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The marketisation of European home care has given rise to significant private for-profit providers growth. However, little research has focused directly on commercial companies to examine the mechanisms through which they emerge, grow and shape long-term care policy – this is this paper's task. Drawing on the literature on business power, the recent concept of "institutional business power" is introduced, defined as the power flowing from the entrenched position of business actors in the provision of public social services. The paper identifies the mechanisms through which private providers have grown and assesses the extent of their institutional power by examining their influence on policy and the support they obtain from relevant home care stakeholders. The limits of providers' institutional power are also discussed. The paper relies on semi-structured interviews with representatives of public, private and non-profit home care providers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the training and learning strategies adopted by family businesses in Ireland. Design/methodology/approach: In order to implement the study a database of family businesses was compiled. A number of sources were used to compile the database. Primary data from a stratified random sample of independent unquoted businesses were collected. Data were collected from 121 family businesses using a postal questionnaire. Findings: The key findings of this study are that family SMEs appear to prefer an informal learning strategy than a formal strategy and family SMEs are hindered by the lack of financial resources so as to enable learning and training to occur within the business. Research limitations/implications: This study used a single-respondent, self-administered questionnaire. Future research should incorporate analysing other members of the family business--family and non-family members--so as to get a "wider" understanding of learning and training in family businesses in Ireland. Originality/value: This paper presents original findings in a highly relevant, but under-researched field--family businesses in Ireland, the issue of learning and training of family businesses. (Contains 2 tables, 3 figures and 1 note.)

Purpose: The motivation for this investigation is to apply social networking features to a semantic network portal, which supports the efforts in enterprise training units to up-skill the employee in the company, and facilitates the creation and reuse of knowledge in online communities. Design/methodology/approach: The paper provides an overview of an emerging area for work-related research in the field of knowledge management and collaborative online communities. Findings: The growing number of social network online communities requires a systematic assessment of the application and design of social network technologies, which makes this study relevant and timely. Practical implications: This paper gives guidance in an emerging research area with major implications for online communities and human resources management. Originality/value: Fulfils a need, since a lack of literature in the field is apparent. (Contains 2 figures and 2 tables.)

Purpose--The purpose of this paper is to investigate how a learning organisation can be created within the framework of the family SME in Ireland. Design/methodology/approach--No comprehensive list of independent family businesses in Ireland was available. To overcome this problem a pragmatic approach was taken in the construction of a sampling frame for this research. Primary data from a stratified random sample of independent unquoted businesses were collected. Data were collected from 121 family SMEs using a postal questionnaire. Findings--The results indicate that micro, small and medium-sized family firms display some of the characteristics of a learning organisation, but not all of them. Therefore, with strategic review, systems development and cultural change within family SMEs in Ireland, they have the potential to be learning organisations. Research limitations/implications--This study used a single-respondent, self-administered questionnaire. Future research should incorporate analysing other members of the family business--family and non-family members--so as to get a "wider" understanding of the family SME. Practical implications--A major contribution of this research is the identification of an existing and suitable theoretical background that can be applied to the study of the family SME, thereby providing a frame-of-reference for the analysis of family SMEs as learning organisations. Originality/value--This paper presents original findings in a highly relevant, but under-researched field--the family SME as a learning organisation. (Contains 1 figure and 7 tables.)

There are still many questions remain unanswered about the relationship between Organisational Learning (OL) and Continuous Improvement (CI). For example, how do OL and CI contribute to business performance? Are OL and CI equal? Do OL and CI support each other? Should OL and CI be implemented separately or together? If together, how to integrate OL and CI? This paper records the research on the empirical relationship among CI, OL and Performance Improvement (PI). The research is based on the survey data from about 500 manufacturing companies from seven European countries and Australia. Data analysis is based on Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). It is found out that OL and CI do support or enhance each other. However, only CI directly contributes to PI. The research does not find direct relationship between OL and PI. The results suggest that OL should not be treated as the end, but a means to enhance CI. The research triggers the discussions on what are the real differences and commonalities between OL and CI and how to integrate OL and CI in order to achieve benefits from both. The discussions proposed the concept and Learning for Organisation. The main managerial and research implication is: OL should not be implemented alone! OL should be implemented or studied in a functional context such as CI, Six Sigma, new product develop, innovation and market orientation. (Contains 2 figures and 2 tables.)

This article is based on a keynote paper presented to the European Conference on Educational Research (ECER), University College Dublin, 5-9 September 2005. The massification of education in European countries over the last 100 years has produced cultures and societies that have benefited greatly from state investment in education. To maintain this level of social and economic development that derives from high quality education requires continual state investment. With the rise of the New Right, neo-liberal agenda, there is an attempt to offload the cost of education, and indeed other public services such as housing, transport, care services etc., on to the individual. There is an increasing attempt to privatise public services, including education, so that citizens will have to buy them at market value rather than have them provided by the state. Europe is no exception to this trend of neo-liberalisation. Recent Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) reports, including one on higher education in Ireland, (2004), concentrate strongly on the role of education in servicing the economy to the neglect of its social and developmental responsibilities. The view that education is simply another market commodity has become normalised in policy and public discourses. Schools run purely as businesses are a growing phenomenon within and without Europe, and there is an increasing expectation in several countries that schools will supplement their income from private sources, even though they are within the state sector. In this article, the writer presents both a critique of the neo-liberal model of marketised education and a challenge to academics to work as public intellectuals both individually and with civil society organisations to develop a counter-hegemonic discourse to neo-liberalism for higher education. (Contains 13 notes.)

