scholarly journals Some production outcomes when management practices and deer behaviour interact

2003 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 73-77
Author(s):  
J.C. Pollard ◽  
D.R. Stevens

There are three key times during the year when deer management interacts with behavioural needs to influence pr oductivity. At calving time , average neonatal losses are 10-12%. The most common causes of perinatal mortality are dystocia, starvation and misadventure. Observational studies have shown that loss of contact between the hind and calf, calf beating by hinds and entanglement of calves in fences are consequences of calving environments with high stocking densities, that lack vegetative or topographical cover, allow disturbance by humans, or provide unfamiliar social or environmental conditions. Weaning is a second critical production phase when management affects pr oductivity. Early post-weaning growth rates in calves weaned before the rut are not influenced readily by feed quality. Reducing weaning stress using management tools such as confining the calves indoors for a few days, or adding some unrelated hinds to the weaned group can improve weight gains at this time. Another option is to delay weaning until the calves are older. Mating time is a third critical period dur ing which management needs to take behavioural needs into account. Appr opriate stag-hind ratios and management at mating that increase the chances of conception have been identified. Suitable social conditions at mating differ between yearling and adult hinds. Fence line pacing is frequently observed at the above three critical times and can occur at other times of the year in response to unfavourable conditions. Pacing consumes energy and contributes to erosion and fence maintenance requirements. Attention to the behavioural needs of deer can help improve performance through appropriate management systems. Keywords: behaviour, calving, fence pacing, management, mating, weaning

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 2274
Author(s):  
Haley E. Rymut ◽  
Laurie A. Rund ◽  
Courtni R. Bolt ◽  
Maria B. Villamil ◽  
Bruce R. Southey ◽  
...  

Weaning stress can elicit changes in the metabolic, hormone and immune systems of pigs and interact with prolonged disruptions stemming from maternal immune activation (MIA) during gestation. The present study advances the characterization of the combined effects of weaning stress and MIA on blood chemistry, immune and hormone indicators that inform on the health of pigs. Three-week-old female and male offspring of control gilts or gilts infected with the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus were allocated to weaned or nursed groups. The anion gap and bilirubin profiles suggest that MIA enhances tolerance to the effects of weaning stress. Interleukin 1 beta and interleukin 2 were highest among weaned MIA females, and cortisol was higher among weaned relative to nursed pigs across sexes. Canonical discriminant analysis demonstrated that weaned and nursed pigs have distinct chemistry profiles, whereas MIA and control pigs have distinct cytokine profiles. The results from this study can guide management practices that recognize the effects of the interaction between MIA and weaning stress on the performance and health of pigs.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 229-229
Author(s):  
Kimberly Wilbers ◽  
Bruce C Shanks ◽  
James D Caldwell ◽  
Megan Koppen ◽  
Kevin Adams

Abstract Weaning stress and other environmental conditions can impact growing rabbit performance and carcass measurements. Therefore, investigating a feed ingredient that may mitigate these effects is important. The objective of this study was to determine if the addition of a phytogenic feed additive would improve performance and carcass measurements of growing rabbits. On October 22nd, 2018, a total of 16 (1.01 ± 0.02 kg BW) New Zealand White male rabbits were weaned and stratified by BW and allocated randomly to 1 of 2 groups representing 2 treatments: 1) Control (C; no phytogenic; n = 8) and 2) 454 g/ton phytogenic feed additive (PHYTO; n = 8). During the 42-d study, rabbits were housed in individual cages and offered a 18% CP and 2% fat commercial grower diet. All rabbits had ad libitum access to feed and water. Rabbits were weighed at the start of the study and weekly thereafter until the end of the feeding period when they were transported to a local abattoir, harvested, and carcass measurements recorded. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS. Start weight, weekly BW, end BW, weekly gain, total gain, weekly intake, total intake, and G:F did not differ (P ≥ 0.11) between treatments. Carcass shrink percentage was greater (P = 0.003) from PHYTO compared with C. Whereas, HCW and dressing percentage were greater (P < 0.05) from C compared with PHYTO. Loin width did not differ (P = 0.89) between treatments. Ultimate pH was lower (P = 0.02) from PHYTO compared with C. Therefore, offering this specific phytogenic to weaned rabbits may not improve performance, but may impact certain carcass measurements. Further research is warranted to explore phytogenic impacts on carcass acceptability.


