Specialist Sector Research Articles

Generic personal safety applications: empowering victims of domestic violence and abuse? A practitioner lens

Bespoke and generic domestic violence and abuse (DVA) personal safety applications (PSAs) have become a popular choice for strategic crime prevention projects by those in the criminal justice sector to achieve justice through digital means as part of the wider digital justice project. These PSAs have been heralded as tools for the protection, empowerment and resilience building of victims in DVA, despite limited independent evaluations. This article explores the use of a generic PSA, which the police have adopted for rollout to victims of DVA in one region of the United Kingdom. We undertook a thematic analysis of data taken from a roundtable and three follow up focus groups with practitioners from the police, criminal justice, DVA specialist sector and victim services, alongside the PSA development team. We found both some support for using this PSA and serious concerns regarding its use in DVA situations.

Nestedness-Based Measurement of Evolutionarily Stable Equilibrium of Global Production System.

A nested structure is a structural feature that is conducive to system stability formed by the coevolution of biological species in mutualistic ecosystems The coopetition relationship and value flow between industrial sectors in the global value chain are similar to the mutualistic ecosystem in nature. That is, the global economic system is always changing to form one dynamic equilibrium after another. In this paper, a nestedness-based analytical framework is used to define the generalist and specialist sectors for the purpose of analyzing the changes in the global supply pattern. We study why the global economic system can reach a stable equilibrium, what the role of different sectors play in the steady status, and how to enhance the stability of the global economic system. In detail, the domestic trade network, export trade network and import trade network of each country are extracted. Then, an econometric model is designed to analyze how the microstructure of the production system affects a country’s macroeconomic performance.

The Portuguese model of determinants that make up the management consultancy sector

In a historical retrospective, and although the literature entitles the management consultancy industry as an extraordinary industry and a unique phenomenon in the business context, these statements are not accompanied by a number of academic studies that highlight the importance of the effective work of management consultants. To battle the lack of studies in this emerging field, this article aims to build a determinant model that helps to understand this specific sector. The results of empirical analysis in the form of semi-structured interviews and questionnaires given to management consultants and managers of SMEs in Portugal, show that the activity of strategic consultants, mediated by strategic practices, bring in fact to the research of the strategy-as-practice a new direction in strategic thinking. It shows that consultant sector could be viewed as a key factor in the development of knowledge between different sectors in organisations, a knowledge intensive activity, a specialist sector having consultants with the title of specialists and, consultants that could be considered as practical strategists.

The Portuguese model of determinants that make up the management consultancy sector

In a historical retrospective, and although the literature entitles the management consultancy industry as an extraordinary industry and a unique phenomenon in the business context, these statements are not accompanied by a number of academic studies that highlight the importance of the effective work of management consultants. To battle the lack of studies in this emerging field, this article aims to build a determinant model that helps to understand this specific sector. The results of empirical analysis in the form of semi-structured interviews and questionnaires given to management consultants and managers of SMEs in Portugal, show that the activity of strategic consultants, mediated by strategic practices, bring in fact to the research of the strategy-as-practice a new direction in strategic thinking. It shows that consultant sector could be viewed as a key factor in the development of knowledge between different sectors in organisations, a knowledge intensive activity, a specialist sector having consultants with the title of specialists and, consultants that could be considered as practical strategists.

Oxygen-ozone therapy in a multidisciplinary day surgery: Design and applications

Oxygen-ozone therapy is an increasingly widespread practice for its multiple applications, supported by data and specialized scientific literature. For this reason, an increasing number of hospital companies are showing considerable interest in order to expand the range of therapies provided. A feasibility study has been carried out with application models, with particular attention to the specialist sectors present in the San Fermo della Battaglia - S. Anna-Como Hospital, Italy.

An empirical analysis of ISO 9001:2008 application in Italian services and manufacturing companies

The certification of Quality System is a contractual requirement that is sometimes essential in business relationships. ISO 9001 consolidates governance and represents the basis for the implementation of other management systems, as well as for the adoption of schemes or standards in specialist sectors. Moreover, the scientific literature focused on the benefits and barriers of ISO 9001 application is often in disagreement and strongly differs in dependence of countries and sectors. Based on these considerations, the aim of this paper is to realise a comparative analysis between Services Companies (SeCo) and Manufacturing Companies (MaCo), in order to identify the advantages and disadvantages perceived from ISO 9001:2008 applications. The research was carried out through a questionnaire proposed to 1692 Italian Companies (response rate = 15%). The results clearly showed that SeCo and MaCo present few statistical differences in the benefits and limitations derived from ISO 9001:2008 applications; the main perceived benefits were a greater awareness of business opportunities in terms of continuous improvement, and the increase in business results in terms of organisation; increasing complexity of procedures in a company and bureaucratisation is the greatest disadvantage. Finally, the companies’ expectations for the new version ISO 9001:2015 were analysed.

