scholarly journals The Effects of Open Space on Reducing Workplace Stress: Case Study of Business Park in the Post-Socialist Urban Setting

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 336
Author(s):  
Jelena Maric ◽  
Djukic Aleksandra ◽  
Branislav Antonic ◽  
Danilo Furundzic ◽  
Vladimir Parezanin

Working people spend around 54% of their waking hours at a workplace, according to recent statistics. Work-related stress is unavoidable, and it can damage the health of employees and affect business performance. In this paper, we argue that open space inside the workplace environment can have a positive influence on reducing overall stress levels in all the categories of users. To our knowledge, there is a significant lack of research considering specific business districts and the gated complexes called business parks, especially in post-socialist Eastern European cities, where there they are still a novelty. Empirical research in this study is on the single case study of Business Park “Airport city” in Belgrade, Serbia. Its main focus is on the survey conducted with 235 participants based on a questionnaire, which examines the relation between workplace stress and workplace environments. The findings from the questionnaire show that the frequency, duration, and activity of open space usage influence the stress levels of employees in this specific workplace, while it is not visible relating to their age and gender. Additionally, final implications suggest that improved open space, such as well-expected greenery, but also the urban design non-associative to workspace and the socialization and exercise amenities customized for frequent and short work breaks, can facilitate the overall well-being of employees. They are innovative elements in relatively underdeveloped research on stress measures with open space usage characteristics in the specific (gated) workplace setting.

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dayna Rodger ◽  
Nicola Callaghan ◽  
Craig Thomson

Purpose Sustainably addressing the social and economic demands from an ageing population is a major global challenge, with significant implications for policy and practice. This is resultant of the increasing demand for housing adaptations to prevent increased pressure upon acute health services. Through the lens of institutional theory, this paper aims to explore the levels of joined-up retrofit practice within a Scottish social housing provider, under a constructivist approach. Design/methodology/approach An exploratory single case study of a Scottish local authority was undertaken. Within this, nine key stakeholders were interviewed, taking a hierarchical approach, from director to repair and maintenance staff. Results were analysed by using Braun and Clarke’s six stages of thematic analysis. Findings There is a need for greater levels of integration within retrofit practice to not only improve the health and well-being of the older population but also increase efficiency and economic savings within public services. Currently, there are key issues surrounding silo-based decision-making, poor data infrastructure, power struggles and a dereliction of built environment knowledge and expertise, preventing both internal and external collaboration. However, housing, energy and health have interlinking agendas which are integral to achieving ageing in place. Therefore, there must be system-wide recognition of the potential benefits of improved cross-sector collaboration, preventing unintended consequences whilst providing socioeconomic outcomes. Originality/value This research provides a new perspective surrounding retrofit practice within the context of an ageing population. It highlights the requirement for improved cross sector collaboration and the social and economic cost of poor quality practice.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ute Kaden

The COVID-19 pandemic forced K–12 school closures in spring 2020 to protect the well-being of society. The unplanned and unprecedented disruption to education changed the work of many teachers suddenly, and in many aspects. This case study examines the COVID-19 school closure-related changes to the professional life of a secondary school teacher in rural Alaska (United States), who had to teach his students online. A descriptive and explanatory single case study methodology was used to describe subsequent impacts on instructional practices and workload. Qualitative and quantitative data sources include participant observations, semi-structured interviews, artifacts (e.g., lesson plans, schedules, online time), and open-ended conversations. The results of this study demonstrate an increase and change in workload for the teacher and that online education can support learning for many students but needs to be carefully designed and individualized to not deepen inequality and social divides. The forced move to online learning may have been the catalyst to create a new, more effective hybrid model of educating students in the future. Not one single model for online learning will provide equitable educational opportunities for all and virtual learning cannot be seen as a cheap fix for the ongoing financial crisis in funding education.


