Spiritual life in homes shared by older people

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 150-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny Kartupelis
Keyword(s):  
Sense Of Self ◽  
Common Factor ◽  
National Policy ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Holistic Health ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Spiritual Needs ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Wide Range

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe a series of surveys undertaken for The Abbeyfield Society to assess the nature of spiritual needs and care in its homes, and outlines their findings in relation to practical and policy implications. Design/methodology/approach – Over the course of ten months, 35 homes representing a variety of sizes and locations were visited, and 100 interviews of approximately one hour each were undertaken with residents, managers, care workers and volunteers. These were guided by a semi-structured questionnaire, and included observations on the accommodation and facilities. An analysis of the transcriptions resulted in four reports with consolidated recommendations. Findings – The analyses indicated that the factors contributing to spiritual wellbeing can be described in “clusters” relating to family, friendship, memory, time, listening, resilience and sense of self and place; but the common factor underlying all is the nature of the relationships formed in the home. It is almost impossible to separate out spiritual flourishing from physical or mental welfare, and therefore important to observe the interplay between them. Practical implications – An environment in which the key contributing factors are nurtured, can be defined and described in concrete terms, and these can then be taken into account when forward planning. Social implications – While national policy on care of the elderly is subject to a range of drivers, of which holistic health is only one, this study does challenge some assumptions on which current policy is based. Originality/value – The purpose and methodology of the surveys enabled a very wide range of views and experiences to be synthesised, providing information and insights firmly located in the voices of people who are directly affected by practice and policy.

Measures of tolerance and economic prosperity

2015 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Azmat Gani
Keyword(s):  
Developing Economies ◽  
Civil Liberties ◽  
National Policy ◽  
Strong Support ◽  
Generalized Least Squares ◽  
Oecd Countries ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Institutional Perspective ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Wide Range

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate how a wide range of measures of tolerance, considered from social and institutional perspective relate to growth in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries. Design/methodology/approach – The empirical framework is based on a growth regression equation with a specification that is common in the growth literature. The estimation includes the generalized least squares, fixed and random effects methods. The empirical analysis is based on cross-country data from a sample of countries from the OECD. Findings – The findings on social measures of tolerance provide strong support that OECD countries are tolerant toward migrants and women’s participation in economic activities and national policy making. The findings also provide evidence that political rights, civil liberties and rule of law as indicators of institutional tolerance, are strongly associated with growth. Practical implications – The findings presented here from OECD countries lead to the conclusion that tolerance matters for the prosperity of nations. The findings of this study have policy implications beyond the OECD countries and particularly relevant to the developing economies. Originality/value – This paper makes a new empirical contribution to the tolerance literature.

Financial literacy and its determinants: the case of rural farm households in Ghana

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Martinson Ankrah Twumasi ◽  
Yuansheng Jiang ◽  
Salina Adhikari ◽  
Caven Adu Gyamfi ◽  
Isaac Asare
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Financial Literacy ◽  
Financial Education ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Farm Households ◽  
Community Group ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Rural Dwellers

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the determinants of rural dwellers financial literacy in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional primary data set was used to estimate the factors influencing rural farm households' financial literacy using the IV-Tobit model.FindingsThe findings reveal that most rural residents are financially illiterate. The econometrics model results depicted that respondents' socioeconomic and demographic characteristics such as gender, income, age and education significantly affect financial literacy. Again, respondents who are risk seekers and listen or watch education programs are more likely to be financially literate.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper examined the determinants of rural dwellers financial literacy in four regions in Ghana. Future research should consider all or many regions for an informed generalization of findings.Practical implicationsThis paper provides evidence that rural dwellers are financially illiterate and it would require the policymakers or non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to establish a village or community group that comprises a wide range of bankers and government officials to help rural dwellers acquire some financial skills. Also, the positive relationship between media (whether respondent watches or listens to educational programs) and financial literacy implies that policymakers should focus on improving individuals' financial knowledge through training programs and utilize the media as a channel to propagate financial education to the public.Originality/valueAlthough previous studies have examined the determinants of financial literacy, little is known in developing countries and, in particular, rural communities. The authors fill this gap by contributing to the scanty existing literature in developing countries in several ways. First, this is the first study to examine the financial literacy level of rural dwellers in Ghana. Second, to not undermine the credibility of the estimation results, this study addresses the potential endogeneity issue, which other researchers have not adequately recognized. Finally, the study expands the scant literature on the subject and provides critical policy implications that will help policymakers formulate financial market policies that will contribute to rural dwellers financial literacy enhancement.