العقاقير المصممة (Designer Drugs): مراجعة علمية، مشاكل وتحديات

A new phenomenon in the drug market has appeared in recent years: there has been an increase in the number and types of designer drugs. A massive influx of these structural and/or functional analogs of controlled substances has resulted in an increase in their marketing and abuse. At present, these drugs are significantly more widely available compared to previous years because they are relatively inexpensive and marketed as being safer than classic drugs of abuse. The most important factor in the spread of designer drugs is that the majority of these substances are undetectable as drugs or illegal drugs in standard drug testing procedures. The biological effects of these substances are largely unknown to both users and medical scientists. However, most known cases of abuse have shown serious and dangerous physical and psychological reactions in users. The manufacturing and marketing of designer drugs presents a major challenge for specialist sectors, especially laboratories that have to test these substances. This highlights the important role of drugcontrol institutions and regulatory and legislative bodies to determine the legal status of these drugs, which are designed and marketed - mostly through the internet - as being legal. All of these factors make it incumbent upon these sectors to form a unified goal and strategy to control these substances and prevent their spread. This review provides fundamental information about designer drugs. This will provide an accurate overview of their status, and will aid future work to develop a regulatory and legislative strategy to combat their manufacture, marketing, and use.

Negotiating Crisis: The IMF and Disaster Capitalism in Small States

How do small states use international organisations to manage the consequences of exogenous shocks? This article examines this question through exploring how small states negotiate with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for crisis management support during a period of ‘disaster capitalism’. Focusing on the case of Iceland, the article argues that while small states can potentially build scale economies in specialist sectors such as banking, the risks inherent in rapid financial expansion greatly increase their vulnerability to external shocks. In such circumstances, small states are likely to struggle to level the playing field in their attempts to negotiate the constraints and opportunities provided by engagement with the IMF during international crises, when they face higher stakes compared with larger economies and have a narrower policy choice set at their disposal.

Effects of technical innovation on market value of the U.S. semiconductor industry

This article discusses the effects of technical innovation on the market value (MV) of the American semiconductor industry from the perspective of investors in the securities market. The study quantifies the technical innovations of the semiconductor industry and uses the proportional change of Average Process Technology (APT) as a proxy variable to measure the industrial capability of technical innovations and to act as one of the explanatory variables of a regression model for discussing the connection between technical innovation and MV. The results indicate that: 1) the degree of technical innovation and the proportional change in productivity of the semiconductor industry are the major factors that affect proportional change in the MV of the U.S. semiconductor industry; 2) regardless of the size of a company's MV or the companies' classification in terms of products and services (the Equipment & Material Sector, the Board Line Sector, the IC & Chip Sector and the Fabless & Specialist Sector), the degree of technical innovation shows a significant positive effect on MV.

Three-Year Physician Treated Prevalence Rate of Mental Disorders in Alberta

To examine the rate at which adults seek services for mental disorders from different categories of physicians. The study used billing data from all physicians during a 3-year period for the total adult population of the province of Alberta. During the 3-year period, 35% of adults consulted a physician and were given a mental disorder diagnosis. The highest rates of consultation were for anxiety disorders (21%), followed by mood disorders (depression) (16%). Among patients, 84% were seen by primary care physicians only, and 3% were seen solely by psychiatrists. The more serious the diagnosing (for example, psychosis) the more likely patients were to be seen by psychiatrists. These results show that the 3-year prevalence rate includes more than one-third of the entire adult population. These figures differ considerably from those derived from population surveys in showing markedly higher prevalence (and treatment) rates. The number of people treated in primary care far exceeds those treated in the specialist sector.

‘A specialist refuge space of my own’: black, minority ethnic and refugee women, housing and domestic violence

This paper argues that there is a need for an independent specialist women's refuge sector to address the housing needs of BMER (Black, minority ethnic and refugee) women. It will consider barriers to equal access that BMER women have and how these could be resolved by providing specialist services tailored to their specific needs. Specifically, the paper shows how such services, attuned to concerns of race, class, and gender, could positively help resolve additional barriers confronting BMER women due to housing inequality. The primary research, based on an analysis of questionnaire responses and a focus group with service users, offers a snapshot of the impact that the lack of access to housing provision has for BMER women including increasing their social exclusion and vulnerability if need remains unmet. A case is made for a strengthened independent specialist sector to deal with the housing needs of women fleeing domestic violence. Key recommendations are identified on how housing policies, practices and service provision can be strengthened through the implementation of a specialist sector.

