Management In Ireland Research Articles

Management of the axilla: has Z0011 had an impact?

Management of axillary disease in breast cancer has evolved significantly over the last two decades with the introduction of SLNB and a trend towards less radical surgery. Data from the American College of Surgeons Oncology Group Z0011 trial proposes that not all patients with positive axillary lymph nodes require completion axillary dissection. The aim of this study was to determine whether there has been a change in practice patterns for axillary management in Ireland since the publication of this 'practice-changing' trial. A review of breast cancers managed in the 12 months prior to publication of Z0011 (pre-Z0011) and comparison with those managed in the following 12 months (post-Z0011) was undertaken in three tertiary referral breast cancer centres. Patients with a positive SLNB were identified, and clinicopathologic data and subsequent management was compared between the two cohorts. There were 708 SLNB performed during the study period; 326 pre-Z0011 and 382 post-Z0011. There was no difference in the rate of SLN positivity between the two cohorts: 29.1 % had a positive SLN pre-Z0011 and 29.3 % were positive post-Z0011. There were a significantly lower number of axillary clearances performed in SLN-positive patients in the post-Z0011 period (71.4 %) compared to the pre-Z011 period (93.7 %, p = 0.0022 Chi-square). Of the patients with tumour characteristics meeting the Z0011 inclusion criteria in the initial 12 months of the study, 92.3 % underwent ALND compared with 65.6 % in the final 12 months of the study (p = 0.0006 Chi-square). There has been a change in clinical practice since the publication of the Z0011 trial, illustrated by a decrease in the rate of axillary clearance in node-positive breast cancers.

Grassland soil carbon and nitrogen stocks under temperate livestock grazing

Sustainable grassland management is critical to many agricultural economies because of the significant proportion of agricultural commodities derived from grass-fed livestock (milk and meat). Mismanagement will result in a cycle of soil quality deterioration and reduced productivity. This study estimated carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) stocks in relation to grazing management in Ireland, with a focus on understanding the role of management intensity derived from the interaction of stocking rate, N fertiliser rate and reseeding frequency. Soil samples were taken from depths 0–10, 10–20 and 20–30 cm. Soil physical properties, C and N concentrations, and microbial biomass C were measured. Significant increases in C and N concentrations were observed along the texture gradient: sandy loam < loam < sandy clay loam < clay loam < silty clay loam. However, there was little difference in C and N stock according to soil texture class. Soil with 10–20-year-old grass sward contained the lowest soil C and N content, indicating that proper reseeding is necessary to maintain soil C and N storage capacity. Increased chemical N fertiliser rate did not cause changes of soil C and N content, whereas intensified stocking rate caused great changes in soil C and N content by re-locating soil C and N at depth. Moderately intensive management was associated with significantly lower C and N stocks, and highly intensive management was associated with greater capacity of soil C and N, but no interaction between texture and management intensity was found.

The role of expectations in austerity cycles: The political economy of crisis management in Ireland and Greece

The main goal of the paper is to explain the role of expectations in austerity cycles during financial bailouts. The paper presents a political economy model of bailouts, where the conditions, their implementation, and market reception are considered as forms of a social dilemma. In such situations, expectations about the actions of other actors approximated by the concepts of trust or distrust play a critical role. An environment of trust is conducive to mitigating the size and effects of fiscal contraction, while an environment of distrust is likely to magnify both. It is also argued that the credibility of government is the key driving force in these self-reinforcing cycles. The crisis management experiences of Greece and Ireland serve to illustrate the theoretical model.

Environmental and social supply chain management sustainability practices: construct development and measurement

The purpose of this paper is to conceptualise and operationalise the concept of supply chain management sustainability practices. Based on a multi-stage procedure involving a literature review, expert Q-sort and pre-test process, pilot test and survey of 156 supply chain directors and managers in Ireland, we develop a multidimensional conceptualisation and measure of social and environmental supply chain management sustainability practices. The research findings show theoretically sound constructs based on four underlying sustainable supply chain management practices: monitoring, implementing systems, new product and process development and strategy redefinition. A two-factor model is then identified as the most reliable: comprising process-based and market-based practices.

Waste wars- public attitudes and the politics of place in waste management strategies

Arguments about waste management in Ireland are so deeply contested that they have been conceptualised as cultural wars. Key arguments between the warring factions have revolved around what kind of processes will provide a sustainable waste management strategy and at what scale the conflicts over waste should be resolved. To date much of the research into waste management has been fixated on technical issues, institutional arrangements and the top end of governance structures as significant sites for negotiation about waste. Attention to wider publics in these waste wars has been confined to a surface examination of NIMBYism and the State-based development of information-based awareness campaigns. It is proposed in this paper that in order to approach the strong demands of sustainable waste management through multilevel governance in Ireland, as stipulated by EU institutions, a more serious consideration.