scholarly journals New empirics of monetary policy dynamics: evidence from the CFA franc zones

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 164-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simplice Asongu
Keyword(s):  
Monetary Policy ◽  
Granger Causality ◽  
Money Supply ◽  
Monetary Union ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Short Run ◽  
Cfa Franc

Purpose – A major lesson of the European Monetary Union crisis is that serious disequilibria in a monetary union result from arrangements not designed to be robust to a variety of shocks. With the specter of this crisis looming substantially and scarring existing monetary zones, the purpose of this paper is to complement existing literature by analyzing the effects of monetary policy on economic activity (output and prices) in the CEMAC and UEMOA CFA franc zones. Design/methodology/approach – VARs within the frameworks of Vector Error-Correction Models and Granger causality models are used to estimate the long- and short-run effects, respectively. Impulse response functions are further used to assess the tendencies of significant Granger causality findings. A battery of robustness checks are also employed to ensure consistency in the specifications and results. Findings –H1. monetary policy variables affect prices in the long-run but not in the short-run in the CFA zones (broadly untrue). This invalidity is more pronounced in CEMAC (relative to all monetary policy variables) than in UEMOA (with regard to financial dynamics of activity and size). H2. monetary policy variables influence output in the short-term but not in the long-run in the CFA zones. First, the absence of cointegration among real output and the monetary policy variables in both zones confirm the neutrality of money in the long term. With the exception of overall money supply, the significant effect of money on output in the short-run is more relevant in the UEMOA zone, than in the CEMAC zone in which only financial system efficiency and financial activity are significant. Practical implications – First, compared to the CEMAC region, the UEMOA zone’s monetary authority has more policy instruments for offsetting output shocks but fewer instruments for the management of short-run inflation. Second, the CEMAC region is more inclined to non-traditional policy regimes while the UEMOA zone dances more to the tune of traditional discretionary monetary policy arrangements. A wide range of policy implications are discussed. Inter alia: implications for the long-run neutrality of money and business cycles; implications for credit expansions and inflationary tendencies; implications of the findings to the ongoing debate; country-specific implications and measures of fighting surplus liquidity. Originality/value – The paper’s originality is reflected by the use of monetary policy variables, notably money supply, bank and financial credits, which have not been previously used, to investigate their impact on the outputs of economic activities, namely, real GDP output and inflation, in developing country monetary unions.

The role of wilderness experiences in leaders’ development toward authentic leadership

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (8) ◽  
pp. 1144-1156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Boy van Droffelaar ◽  
Maarten Jacobs
Keyword(s):  
Leadership Development ◽  
Leadership Style ◽  
Authentic Leadership ◽  
Leadership Behaviors ◽  
Sense Of Self ◽  
Peak Experiences ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Wilderness Experiences

