scholarly journals Improving Equine Welfare through Human Habit Formation

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 2156
Author(s):  
Jo White ◽  
Ruth Sims

This paper explores the potential for interventions to develop pro-animal welfare habitual behaviours (PAWHBs) in people to improve the lives of animals. Human behavioural research indicates that opportunities exist to deliver lasting change through developing positive habitual behaviours. The routine nature of many equine care and management practices lends itself to habit formation and maintenance. This proof-of-concept paper aims to evaluate a theory-based intervention of developing and maintaining a PAWHB in people caring for equines. Qualitative research methods were used. A 30 day PAWHB intervention (PAWHBInt) of providing enrichment to an equine by scratching them in a consistent context linked to an existing routine behaviour was undertaken. Participants (n = 9) then engaged in semi-structured interviews that were analysed using thematic analysis, where the participants self-reported the outcomes they observed during the intervention. The study findings suggest that the PAWHBInt had a positive impact on human behaviour and habit formation. The research helps to address the dearth of evidence regarding the application of habit theory to equine welfare interventions and emphasised linking a desired new behaviour to an existing routine behaviour when developing PAWHBs. The research also highlights the role of mutual benefit for human and equine, and emotion in providing feedback and potential reward, supporting the link to the cue-routine-reward principle of habit theory.

2017 ◽  
Vol 80 (6) ◽  
pp. 375-383
Author(s):  
Gail Boniface ◽  
Deborah Morgan

Introduction Six reviews/inquiries into housing adaptations/home modifications processes occurred in Wales between 2004 and 2015. One resulted in the removal of the means test for children's Disabled Facilities Grants. This research investigated families' and professionals' experiences of the adaptations/home modification process to gain an understanding of their views and experiences. Method Mixed methods of an online questionnaire for professionals, and semi-structured interviews or an online questionnaire for families (depending on their preference), were employed. Forty-eight families participated and an additional 16 families responded to an online questionnaire. Analysis of qualitative data identified emergent themes, which are discussed in this article. Findings The themes were: poor information and communication mainly aimed at older adults; negative experience of the process; and the positive impact of the completed adaptation. Additionally, whilst undergoing the process, families felt that they needed a contact to guide them through the process. This contact was often by default the community occupational therapist. Conclusion A single contact person should be made available for families; occupational therapists should consider their part in that role; more specific information on children's needs should be provided; families need to recognize the part they can play in adding to delays in the delivery of adaptations.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Rachelle Linde

The Muskwa-Kechika Management Area (M-KMA) in northern British Columbia is globally significant for its size, special resource management, and cultural and ecological values. These characteristics were secured in perpetuity through the British Columbian Government’s M-KMA Act in 1998. However, today low public awareness and engagement are seen as threats to the M-KMA’s effectiveness and longevity. Using a mixed-methods approach, this research examined the role of awareness and engagement in safeguarding the M-KMA by conducting semi-structured interviews and a media analysis, both of which informed a public survey. Informing the research design were underlying theories in sense of place, place branding, and the relationship of planned behaviour to place-protective behaviour. Additionally, resource management practices like ecosystem-based management informed the research design and methods of public participation in policy formation.


2020 ◽  
pp. bmjspcare-2020-002632
Author(s):  
Philippa Tollow ◽  
Jane Ogden ◽  
Candida S McCabe ◽  
Diana Harcourt