2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 313-327
Author(s):  
Claire Heather Boynton Wheeler

This single case study describes acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) with exposure and response prevention (ERP) used with a client presenting with symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Standardized and idiographic outcome measures, including OCD-specific measures (Brief Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale; Obsessional Compulsive Inventory), general measures of well-being and risk (CORE Outcome Measure; Outcome Rating Scale), an idiographic measure (Easy Personal Questionnaire), and a Sessional Rating Scale, were used across baseline and treatment phases. Statistical measures of reliable and clinical change were calculated, and client perspective on change was sought through interview. Cause–effect analysis was used to evaluate the extent to which therapeutic change was due to ACT-specific processes. Results showed reliable positive change with a probability of p < .05 across measures, and clinical change in three of five of the measures in which it could be calculated. The client reported improvements in well-being and the extent to which she lives her life according to her values. ACT-specific processes as well as generic therapy processes influenced change. The client’s own strengths and personal contributions to therapy played a major role in her achievement of therapeutic goals. The use of ACT with ERP in treating OCD and collaborative use of outcome measures with careful evaluation are recommended to clinicians.


2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 238-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raffaele Filieri

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to extend the literature on market-driven and market-driving management and analyzes the Benetton’s market orientation change from a market-driving to a market-driven orientation. Additionally, this study uses longitudinal data to measure the degree of success of the market-driven orientation. Design/methodology/approach – The study is based on a qualitative case study method and it discusses how Benetton has moved from a market-driving to a market-driven orientation. Findings – The paper analyzes the principal transformations the Benetton Group has gone through to implement a market-driven orientation, including the delocalization of the manufacturing and of trusted suppliers; the downstream integration process; the adoption of a flexible, efficient and responsive logistics; the implementation of a modern information systems infrastructure. Revenues data show that the company has benefited of the new orientation, but only in the short-run. Moreover, the early adoption of the market-driven orientation by competing firms (e.g. Zara) and the economic environment seem to play an influence on the performance of market-driven companies. Research limitations/implications – The single case study approach may limit the generalizability of the findings. However, this case study is unique and of high importance for managers in different industries. Originality/value – Although some studies have discussed the benefits of market-driven and market-driving orientations, no study has analysed how companies move from a market-driving to a market-driven orientation. Additionally, existing studies have proved market orientation’s influence on business performance using static measures. This study uses longitudinal data to show the effect of market-driven orientation on a company’s long-term competitive advantage.


Author(s):  
Zenobia Chan ◽  
Gary Wong

Hemiplegia, or paralysis of one side of the body, is caused by injury or illness (for example, a stroke), and leads to other disabilities. People with hemiplegia are limited physically in their daily activities. This limitation affects their social well-being and thus can lead to depression. This paper provides a comprehensive literature review on hemiplegia in men. A single case study of a man with hemiplegia living in Hong Kong is also presented here. A critical discussion of the signs and symptoms of “male-type” depression and humanising attitudes towards men with hemiplegia follows. Critical areas in rehabilitation, social support, and developing partnerships are also highlighted. This paper intends to facilitate better understanding by health and social care providers of the needs of men with hemiplegia. Implications for clinical practice and research are likewise addressed. Further studies using multiple case studies are recommended to ensure a comprehensive understanding of hemiplegia in men.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (43) ◽  
pp. 175-188
Author(s):  
Nahedh Taha Al-Qemaqchi ◽  
Tara Azad Rauof

A residence strongly influences the lifestyle of its occupants and may be a determining factor for the family's quality of life. To maintain the comfort and well-being of its occupants, each dwelling should be adequate for the household. The dwelling should therefore provide a habitable and comfortable environment. Housing space standards in many countries set the conditions for achieving these objectives and generally regulate the overall sizes of individual rooms in addition to the layouts of dwellings. This paper seeks to explore the relationship between habitable area ratios and other component area ratios, such as the structure area, the service area, the circulation area and the open space area, in the context of Iraqi single-family houses. Therefore, this study aims to answer two key questions: Is the habitable area ratio among other ratios compatible with Iraqi housing standards? And does it affect the performance of the units? To this end, the paper adopted a methodology for calculating each area ratio in several newly established complexes in Sulaimaniya City and their relationship to the size of different plot areas for assessing the habitability and efficiency of different house plot areas.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 241-249
Author(s):  
Päivikki Kuoppakangas ◽  
Juha Lindfors ◽  
Jari Stenwall ◽  
Tony Kinder ◽  
Antti Talonen