The successful experience of Ireland in encouraging entrepreneurship through such means as initial government support of promising projects is described. Among nine recommendations for ways the United States can apply successful principles are "equity" investments, tax changes, entrepreneurial-based compensation programs in state/local/university centers, and "equity" investments. (DB)

The sustainability of cross-border peacebuilding initiatives is increasingly pertinent in a context of reduced public funding (national and European), yet the potential contribution to be made to this from private sector cooperation remains under-explored. This paper brings together quantitative data on cross-border trade with qualitative evidence from business leaders in the Irish border region in order to examine the nature of cross-border cooperation within the private sector and its possible connections to peacebuilding. This evidence is analysed in the light of three theses: spillover, contact and business-based peacebuilding. The first part of this paper assesses the conditions for cross-border business cooperation in Ireland, including funding support for economic development, European integration, and (post-Agreement) institutional change. The second part examines the particular contributions made by the private sector to peace, centring upon consciously non-political motivations (such as pragmatism and profit), networking and leadership. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The relationship between the Irish non-profit sector and the two other key sectoral actors in Irish society - government and business - forms the focus of this paper. It commences with an overview of the Irish non-profit sector, providing insights into its long rich history and current status. Next, the relationship between non-profits and the public sector is considered, charting the changes which have occured over time. Moving to the corporate sector, the concept of corporate social responsibility is explored briefly and information is provided on the extent of business support for Irish nonprofits. The discussion then broadens to examine the patterns of interaction between these three sectors and explores how their relationship can be enhanced in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper suggests significant processes associated with regional industrial change. Particular emphasis is given to the sensitivity of an open regional economy to shifts in external trade relationships and the ability of management to assess and adapt to the changing forces influencing theft industries. The case study of Northern Ireland between 1950 and 1968 attempts to explain the transition followed by the leading older industries and why certain alternative paths for regional transition were followed. A recurrent theme is the crucial role played by the regional government. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background In the face of rising obesity levels, Ireland introduced a sugar sweetened beverage tax (SSBT) in 2018, the scope of which was extended in 2019. To date, there is a dearth of research on the actual impact of the SSBT on the pricing. Method This study involved an examination of the relative cost of leading brand full-sugar and sugar-free carbonated soft drinks in a convenience sample of 14 different Irish supermarkets. In light of manufacturers' reformulation of certain brands (7UP, Sprite and Fanta), information was collected on the relative in-store pricing of three brands (Coca Cola, Pepsi and Club). Results In-store comparisons of equivalent size and unit number indicate that, in ~60% of cases, the full-sugar and sugar-free versions of the same drink are being offered at the same price. Even when full-sugar versions of these brands were more expensive than the sugar-free alternatives, the price differential was sometimes less than the SSBT rate. Conclusions The pass-through rate of the SSBT to consumers is sub-optimal. Future policy and research suggestions are outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on open innovation has, in the main, focused on large, high-technology firms and tended to adopt an organization-centric approach in examining external links. In contrast, this article uses social network analysis and network centrality to explore open innovation among a cluster of 33 low-technology small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) manufacturers in Ireland. Adopting a mixed-methods approach this article looks beyond the immediate external links that SMEs form with external organizations and explores the wider network in which such firms are located, their position in these networks and the impact of such positioning on open innovation. This article reports a generally positive relationship between networking activity and innovation performance. Within the context of the low-technology cluster it is apparent that the positioning of a firm within the network may serve to enhance or impede its innovation activity in product development. Despite factors such as fears of appropriation limiting the degree of knowledge and resource exchange within the network, this evidence suggests that those firms occupying central network positions and thus connected to a greater number of other members of the cluster, typically demonstrate greater degrees of innovation activity. Finally, as a means of elucidating the factors that may influence a firm's position the article illustrates that firm size, absorptive capacity, and managerial orientation serve as antecedents of network position. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To evaluate the short-term impacts of removing point-of-sale tobacco displays in Ireland, implemented in July 2009. Methods Retailer compliance was assessed using audit surveys in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Using a monthly survey of 1000 adults carried out since 2002, changes in smoking prevalence were assessed; attitudes were measured using extra questions added for a 10-month period before and after the law. Youth responses were assessed using a cohort of 180 13-15 year olds, interviewed in June and August 2009. Results Immediately following implementation, compliance was 97%. Support for the law increased among adults after implementation (58% Apr-Jun vs 66% Jul-Dec, p<0.001). Recall of displays decreased significantly for adults (49% to 22%; p<0.001), more so among teenagers (81% to 22%; p<0.001). There were no significant short-term changes in prevalence among youths or adults. The proportion of youths believing more than a fifth of children their age smoked decreased from 62% to 46%, p<0.001). Post-legislation, 