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of leaders’ wilderness experiences on intentions to transform leadership behaviors toward authentic leadership. Design/methodology/approach Content analysis was used on trail reports made by participants of a wilderness-based leadership program. Participants (n=97) were leaders working in business and institutional settings, both males and females. Participants were asked to write personal reports within two weeks after the training program about their wilderness experiences, and related behavioral intentions. Findings The analyses revealed four categories of leaders’ peak experiences: heightened sense of self, awareness of one’s core values, deep connected attention, and being in full presence. These peak experiences triggered intentions to change future leadership behaviors: to be more aware of self, to live by the inner compass, to improve careful listening, and to become more transparent. These intentions closely resonate with the core components of authentic leadership. Research limitations/implications The authors’ sample is characterized by developmental readiness: people who are already willing to change. However, developmental ready leaders are the subset of leaders that is particularly relevant studying change toward authentic leadership. Another limitation is intentions are assessed, and hence knowledge about actual changes in leadership style requires additional research. Practical implications The attributes of the transformation program that foster change as revealed here – being in another world, facing unfamiliar challenges, peer-to-peer learning – can be flexibly adopted and implemented in a wide range of leadership transformation programs. Originality/value By demonstrating that being immersed in nature can act as a significant life event that has the potential to foster authentic leadership, this study provides an original contribution to the literature on strategies for intra-personal leadership development.

Modeling and performance evaluation of agility coupled with sustainability for business planning

2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adarsh Kumar Singh ◽  
Sekar Vinodh
Keyword(s):  
Performance Evaluation ◽  
Lean Manufacturing ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Environmental Aspect ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Manufacturing Organization

Purpose Agility and sustainability are different manufacturing paradigms. Ideally, companies should merge the two concepts so as to enhance competitive advantage. Agility, which has evolved from lean manufacturing, is the ability of an enterprise to respond quickly to a wide range of customer demands. On the other hand sustainability is a condition in which a company optimizes economic, social and environmental factors by taking into account indirect and long-term consequences. Merging the two concepts could result in holistically improving the system, by fulfilling performance without depleting available resources. Thus, identifying and simultaneously improving two areas with common goals could lead to developing a successful and an emerging enterprise. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach The authors identify agility-sustainability criteria which complement each other from amongst a set of differentiating criteria. The conceptual model is built by integrating five enablers with 25 criteria and 75 attributes. The combined criteria are modeled using graph theory which considers interdependencies and contributing factors on the organization. Within each enabler, the authors investigate the interdependencies between criteria and focus further on those that have potential to improve overall score. The methodology was applied in a manufacturing organization that operates on ad hoc basis depending on projects’ availability. Findings The model determines a range of values for extreme scenarios under theoretical and practical situations, along with the current level of business. The scenarios are tested for assessing performance by identifying the gaps in the weaker areas. Research limitations/implications Approach can serve as a managerial tool for monitoring performance of the organization along agility and sustainability dimensions. Further, government entities can use the approach in devising policy for improving economies by considering holistic approach rather than only environmental aspect. Biased and conflicting opinions of experts might deter chances for comprehensive and consistent decision. Originality/value The study integrates a framework for modeling and performance evaluation for a system that incorporates agility and sustainability characteristics. The study will enable practicing managers and decision makers to identify suitable characteristics that would simultaneously improve an organization’s agile performance by considering aspects of sustainability.

Resident perception of disaster recovery planning priorities

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 330-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Horney ◽  
Matt C. Simon ◽  
Kristen Ricchetti-Masterson ◽  
Philip Berke
Keyword(s):  
Disaster Recovery ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
Atlantic Coast ◽  
Public Information ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Cluster Sampling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Recovery Plan ◽  
Recovery Planning ◽  
Wide Range

Purpose This paper aims to determine household perceptions of disaster recovery plan development and implementation, and to identify groups that may be less aware of the recovery planning process to provide recommendations to officials for improving participation in planning and resident support of implementation priorities. Design/methodology/approach Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 194 residents of a US Atlantic coast county impacted by Hurricane Irene. Respondents were selected via a two-stage cluster sampling method automated through the use of a Geographic Information Systems toolkit. Findings Although few households reported participation in the county’s recovery planning process, a majority felt that the plan would be better if it incorporated input from a wide range of stakeholders. The number one reason residents did not participate was the lack of knowledge that they could. Some vulnerable populations were less aware of the recovery plan, including the elderly and those living in poverty, while others were more aware, including those with children and those without access to a working vehicle. Respondents prioritized recovery activities around infrastructure and public safety, yet ranked activities related to public information and housing as less important. Practical implications This paper highlights potential successes of emergency management outreach and identifies groups that are not being reached during recovery planning. The paper provides insight on resident priorities for recovery after disaster. Originality/value There has been little research on the implementation of recovery plans and few studies that have examined the behaviors and opinions of households with regard to recovery plan development and implementation.

