Sheep farmers’ attitudes towards lameness control: Qualitative exploration of factors affecting adoption of the lameness Five-Point Plan

In 2014, best-practice recommendations to treat and control lameness in sheep in the UK were consolidated into a national program, the Five-Point Plan (5PP). As recent evidence suggests that only the minority of sheep farmers are implementing all management practices listed in the 5PP, qualitative investigation is vital to ensure future promotion is aligned with psychological and contextual factors affecting farmers’ decision-making. This qualitative study sought to explore farmers’ attitudes and the factors affecting uptake of best-practice measures listed in the 5PP. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in 2019 with 12 sheep farmers from England and Wales. In accordance with Thematic Analysis and the principles of Grounded Theory, data collection and analysis were performed iteratively. Two overarching themes, delineated by subthemes, emerged during analysis; (1) Barriers to adoption of 5PP measures and (2) Motivation to adopt 5PP measures. Various farmer-centric factors and physical resources were identified as key barriers or obstacles that limited farmers’ ability to implement 5PP measures outright, or restricted their ability to make changes to facilitate future adoption. Conversely, internal and external influences were identified to increase farmers’ willingness and motivation to implement practices listed on the 5PP. Heterogeneity in farmer perceptions, attitudes, experiences and circumstances identified in this study highlights the difficulty in promoting a one-size-fits-all lameness control plan, where a unique combination of intrinsic factors, social influences, and physical restrictions affect implementation. Future initiatives should focus on removing barriers by changing farmers’ perceptions and mindset towards lameness control, and building farmers’ confidence in their ability to implement practices. Furthermore, farmers’ social licence to farm and their desire to improve their reputation within society, presents an important opportunity to further engage farmers in implementing control practices. Increasing peer-to-peer knowledge transfer opportunities and effective farmer-veterinarian communication and rapport could help establish 5PP measures as normative behaviours.

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Identifying Risk Factors Affecting the Usage of Digital and Social Media: A Preliminary Qualitative Study in the Dental Profession and Dental Education

Dentistry Journal ◽

10.3390/dj9050053 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. 53

Author(s):

Rayan Sharka ◽

Jonathan P. San Diego ◽

Melanie Nasseripour ◽

Avijit Banerjee

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Perceived Risk ◽

Dental Education ◽

Dental Students ◽

General Context ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

The Uk ◽

Dental Professionals

Aims: This study aimed to identify the risk factors of using DSM to provide an insight into the inherent implications this has on dental professionals in practice and trainee professionals’ education. Materials and methods: Twenty-one participants (10 dental professionals and 11 undergraduate and postgraduate dental students) participated in this qualitative study using semi-structured interviews in a dental school in the UK. The interviews were analysed and categorised into themes, some of which were identified from previous literature (e.g., privacy and psychological risks) and others emerged from the data (e.g., deceptive and misleading information). Results: The thematic analysis of interview transcripts identified nine perceived risk themes. Three themes were associated with the use of DSM in the general context, and six themes were related to the use of DSM in professional and education context. Conclusions: This study provided evidence to understand the risk factors of using DSM in dental education and the profession, but the magnitude of these risks on the uptake and usefulness of DSM needs to be assessed.

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Development and scale-up of bioprotectants to keep staple foods safe from aflatoxin contamination in Africa

10.19103/as.2021.0093.16 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 587-628

Author(s):

Ranajit Bandyopadhyay ◽

◽

Alejandro Ortega-Beltran ◽

Matieyedou Konlambigue ◽

Lawrence Kaptoge ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Management Practices ◽

Scale Up ◽

The United States ◽

Aflatoxin Contamination ◽

Barriers To Adoption ◽

African Countries ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Significant Public Health ◽

Private And Public ◽

Staple Foods

Aflatoxins pose a significant public health risk, decrease productivity and profitability and hamper trade. To minimize aflatoxin contamination a biocontrol technology based on atoxigenic strains of Aspergillus flavus that do not produce aflatoxin is used widely in the United States. The technology, with the generic name Aflasafe, has been improved and adapted for use in Africa. Aflasafe products have been developed or are currently being developed in 20 African countries. Aflatoxin biocontrol is being scaled up for use in several African countries through a mix of public, private, and public-private interventions. Farmers in several countries have commercially treated nearly 400,000 ha of maize and groundnut achieving >90% reduction in aflatoxin contamination. This chapter summarizes the biology of aflatoxin-producing fungi and various factors affecting their occurence, including climate change. Various management practices for aflatoxin mitigation are then discussed. These include biological control, which is increasingly being adopted by farmers in several countries. We discuss biocontrol product development and commercialization in various African countries. Subsequently, we highlight some barriers to adoption and other challenges.

