scholarly journals A logistics sector’s perspective of factors and risks within the business environment that influence supply chains’ effectiveness: An explorative mixed method study

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanna A. Badenhorst-Weiss ◽  
Beverley J. Waugh
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Mixed Method Study ◽  
Mixed Method Research ◽  
Logistics Industry ◽  
Operational Management ◽  
Insight Into

Background: Supply chains in South Africa operate in a challenging business environment. This environment influences the efficiency and effectiveness of South African businesses and supply chains. These factors further influence the competitiveness of products produced in the country, the economic growth and development of South Africa.Objectives: The purpose of this study was two-fold: Firstly, to obtain insight into the main business environment risks and other factors, from a logistics perspective; and secondly, to demonstrate the use of methodology not often used in logistics research − the sequential mixed method.Method: The explorative study was conducted amongst logistics service providers and cargo owners in 2013 by means of a sequential mixed method study, consisting of a survey to determine the importance of risk factors in the business environment, followed by a qualitative study in the form of a focus group discussion to obtain richer data and insight into these risks and factors. The results of these two methods were integrated with industry literature.Results: It was found that increasing transportation costs, operational management of infrastructure and human resources-related problems pose the biggest challenges in the logistics industry. In addition, it was found that the mixed method research study has application possibilities in logistics research.Conclusion: The factors identified as particularly problematic for the logistics industry, namely ineffective operational management of infrastructure, the general conditions in the labour market and increasing costs (to some extent) are outside the control of individual organisations. However, organisations can control how they react and mitigate these risk factors. It is shown that these factors and risks can change overnight. The use of the explorative mixed method in obtaining qualitative and quantitative inputs and integrating it with existing literature proved to be a workable and usable methodology.

scholarly journals Critical factors that impact on the efficiency of the Lagos seaports

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Francis Ojadi ◽  
Jackie Walters
Keyword(s):  
Value Chain ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Transport Infrastructure ◽  
State Agencies ◽  
Mixed Method Research ◽  
Critical Factors ◽  
The Past ◽  
Container Depots ◽  
And Storage

Background: Since the past two decades, the Lagos seaports have experienced vessel and storage yard cargo congestion, resulting in dwell times of about 30 days for containerised imports and high trade logistics costs.Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the critical factors that impact the operational efficiency of the Lagos seaports with a view to improving liner trade activities.Method: The study adopted an operational-based approach to understand the dynamics of the various interfaces of the port value chain. The research paradigm adopted for the study was therefore a combination of constructivism and post-positivism paradigms, which entailed the exploration and understanding of the various stakeholders in the port value chain. The epistemology of the research relied on the use of the exploratory sequential mixed method research technique (i.e. the qualitative approach followed by the quantitative approach) at the operational level of port operations.Results: The result of the research showed that significant challenges exist and that some of these challenges cut across all functions of port operations. Challenges are experienced in the areas of corruption, trade fraud, transport infrastructure deficits, the absence of a supply chain culture and shortcomings in the execution of the ‘contract of customs’. Additionally, these factors include the deficiencies in services and facilities provided by state agencies and government-appointed service providers and private sector companies such as truckers, inland container depots, Inland Container Depots (ICDs) and terminal operators.Conclusion: Specific recommendations are made to address the issues identified which, if implemented, could significantly address the current inefficiencies observed in the Lagos seaport’s operations.

scholarly journals The acceptability of addressing alcohol consumption as a modifiable risk factor for breast cancer: a mixed method study within breast screening services and symptomatic breast clinics

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. e027371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Sinclair ◽  
Mark McCann ◽  
Ellena Sheldon ◽  
Isabel Gordon ◽  
Lyn Brierley-Jones ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Breast Screening ◽  
Mixed Method Study ◽  
Alcohol Content ◽  
Teachable Moments ◽  
Symptomatic Breast

ObjectivesPotentially modifiable risk factors account for approximately 23% of breast cancers, with obesity and alcohol being the two greatest. Breast screening and symptomatic clinical attendances provide opportunities (‘teachable moments’) to link health promotion and breast cancer-prevention advice within established clinical pathways. This study explored knowledge and attitudes towards alcohol as a risk factor for breast cancer, and potential challenges inherent in incorporating advice about alcohol health risks into breast clinics and screening appointments.DesignA mixed-method study including a survey on risk factors for breast cancer and understanding of alcohol content. Survey results were explored in a series of five focus groups with women and eight semi-structured interviews with health professionals.SettingWomen attending NHS Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP) mammograms, symptomatic breast clinics and healthcare professionals in those settings.Participants205 women were recruited (102 NHSBSP attenders and 103 symptomatic breast clinic attenders) and 33 NHS Staff.ResultsAlcohol was identified as a breast cancer risk factor by 40/205 (19.5%) of attenders and 16/33 (48.5%) of staff. Overall 66.5% of attenders drank alcohol, and 56.6% could not estimate correctly the alcohol content of any of four commonly consumed alcoholic drinks. All women agreed that including a prevention-focussed intervention would not reduce the likelihood of their attendance at screening mammograms or breast clinics. Qualitative data highlighted concerns in both women and staff of how to talk about alcohol and risk factors for breast cancer in a non-stigmatising way, as well as ambivalence from specialist staff as to their role in health promotion.ConclusionsLevels of alcohol health literacy and numeracy were low. Adding prevention interventions to screening and/or symptomatic clinics appears acceptable to attendees, highlighting the potential for using these opportunities as ‘teachable moments’. However, there are substantial cultural and systemic challenges to overcome if this is to be implemented successfully.