2019 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. 192-203
Author(s):  
Brian K. Coffey ◽  
Ted C. Schroeder

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the relationships between grain farm and farmer profiles and their respective choices to use forward pricing techniques and revenue protection crop insurance to manage risk.Design/methodology/approachAn e-mail survey of Midwestern grain farmers elicited farmer demographic information, farm profile, risk attitudes and farmer use of forward pricing and revenue protection insurance. Responses regarding use of risk management tools were compiled as choices to use possible bundles of tools to account for simultaneous nature of the decision. Choices to use bundles of tools were used as the independent variable categories in a multinomial logit regression. Regressors were relevant data collected from the survey.FindingsFarm size, using a market advisory service, and being a technology adopter are the most important factors in predicting risk management tool use by grain farmers. Farmers tend to use forward pricing and revenue protection insurance in combination. Large farms are more likely to use forward pricing tools.Practical implicationsResults provide researchers, extension professionals and risk management specialists with a current understanding of how farm and farmer characteristics relate to use of risk management tools. The authors also elaborate on findings to provide guidance for future risk management research.Originality/valueThe survey covered 9 Midwestern states and 648 grain farmers. The survey results update understanding of grain farmers’ risk management practices. The empirical approach treats risk management decisions to use available tools as simultaneous, which recent literature suggests is more appropriate than earlier approaches.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-88
Author(s):  
Sri Budi Cantika Yuli

This study aims to reveal the characteristics of Islamic organizational culture at University of Muhammadiyah Malang as an effort to improve employee performance. This study uses qualitative method by applying phenomenology approach. It is conducted by examining the experience realized by the informant (conscious experience) and the instruments of data collection are interviews, observation, and documentation so that researchers can obtain more complete data about the characteristics of Islamic organization culture at University of Muhammadiyah Malang. The research subjects are: (1) university board; (2) deans; (3) employees. Moreover, the qualitative data analysis techniques in this study uses 3 (three) analyzes, namely: data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion. The results of this study indicate that perceptions of Islamic organizational culture can be seen from the perception of university board, lecturers and employees on the value of leadership, norms and management practices, stories and figures, traditions and rituals, as well as perceptions on symbols. It can be concluded that the characteristics of Islamic organizational culture include: (1) Shiddiq (truthfulness) to achieve personal excellence that is honest, transparent, and accountable, (2) Amanah (trustworthiness) to achieve inter-personal capital that is unprejudiced and commitment, (3) Tabligh (advocacy) to achieve visionary and communicative leadership that is communicative and open, (4) Fathonah (wisdom) to achieve professionalism and technical leadership that is smart, competent, and innovative.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-62
Author(s):  
Gabriel Barroso De Azevedo ◽  
Emerson Antônio Maccari ◽  
Nader Asgary

Purpose – Higher education institutions have used more and more project management tools to run development projects to create new professional postgraduate programs. The purpose of this research was to propose an adaptive project management model for creating a professional doctoral course in Business Administration, in order to fulfill the goals established by CAPES.Design/methodology/approach – For such, the qualitative approach was favored with the adoption of the single case study method. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with academic coordinators who are experts in the field in addition to the gathering of documents, thus using data triangulation to explore the phenomenon. The analysis of primary data and the analysis of documents from the Coordinating Agency for Advanced Training of Graduate Personnel (CAPES) served as inputs for analyzing and interpreting the results.Findings – As a result, we developed an adaptive project management model with the following characteristics: a) constant planning of activities, occurring in every cycle of interactions; b) iteration using short activities, allowing for more control of the project; c) validations performed continuously to ensure the goals proposed by CAPES are reached; and d) adaptable to change of scope during the execution phase of the project life cycle.Research limitations/implications – Among the limitations of the study is the lack of other studies related to the use of adaptive project management methodologies for developing postgraduate programs. And for future researches, we point out the need for applying the proposed model, to verify its efficacy and adherence to the development of a professional doctoral course.Originality/value – This study contributes to the academy by highlighting the need for project management as a tool and technique for the development of stricto sensu professional graduate programs. In this way, HEIs will be able to use a model of adaptive project management practices to achieve the objectives proposed by the CAPES evaluation process. As a result, HEIs are strengthened in the management, control and monitoring of the progress of their programs.


