Moving beyond metaphor

The proposal that the metaphors associated with complexity theory can inform the business world is made by severalwriters (Wheatley, 1992; Stacey, 1996; McMaster, 1996, Merry, 1995), but is open to critique that the metaphors arenot grounded in the field of study, but in other domains that may or may not be analogous. In previous articles, the authors (Fuller, 1998, 1999; Fuller and Moran, 1999) have illustrated the apparent analogies between complex adaptive systems and the world of small firms. However, because there is no grounding of these analogies in that domain, there isno evidence that complexity theory has validity in describing or explaining empirical observation. For example, a new firm starting up may be associated with the metaphor of emergence, but whether theories of emergence as developed in thermodynamic systems have any analogous properties with a business start-up is problematic.This article investigates how complexity theory can inform an understanding of small firms, which we posit as an example of socioeconomic systems, in a more rigorous and scientific way than metaphor. Our approach to this is to investigate the possibility of a methodology that is plausible in its relationship to small firms, and developed from the conceptionsand literature of complexity.</p

Small business futures in society

[Introduction to special issue of Futures]</p

Implementing Germ Defence digital behaviour change intervention via all primary care practices in England to reduce respiratory infections during the COVID-19 pandemic: an efficient cluster randomised controlled trial using the OpenSAFELY platform

Background: Germ Defence (www.germdefence.org) is an evidence-based interactive website that promotes behaviour change for infection control within households. To maximise the potential of Germ Defence to effectively reduce the spread of COVID-19, the intervention needed to be implemented at scale rapidly. Methods: With NHS England approval, we conducted an efficient two-arm (1:1 ratio) cluster randomised controlled trial (RCT) to examine the effectiveness of randomising implementation of Germ Defence via general practitioner (GP) practices across England, UK, compared with usual care to disseminate Germ Defence to patients. GP practices randomised to the intervention arm (n = 3292) were emailed and asked to disseminate Germ Defence to all adult patients via mobile phone text, email or social media. Usual care arm GP practices (n = 3287) maintained standard management for the 4-month trial period and then asked to share Germ Defence with their adult patients. The primary outcome was the rate of GP presentations for respiratory tract infections (RTI) per patient. Secondary outcomes comprised rates of acute RTIs, confirmed COVID-19 diagnoses and suspected COVID-19 diagnoses, COVID-19 symptoms, gastrointestinal infection diagnoses, antibiotic usage and hospital admissions. The impact of the intervention on outcome rates was assessed using negative binomial regression modelling within the OpenSAFELY platform. The uptake of the intervention by GP practice and by patients was measured via website analytics. Results: Germ Defence was used 310,731 times. The average website satisfaction score was 7.52 (0�10 not at all to very satisfied, N = 9933). There was no evidence of a difference in the rate of RTIs between intervention and control practices (rate ratio (RR) 1.01, 95% CI 0.96, 1.06, p = 0.70). This was similar to all other eight health outcomes. Patient engagement within intervention arm practices ranged from 0 to 48% of a practice list. Conclusions: While the RCT did not demonstrate a difference in health outcomes, we demonstrated that rapid large-scale implementation of a digital behavioural intervention is possible and can be evaluated with a novel efficient prospective RCT methodology analysing routinely collected patient data entirely within a trusted research environment. Trial registration: This trial was registered in the ISRCTN registry (14602359) on 12 August 2020. � 2023, The Author(s).</p

Hong Kong Criminal Procedure

This book sets out the basic principles and practices of criminal procedure in Hong Kong, which is still to a large extent based on the laws of England and Wales. Criminal procedure in Hong Kong is best understood in the context of legal developments in England and Wales and other commonwealth jurisdictions, notably Canada and Australia. However, criminal procedure in Hong Kong is not simply a derivative of English law; political and legal changes effected by the handover of Hong Kong to the Peoples’ Republic of China in 1997, and the concomitant advent of law reforms initiated by the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region are also fully reflected in this text. This book forms the first part of a series on criminal justice in Hong Kong – the other titles being on the law of evidence and criminal law (general principles and specific offences). The cross-references in the three volumes underscore the practical and theoretical interplay between the three subject areas, which will prove useful for academics, students, and practitioners alike.</p

Self-determination theory and customer revenge behavior: explaining how customers regulate their anger and revenge behavior