14% of adult smokers thought the law had made it easier to quit smoking and 38% of teenagers thought it would make it easier for children not to smoke. Conclusions Compliance was very high and the law was well supported. Recall of displays dropped significantly among adults and teenagers post-legislation and there were encouraging signs that the law helped de-normalise smoking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the GEM Ireland Report (2009), those who have exposure to entrepreneurship education in Ireland have an increased propensity to start a new venture. The importance of entrepreneurial skills was picked up by the European Union which, in its Lisbon Strategy of March 2000, declared its objective of transforming Europe into the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world by 2010, and indicated that it considered entrepreneurship to be one of the 'new basic skills' for this knowledge-based economy. This paper examines how Irish HEIs can improve their provision of entrepreneurship education to promote positive economic growth. In particular, the authors explore the approach, process and research of the Accelerating Campus Entrepreneurship Initiative, which is a collaborative project involving five Irish HEIs aiming to produce entrepreneurial graduates in Ireland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients leaving inpatient psychiatric care without informing staff can have serious consequences for patient welfare, their families and staff. Even in cases where there are no serious outcomes and patients return, treatment can be interrupted and staff morale compromised. Given these potential deleterious effects, it is important to have an in-depth understanding of why people leave when they do. The aim of this study is to examine the profile of service-users who leave in-patient psychiatric care without notifying staff and to determine their reasons for doing so, what they did when they left the hospital setting and reasons for returning. This is a prospective descriptive study of service users leaving without notifying staff from a national mental health service in Ireland. It investigated the frequency, timing, and motivations of these absconding events among a sample of in-patients over a 12-month period. This year-long review identified 75 episodes of leaving without notifying staff, 55 of which met this studies criteria. 22% of episodes were from a locked unit, 58.2% were repeated episodes. 89% of service users returned to hospital following the episode and 11% were discharged against medical advice. Although no fatalities, three service users were seen in an emergency department as a result of activity during leave. Upon return from leave, all service users were reviewed and their care plans were updated where necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Is it time to reimagine the kaleidoscope career model (KCM) beyond gendered career patterns? In this article, we draw upon the KCM in a novel way to show how skilled migrants, just like a kaleidoscope, adjust their career parameters and construct bespoke career paths in order to cope with the career disruption of an international move. Specifically, the study unpacks the careers of 38 skilled migrants in Ireland and suggests an alternative explanation for skilled migrants' underemployment. The findings show that this macro career transition – from home to host country – presents both opportunities and challenges for individual migrants in their quest to balance their work- and non-work-related demands. The study contributes to existing literature and debate on skilled migrants' careers in the business and management discipline by presenting a more complete overview of the concerns and instrumental career choices of skilled migrants in the host country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most influential current idea in the theory of conflict management concerns the design features and supposed superior outcomes of conflict management systems combining interest-based and rights-based practices for resolving conflict in organizations. Yet much of the literature in the area is highly prescriptive and draws heavily either on exemplary case studies or descriptive data. Using focus groups of HR practitioners and experts in conflict resolution to develop a questionnaire covering the main conflict management practices associated with the theory of conflict management systems, the study analyzes data from a survey of firms in the Republic of Ireland to examine quantitatively the effects of conflict management systems on organizational outcomes. While proactive line management and supervisory engagement in conflict resolution as a key dimension of conflict management systems is found to be positively associated with a range of organizational outcomes, no evidence is found for the kind of system effects proposed in the theoretical and prescriptive literature. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a list of publications on the economic and social history of Great Britain and Ireland. Some of the publications are--"Examination Roll of Arbroath," edited by F. Davidson, "Farmworkers: A Social and Economic History: 1770-1980," by A. Armstrong, "The Diffusion of Vetches in Medieval England," by B.M.S. Campbell, "Horses in Shakespeare's England," by A. Dent, "Countryside Planning in Practice the Scottish Experience," edited by P.H. Selman, "The Growth of the London Carrying Trade: 1681-1838," by D. Gerhold, "The British Iron Industry: 1700-1850," by J.R. Harris, "Business, Banking and Politics: The Case of British Steel, 1918-1939," by S. Tolliday" and others.

This article discusses various issues related to the experience of traders in the Irish rural economy during the period ranging from 1880 to 1914. The final two decades of the nineteenth century heard increasing claims that the country population supported, bloated marketing and retailing sectors. Rural reformers, clustered chiefly around the agricultural co-operative movement, were particularly vigorous in denouncing the magnitude of the trading community. The troubled character of late nineteenth-century Irish agriculture requires an elaborate discussion. From roughly the mid-1870s to the mid-1890s farm-product prices slumped, tillage and dairying being particularly adversely affected. Again if one uses the numbers of paupers and of overseas emigrants as indicators of employment prospects in rural Ireland, this period emerges in a distinctly pessimistic light. An increase in the relative size of groups servicing the agricultural community is, on the face of it, an unlikely concomitant of rural crisis.