig
Keyword(s):  
Money Laundering ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Regulatory Requirement ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Qualitative Research Design ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Nuanced Understanding ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Uk

Purpose This paper aims to provide a more nuanced understanding of the effectiveness of the anti-money laundering (AML) regime in the UK and explore opportunities to improve policy and performance. Design/methodology/approach Qualitative research design using semi-structured interviews and a focus group with practitioners from both public and private sectors. Findings This paper identifies preventive measures are underfunded by the public sector; there is a disconnect between the regulatory requirement and the regulators’ supervisory approach leading to the ineffective application of the risk-based approach; and authorities have limited ability to stop low-utility reports. Increased collaboration across institutions and sectors, better utilisation of innovative technologies and a sustainable funding plan are needed to drive a collective response to money laundering. Research limitations/implications Few practitioners in the industry have the knowledge and expertise to discuss the topic at a strategic level and participants were limited (n = 8). Practical implications This paper adds to the growing corpus of research showing that the AML regime in the UK is ineffective and needs reform. Social implications This paper encourages practitioners to improve the AML regime, this research contributes to the reform of the existing measures against financial crime. Originality/value This paper presents new data from AML practitioners to provide a better understanding of the limitations of the AML regime in the UK.

scholarly journals Accommodating nomadism and mobility

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 324-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zoë James ◽  
Rebekah Southern
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Local Authority ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Core ◽  
South West ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Socially Excluded ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine how and why Gypsies and Travellers are socially excluded in England and how their experience may be reflected in other European contexts. Specifically, the paper explores the impact of planning policies on accommodation provision for Gypsies and Travellers in England and subsequently how their exclusion manifests due to the sedentarist binary definition of nomadism embedded within that policy. Design/methodology/approach The paper draws on evidence from empirical research carried out by the authors in the South West of England in 2015 as part of an accommodation needs assessment of Gypsies and Travellers. The research was commissioned by a local authority but the analysis presented here was carried out in addition to the core report. The decision to comment further on the research findings in relation to policy and theory was agreed with the project funders. Findings The research findings show that there continues to be a lack of accommodation provided to Gypsies and Travellers in England, despite policy and legislative initiatives to the contrary. The paper identifies that current government policy in England is likely to diminish access to appropriate accommodation in the future for Gypsies and Travellers, particularly for the most vulnerable. Finally, the paper concludes that a sedentarist binary definition of nomadism has failed to recognise Gypsy and Traveller communities’ culture or mobility. Originality/value This paper sets out how an underpinning “sedentarist binary” definition of nomadism is used in England to determine policies of provision for Gypsies and Travellers. That definition is based on the sedentary notions of nomadism that are binary, distinguishing only between people who are mobile and people who are not, rather than acknowledging the cultural nomadism of Gypsies and Travellers. The findings are useful beyond the UK context as they help to explain why Gypsies, Travellers and Roma in wider Europe remain excluded within states despite extensive European initiatives for inclusion.

scholarly journals Operations capability, productivity and business performance

2018 ◽  
Vol 118 (1) ◽  
pp. 126-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wantao Yu ◽  
Ramakrishnan Ramanathan ◽  
Xingyu Wang ◽  
Jiehui Yang
Keyword(s):  
Operations Management ◽  
Business Performance ◽  
Dynamic Environment ◽  
Dynamic Capability ◽  
Environmental Dynamism ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Positive Effect

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationships between operations capability, productivity, and business performance in the context of environmental dynamism. Design/methodology/approach A proposed conceptual framework grounded in the resource-based view (RBV) and dynamic capability view (DCV) is analyzed using archival data from 193 automakers in the UK. Findings The results show that operations capability, as an important dynamic capability, has a significant positive effect on productivity, which in turn leads to improved business performance. The results also suggest that productivity fully mediates the relationship between operations capability and business performance, and that environmental dynamism significantly moderates the relationship between operations capability and productivity. Practical implications The research findings provide practical insights that will help managers develop operations capability to gain greater productivity and business performance in a dynamic environment. Originality/value Addressing the two important issues of moderation (i.e. environmental dynamism) and mediation (i.e. productivity), this study makes important contributions to the field of operations management by applying the RBV and DCV.

scholarly journals Work placements at 14-15 years and employability skills

2018 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Messer
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Work Experience ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Employability Skills ◽  
Content Type ◽  
High Expectations ◽  
Self Reports ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
The Uk