ObjectivesExisting research has established the importance of appearance concerns for individuals with cancer and identified appearance as an important factor in dying with dignity. No research, however, has explored in depth the role of appearance in the experiences of individuals who have incurable cancer. This research aims to explore patients’ experiences and perspectives in relation to the role of appearance issues in adults with incurable cancer.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 adults with incurable cancer (20 women, 4 men; mean age 54.5, SD 11.32).ResultsThematic analysis generated three themes: ‘Identity: Embodying Cancer’, ‘Communication: Wearing your illness’ and ‘Support: Holistic Care’. Appearance was felt to be an important element of identity, which was often dominated by cancer, leading to feelings of separation from the participant’s previous self. Appearance changes also influenced the way in which individuals communicated with their external world, forcing discussion of their diagnosis, and increasing focus on their cancer, with participants having to manage the emotional impact of this on loved ones, as well as the impact on their legacy. Finally, participants highlighted the positive impact of appearance-related support in their well-being and identified peer connections and refocusing on the self as key elements of such support.ConclusionsAppearance changes play an important role in the experiences of individuals with incurable cancer with regards to both identity and communication and challenged participants’ ability to maintain normalcy. Further psychosocial support relating to appearance concerns was considered necessary to promote dignity and provide truly holistic patient care.


Author(s):  
Daina Vinklere

After regaining independence in 1991, various sectors of the tourism industry in Latvia are united in professional associations. They represent various stakeholders of the industry in all processes important for tourism development and are part of the tourism management system of Latvia. So far, there has been no specific research conducted on the role of professional tourism organisations in Latvia. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to evaluate the achievements and future prospects of the activities performed by the national level professional tourism associations of Latvia. The empirical part of the research is based on the qualitative research methods – document analysis and structured interviews with board members and members of associations, as well as with a senior official at the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Latvia. Research results reveal that the role of those organisations in Latvia is valuable and bring about a positive impact on the tourism industry. Despite the variety of opinions, the majority of interviewees believe that in the course of the next 5 years there will be an increasingly strong influence of associations on the development of tourism in Latvia.  


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvio Carlo Ripamonti ◽  
Laura Galuppo ◽  
Sara Petrilli ◽  
Angelo Benozzo

The way in which managers perceive their organization's intellectual and social capital has an impact in shaping their choices and how they lead change. The aim of the study was to explore how the managers of a trade union framed the role of its intangible assets in a context of organizational change. A qualitative approach was used; 30 semi-structured interviews were conducted with the leaders of a trade union and then analyzed using the method of thematic analysis. Particular attention was paid to the metaphors the managers used to narrate change. The hypothesis underlying this approach is that metaphors are a meaningful resource in that they can convey how organization and its intangible assets are framed. In the results, three “root metaphors” are illustrated—the trade union seen either as a system of domination, an organism, or a culture—together with the consequences of each of these images for the perception and value attributed to the trade union's intangible assets. In conclusion, implications for changing management practices and for further research are discussed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 157-178
Author(s):  
Alcidio Silva Figueiredo ◽  
Luisa Helena Pinto

PurposeThe introduction of robotic process automation (RPA) in shared service centres (SSCs) can hardly be overlooked. This article, therefore, draws on the institutional theory to widen the understanding of its implementation and outcomes regarding people management. Drawing on the lens of the institutional theory and the literature on SSCs and RPA, this study addresses the key challenges and outcomes of robotization.Design/methodology/approachThe study follows a qualitative approach and a purposeful sampling design that collected data from six major SSCs) introducing robotization. Data were collected from semi-structured interviews with service representatives, including RPA project managers. A thematic content analysis was used.FindingsThe introduction of robotics follows mechanisms of coercive, normative and mimetic isomorphism and is effectively replacing workers. So far, this process has been managed through a few reactive people management practices, such as earlier retirements, internal mobility and outsourcing reduction, which warns of future tensions. The findings also show the emergence of new jobs, such as robot developers and robot managers.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the limited empirical body of research in RPA in SSCs. The study is novel as it is one of the first offering an implementation roadmap for other SSCs and illustrates the positive impact on processes redesign. It also provides empirical evidence on the debate about the potential for service workers' replacement versus tasks augmentation. In the longer term, this study opens new research avenues related to the tensions and contradictions from the progressive institutionalization of robotization in service organizations.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-94
Author(s):  
Fatih Goksu

European mobility programmes have been seen as a promising method to promote European identity, particularly with a focus on young generations. In this article, I discussed the constructing role of the Erasmus exchange programme by employing the result of direct crosscultural interaction. Data from Eurobarometer surveys and outcomes concluded from the semistructured interviews revealed that socialising with other Europeans strengthened European identity but contact with the host country remained limited. Diff erent from other studies, this paper also reveals that the national identity of the participants precisely empower as a result of coaction. Furthermore, for the first time in the literature, semi-structured interviews unveiled that cultural differences such as stereotypes and prejudices have no negative effect in promoting European identity among students. Rather, it generates a positive impact for the awareness of national identity.