Using a Supply Chain Improvement System (SCIS) to Increase Supply Chain Efficiency

2020 ◽  
pp. 1404-1424
Author(s):  
Herwig Winkler ◽  
Clemens Kuss
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Theoretical Concept ◽  
Process Efficiency ◽  
Background Information ◽  
Supply Chain Efficiency ◽  
Supply Chain Relationships ◽  
Vertical Range ◽  
Insight Into

Because of the reduced vertical range of manufacturing in recent decades, the complexity of supply chain relationships has increased dramatically. To address this complexity, and with the current pressure of competition in today's business environment, improving process efficiency has become an objective for companies and supply chains. Currently, there are no concepts available that enable evaluating and improving efficiency along entire supply chains. Based on this deficit, the authors developed the Supply Chain Improvement System (SCIS). This chapter will present the theoretical concept of the SCIS and provide the reader with two case studies that consider how to apply it in entrepreneurial practice. Beginning with offering some background information, current deficits in evaluating the efficiency of supply chains will be noted. Proceeding with the principles, the chapter will give a deeper insight into the structure of the concept.

scholarly journals Adapting Intertextuality: The case of nursery rhyme characters in creating new canons in children’s culture

2018 ◽  
pp. 193
Author(s):  
Catalina Millan
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Visual Input ◽  
Visual Adaptation ◽  
Mixed Method Study ◽  
Nursery Rhyme ◽  
Palabras Clave ◽  
Key Words Adaptation ◽  
Insight Into

The increasingly common use of English nursery rhymes intertextually has impacted upon their transfer into target cultures: entire nursery rhymes, fragments and characters are now found in translational situations. Most of these situations are adaptations of nursery rhymes into other media; and one of the most evident is the use of nursery rhyme characters found in a different context, frequently portrayed visually. Through a reception case study with Spanish students, this report intends to address issues about the relevance of intertextuality in translation, as well as the child’s assumptions in relation to discourse and visual input. Through a qualitative mixed-method study, children worked with nursery rhymes without visual prompts as well as intertextually presented nursery rhyme characters, and offered insight into acquired expectations and anticipations. Through the revision of the results, visual adaptation proves to contribute to children’s acculturation and assumptions, reducing the openness to foreignization. Key words: adaptation, intertextuality, nursery rhymes, translation, acculturation ResumenEl uso cada vez más común de las nursery rhymes inglesas de forma intertextual tiene un impacto sobre su transferencia a la cultura meta: rimas enteras, fragmentos o personajes se encuentran ahora en situaciones de traducción. Muchas de estas situaciones son adaptaciones de nursery rhymes a otros medios; y una de las más evidentes es el uso de personajes de nursery rhymes en un contexto diferente, normalmente con un apoyo visual. A través de un estudio de recepción con estudiantes españoles de edades comprendidas entre 12 y 14 años, este artículo pretende ofrecer respuestas sobre la relevancia de la intertextualidad en la traducción, además de las presuposiciones en relación al discurso y a los mensajes visuales. A través de un estudio de métodos mixtos, un grupo de participantes trabajó con nursery rhymes sin apoyo visual y con personajes de nursery rhymes presentados de forma intertextual y con apoyo visual. El estudio ofrece información sobre las expectativas adquiridas y los patrones discursivos de los niños y adolescentes. En la revisión de los resultados, se demuestra que la adaptación visual influye en la aculturación y las presuposiciones de los niños partiendo de un modelo hegemónico, y reduce su capacidad de extranjerización en transferencias culturales. Palabras clave: adaptación, intertextualidad, nursery rhymes, traducción, aculturación. ResumL’ús cada vegada més comú de les nursery rhymes ingleses de forma intertextual té un impacte sobre la seua transferència a la cultura meta: rimes senceres, fragments o personatges es troben ara en situacions de traducció. Moltes d’aquestes situacions són adaptacions de nursery rhymes a d’altre mitjans i una de les més evidents és l’ús de personatges de de nursery rhymes en un context diferent, normalment amb un suport visual. A través d’un estudi de recepció amb estudiants espanyols d’edats compreses entre 12 i 14 anys, aquest article pretén oferir respostes sobre la rellevància de la intertextualitat en la traducció, a més de les pressuposicions en relació al discurs i als missatges visuals. A través d’un estudi de mètodes mixts, un grup de participants va treballar amb nursery rhymes presentats ací de forma intertextual i amb suport visual. L’estudi ofereix informació sobre les expectatives adquirides i els patrons discursius dels infants i adolescents. En la revisió dels resultats, es demostra que l’adaptació visual influeix en la aculturació i les pressuposicions dels infants tot partint d’un model hegemònic i redueix la seua capacitat d’estrangerització en transferències culturals. Paraules clau: adaptació, intertextualitat, nursery rhymes, traducció, aculturació

