Senior Professionals Research Articles

Interfirm Mobility: How Big 4 Firm Experience Impacts the Careers and Identity of Non-Big 4 Accounting Firm Partners

This paper conducts a mixed-method study to examine: (1) How do Big 4 senior professionals experience the exit from a Big 4 firm to a non-Big 4 firm? (2) How do they adjust to their new firm? and (3) How do they mobilize their Big 4 experience to contribute to non-Big 4 firms? Rooted in a theoretical framework based on Bourdieusian scholarship, we study the downward move of senior professionals from prestigious Big 4 accounting firms to less recognized non-Big 4 accounting firms. Our study extends the literature by documenting the movements of senior professionals between different accounting firms, which highlights the non-linear nature of careers in accounting firms. Our findings also contribute to the Bourdieusian studies by focusing on the downward deviant trajectory of professionals, a phenomenon that has received little attention in Bourdieu’s work. Finally, we contribute to the literature by showing how non-Big 4 firms rely on the capital of former Big 4 professionals to strengthen their position in the field and to compete with Big 4 firms.

Perception of professionals about patient safety in psychosocial care.

To understand the professionals' perception of risks and factors related to patient safety incidents in psychosocial care. Descriptive-exploratory study, with a qualitative approach, carried out with 31 professionals in type III Psychosocial Health Care Centers, between October 2016 and April 2017. Data collection was mediated by the Experiential Learning Cycle. Content analysis was performed. The professionals revealed risks and factors related to safety incidents in their daily practices, associated with the institution's physical and organizational structure, with the configuration of the clinical process, with clinical administration and organizational management. Final considerations: Continuous efforts are needed on the part of senior managers and professionals to improve the work process and organizational structure in psychosocial care, contributing to the development of the patient's autonomy and social rehabilitation, avoiding institutionalization and, especially, ensuring the safety of this type of care.

Probe into the Humanistic Spirit Contained in the Courses of Science and Engineering in Universities

The mission of higher education is to train senior professionals with a sense of social responsibility, innovative spirit and practical ability. Higher education should regard the effectiveness of moral education as the fundamental standard for testing all work in colleges and universities, adhere to the integration of knowledge transfer and value guidance, and the integration of explicit education and implicit education, and fully explore the humanistic and ideological education resources contained in various courses and teaching methods. In this paper, by incorporating the humanistic spirit into the science and engineering courses, while imparting scientific knowledge, it pays attention to cultivating students’ discipline and collectivism. The teaching effect shows that this teaching method has a certain positive effect on cultivating qualified talents.

Jallikattu – beyond a heroism sport for SKCRF

Learning outcomes The learning objectives have been prepared in accordance with the Blooms Taxonomy (Engelhart et al., 1984). After completion of this case, students would be able to examine and expand the concept of institutions (i.e. a sport as an institution in this case) and understand how important it is to incorporate them in the policy level decision-making (Knowledge); understand a different form of the social institution (i.e. Jallikattu) and capture its relevance for all the involved stakeholders by taking into consideration the challenges that could stem from their interplay (Application); analyze the interests of various stakeholders and their concerns that add to the complexity of a socially relevant issue (Analysis); and integrate the developments of an event (i.e. Jallikattu) over its timeline and develop an action plan for being prepared or for resolving such exigencies, especially for public policy decision making (Synthesis). Case overview/synopsis The case is centred on Senaapathy Kangayam Cattle Research Foundation whose primary aim is conservation and breeding of native breeds of cattle. The protagonist of the case, Karthikeya Sivasenapathy, managing trustee of this foundation, has invested significant efforts to create awareness on the importance of Jallikattu. Jallikattu is an ancient Indian sport played in the rural regions of Tamil Nadu state in India and has been in existence for over 5,000 years. This issue has come into limelight due to its initial ban by the Supreme Court of India in 2014 and its subsequent stay on the ban in 2016. While there are several arguments surrounding this controversy, the arguments can be broadly classified under those who support the ban (i.e. oppose Jallikattu) and those who oppose the ban (i.e. support Jallikattu). Due to the involvement of various stakeholders (government supreme court, animal welfare boards and breed saviour groups) with conflicting objectives, the dynamics of decision-making to settle this issue became very complicated, confusing and time-consuming for Karthikeya. By using the lens of institutions and stakeholder theory, the authors explain the issue around Jallikattu in this teaching note. Teaching note also documents the unfolding of events that happened after 12 January 2017 which succeeded in lifting the ban on Jallikattu. Complexity academic level The case is written for undergraduate and graduate-level students pursuing business programmes and for senior management professionals participating in the executive education programmes. The case is suitable for those who are expected to work in an environment where there is a multitude of complex, formal as well as informal institutions. This case can be used to teach the concepts of institutions, the dynamics involved and to give the flavour of the interactions between these different institutions in solving a social issue. It will fit well into courses on strategic management, social movement and institutional theory. Supplementary materials Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes. Subject code CSS 1: Accounting and Finance.