2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 734-752 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manish Dave ◽  
Kanhaiya Singh ◽  
Arya Kumar ◽  
Sachin Kumar

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop knowledge management constructs comprising of KM processes and KM practices through marketing and sales to derive competitive advantage (CA) in the cement industry. Design/methodology/approach A thorough and detailed analysis of the literature was carried out to develop the measures for KM practices, KM processes and their impact on CA. A total of 65 variables affecting competitiveness in the form of questionnaire were developed. The questionnaire was administered through e-mail to 962 territory sales managers (TSM) and equivalent employed in the marketing and sales function of the cement organizations in India. A total of 121 valid and complete responses were received, representing a response rate of 12.6 percent. The factor analysis was carried out on the data collected to establish reliability and validity of the measures. Findings A total of seven constructs pertaining to knowledge management practices and processes and competitiveness that comprises of 65 variables have been developed. The statistical results establish that the constructs and the variables considered in the study are reliable and valid. Research limitations/implications The sample of respondents for developing constructs consisted of TSM and equivalent employed in the marketing and sales function of cement companies in India. Research scope can be enhanced in the future study by including middle and senior level managers in cement companies to better diagnose and understand perception of KM initiatives across different levels in the cement industry. The work can also be extended to incorporate inbound logistics and procurement that directly contributes to the overall value chain to have a holistic perspective. Practical implications The measures developed in this study would be effective management tools for the implementation of knowledge management initiatives in the marketing and sales function to ascertain their level of implementation and impact on the competitiveness. Originality/value This study is probably the first of its kind in India to provide KM measures combined for practices and processes to understand the relationship with competitiveness in cement companies pertaining to marketing and sales function. It provides valuable insights as a strategic tool for investing in KM initiatives.


2020 ◽  
pp. 547-563
Author(s):  
Beata Jałocha ◽  
Ewa Bogacz-Wojtanowska

Project Portfolio Management is a relatively new practice for the majority of non-government organisations. Project portfolio management is important in the areas of management and education of third sector practitioners. However, project portfolio management, corporate management tools are usually used in the business sector with very little research undertaken in the non-government sectors. This chapter fills that research gap by identifying and analysis of project portfolio management practices in non-governmental organizations. Findings suggest that non-government organisations manage multiple projects simultaneously but that project portfolio management could support them to build their portfolio in accordance with a strategic plan that can fulfil their strategic objectives efficiently and effectively.


2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 251-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sónia Duarte Silva ◽  
Ana Fonseca

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to apply quality management tools and practices in the design of an integrated accreditation model for Local Health Trusts, in order to contribute to the sustainability of the Portuguese Primary HealthCare Service. Following the guidelines of the Portuguese Health Quality Strategy, the proposed model is an adaptation of the model from Agencia para la Calidad Sanitaria de Andaluzia. Design/methodology/approach The development of the integrated accreditation model was based on a literature review, complemented with observation and analysis of the usual working methods in a Local Health Trust (Western Oporto Health Trust). Findings Local Health Trusts include not only clinical management units but also non-clinical administrative units. Therefore, the National Model for Accreditation of HealthCare Institutions is not easily or directly applicable to them. To overcome this problem, the model proposed in this study incorporates ISO 9001 principles, widely accepted regarding organizational management. The success of the application of this model is highly dependent on the ability of public Primary HealthCare organizations to deal with potential problems such as resistance to change, lack of leadership and inadequate people management and involvement. Originality/value The integrated accreditation model proposed in this research is expected to promote the cohesion of Local Health Trust units, encouraging integrated quality management practices and continuous improvement strategies, leading Local Health Trusts, Primary Care and HealthCare in a global perspective toward sustainability.