Sassy Girls and Hard-Hitting Boys

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Schupp
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Method ◽  
General Public ◽  
Female Adolescent ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Mixed Method Research ◽  
Adolescent Dancers ◽  
Sequential Explanatory ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Broad Understanding

Through participating in dance competitions, adolescent dancers can potentially learn valuable lessons about responsibility, teamwork, dealing with criticism, and performing under pressure. At the same time, dance competitions can convey strong messages about how participants should look, move, act, and how gender should be performed. This chapter establishes a broad understanding of gender in dance competitions by examining, articulating, and contextualizing female adolescent participants’ experiences with and beliefs about gender in dance competitions by using a mixed method research approach implementing a sequential explanatory strategy. Analysing adolescent dancers’ perspectives about gender in this context provides insight into what makes dance competitions increasingly compelling to the general public as well as imparts valuable information about the expectations and attributes of dancers from this background.

scholarly journals Educator Responses to Migrant Children in Mexican Schools

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Sánchez García ◽  
Edmund T. Hamann
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Middle School ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
The United States ◽  
Migrant Children ◽  
Mixed Method Study ◽  
Mexican Schools ◽  
Teacher Sensemaking ◽  
Elementary And Middle School ◽  
Insight Into

A decade-long, five-state, mixed-method study of students encountered in Mexican schools with previous experience in the United States suggests there may be 400,000 such students in educación básica alone (elementary and middle school). The focus here, however, are data from 68 educators asked how they have responded to such students and their families. We offer an emergent taxonomy of teacher sensemaking about these students and teachers’ responsibilities to respond. We then assert that because they are at the interface between a national institution (school) and transnational phenomena (migration), educators can provide key insight into how migration is shaped and negotiated. Un estudio de una década, en cinco estados, y que utiliza métodos mixtos con estudiantes que se encuentran en escuelas mexicanas con experiencias previas en los Estados Unidos sugiere que se pueden encontrar 400,000 estudiantes de este tipo tan sólo cursando la educación básica (primaria y secundaria). Sin embargo, el enfoque aquí son los datos de 68 educadores a quienes se les preguntó cómo responden a esta clase de estudiantes y a sus familias. Ofrecemos una taxonomía emergente sobre cómo es que los maestros dan sentido a las responsabilidades de tener que responder a este tipo de circunstancias, enfrentadas por estos estudiantes y sus maestros. Procedemos a afirmar que, a causa de que se encuentran en el punto de contacto entre una institución nacional (la escuela) y un fenómeno transnacional (la migración), los educadores pueden proveer información clave sobre cómo es que la migración se define y se negocia.

scholarly journals Evaluating the use of job aids and user instructions to improve adherence for the treatment of childhood pneumonia using amoxicillin dispersible tablets in a low-income setting: a mixed-method study

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. e024978
Author(s):  
Haribondhu Sarma ◽  
Emily Gerth-Guyette ◽  
Syaket Ahmed Shakil ◽  
Kazi Robiul Alom ◽  
Elizabeth Abu-Haydar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Mixed Method Study ◽  
Childhood Pneumonia ◽  
Job Aids ◽  
Key Stakeholders ◽  
User Instructions ◽  
User Friendly

ObjectivesWe conducted a study to evaluate the use of job aids and simple user instructions to improve adherence for the treatment of childhood pneumonia with amoxicillin dispersible tablet (DT).DesignA mixed-method study implemented in three phases between October 2015 and February 2016.SettingsThe study was implemented in two subdistricts of Bangladesh.ParticipantsCaregivers of children aged 2–59 months, health service providers and key stakeholders at national and district level.InterventionsAn intervention including training and job aids and user-friendly instructions was introduced in one subdistrict while standard amoxicillin DT packaging and instructions with no training served as the control in the comparison subdistrict.Primary outcomeAdherence behaviour of caregivers of children aged 2–59 months for the treatment of childhood pneumonia with amoxicillin DT.MethodsWe conducted a survey with 56 caregivers in the intervention subdistrict and 38 caregivers in the comparison subdistrict. We also conducted 44 in-depth interviews to evaluate the job aids and user-friendly instructions with healthcare providers and caregivers to assess the feasibility, usability and acceptability of the tools in intervention subdistrict.ResultsFor 5-day treatment course, 32.1% (95% CI 23.1% to 41.1%) of caregivers in the intervention subdistrict and 2.6% (95% CI 0.3% to 7.8%) in the comparison subdistrict maintained full adherence to the amoxicillin DT treatment for pneumonia. More children under 12 months were given age-appropriate treatment than older children. Key stakeholders and healthcare providers considered the use and integration of the tools into the health system to be feasible and acceptable.ConclusionsThe provision of tools for the treatment of childhood pneumonia with amoxicillin DT had a positive influence on adherence behaviours. These tools can help close information gaps and overcome the barriers posed by medical illiteracy and remembering instructions from providers.

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