Growth hacking as an approach to producing growth amongst UK technology start-ups: an evaluation

Purpose“Growth hacking” is a “data-informed” marketing approach that uses digital marketing tools and tactics as well as traditional marketing channels to help technology companies show “proof-of-concept” and sustainability before gaining funding. The purpose of this study was to identify and understand the relevance and importance of growth hacking and identify what growth hacking tools and techniques are used by such organisations.Design/methodology/approachThe main research method for the collection of primary data was in-depth interviews with both industry experts (senior professionals working for growth hacking agencies) and individual growth hacking practitioners who work for technology start-ups based in the UK. Interviews included the use of dimension cards with key growth hacking terms to act as visual cues to facilitate focus and prompt reflection.FindingsIn addition to a data analysis element, growth hacking also requires people to spot emerging opportunities before anyone else does. This makes it very difficult to find people with the right skill-set. It is also important to use traditional marketing methods to bridge the gap between the physical and digital world.Originality/valueThis study shows that growth hacking is a mind-set and process that can help technology start-ups grow quickly with a limited marketing budget. The research offers guidelines and frameworks for start-ups to understand the growth hacking process. The concept has direct synergy with agile marketing and this might be a term/ methodology with which people in the UK may feel more comfortable given the negative connotations of the word “hacking”.

Pursuing Opportunities Available to Support Your Own Learning: A Case Study: University of Guyana Library

This article provides an assessment of the pathways Librarians at the University of Guyana Library (UGL) explored to achieve continual learning for professional growth and self-development.The writers adopted a survey method to capture data from sixteen senior professionals from the University of Guyana Library. The findings revealed that while the University of Guyana Administration provided some avenues for professional growth and development for all professionals, there were some areas that required a more structured and equitable approach. The findings indicated that much more can be done to facilitate growth and development for senior Library professionals, particularly in the field of Librarianship. From the discussions, the researchers concluded that in spite of the limited access to available resources, Library senior professionals actively pursued alternative avenues to enhance and advance learning. This was intended to acquire current knowledge and practice so that they may provide a higher quality of service to their clientele; further, their experience (in the process) will assist in enhancing their professional development and personal growth.

Fundamentals of horn antennas with low cross-polarization levels for radioastronomy and satellite communications

The literature on horn antennas dedicated to radio astronomy and satellite communications applications is very extensive and at times disjointed, relevant contributions being distributed as far back as from the 60's until the present today. This work combines a compact but complete review of the different theories, methodologies and techniques used to describe corrugations and metamaterials in their application to feedhorns used in radio astronomy and satellite communications along with some new work to help explain the theory in a more practical way. Starting with the hybrid-mode condition firstly corrugated horns are explained describing soft and hard boundaries and also the theory from a plasmonic optics point of view. Following this the use of metamaterials in order to design horn antennas with quasi-null cross-polarization and low E-Plane sidelobes level over an ultra-wideband is described. The objective of this work is to help to ease the learning curve of the post graduate students and young professionals dedicated to these tasks, and try to inspire the work of the senior professionals toward a new direction and approach.