Municipal solid waste management in Ireland: assessing for sustainability

The generation of waste in Ireland has increased greatly since the raid 1990's in line with a period of extremely rapid economic growth. While waste management policy subscribes to a notion of sustainability, it is not altogether clear if it is being achieved in practice. To assess for sustainability international trends suggest that the setting of objectives and the measurement of progress towards them might be determined through the use of indicators. Accordingly the central thrust of this article is to assemble a small set of indicators and examine how they might be used in an Irish context to determine progress towards sustainable waste management.

Looking backward to see forward: Historical changes of public knowledge about climate hazards in Ireland

This paper seeks to prompt climate change researchers and climate hazard managers in Ireland to think expansively about the human potential for adjusting to anticipated climate perturbations in the twenty-first century. It argues that, in the past, shifting and expanding combinations of anthropogenic factors propelled important changes of perception and response to disruptive climate events and it suggests that a thorough canvas of past experience with such transitions has the potential to enrich the existing menu of human choices for the future. Evidence of the expanding gaze of humans on climate hazards is presented from a representative selection of monastic chronologies, letters, diaries and newspapers and the links to policy changes that eventually followed in their wake are noted. At a time when innovations in information technology are redrawing the boundary between climate experts and laypersons, with uncertain but potentially far-reaching consequences, a systematic analysis of historical human responses to disjunctive climate events in Ireland would be a useful tool for broadening the basis of climate decision-making.

Leading During Uncertainty and Economic Turbulence

The Problem The high-profile business and political failures characteristic of the global crisis call into question the role of leaders and leadership in these events. The capability of senior leaders to predict, prevent, manage, and overcome crises and uncertainty is critical for organizational success in both the private and public sectors. Little is known about the capabilities and competencies required of public leaders to effectively manage in turbulent times. A greater understanding of these issues has important implications for Human resource development (HRD) in terms of training needs analysis, intervention design, delivery, and evaluation for public sector leaders. Taken together, there is a gap in our understanding of public sector leadership capability during times of crises and uncertainty. The Solution Using a 360-degree assessment approach, this article explores perceptions of leadership among senior public sector managers in Ireland during uncertainty and economic turbulence. The study analyzes qualitative comments and presents findings from 1,200 surveys regarding senior leadership strengths and development needs in 2010, when Ireland was in the height of economic and fiscal uncertainty. The findings indicate that five competencies (communication, character and integrity, personal energy and passion, delivering results, and engaging the organization in developing strategy) account for 75% of all comments relating to senior public sector leadership strengths. Ten competencies account for 77% of all comments relating to senior leaders’ development needs (communication, resources to cope with demands, delivering results, decision protocols, character and integrity, making changes happen, engaging the organization in developing strategy, ensuring accountability, strategic vision, and building teams). The Stakeholders This article will be of particular relevance to HRD academicians and practitioners, especially those interested in public sector leadership.

Spawner escapement of European eel (Anguilla anguilla) from the River Erne, Ireland

AbstractKnowledge of silver eel production and escapement is essential for conservation of the European eel (Anguilla anguilla) stock. Silver eel trap and transport, being undertaken (2009–2012) to mitigate for negative impacts of hydropower on eels in some Irish rivers, was therefore monitored in the River Erne (catchment area 4375 km2). Eel population analyses at an experimental fishing weir involved mark–recapture experiments and sonar (DIDSON) surveys. Silver eel mortality rates at two hydropower stations were assessed by acoustic telemetry. The combined results of these studies enabled estimation of silver eel production and escapement for two migration seasons. For the 2010 season, production and escapement estimates were 42.5 t (1.62 kg·ha−1) and 38.8 t (1.48 kg·ha−1), respectively. For the 2011 season, production and escapement estimates were 44.6 t (1.70 kg·ha−1) and 41.8 t (1.59 kg·ha−1), respectively. Closure of all commercial eel fisheries and initiation of silver eel conservation fishing in 2009 resulted in 9.36, 19.33 and 25.25 t of silver eels being transported downstream of the hydropower dams in 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively. The protocols developed in this study can be used to test models being used for eel population management in Ireland.

Examining farm forest owners' forest management in Ireland: The role of economic, lifestyle and multifunctional ownership objectives

Using a nationally representative survey of 263 farm operators in Ireland, this study develops a typology of private forest landowners' objectives for forest ownership. It is important to understand farmers' forest ownership objectives as this will enhance economic analysis in general, but also to formulate more effective policies that take into account the range of motivational profiles of landowners. Using principal component analysis, three core motivations for forest ownership are identified representing economic, lifestyle and multifunctional benefits. Using a binary logistic regression model these ownership objectives were found to have a significant impact on farmers' forest management. For instance, farmers with relatively stronger economic motivations for forest ownership were found to be much more likely to harvest thinnings whereas the opposite was true of those with more lifestyle orientated objectives. In order to tailor policy at groups with different forest ownership objectives it will be important to be able to identify them through more easily observable owner and property characteristics. This study through multivariate regression analysis found factors such as age of the farm operator, land quality, system of farming, off farm employment and environmental attitudes were related to farm forest owners' ownership objectives. The study concludes that a better understanding of the heterogeneity in farmers' forest ownership objectives will enable policymakers to tailor incentives that more closely align with the diverse motivational profiles of different groups of landholders.