Supporting survivors and securing access to housing for black minority ethnic and refugee women experiencing domestic violence in the UK

This paper argues that there is a need for a healthy independent specialist women's refuge sector to address the housing needs of black minority ethnic and refugee (BMER) women. It will consider barriers to equal access that BMER women have and how they could be addressed by specialist services. The paper examines how housing inequality creates additional barriers for BMER women fleeing domestic violence, and provides arguments for the way in which specialist services address inequality from the perspective of race, class and gender. The primary research provides a snapshot of the impact that the lack of access to provision has for BMER women. A case is made for a strengthened independent specialist sector as a way to address the housing needs of women who flee domestic violence. Key recommendations are identified on how housing policies, practices and service provision can be strengthened.

Multimorbidity in younger deprived patients: An exploratory study of research and service implications in general practice

BackgroundMultimorbidity has been defined as the co-existence of two or more chronic conditions. It has a profound impact on both the individuals affected and on their use of healthcare services. The limited research to date has focused on its epidemiology rather than the development of interventions to improve outcomes in multimorbidity patients, particularly for patients aged less than 65 years. Potential barriers to such research relate to methods of disease recording and coding and examination of the process of care. We aimed to assess the feasibility of identifying younger individuals with multimorbidity at general practice level and to explore the effect of multimorbidity on the type and volume of health care delivered. We also describe the barriers encountered in attempting to carry out this exploratory research.MethodsCross sectional survey of GP records in two large urban general practices in Dublin focusing on poorer individuals with at least three chronic conditions and aged between 45 and 64 years.Results92 patients with multimorbidity were identified. The median number of conditions was 4 per patient. Individuals received a mean number of 7.5 medications and attended a mean number of GP visits of 11.3 in the 12 months preceding the survey. Barriers to research into multimorbidity at practice level were identified including difficulties relating to GP clinical software; variation in disease coding; assessment of specialist sector activity through the GP-specialist communications and assessment of the full scale of primary care activity in relation to other disciplines and other types of GP contacts such as home visits and telephone contacts.ConclusionThis study highlights the importance of multimorbidity in general practice and indicates that it is feasible to identify younger patients with multimorbidity through their GP records. This is a first step towards planning a clinical intervention to improve outcomes for such patients in primary care.

Enhancing the Library and Information Management curriculum through Reusable Learning Objects

Increased communication with practitioners and improved curriculum coverage of specialist sectors have been identified as priorities for Library and Information Management (LIM) educators. This paper discusses a project exploring the potential for reusable learning objects (RLOs) as a response. Ten reusable learning objects on law librarianship, one of which was then repurposed for the health information sector, were created in consultation with practitioners and their use evaluated using an action research strategy. The issues which arose during the creation and deployment of the RLOs are discussed, including granularity, interoperability, levels of learning activity and impact. Positive feedback from both students and practitioners indicates the value of the approach.

Measuring client servicing in the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) – a balanced scorecard approach

This paper describes how the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Australia’s National Statistics Office, is using the balanced scorecard to measure client servicing for its four client segments. This has required some adaptation of the scorecard dimensions to suit the particular circumstances of this organisation, although the four key areas of balanced scorecard measurement, namely financial, clients, staff and process are retained. The paper also presents information about the overall ABS approach to client servicing, some results of the measurements and the setting of client servicing performance targets. 1. ABS dissemination and ABS clients The ABS is Australia’s official statistical agency. Its mission is to assist and encourage informed decision making, research and discussion within governments and the community, by providing a high quality, objective and response national statistical service. An effective dissemination of statistics to clients is an essential ingredient to achieving the ABS mission. Statistics are made available to clients using a number of dissemination mechanisms including hard copy and electronic publications; spreadsheets and data cubes available on our website (www.abs.gov.au); through our telephone enquiry service and by undertaking consultancies whereby data is extracted for clients on a cost recovery feefor-service basis. The ABS also runs a Library Extension Programme for free public access to ABS statistics electronically through the participating libraries. ABS has identified four client segments, namely: 1) key/lifeline clients (a range of Government Departments important to the future of the ABS); 2) specialist Sectors such as media, education and libraries; 3) professional/regular clients and 4) ad hoc clients. Approaches to client management have been developed for each client segment. Table 1 highlights the characteristics and approaches associated with each segment. An earlier version of this paper was previously presented by the second author at the 54th Session of the International Statistical Institute in August 2003. Views expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Where quoted or used, they should be attributed clearly to the authors. 0167-8000/04/$17.00  2004 – IOS Press and the authors. All rights reserved 8 T. Dickinson and S.-M. Tam / Measuring client servicing in the ABS Table 1 ABS Market Segments

The value of conserving whales: the impacts of cetacean‐related tourism on the economy of rural West Scotland