Using online game-based platforms to improve student performance and engagement in histology teaching

BackgroundHuman morphology is a critical component of dental and medical graduate training. Innovations in basic science teaching methods are needed to keep up with an ever-changing landscape of technology. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether students in a medical and dental histology course would have better grades if they used gaming software Kahoot® and whether gamification effects on learning and enjoyment.MethodsIn an effort to both evoke students’ interest and expand their skill retention, an online competition using Kahoot® was implemented for first-year students in 2018 (n = 215) at the University of Eastern Finland. Additionally, closed (160/215) or open-ended (41/215) feedback questions were collected and analyzed.ResultsThe Kahoot® gamification program was successful and resulted in learning gains. The overall participant satisfaction using Kahoot® was high, with students (124/160) indicating that gamification increased their motivation to learn. The gaming approach seemed to enable the students to overcome individual difficulties (139/160) and to set up collaboration (107/160); furthermore, gamification promoted interest (109/160), and the respondents found the immediate feedback from senior professionals to be positive (146/160). In the open-ended survey, the students (23/41) viewed collaborative team- and gamification-based learning positively.ConclusionThis study lends support to the use of gamification in the teaching of histology and may provide a foundation for designing a gamification-integrated curriculum across healthcare disciplines.

Building supply chain risk resilience

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine how firms can develop business risk resilience from supply chain disruption events, by developing big data analytics (BDA) capabilities within their organization. The authors test whether BDA mediates the impact of institutional response to supply chain disruption events, and information technology infrastructure capabilities (ITICs), on firm’s ability to develop risk resilience from supply chain disruption events.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on survey data collected from 225 firms, spread across several sectors in the USA and Europe. The respondents are primarily senior and middle management professionals who have experience within the information technology (IT) and supply chain domain. Validity and reliability analyses were performed using SPSS and AMOS; and covariance-based structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesis.FindingsThe analysis reveals two significant findings. First, the authors observe that institutional experience with managing supply chain disruption events has a negative impact on firm’s ability to develop business risk resilience. However, if the organizations adopt BDA capabilities, it enables them to effectively utilize resident firm knowledge and develop supply chain risk resilience capacity. The results further suggest that BDA positively adds to an organization’s existing IT capabilities. The analysis shows that BDA mediates the impact of ITIC on the organization’s ability to develop risk resilience to supply chain disruption events.Originality/valueThis study is one of the few works that empirically validate the important role that BDA capabilities play in enabling firms develop business risk resilience from supply chain disruption events. The study further provides a counterpoint to the existing perspective within the supply chain risk management literature that institutional experience of managing past supply chain disruption events prepares the organization to deal with future disruption events. This paper adds to our understanding of how, by adopting BDA capabilities, firms can develop supply chain risk resilience from disruption events.

Why Teach about Religions? Perspectives from Finnish Professionals

Acknowledging recent research literature on professionalism and religious education across Europe, the article examines the scholars’ and senior professionals’ views on the curricula aims and objectives in religious education in Finland. Through asking the professionals’ views on the aims of RE in relation to supporting of child’s growth and development on one hand and the societal aims of RE on the other, the findings were thematically classified into the following categories. Firstly, the aims regarding the supporting of child’s growth and development were focused on literacy on religions and worldviews, increasing the understanding on oneself and others, personal growth, and the skills for global citizenship. From the societal perspective, RE was seen important for supporting the understanding as literacy, understanding as empathy, and competences for global citizenship. Finally, as regards the educational model of teaching about religions, these professionals held somewhat varied views. Some favoured an RE model based on teaching groups reflecting children’s own worldview affiliations, others supported whole-class instruction, and still others a hybrid model combining elements of both. However, the way in which the instruction is implemented and the position from which religions are examined in education were perceived to be in a key role in this, whatever the formal structures for instruction.

