CEOs Don\u27t Wear Afros: Exploring the Justification-Suppression of Prejudice Against Black Women in the Workplace

There have been numerous cases where Black women have been disparaged for wearing their natural hair or Afrocentric hairstyles in the workplace. While some have argued that such mistreatment was due to racism, others have stated that it was a case of not adhering to a professional dress code. In line with the justification-suppression model of prejudice, this research investigated whether prejudice against Black women in the workplace is expressed when they wear Afrocentric hairstyles as this allows the bias to be justified under the guise of normative standards of professionalism. Our pilot and main study showed that the Black target woman with Afrocentric hairstyles was generally rated less favorably than the Black target woman with socially conforming hairstyles, but more favorably than the White target woman with non-socially conforming hairstyles. Therefore, the findings do not provide support for the application of the justification-suppression model of prejudice against Black women with Afrocentric hairstyles in the workplace

Developments in police accountability : an investigation into the occupational culture of senior management of a provincial police force

This research is a qualitative study that focuses on the occupational culture of the senior management of the public police in England and Wales. Empirical data is obtained from in-depth interviews of the whole senior management team in one English provincial police force. There is an examination of the legal framework of the accountability processes of the police with emphasis on the culture of performance management. The role of central control as the independent arbitrator in the accountability process is identified. It is argued that the use of central selection processes for senior managers in the police and the standard training for senior managers is the basis of improved management quality but the tensions of demands from local communities have led to a dilemma in the decision making and accountability processes. The recent development in the accountability process is explored through the perceptions of the senior managers. This is achieved by examining their perceptions against the background of police reform and change. The implementation of Best Value and the adoption of a local policing team model during fieldwork presented a background to examine senior managers in action. The role of civilian members in the management of the police is highlighted and it is argued that the accountability process is not totally effective on these managers who are not as visible as their police counterparts. This is disproportionate to the amount of power that they have within the police as an organisation. The emergence of a civilian senior manager’s culture is highlighted as an important aspect of wider police occupational culture. The study concludes that the emphasis on micro detail involved in performance management distracts the senior managers from structural policies that influence police culture and behaviour on the streets. The increase in internal accountability is identified as one of the strengths of the development in the accountability process through performance management. The introduction of techniques of measurement including performance indicators can lead to the alienation of police activity from diverse issues and stifle creativity. The more sophisticated the techniques get the greater the chance of it being acceptable universally within the police. The caveat is that the indicators must have a credible relationship to the police behaviour that is being measured. In order to create a change in the culture of the police it is essential for internal structures and subcultures to be understood as they are likely to hinder any well intentioned changes that contradict the core of the culture

Cost and time performance of traditional-, direct labour- and management-procured public projects in Ondo State, Nigeria

Procurement method over time has proven to have significant influence on the successful delivery of construction projects. Making the right decision in the selection of a procurement option to adopt is therefore crucial if a project is to succeed. This study therefore assessed the cost and time performance of selected public building projects procured using traditional, direct labour and management procurement options in Ondo State, Nigeria. A pro forma was used to gather cost and time data from government procuring entities in the state. In addition, a structured questionnaire was used to obtain information from construction professionals in these procuring entities, in order to ascertain the factors influencing the choice of procurement options adopted. The cost and time data gathered were analyzed using percentages and the paired-samples t-test, while those gathered on the factors influencing the choice of procurement options were analyzed using mean item scores and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results revealed that although there is no significant difference between the initial and final costs of the assessed projects, some measure of cost overrun still exists. In addition, a considerable amount of time overrun was experienced on projects executed using the three different procurement options. The most significant factors influencing the choice of a procurement option are price competition, speed, time certainty and complexity of the project. It is believed that the findings of this study will provide public procuring entities with insight on the cost and time capability of these procurement methods and aid them in selecting the procurement option that will help in delivering public building projects within the budget and on schedule

Impact of dental insurance on oral health status of older adults in Durham Homes for the Aged

grantor: University of TorontoThe purpose of this study was to describe oral health status and to assess the influence of dental insurance on oral health. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in older adults in Durham's Regional Homes (n = 788; mean age = 81.9 years) for the Aged. Oral health status was assessed with a composite patient-based measure. The [chi]2, ANOVA, odds ratios, and the Cochran and Mantel Haenszel's odds ratio were used to assess the influence of dental insurance on oral health. 504 residents participated in the interview and 275 completed both the interview and the clinical examination. Among interviewed participants 26% were in a poor oral health state (composite measure), 56% were edentulous and 28% had had dental insurance continuously since 1974. Given the many statistical tests conducted, we found only a tendency for the effect of dental insurance on oral health status to be modified by gender, marital status, and residents' access to a regular source of dental care.M.Sc

Assessment of Knowledge Management Practices in Quantity Surveying Firms in Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria

In Global Construction Industry, Quantity Surveying (QS) profession has been identified as a knowledge intensive profession i.e. a profession broad in scope and provides expert advice and professional knowledge to clients. The study is aimed at assessing Knowledge Management (KM) practices in QS firms with a view to establishing the state of art of KM practice in QS firms in Lagos and Abuja.Well-structured questionnaire and Interview was used as the data collection instrument. Data collected were analysed using Mean score and Spearman rank correlation. The findings affirm that QS firms in Lagos and Abuja are aware of KM. In addition, all KM activities occur regularly in QS firms except knowledge maintenance. The study further reveals that knowledge acquisition has a positive influence on knowledge creation, storage, sharing, utilisation and maintaining. The study concludes that quantity surveying firms have a high level of awareness of KM and out of all KM activities that are regularly undertaken in QS firms, knowledge maintenance was still lacking. The study recommends that QS firms should develop and implement proper knowledge policy that will act as a guide for the organisations to direct its staff in managing knowledge and their application for effective practices. Keywords: Knowledge, Knowledge management, Quantity surveying firms, Nigeria

Cost and time performance of traditional-, direct labour- and management-procured public projects in Ondo State, Nigeria

Procurement method over time has proven to have significant influence on the successful delivery of construction projects. Making the right decision in the selection of a procurement option to adopt is therefore crucial if a project is to succeed. This study therefore assessed the cost and time performance of selected public building projects procured using traditional, direct labour and management procurement options in Ondo State, Nigeria. A pro forma was used to gather cost and time data from government procuring entities in the state. In addition, a structured questionnaire was used to obtain information from construction professionals in these procuring entities, in order to ascertain the factors influencing the choice of procurement options adopted. The cost and time data gathered were analyzed using percentages and the paired-samples t-test, while those gathered on the factors influencing the choice of procurement options were analyzed using mean item scores and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results revealed that although there is no significant difference between the initial and final costs of the assessed projects, some measure of cost overrun still exists. In addition, a considerable amount of time overrun was experienced on projects executed using the three different procurement options. The most significant factors influencing the choice of a procurement option are price competition, speed, time certainty and complexity of the project. It is believed that the findings of this study will provide public procuring entities with insight on the cost and time capability of these procurement methods and aid them in selecting the procurement option that will help in delivering public building projects within the budget and on schedule