Using CSR as a Tool for Development: An Investigation of the Fair Hotels Scheme in Ireland

This article explores an opportunity for the accommodation sector in Ireland to engage in Corporate Social Responsibility. The aim of this article is to investigate the Fair Hotels Ireland scheme and explore its potential to create social cohesion which may then influence the economic and social progress in both theory and praxis. The research question that supports the aim of this study is: has the Fair Hotels Ireland scheme created value and influenced consumer purchasing? To respond to this research question ten interviews were carried out with Fair Hotel managers in Ireland. A content analysis was used to examine the data. The results indicated that hotel managers noticed an increase in business as a consequence of their CSR and becoming a Fair Hotel; and the scheme was described as creating value for their hotel and staff. However, the managers had not noticed a significant difference in the level of employee satisfaction.

Social work management in Ireland

This article discusses exploratory quantitative and qualitative research into the training and education needs of social work managers in Ireland from four sectors of service, the Health Service Executive (HSE), the Probation Service, hospital social work and non-governmental (NGO) social work sectors. 176 questionnaires were distributed. (56 were returned; a response rate of 32%), 3 focus groups were held with 15 participants and 3 individual interviews were conducted with social work managers. They were asked to identify their postgraduate training, their span of responsibilities, the level of management training they had participated in, and the gaps in their management training. While 82% of this sample of social work managers had post qualifying training and education, which enhanced their social work skills rather than their management skills, none had received social work management training. Three out of 56 had completed a Masters degree in Health Service Management. The probation service, laudably, was the only sector that provided management training. However this training was problematic to the managers as it was perceived as not geared for the social work field. The research participants experienced grave misgivings at their lack of management training and prioritised their training needs as including strategic management, cost benefit analysis, organisational management and financial management. This research clearly identified the need for social work management training and supports the immediate establishment of programmes that address this need in order to enhance existing service delivery.

A Review of Beach Bye-Law Usage in Supporting Coastal Management in Ireland

Coastal areas are commonly the focus of a range of human activities and uses. Beaches are one example of multi-use coastal environments, accommodating activities linked to leisure and recreation, amenity, conservation and business, often simultaneously. Ireland is no different in this regard, as its beach resources provide a range of goods and services of societal value. Ireland has 16 coastal counties and their associated local authorities have a beach management remit, a role that can present a number of challenges. The use of beach bye-laws is one option to support management of beach environments by local authorities. Local authority personnel tasked with beach management from each coastal local authority were surveyed to assess the actual and potential role of beach bye-laws in contributing to more effective management of beach environments and to broader coastal management. Usage of beach bye-laws varied across local authority areas and evidence suggested that the efficacy, use, and implementation of beach bye-laws differed from county to county. Beach bye-laws offer potential but interaction with other initiatives as part of a wider program for coastal management may yield improved results.

Getting What You Want: Information and Crisis Management in Ireland and Korea

Gandrud, Christopher; O’Keeffe, Michael.April, 2012.Getting what you want: Information and crisis management in Ireland and Korea,Reports,[London, U.K.]City University London,32

An exploration of management competencies in public sector procurement

There is currently much debate about the meaning of competency and its importance to professionalization. This article explores the personal meaning and importance of competency from the perspective of public buyers and managers in Ireland and the UK. Using an in-depth mixed method research design, we propose a typology of public procurement competency and discuss the implications of the framework for professionalization of public procurement.

Urban drainage in Ireland – embracing sustainable systems

AbstractThe current approach to stormwater management in Ireland requires that outflows from new developments are restricted to greenfield values that would have occurred prior to development. This typically involved the use of holding tanks constructed within developments to attenuate stormwater from where it was released at a reduced rate via a control structure to a nearby drainage network or watercourse. Improved drainage policies now require that sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) are used to meet this objective. This study presents an evaluation of perceived issues that may impede the adoption of new policies. The findings are based on surveys and focus groups of practitioners involved with the planning and design of drainage systems. Although the study indicates that benefits of SuDS are reasonably well understood, their use, for many reasons, has remained less popular. Concerns with ongoing maintenance and long‐term responsibility of SuDS remain impediments to the embracing of these systems in drainage strategies.