On Being the Editor in Chief of the Journal CHEST: 14 Memorable Years

On Being the Editor in Chief of the Journal CHEST: 14 Memorable Years

The impact of new working practices on employee productivity

PurposeThis study aims to analyse the impact on employee productivity of adopting the activity-based working (ABW) a form of new work practices (NWPs). A study of this nature has never been made in Asia.Design/methodology/approachA mixed methods design was used, which combined a comprehensive literature review, three interviews with senior professionals and a questionnaire survey with 37 office occupiers all from one international real estate consultancy firm in Hong Kong, as a case study, to analyse the impact of ABW on employee productivity.FindingsFindings suggest that ABW influences employee productivity to a certain degree. Though both physical and behavioural working environmental factors influence employee productivity in general, the latter factors were relatively more influential. Interestingly, though space-per-employee has been reduced under the ABW, this has not affected employee performance negatively. However, findings indicate that distraction elements (e.g. interruptions, overcrowding and noise) do have a negative influence on employee performance.Research limitations/implicationsThe scope of this exploratory study is limited to Hong Kong and to a small sample of respondents representing one international real estate firm. However, the results could be interpreted for critical learning in other similarly expensive real estate rental markets.Originality/valueThe study highlighted the impact of not only physical but also behavioural working environment factors on employee productivity. The maximum benefits of NWPs can only be accomplished by striking a balance between aspects of physical and behavioural working environments.

Experts reflecting on the duty to recontact patients and research participants; why professionals should take the lead in developing guidelines

Sequencing technology is increasing the scale of information that could benefit patients who have been tested in the past. This raises the question whether professionals have a duty to recontact such patients or their families. There is currently no clear basis for a legal duty to recontact, and professional guidelines are limited. We conducted interviews with 14 senior professionals from the Netherlands and UK to obtain a range of opinions on what obligations are estimated to be possible or desirable. There was (near) consensus that a lack of resources currently inhibits recontacting in clinical practice, that recontacting is less desirable in research, that information on recontacting should be part of informed consent, and that a legal duty should follow professional standards. There was a diversity of opinions on the desirability of a more systematic approach, potential obligations in hybrid clinical-research projects, and who should bear responsibility for seeking updates. Based on the literature, legal framework and these interviews, we conclude that a general duty to recontact is unlikely, but that in specific circumstances a limited duty may apply if the benefit to the individual is significant and the burden on professionals not too extensive. The variation in opinion demonstrates that further deliberations are desirable. The development of guidelines—a process the European Society of Human Genetics has begun—is important to ensure that the courts, in deciding a recontacting case, can take into account what professionals consider responsible standards in this field.

Outsourcing Property Management? An Evaluation of the Rationales and Motivations

This paper investigates the operation of outsourced property management delivery. Drawing upon semi-structured interviews with senior professionals responsible for property management outsourcing in Finland, Netherlands and the UK, it is found that the perceived advantages and disadvantages of outsourcing property management are broadly consistent with existing work on broader business process outsourcing. In particular, the ability to transfer fixed into variable costs and, so, to externalize operational risks were perceived as key advantages. In addition, due to the size of third party providers, it was possible to benefit from their economies of scale and to gain access to expertise in specific real estate sectors and specialisms. Arms-length relationships with third party providers, relatively short contractual periods and service level agreements are perceived to facilitate more formal quality assurance and performance monitoring procedures. Cost savings did not emerge as a key issue in the property management context but a recurring theme was the trade-off between cost and service quality and the need to maintain the latter in the context of pressures to obtain operational efficiencies. Common outsourcing problems such as information leakage and loss of control of the customer relationship also emerged from the research.

Arts-based psychiatric rehabilitation programs in the community: Perceptions of healthcare professionals.