Abstract Purpose: This study aims to explore and empirically examine an integrative model of the customer revenge process by linking two well-established theories of self-determination theory (SDT) and appraisal theory. Design/methodology/approach: A survey of 901 respondents, followed by a post-hoc survey of 712 individuals, was conducted to examine the autonomous versus controlled orientations for revenge motivation. Findings: The results show that customers’ orientation of motivation (OM) can regulate their revenge behavior (direct versus indirect) in case of service failures. Specifically, the interaction of OM components (i.e. autonomy, relatedness and competence) can play a significant role in the relationship between revenge predictors and revenge behavior. Implications for research and practice are discussed. Originality/value: This paper offers a novel conceptual framework to explain the moderating effects of OM on the relationship between revenge predictors and revenge behavior. This study extends the application of SDT to the context of customer anger and revenge.</p

Entrepreneurship as social change: a third movements in entrepreneurship book [Chris Steyaert and Daniel Hjorth (eds)]

Legacy description not available</p

Optimisation of care among patients with diabetes mellitus and acute coronary syndrome through a specialised cardiodiabetes service—A registry study

Abstract Aims: Diabetes mellitus remains a prevalent condition worldwide and a significant risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Recent evidence suggests the use of glucose‐lowering therapies with cardiovascular benefit in optimising the cardiometabolic profile of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, uptake remains low. This study was carried out to assess the impact of a novel cardiodiabetes service for the management of patients with diabetes mellitus presenting with acute coronary syndromes.  Methods: A retrospective, observational, registry‐based analysis was performed among patients presenting with an acute coronary syndrome and diabetes mellitus to a regional heart centre before and after the implementation of a cardiodiabetes service. Intergroup comparison was made for the proportion of patients having a valid glycated haemoglobin during admission, initiation of guideline‐ recommended glucose and lipid‐lowering therapies.  Results: At median follow‐up of 29.7months, a valid HbA1c measurement at baseline was lower in the pre‐intervention compared to the post‐intervention group (556/711 [78.2%] vs. 302/362 [83.4%], p=0.043) while more patients in the post‐intervention group were prescribed sodium‐glucose co‐transporter inhibitors (297/362 [82.0%] vs. 359/711 [50.5%]). All‐cause mortality (5.2 vs. 12.3 [events/100 patient‐years], relative ratio [RR] 0.42, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.28–0.61, and p Conclusion: The introduction of a joint‐speciality cardiodiabetes service improved the care and survival of patients with acute coronary syndrome and diabetes mellitus.</p

Farming Tourism: A Review Of Entrepreneurial Skills

 The topic of entrepreneurial competencies and skills in farm tourism is of great importance both in the field of tourism entrepreneurship and niche tourism management. Farmers develop a specific set of skills to meet the specific needs of farm management such as conceptual and theoretical, strategic, and forecasting, and stakeholder relationship management. Farm tourism is a distinct field, very different from farm management. This article will review the set of skills required to run a farm as a tourism business. The article argues that a lot of farm business and management competencies and skills are transferable skills, and therefore, highly compatible with farming tourism entrepreneurship. </p

The Characteristics of High-Quality Health and Social Care for People on Probation: Professional and Lived Experience Perspectives

   We investigated the characteristics of high-quality health and social care for people on probation and how they might be measured. Online open-ended survey responses and focus group data were analysed using thematic analysis. Providing high-quality care involves an understanding of the population’s needs; tailoring practice to accommodate and meet individuals’ needs; inter-agency collaboration; and seeking and acting on lived experience input. High-quality care is evidence-based and accessible and produces positive outcomes for people on probation. Foundations for achieving these outcomes are supportive, trusting, and consistent supervisory relationships (working alliances) with professional practice that is sufficiently resourced, compassionate, and person-centred.</p

Uniaxial negative thermal expansion facilitated by weak host-guest interactions

A nitromethane solvate of 18-crown-6 was investigated by means of variable-temperature single-crystal X-ray diffraction in response to a report of abnormal unit cell contraction. Exceptionally large positive thermal expansion in two axial directions and negative thermal expansion along the third was confirmed. The underlying mechanism relies exclusively on weak electrostatic interactions to yield a linear thermal expansion coefficient of -129 × 10-6 K-1, the largest negative value yet observed for an organic inclusion compound. © 2014 The Partner Organisations.</p