Purpose In the UK, concern frequently has been voiced that young people lack appropriate employability skills. One way to address this is to provide work based placements. In general, previous research findings have indicated that young people find such placements useful because of help with career choice and relevant skills. However, most studies are retrospective and involve sixth form or degree students. The purpose of this paper is to extend previous research by collecting information before and after the placements. Design/methodology/approach This investigation involved questionnaires with nearly 300 14-15 year-old students who provided a pre- and post-placement self-reports about their employability skills and their work-experience hosts provided ratings of employability skills at the end of the placement. Findings There was a significant increase in student ratings of their employability skills from before to after the placement, and although the employers gave slightly lower ratings of some employability skills than the students, the two sets of ratings were reasonably close. In addition, the students had high expectations of the usefulness of the placements and these expectations were fulfilled as reported in the post-placement questionnaire. Originality/value These positive findings, extend the knowledge of the effects of work based placements, by focussing on the opinion of the young people themselves, using a pre- to post-placement design, by validating student self-reports with host employer ratings, and by focussing on a younger than usual age group.

scholarly journals Sustainable regeneration project delivery in UK

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julius Akotia ◽  
Alex Opoku
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Project Delivery ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Level Of Involvement ◽  
Project Life Cycle ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Project Life ◽  
Source Of Information

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the key practitioners’ level of involvement in the delivery of sustainable regeneration projects in the UK. Practitioners’ level of involvement is a major factor that has and continues to determine the delivery of sustainability outcomes of regeneration projects. Design/methodology/approach The paper adopted a qualitative study that obtained data from 21 key practitioners through semi-structured interviews in exploring practitioners’ level of involvement in the delivery of sustainable regeneration projects in the UK. The semi-structured interviews are conducted with seven practitioners, each from the three construction organisations selected through a purposive sampling approach for the study. Findings The findings identify varied levels of involvement of the key practitioners at the three delivery stages – early, construction and post-construction of the projects. The findings further reveal that clients’ representatives, commercial managers and architects are the most frequently involved practitioners during the early stages of the projects. The findings also indicate that practitioners who have sustainability assigned to their roles and their responsibilities, such as sustainability managers, are the least involved in all the three delivery stages of the projects. Research limitations/implications The study involves interview with 21 practitioners from three organisations delivering sustainable regeneration projects; hence, this could limit the generalisation of the research findings. However, the findings of this study could serve as a useful source of information for the further study in this area. Practical implications The paper is of the view that the level of key practitioners’ involvement in the delivery of the projects will have an impact on their knowledge and will determine how sustainability benefits are promoted and delivered from the projects. Originality/value Although some studies have been carried out on practitioners’ engagement in the delivery of “normal” construction projects, none has focussed on practitioners’ levels of involvement in sustainable regeneration projects. Hence, this study has brought to the fore how the key practitioners tasked with the responsibilities of delivering sustainability benefits of regeneration projects have been involved (at various levels of the project life cycle) in the delivery of these projects.

scholarly journals An empirical study of assurance in the UK government major projects portfolio: from data to recommendations, to action or inaction

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hang Vo ◽  
Richard John Kirkham ◽  
Terry Mervyn Williams ◽  
Amanda Howells ◽  
Rick Forster ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Review Process ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Framework Analysis ◽  
State Spending ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Project Governance ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Uk Government ◽  
The Uk

PurposeEffective and robust governance of major projects and programmes in the public sector is crucial to the accountability of the state and the transparency of state spending. The theoretical discourse on governance, in the context of projects and programmes, is not fully mature, although is now sufficiently well developed to warrant an increased scholarly focus on practice. This paper aims to contribute to the empirical literature through a study of assurance routines in the UK Government Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP).Design/methodology/approachA framework analysis approach to the evaluation of a subset of GMPP database generates original insights into (1) the framing of assurance review recommendations, (2) the treatment of assurance review data and (3) the subsequent tracking of the implementation of actions arising from the assurance review process.FindingsThe analysis reveals that the “delivery confidence” of the major projects and programmes included in this study improves during the time that they are assured on the GMPP. This would suggest that “enhanced” governance routines are desirable in programmes and projects that exhibit high degrees of complexity and scale.Originality/valueThe research findings contribute to the wider conversations in this journal and elsewhere on project governance routines and governance-as-practice in the context of government and public services.

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