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Older Women's Community Mobility: A Qualitative Exploration

Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement ◽

10.1017/s0714980800000659 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

pp. 75-84 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Marcia Finlayson ◽

Joseph Kaufert

Keyword(s):

Older Women ◽

Health Care Providers ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Care Providers ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Community Mobility ◽

Bad Weather ◽

Qualitative Exploration ◽

And Control ◽

The City

ABSTRACTMany of the limitations experienced by community-dwelling older women are related to mobility within their communities. This qualitative study explored community mobility from the perspective of older, community-dwelling women in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Semi-structured interviews were completed with 23 older women (mean age 75.9 years) identified through an existing database. In addition to travels to conduct instrumental activities of daily living and participate in social and recreational activities, the women in the study described trips to fulfil social obligations (e.g., attending funerals, visiting sick friends) and emphasized the importance of these trips. The women's travels through the city were influenced by their perception of risk and the strategies they employed to minimize or avoid risk during the day, in the evening, and during bad weather. Autonomous community mobility provided the women with a sense of independence and control. The findings have potential implications for health care providers and community programmers who work to maintain older women in the community.

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Adapting Cultural Heritage to Climate Change Risks: Perspectives of Cultural Heritage Experts in Europe

Geosciences ◽

10.3390/geosciences8080305 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (8) ◽

pp. 305 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Elena Sesana ◽

Alexandre Gagnon ◽

Chiara Bertolin ◽

John Hughes

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Cultural Heritage ◽

Climate Change Adaptation ◽

Best Practice ◽

Climate Change Impacts ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Adaptation To Climate Change ◽

Participatory Workshop ◽

Climate Change Risks ◽

The Uk

Changes in rainfall patterns, humidity, and temperature, as well as greater exposure to severe weather events, has led to the need for adapting cultural heritage to climate change. However, there is limited research accomplished to date on the process of adaptation of cultural heritage to climate change. This paper examines the perceptions of experts involved in the management and preservation of cultural heritage on adaptation to climate change risks. For this purpose, semi-structured interviews were conducted with experts from the UK, Italy, and Norway as well as a participatory workshop with stakeholders. The results indicate that the majority of interviewees believe that adaptation of cultural heritage to climate change is possible. Opportunities for, barriers to, and requirements for adapting cultural heritage to climate change, as perceived by the interviewees, provided a better understanding of what needs to be provided and prioritized for adaptation to take place and in its strategic planning. Knowledge of management methodologies incorporating climate change impacts by the interviewees together with best practice examples in adapting cultural heritage to climate change are also reported. Finally, the interviewees identified the determinant factors for the implementation of climate change adaptation. This paper highlights the need for more research on this topic and the identification and dissemination of practical solutions and tools for the incorporation of climate change adaptation in the preservation and management of cultural heritage.

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SMEs ECT Reality

Electronic Business ◽

10.4018/978-1-60566-056-1.ch027 ◽

2009 ◽

pp. 421-439

Author(s):

Zakia A. Elsammani

Keyword(s):

Strategic Planning ◽

Electronic Commerce ◽

Management Practices ◽

Change Agent ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Web Presence ◽

The Difference ◽

The Uk ◽

Development And Management ◽

Over Time

Lack of strategic planning in e-commerce and subsequently e-business adoption within smallto medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) has been strongly reported in literature. This chapter presents SMEs’ Web presence implementation patterns and unravels the reasons behind the lack of strategic planning when adopting Electronic Commerce Technologies (ECT). The chapter presents findings from semi-structured interviews from 11 SMEs in the Northwest of the UK. Findings reflect the difference in development and management practices of Web presence, between the more able Need Pull SMEs that identified the need to adopt ECT, and the less able Technology Push SMEs that were mostly influenced by change agent diffusion and awareness efforts. Over time, each group of SMEs reflect a different pattern in ECT implementation. This chapter depicts the issues that hinder SMEs, particularly in micro and small, in moving beyond Web site adoption.