Despite the increase in arts-based programs in community rehabilitation services in many countries, little is known about how these programs are perceived by health professionals who can refer individuals with mental health conditions to community-based psychiatric rehabilitation services. This study examined how senior professionals with key positions in the public health system perceive the integration of the arts in community-based psychiatric rehabilitation services in Israel. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 10 professionals. The thematic analysis revealed 2 main themes. The first reflected "the perceived position of arts-based programs among other rehabilitation services," and had 2 subthemes: arts as a legitimate supplemental service, and arts as a motivating rehabilitation. The second theme reflected "the unique contribution of the arts to recovery processes," and had 3 subthemes: art-making facilitates self-expression and communication and bypasses resistance, art-making facilitates socialization, and art-making shapes and enhances personal identity. Because most of the professionals were exposed to the creative arts in their workplace, they valued their contribution to the rehabilitation process. Thus, direct contact can provide more information, more accurate perceptions, and a better understanding of the benefits of arts-based services, which may in turn encourage service managers and policymakers to include these services. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

The willingness of secondary nursing students to study senior care and services at the post-secondary level

Objective To understand the willingness of secondary nursing students to study senior care and services at the post-secondary level. Methods Using the convenient sampling method, a total of 375 nursing students of the 2015 and 2016 Class in the School of Medicine and Health of Guang'an Vocational and Technical College were selected as participants from December 2017 to January 2018. The school's secondary vocational nursing students were asked to complete the professional willingness questionnaire for the senior care services. A total of 375 questionnaires were distributed and 340 valid questionnaires were returned. Results A total of 191 (56.2%) of the 340 nursing students had a simple understanding of the senior care profession. A total of 228 (67.1%) nursing students had a simple understanding of the current situation of China's aging population and the shortage of senior care professionals. A total of 110 (32.4 %) nursing students expressed their passion for the senior care profession. A total of 136 (40%) nursing students said that their families would support their future training in senior care. A total of 124 (36.5%) nursing students will consider applying for a senior care program. The expected annual income of 340 nursing students in the first 1-5 years on the job was 40 000, 100 000, 150 000, 180 000, 250 000, respectively. Conclusions Governments at all levels should take effective measures to strengthen publicity and education, and encourage secondary vocational nursing students to actively apply for programs in senior care services. Key words: Students, nursing; Application; Secondary vocational education; Senior care service

Enhancing Epidemiology Capacity During the 2014-15 West Africa Ebola Outbreak: An Assessment of the Role of Applied Public Health Epidemiologists.

In late 2014, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention requested the support of the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists to enhance epidemiologic capacity in the West African countries impacted or threatened by an outbreak of Ebola virus disease. In response, the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists recruited 36 senior epidemiologists who, collectively, made 45 deployments to West Africa, averaging 42 days each. To assess the self-reported experiences and contributions of the deployed epidemiologists, as well as the role of nonprofit public health organizations in large-scale emergency response. Electronic assessment of the deployed epidemiologists. Experienced applied public health epidemiologists who volunteered to participate in the response to the West Africa Ebola virus disease emergency. Descriptive data. The chief, reported functional contributions made during deployments include improving surveillance processes (reported by 73.3% of respondents), building meaningful relationships to facilitate response activities (66.7%), improving data quality (53.3%), and improving understanding of the disease/outbreak (40.0%). Among the professional benefits of deployment to West Africa to assist with Ebola virus disease outbreak response are stimulating enthusiasm for public health work (93.3%, n = 30), broadened perspective of global health (86.7%), and sharpened epidemiological skills (56.7%). Owing to their ability to access experienced, senior professionals, the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists and other nonprofit public health associations can play a meaningful role boosting surge capacity in a sustained, large-scale emergency response.

Guest Editorial: Knowledge Capture and Containment Are Critical to Safe Operations