2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (63) ◽  
pp. 18-21
Author(s):  
Francis Greene

Perceptions of the role of academic heads of departments have altered in recent years. The impetus given by such reports, changes to the way universities are financed, and current management practices within universities, have resulted in Heads of Departments taking on greater managerial responsibility for financial and human resources as well as continuing to lead teaching and research in their departments. Similarly, university libraries are faced with the new opportunities presented by electronic delivery of services, and are having, in a tighter financial climate, to attempt to bring their services much closer to the needs of customers. In this report the interim results of semi-structured interviews with eight university librarians are presented. These interviews are part of a larger project, funded by the BLRDD, into the management information needs of academic Heads of Departments and the role university libraries and administrators play in supplying managernent information to them. The project has used a critical success factors approach to identify the organizational goals of Heads of Departments, the factors that were critical to the achievement of those goals, and the information necessary to manage these factors.


2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 66-78
Author(s):  
Neha Sharma

Abstract Purpose - The study tries to analyze the trends in alumni relations and the role of corporate communication in developing organizational identification and a positive boomerang behavior intention among former employees. The approach of the study has been from the point of view of making this process formal and emphasize on the impact of corporate communication in maintaining alumni relationships, and attracting the former talent for the organization. Methodology- An exploratory methodology was designed to capture the perceptions of current and former employees of nine multinational companies (MNCs) in India, on alumni communication practices prevailing in their organizations. Transcripts of semi-structured interviews were analyzed, coded thematically and the essence of experiences was jointly combined into one description. Findings - Study showed that corporate alumni website, personalized messages on discounts on products and services, emails, social networking platforms, alumni engagement events, leadership and value training workshops and corporate communication standards, particularly consistency, have a positive impact on organizational identification and finally inspire the former employees to rejoin the organization. Practical implications - A number of significant managerial implications are drawn from this study, for example using both corporate communication and training to influence former employees’ attitudes and decision to participate in volunteering activities or rejoin the previous employer. Still, it should be noted that the effect of corporate communication on the behaviors of former employees depend on communication standards and HR interventions in maintaining relationships with alumni. Originality/value - The results provide valuable insights from the key former and current employees perspectives into the effectiveness of alumni communication process to facilitate the recruitment of high performing employees or their involvement in other mutually beneficially activities . Further rehiring alumni is one such innovative method which when done in the right manner can provide a quick solution to the talent crunch. Paper type: Research paper.


2020 ◽  
Vol 01 (02) ◽  
pp. 144-154
Author(s):  
Aamir Sohail ◽  
Abid Hussain ◽  
Adil Riaz

Investigating the emerging role of E-HRM practices among banking sector is a central tenet of study. It examines E-HRM practices and its determinants by impending Managerial level employees of banking sector of Pakistan, one of emerging economies. The researchers used a qualitative research “method approach to document responses of target audience. Ten Semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore” the central practices, functions, and determents associated with role of E-HRM practices of corporate banking managerial level employees. For analytical purposes, Nvivo 10 software was used. The findings of the results indicate that recruitment, selection, training, Job opening, mobile banking, fintech, TRSM, motivation, communication task completion, and Bank performance are major factors which are directly influenced by E-HRM. Practically, this research might be able to offer new understandings for the banking employees, policymakers, bank management and potential employees, helping them to understand the effectiveness of electronic Human Resource management practices.


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