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110 Participants and Volunteer Host Experiences of First Steps Course for Those Newly Diagnosed with Parkinson’s: A Qualitative Study

Age and Ageing ◽

10.1093/ageing/afz197 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 49 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. i37-i37

Author(s):

E R Bodger ◽

K Ibrahim ◽

H C Roberts

Keyword(s):

Information Support ◽

Newly Diagnosed ◽

Clinical Environment ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Face To Face ◽

Lack Of Information ◽

Lack Of Control ◽

The Uk ◽

And Control

Abstract Introduction People with Parkinson’s (PwP) and their caregivers often report poor diagnosis experiences and a lack of information, support and control over Parkinson’s. First Steps is a two-day course delivered by volunteers with Parkinson’s, which aims to help those newly diagnosed and their caregivers face the future positively and take control of Parkinson’s. This study aimed to capture the views and experiences of participants and volunteer hosts of First Steps, and evaluate if it meets those aims. Methods Using purposive sampling, twelve participants comprising four PwP, five caregivers and three volunteer hosts were recruited. Face-to-face, semi-structured interviews were conducted, audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. Results Course participants found First Steps informative, supportive, and helpful in feeling more positive about Parkinson’s. Participants were reassured by the hosts having Parkinson’s, despite prior concerns regarding seeing people who might have more advanced Parkinson’s. Some found First Steps more relatable than other support services and reported that the course complemented clinician-led courses as the content was aimed at caregivers as well as PwP, with variation in information delivery techniques. Among the PwP and caregivers, two thirds reported a lack of control over Parkinson’s and some felt First Steps had improved their control. Hosts felt they had control over Parkinson’s and perceived their role to be both challenging and rewarding. Conclusions First Steps was perceived as a helpful course, offering information and support for those newly diagnosed and their caregivers in a positive and non-clinical environment. Volunteer hosts felt more control over Parkinson’s than other participants, but there was evidence that the course helped some experience more control. Suggested course improvements included: additions to the presentation content with more emphasis on taking control, and offering group follow up sessions. This will inform current expansion across the UK.

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Between a rock and a hard place: the dilemmas of managing part‐time working in the police service

Human Resource Management International Digest ◽

10.1108/09670730510576383 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 24-25

Keyword(s):

Police Force ◽

Full Time ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Content Type ◽

Police Station ◽

Family Friendly ◽

The Status ◽

Part Time ◽

The Uk ◽

And Control

PurposeTo study the effects of the introduction of part‐time working on managing a police force.Design/methodology/approachThis case study involved in‐depth, semi‐structured interviews with part‐time officers in an English police force, their full‐time colleagues and managers.FindingsThe author illustrates practical problems which police managers face in ensuring they have staff in adequate numbers and experience to carry out the duties required of an organization which has to operate 24 hours‐a‐day, seven days‐a‐week and which has no way of knowing in advance what demands will be placed on it at any given time. The study focuses attention on the dilemma of legislation designed to improve the status of part‐time workers generally, and people's expectation of “family friendly” employment, with the traditional “command and control” needs of an organization such as a police force.Practical implicationsImplications for human resource management are identified, as the conflicting needs and views of manager and part‐time employees are explored. These conflicts are particularly difficult for HR to reconcile as part‐time and reduced‐hours working continues its expansion.Originality/valueProvides some useful information on part‐time working at a police station in the UK.