scholarly journals Researching the financial abuse of individuals lacking mental capacity

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 394-405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gillian Dalley ◽  
Mary Lynn Gilhooly ◽  
Kenneth Gilhooly ◽  
Michael Levi ◽  
Priscilla Harries
Keyword(s):  
Mental Capacity ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Court Case ◽  
Social Significance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Financial Abuse ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Protective Processes ◽  
Qualitative Exploration

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to report on the aspects of an exploratory investigation into the scale and nature of the financial abuse of adults lacking mental capacity. Design/methodology/approach It uses mixed-methods study which comprises of: a review of safeguarding adults’ statistics; analysis of court case findings; classification of types of financial abuse, victims and perpetrators; qualitative exploration of professional views of the nature of financial abuse of those lacking mental capacity; and a consideration of policy implications. Findings It demonstrates the significance of financial abuse within the spectrum of abuse experienced by adults at risk; the wide range of both victims lacking capacity being abused and type of financial abuse; its often hidden nature embedded within the family; and the limitations of processes designed to protect. Research limitations/implications The investigation reveals the paucity of statistical data available on the nature of financial abuse and the outcomes of official investigations into reported cases, both of which limit analysis and understanding of the phenomenon. Practical implications It demonstrates the need for greater transparency and consistency in the reporting of safeguarding and legal processes to enable practitioners and policymakers to fully understand the nature and significance of this abuse for both victims and society. Social implications It questions the extent to which existing protective processes are sufficient in terms of safeguarding victims and deterring perpetrators. Originality/value It involves original research that brings together data from a range of sources involved in the protection of a particular hard-to-reach group of individuals (those lacking capacity) from a particular type of risk (financial abuse) of increasing social significance.

Young people, the disabled, and immigrant workers

2012 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuliana Parodi ◽  
Francesco Pastore
Keyword(s):  
Labor Market ◽  
Young People ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Theoretical Approaches ◽  
Common Support ◽  
Wide Range

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to introduce the special issue on “Disadvantaged workers in the labour market” and to draw some policy implications that are common to the studies included in the special issue.Design/methodology/approachThe paper introduces several econometric methodologies adopted in the special issue. Such methodologies represent an excellent overview of the typical approaches developed by applied economists to address the issue under discussion. They include: dynamic probit models allowing for unobserved heterogeneity and endogenous initial conditions; propensity score matching; the non parametric Ñopo decomposition to take into account sample selection bias; endogenous switching models to estimate employment choice; and fixed effects models and Arellano and Bond dynamic panel estimator.FindingsThe articles in the special issue highlight several common factors that make the disadvantage at the labor market emerge. The first factor is the recent financial crisis which especially affects young people. Differences in common support – generally due to segregation in low pay jobs – are also important. Several factors favor persistence of the disadvantage, namely the inefficiency of the educational system and the lack of financial support to the weakest groups.Practical implicationsThe paper adopts the EU definition of “disadvantaged workers”, namely workers who find it hard to enter the labor market without assistance. The authors show the relevance of the analysis produced in this special issue to design specific policies fine‐tuned to the needs of disadvantaged workers. In addition, institutional reforms, and/or interventions on structural variables are also in order.Originality/valueThe paper introduces a number of articles proposing innovations in the interpretation and application of a wide range of theoretical approaches and econometric methodologies.