Abstract During the tourist season of 2000, interview surveys were conducted with those involved in whale‐watching in West Scotland. The groups included in the study were boat operators (32), visitor‐centre managers (8), tourists on whale‐watching trips (324), general tourists to West Scotland (673) and local residents (189). The latter two groups were interviewed for comparison of responses of those engaged in whale‐watching against the views of the local community and tourists in general. From the data provided by these interviews, estimates for the economic value of this specialist sector of the Scottish tourism industry were calculated. Extrapolating from the surveys, in the year 2000, an estimated total of approximately 242 000 tourists were involved in cetacean‐related tourism activities in West Scotland. In 2000, 59 full‐time and one part‐time jobs were estimated to be created as the direct result of cetacean‐related tourism, with 38% of these positions being seasonal. Cetacean‐related tourism was estimated to account for 2.5% of the total income from tourism in the region. In remote coastal areas, cetacean‐related tourism may account for as much as 12% of the area's total tourism income. The direct economic income (i.e. expenditure on excursion tickets) from cetacean tourism activities was estimated to be £1.77 million per annum. A 23% of surveyed whale watchers visited West Scotland specifically to go on whale‐watching trips. The associated expenditure (accommodation, travel, food, etc.) from tourists being brought to rural West Scotland solely due to the presence of whales represented £5.1 million in additional tourism income for the region. In addition to the above tourists, 16% of surveyed whale watchers stayed in West Scotland an extra night as a result of going on a whale‐watching trip; thus generating a further £0.9 million of additional associated expenditure (extra accommodation, food, etc.). The total gross income generated (directly and indirectly) by cetacean‐related tourism in rural West Scotland was estimated at £7.8 million. In comparison with established whale‐watching industries (in countries such as the USA, Canada and New Zealand) the total expenditure by tourists on whale watching in West Scotland is low. However, cetacean tourism in West Scotland is still a relatively young industry and still developing. The value of the non‐consumptive utilization of cetaceans (i.e. whale‐watching) to rural, coastal communities in West Scotland was three times greater than the value of the consumptive utilization of cetaceans (i.e. commercial whaling) for rural, coastal communities in Norway. This study demonstrates that live cetaceans in Scotland can provide notable financial benefits and, therefore, their conservation has an economic value. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Risk assessment and the importance of ochratoxins

The multi-faceted and potent toxicity of ochratoxin A to experimental animals, its accepted role as disease determinant in mycotoxic porcine nephropathy, its putative role in the idiopathic human disease Balkan endemic nephropathy and associated urinary tract tumours, and its widespread occurrence usually in trace amounts in foodstuffs is focussing attention on minimising human intake. Conservative risk assessment based on porcine renal disease data has set tolerable intake values rather similar to actual average human intake. However, translating experimental rat tumour data to possible human risk is proving difficult partly because, in the author's view, the finding of a low incidence of DNA adducts could arise from an artificial surge in serum concentration following rapid uptake from aqueous intragastric administration, and this probably exaggerates what would occur during more natural slow uptake from food. The need for experimental data that can assist meaningful evaluation of risk of natural intake of ochratoxin A is emphasised, but prospective legislation should be balanced against socio-economic consequences of setting over-strict limits on contamination of relevant agricultural commodities, particularly in vulnerable specialist sectors such as coffee.

Photovoltaics and the clean energy race

A recent Greenpeace US publication, ‘Losing the clean energy race: how the US can retake the lead and solve global warming’ by Janet Sawin, presents an intriguing picture of energy sources in which America may be a major player, but is amazingly, not actually dominant. Similar findings in the past, in high technology niche industries, such as compound semiconductor raw materials, authored by bodies such as the US Department of Defense, and combined with some hefty million dollar contracts, would in the space of a few years, suddenly find US companies overtaking the specialist sector leaders. But here, unless such an authority as the Department of Defense can be persuaded to fling its considerable financial muscle behind renewables, solar for one will be an open market for Asian and European companies to play in and dominate.

Preserving and Developing a Knowledge of the Education of Pupils with a Visual Impairment through Open and Distance Learning in Sweden

In Sweden, where responsibility for the education of all blind and visually impaired children except those with severe additional disabilities has been transferred from the specialist sector to loc...

Custom Service: Application and Tests of Resource-Partitioning Theory among Dutch Auditing Firms from 1896 to 1992

This article examines resource-partitioning theory in organizational ecology in the context of the Dutch auditing industry. The theory predicts that under certain conditions, specialist organizations will proliferate as the overall industry concentrates and becomes dominated by large generalist firms. Although Dutch auditing shows long-term trends towards market concentration and a burgeoning specialist sector, the professional service orientation of the industry presents some challenges for applying the theory. Accordingly, we first reconsider the theory in this new context. Using data on the life histories of (almost) all auditing firms ever to operate in the Netherlands, we also test the implications of the theory for exit rates of auditor organizations. Although we find substantial support for the basic theory, it is also apparent that resource-partitioning processes interact with regulatory changes in the institutional environment in interesting ways.