2016 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 495-522 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klen Copic Pucihar ◽  
Matjaž Kljun ◽  
John Mariani ◽  
Alan John Dix

Purpose – Personal projects are any kind of projects whose management is left to an individual untrained in project management and is greatly influenced by this individual’s personal touch. This includes the majority of knowledge workers who daily manage information relating to several personal projects. The authors have conducted an in-depth qualitative investigation on information management of such projects and the tacit knowledge behind its processes that cannot be found in the organisational structures of current personal information management (PIM) tools (file managers, e-mail clients, web browsers). The purpose of this paper is to reveal and understand project information management practices in details and provide guidelines for personal project management tools. Design/methodology/approach – Semi-structured interviews similar to that in several other PIM exploratory studies were carried out focusing on project fragmentation, information overlap and project context recreation. In addition, the authors enhanced interviews with sketching approach not yet used to study PIM. Sketches were used for articulating things that were not easily expressed through words, they represented a time stamp of a project context in the projects’ lifetime, uncovered additional tacit knowledge behind project information management not mentioned during the interviews, and were also used to find what they have in common which might be used in prototype designing. Findings – The paper presents first personal project definition based on the conceptualisations derived from the study. The study revealed that the extensive information fragmentation in the file hierarchy (due to different organisational needs and ease of information access) poses a significant challenge to context recreation besides cross-tool fragmentation so far described in the literature. The study also reveals the division of project information into core and support and emphasises the importance of support information in relation to project goals. Other findings uncover the division of input/output information, project overlaps through information reuse, storytelling and visualising information relations, which could help with user modelling and enhancing project context recreation. Research limitations/implications – On of the limitations is the group of participants that cannot represent the ideally generalised knowledge worker as there are many different kinds of knowledge workers and they all have different information needs besides different management practices. However, participants of variety of different backgrounds were observed and the authors converged observations into points of project information management similarities across the spectrum of different professions. Nevertheless, its observations and conceptualisations should be repeatable. For one, some of the issues that emerged during this work have been to different extents discussed in other studies. Practical implications – The empirical findings are used to create guidelines for designing personal project information management tools: support the selective focus on information with the division into core and supportive information; visualise changes in project information space to support narratives for context recreation; overcome fragmentation in the file system with selective unification; visualising project’s information relationship to better understand the complexity of project information space; and support navigating in project information space on two axes: time and between projects (overlaps through information). Originality/value – The study presents a longitudinal insight into personal project information management. As such it provides a first formal definition of personal project from the information point of view. The method used in the study presented uses a new approach – sketching in which participants externalised and visualised personal information and projects they discussed. The insights derived from the study form design implications for personal project management tools for knowledge workers.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Guido Noto ◽  
Federico Cosenz

PurposeLean Thinking is an operation management discipline which aims to identify, map and analyse the activities forming a process to detect “value waste” and outline the most effective flow of activities to execute in sequence. Process mapping is often developed in lean projects through the use of the Value Stream Map (VSM). Like many other management tools, the VSM adopts a static and non-systemic perspective in the representation of an organizational process. This may result in the implementation of Lean projects inconsistent with the overall organizational long-term strategy, thus leading to dysfunctional performance. In order to overcome this limit, the paper suggests combining VSM with System Dynamics (SD) modelling.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on a review of the literature on VSM. This review is matched with an analysis of SD modelling principles aimed at explaining the practical and theoretical contribution of this approach to operation and strategic management practices. An illustrative case study is then provided to explore the practical implications of the proposed approach.FindingsOur results show that SD modelling provides robust methodological support to VSM and Lean Thinking due to its inner characteristics, namely: simulation, systemic view, explicit link between system structure and behaviour and effective visual representation.Originality/valueThis research proposes a novel approach to design VSMs aimed at fostering a strategic perspective in Lean Thinking applications. Such an approach connects two fields of research and practice – i.e. VSM and SD modelling – which have traditionally been kept separated or, at least, partially combined for specific organizational sub-systems, thereby neglecting a broader strategic view of the entire process system.


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