Current evaluation of upper oesophageal sphincter opening in dysphagia practice: an international SLT survey

The assessment of adequate upper oesophageal sphincter (UOS) opening during swallowing is an integral component of dysphagia evaluation. To ascertain speech and language therapists' (SLTs) satisfaction with current methods for assessing UOS function in people with dysphagia and to identify challenges encountered by SLTs with UOS evaluation. A survey was disseminated to 82 SLT managers in Ireland; to two dysphagia Special Interest Groups in the UK; and to the Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists'Bulletin periodical. A survey link was also posted on the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) Division 13 (Dysphagia) web forum. Surveys from 224 SLTs with active dysphagia caseloads were included in data analysis. Only 17.9% (40/224) of SLTs were satisfied with the accuracy and reliability of UOS evaluations currently being employed in dysphagia practice. Satisfaction with current UOS evaluation was not associated with the level of clinical experience (r= 0.078; p= 0.246). Eighty-seven per cent (195/224) of SLTs working with dysphagia experience challenges in UOS evaluation. Challenges reported include lack of resources/equipment (55.9%), limited quantitative information (45.6%), lack of training (41%) and knowledge (39%) in UOS function, and limited multidisciplinary team involvement (34%). SLTs across all levels of clinical experience are not satisfied with current UOS evaluation in dysphagia practice. Based on the specific challenges identified, recommendations to progress SLT evaluation of UOS function in people with dysphagia are proposed.

The experience of work life balance for Irish senior managers

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the experience of work‐life balance amongst senior managers, with particular emphasis on the cause of imbalances. The research is set in a call centre in Ireland at a time when the economy was moving from growth to recession.Design/methodology/approachA single case study approach is taken. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with all eight members of senior management in Ireland and with five members of senior management based in five sites across Europe. In addition, company documentation was used.FindingsThe overall findings of this study point towards the effect the economy has on the promotion and adoption of work‐life balance initiatives. The findings also show that it is not possible to measure work‐life balance in an absolute way, because personal circumstances influence the way this is perceived. Whilst managers with caring responsibilities have obvious work‐life conflicts, the findings show that some childless managers do also, but cannot find a legitimate justification for addressing their needs. Finally, the findings show that long hours and presenteeism do form “part of the job” when accepting a role at a higher level. However, modern technology has helped this to some extent by allowing senior managers to be accessible instead of having to be present in the office.Originality/valueThe paper provides new insights into aspects of managerial work which impact on work‐life balance – in particular the pressure to “choose” to work long hours, the role of technology, the negative impact of traveling time, and the need for more cultural support for a better work‐life balance for managers.

Looking backward to see forward: Historical changes of public knowledge about climate hazards in Ireland

This paper seeks to prompt climate change researchers and climate hazard managers in Ireland to think expansively about the human potential for adjusting to anticipated climate perturbations in the twenty-first century. It argues that, in the past, shifting and expanding combinations of anthropogenic factors propelled important changes of perception and response to disruptive climate events and it suggests that a thorough canvas of past experience with such transitions has the potential to enrich the existing menu of human choices for the future. Evidence of the expanding gaze of humans on climate hazards is presented from a representative selection of monastic chronologies, letters, diaries and newspapers and the links to policy changes that eventually followed in their wake are noted. At a time when innovations in information technology are redrawing the boundary between climate experts and laypersons, with uncertain but potentially far-reaching consequences, a systematic analysis of historical human re...

Pharmacy services at admission and discharge in adult, acute, public hospitals in Ireland

to describe hospital pharmacy involvement in medication management in Ireland, both generally and at points of transfer of care, and to gain a broad perspective of the hospital pharmacy workforce. a survey of all adult, acute, public hospitals with an accident and emergency (A&E) department (n = 36), using a semi-structured telephone interview. there was a 97% (n = 35) response rate. The majority (n = 25, 71.4%) of hospitals reported delivery of a clinical pharmacy service. On admission, pharmacists were involved in taking or verifying medication histories in a minority (n = 15, 42.9%) of hospitals, while few (n = 6,17.1%) deployed staff to the A&E/acute medical admissions unit. On discharge, the majority (n = 30,85.7%) did not supply any take-out medication, a minority (n =5,14.3%) checked the discharge prescription, 51.4% (n = 18) counselled patients, 42.9% (n = 15) provided medication compliance charts and one hospital (2.9%) communicated with the patient's community pharmacy. The number of staff employed in the pharmacy department in each hospital was not proportionate to the number of inpatient beds, nor the volume of admissions from A&E. There were differences identified in service delivery between hospitals of different type: urban hospitals with a high volume of admissions from A&E were more likely to deliver clinical pharmacy. the frequency and consistency of delivering pharmacy services to facilitate medication reconciliation at admission and discharge could be improved. Workforce constraints may inhibit service expansion. Development of national standards of practice may help to eliminate variation between hospitals and support service development.