Compulsive buying among young consumers in Eastern Europe: a two-study approach to scale adaptation and validation

2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Piotr Tarka ◽  
Monika Kukar-Kinney
Keyword(s):  
Eastern Europe ◽  
Compulsive Buying ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Eastern European ◽  
Buying Behavior ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Ethical Implications ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Young Consumers ◽  
Buying In

Purpose Although much research focuses on the compulsive buying behavior theory, little attention has been paid to evaluation and diagnosis of compulsive buying in Eastern Europe. This is surprising, given an increasing prevalence of consumerism in many transitioning economies. Young consumers are particularly vulnerable to this phenomenon. The purpose of this study is to adapt the Richmond Compulsive Buying Scale to the Eastern European, specifically Polish cultural and language environment, and to validate it within a group of young Polish consumers, as well to assess the compulsive buying prevalence and the relationship between the compulsive buying and its precursors. Design/methodology/approach The Richmond Compulsive Buying Scale was selected for adaptation to the Polish context as it represents one of the best methodological and substantive compulsive buying measures in literature. The research is composed of two studies. Study 1 uses an in-person survey of young consumers (N = 504). A wide range of statistical procedures and latent variable modeling was used in the analysis. Study 2 (N = 756) uses an online survey to evaluate the correlation and relationship between the compulsive buying measure and its precursors, including consumers’ traits and states, by implementing a multiple indicators and multiple causes model. Findings The results of the two studies confirm that the adapted scale represents a valid and reliable measure of compulsive buying tendency in Poland, with the identified incidence rate of compulsive buying among Polish young consumers ranging from 11% in Study 1 to 11.6% in Study 2. In comparison with the results of other studies using the same measure, the current research findings reveal a similarity with the compulsive buying prevalence in China (10.4%; He et al., 2018), Brazil (9.8%; Leite et al., 2013) and slightly exceed the level found in western societies (e.g. 8.9% in the USA; Ridgway et al., 2008). The results of Study 2 indicate that compulsive buying in Poland is induced by low self-esteem and high levels of materialism, depression, anxiety, stress and negative feelings. Research limitations/implications The present research offers a methodological and substantive contribution by adapting and testing the original version of the Richmond Compulsive Buying Scale within an Eastern European transitional market; specifically Poland. In addition, the study offers an empirical contribution to the international research on compulsive behavior, including its precursors, as seen in young consumers. Practical implications This research offers important public policy implications and highlights ethical implications for business organizations. In particular, the findings of this study offer suggestions for enhancing policies and processes of programing appropriate social and educational campaigns that can save young consumers from the negative consequences of compulsive buying. Originality/value The transitional status of the Polish economy and other Eastern European countries has given rise to compulsive buying behavior, especially among young consumers. This emerging consumer behavior trend in Eastern Europe is still underexplored and underreported; hence, there exists a strong need for exploring and measuring such behavior across different Eastern European markets.

Unmasking the contributing factors of entrepreneurial activities among men and women in Ghana

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 114-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Quartey ◽  
Michael Danquah ◽  
George Owusu ◽  
Abdul Malik Iddrisu
Keyword(s):  
Subjective Assessment ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Empirical Estimation ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Explanatory Variables ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
New Business ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
The Individual

Purpose Using the 2010 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) survey data, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the contributing factors of entrepreneurial propensity among males and females in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach Using a measure of entrepreneurial propensity that takes into account individuals who are involved in starting a new business (nascent entrepreneurs) as a dependent variable and socio-demographic characteristics, and perceptual variables as explanatory variables, the study adopts robust empirical estimation techniques to examine how these variables influence the probability of starting a new business among men and women in Ghana. Findings The probability of being a male nascent entrepreneur is significantly dependent upon a wide range of factors including demographic, economic, perceptual and contextual elements, albeit with important variations across gender. An individuals’ subjective assessment of fear of failure in starting a business and of having the requisite entrepreneurial capabilities; the age of the individual; gender of the individual; work status and contextual factors matters for entrepreneurial propensity in Ghana. However, important differences exist in the drivers of entrepreneurial propensity for males and females with females’ entrepreneurship attributed largely to conditions of necessity relative to their male counterparts. Originality/value The main value of this paper is to use the GEM survey (which is nationally representative) for Ghana to analyze the contributing factors of the entrepreneurial propensity among men and women in Ghana.

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