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Non-technical barriers for decentralised energy and energy efficient buildings

International Journal of Energy Sector Management ◽

10.1108/ijesm-03-2014-0001 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 8 (4) ◽

pp. 544-561 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Chris I. Goodier ◽

Ksenia Chmutina

Keyword(s):

Critical Role ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Content Type ◽

Social Barriers ◽

Energy Efficient Buildings ◽

Key Stakeholders ◽

Organisational Values ◽

The Uk ◽

And Control ◽

Relationship Of

Purpose – This paper aims to demonstrate the complex inter-relationship of non-technical barriers involved in the implementation of decentralised energy (DE) projects. To meet its ambitious 2050 target of 80 per cent carbon emission reduction, the UK needs to increase dramatically the wider uptake of DE systems. Many examples exist internationally of DE systems leading to enhanced carbon emissions reductions, including systems based not only on technological but also on more innovative policy, financial and social-economic approaches. Design/methodology/approach – Following semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders and thematic analysis with NVivo8, four exemplar international DE case studies have been investigated. Findings – The main non-technical barriers were not necessarily financial, as is often believed; governance barriers, such as out-of-date regulations or unreliable partners, can also play a critical role in a project’s success or failure. Social barriers such as public apathy and misinformation often affect a project’s operation. It is further hypothesised that non-technical barriers are often shaped by personal and/or organisational values related to consumption, abundance, trust and control. Finally, recommendations are provided on overcoming these barriers with regards replicating similar DE projects in the UK context. Originality/value – A systematic perspective is presented, which takes into account the possible interactions between the various barriers and demonstrates that to remove some of these barriers, it is important to understand and account for their varied and interconnected nature.

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Critical strategic issues for the integration of facilities management into the development process

Property Management ◽

10.1108/pm-05-2016-0022 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 35 (4) ◽

pp. 380-393 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Matthew Paul Tucker ◽

Mohd Rayme Anang Masuri ◽

Alison Cotgrave

Keyword(s):

Best Practices ◽

Best Practice ◽

Development Process ◽

Research Approach ◽

Facilities Management ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Property Development ◽

Content Type ◽

Strategic Issues ◽

The Uk

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify the critical strategic issues for the integration of facilities management (FM) into the development process (DP). It explains the factors that limit the integration and recognises the best practices applied in the property development industry in the UK. Design/methodology/approach The study employs a qualitative research approach through semi-structured interviews from the FM and property development industry in the UK. Findings The study discovered that the recognition of FM in the property development industry is encouraging. However, FM has been given a low priority in the property development industry, resulting in facilities managers being inadequately integrated into the DP. Originality/value The paper suggests that it is imperative to understand these strategic issues to promote best practice in the industry that improve the position of FM in the property development industry.

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The Effect of Talent Management Practices on Employee Retention at the Namibia University of Science and Technology: Administration Middle-Level Staff

SA Journal of Human Resource Management ◽

10.4102/sajhrm.v19i0.1485 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 ◽

Author(s):

Jacobina Amushila ◽

Mark H.R. Bussin

Keyword(s):

Employee Retention ◽

Best Practice ◽

Management Practices ◽

Tertiary Education ◽

Qualitative Content Analysis ◽

Science And Technology ◽

Target Population ◽

Talent Management ◽

Middle Level ◽

Structured Interviews

Orientation: Talent management (TM) practices in the competitive corporate environment and the success and profitability in an institution can affect employee retention, the institution’s objective achievements and the contribution to Namibia’s economic growth.Research purpose: The primary aim of the study was to determine if TM can influence the retention and turnover of employees at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), to explore the benefits that the institution can achieve by implementing TM and to study retention strategies that the institution can adopt to reduce turnover.Motivation for the study: Limited research existed regarding the execution of best practice TM in this institution. New ways need to be engaged for employees to stay employed longer at the institution.Research approach/design and method: The qualitative research design was implemented, with a target population of 39 administrative middle-level staff at NUST. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and research articles were reviewed. The data were analysed via qualitative content analysis that identified major themes.Main findings: This study found a relationship between TM and employee retention and concluded that synchronisation of TM practices and employee retention initiatives led to reduced employee turnover. A model was recommended.Practical/managerial implications: To implement and achieve TM properly, line managers and HRM managers should identify what hinders and facilitates TM.Contribution/value-add: This study will contribute to research of TM in Namibia and to the field of HRM in the public sector, particularly in the tertiary education area.

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