During 2020, the COVID-19 crisis expanded the use of digital tools in public health and social care. The aim of this qualitative, single-case study was to scrutinize how homecare professionals experienced meaningfulness in their work in the midst of a crisis and with the utilization of the videophone in long-term homecare service provision. The empirical data consisted of 20 thematic interviews carried out among homecare professionals and their managers in the city of Tampere, Finland. The results indicated that the videophone can generate significance, self-realization and broader purposes among homecare professionals, thus providing meaningfulness for work in the midst of a crisis and continuous work-related changes. In addition, a crisis may support change in the meaningfulness of e-welfare in work-related tasks and aid in overcoming reluctance amongst public-sector social care (homecare) professionals towards an e-welfare initiative: the videophone (VideoVisit).


2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (10) ◽  
pp. 1695-1715 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Guzmán ◽  
M. Freeston ◽  
L. Rochester ◽  
J. C. Hughes ◽  
I. A. James

ABSTRACTBackground:A Psychomotor DANCe Therapy INtervention (DANCIN) using Latin Ballroom (Danzón) in care homes has previously been shown to enhance well-being for both residents with dementia and staff. The aim of this study was to understand the effect of this approach on the mood and behavior of individual people living with mild to moderate dementia.Method:A multiple-baseline single-case study across two care homes and one nursing home with 3–6 weeks baseline, 12-weeks DANCIN (30 minutes/twice-weekly sessions), and 12-weeks follow-up was conducted. Seventeen items from the Dementia Mood Assessment Scale (DMAS) outcome measure were adapted with input from senior staff to match participants’ behavior and mood symptoms. Daily monitoring diaries were collected from trained staff on reporting individualized items for ten residents. Data were analyzed, using a non-parametric statistical method known as Percentage of All Non-Overlapping Data (PAND) which provides Phi effect size (ES). Medication use, falls, and life events were registered.Results:Seven residents participated throughout DANCIN whilst three became observers owing to health deterioration. One participant showed adverse effects in three DMAS items. Nine participants, dancers and observers, showed a small to medium magnitude of change (PAND) in 21 DMAS items, indicating a decrease in the frequency of behavior and mood indices which were regarded as problematic; eight items showed no change.Conclusion:Despite methodological challenges, the DANCIN model has the potential to facilitate and sustain behavior change and improve mood (e.g. decrease irritability, increase self-esteem) of the residents living with dementia. The study was conducted in two care homes and one nursing home, strengthening the interventions’ validity. Findings suggest DANCIN is appropriate for a larger controlled feasibility study.


2019 ◽  
Vol 67 (9) ◽  
pp. 445-451 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leslie J. Neal-Boylan

Nurses are at significant risk for work-related injury, and ultimately disability. The purpose of this intrinsic single-case study guided by Yin’s and Stake’s iterative analytic processes was to examine one case of a registered nurse with a profound disability to determine whether this experience aligned with previous research and to examine whether a nurse with a profound physical disability could remain working in a clinical setting. The case study subject (a nurse with a profound physical disability) and the participants (people who knew, worked, and cared for the subject) were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using Yin’s mental framework and iterative analytic process. Participant verification, whereby the researcher confirms the data with each participant, was obtained. The results were aligned with previous studies and support the need to provide environments that utilize and retain nurses with physical disabilities. Nurses with physical disabilities can practice safely in patient care settings, provided there is a supportive culture and willingness to make accommodations. Occupational health nurses have the expertise to take the lead in educating nurses and managers to provide this supportive culture.


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