Guest editorial Thirty years after Piper Alpha and the subsequent Cullen Inquiry into the disaster, which made 106 recommendations accepted by the oil and gas industry, safety remains a priority and a concern. In recent years, operators and the supply chain have worked in a relatively constrained, low-cost environment. The dramatic shift to producing hydrocarbons at lower cost, with fewer people, while transitioning to a more environmentally friendly and sustainable energy future is well under way and will undoubtedly have impacts long into the future. Business leaders and workers must take responsibility for increased investment in healthy, safe working practices and work closely with regulators globally to manage risk. Regulators remain vigilant toward major accident hazard management (MAHM). They are watching for gaps in safety-related skills that may potentially arise and lead to a higher incidence of major accidents in an industry cautiously stabilizing after the downturn. Knowledge loss, from the enforced mass departure of an aging and skilled workforce within the industry, is a concern as highlighted by a recent report from an industry/government working group in Norway, which reviewed offshore health, safety, and environmental (HSE) performance. It commented that although the level of HSE offshore Norway was high, safety challenges have risen in the past few years.1 Plugging the Skills and Knowledge Gap New research has revealed that recruitment is firmly back on the agenda after 4 years of consistent reductions, spurred by cost-efficiency measures. According to A Test of Resilience, DNV GL’s ninth annual report on the outlook for the oil and gas industry, more than a third (34%) of the 791 senior professionals surveyed expect to grow their workforce in 2019—more than three times as many respondents than 4 years ago (10%). Over a third (39%) also expect to increase the use of contractors this year. However, skills shortages and an aging workforce have resurfaced as a major concern. The issue takes joint second place as a perceived barrier to growth, alongside the oil price and the state of the global economy. Competitive pressure is viewed as the greatest challenge. The study also found a leap of 20 percentage points over the past 2 years in the number of respondents looking to increase or maintain investment in training and competence, up from 65% in 2017 to 88% for the year ahead.

Development of Libraries and Library Science Education in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhawa, Pakistan:

The history of Library and Information Science in Pakistan is traced back to the arrival of W. A. Broaden and Asa Don Dickinson to Sub-continent in 1911 and 1916 respectively. This piece of document tends to explore the history of library and library science education, library activities and role of professional associations in promotion of library culture in North-West part of Pakistan. This study is basically historical in nature. The paper is broadly divided into three parts that is library science education, library developments through ages and library associations and their role in the promotion of libraries in Khyber Pakhtunkhawa. Efforts were made to elaborate the growth of libraries in different eras over the passage of time. The role of Muslims and British in the promotion of library culture is also discussed. It is reflected that both nations have made no stone left un-turned for the establishment of libraries in this part of sub-continent. It is also evident from the pages of history that the introduction of Library and Information Science education was not that late here as compared to the rest of the world. University of Punjab is the third in the race of ranking after Germany and United States to offer this program. Various associations had also played their roles in this regard. They had worked hard for the promotion of library culture. The role of Pakistan Library Association (PLA) is observant and praise worthy in the said context. It is concluded that future of libraries and their education is bright in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as library schools, senior professionals and associations are playing their due role with zeal and favor.

PP186 Telemonitoring With Pacemakers For Patients With Heart Failure

IntroductionEvidence supporting the use of pacemakers is well established. However, evidence about the optimal use of pacemaker telemonitoring for disease management in heart failure is not. Health Technology Wales (HTW) held a national adoption event to encourage implementation and best practice in use of pacemaker telemonitoring in the National Health Service (NHS) Wales to improve patient outcomes in heart failure.MethodsMulti-stakeholder national adoption workshop using a mixture of expert presentations, case studies and interdisciplinary group and panel discussions to agree key actions to understand the value and promote optimal use of pacemakers for remote disease monitoring in patients with heart failure in Wales.ResultsThe workshop was attended by forty-five senior professionals with an interest in improving care of patients with heart failure. Actions to progress included: providing a centralized Welsh system to support technical issues that arise with telemonitoring; considering interoperability with other NHS Wales systems; encouraging value-based procurement with collection of a core outcome set; agreeing implementation issues with both professionals and patients; audit to understand experience, resource use and outcomes; and sharing manufacturer evidence on the accuracy of telemanagement algorithms. It was suggested that these actions be progressed via an All-Wales multi-stakeholder approach, led by the Welsh Cardiac Network.ConclusionsDeveloping a more agile, lifecycle approach to technology appraisal is currently advocated; recalibrating the focus from technology assessment to technology management across the complete technology lifecycle. HTW will endeavour through regular adoption events to facilitate such a paradigm shift that aims to understand value and optimise use of evidence-based technologies.