An analysis of management practices across firm ownership: the case of standalone domestic firms, domestic groups and multinational enterprises

Management practices are important drivers of firm productivity [Bloom et al. (2019), What drives differences in management practices? American Economic Review, 109(5), 1648–1683]. While differences in the formalisation and sophistication of management practices are evident in comparisons of foreign multinationals and domestic firms [Bloom et al. (2012). Americans do IT better: US multinationals and the productivity miracle. American Economic Review, 102(1), 167–201. Bloom and Van Reenen (2007a). Measuring and explaining management practices across firms and countries, Quarterly Journal of Economics, 122(4), 1351–1408. Bloom and Van Reenen (2010). Why do management practices differ across firms and countries? Journal of Economic Perspectives, 24(1), 203–224], a striking omission from many studies is the failure to distinguish between domestic firms and domestically owned multinationals [McDonnell et al. (2012). Human resource management in multinational enterprises: Evidence from a late industrializing economy. Management International Review, 54(3), 361–380]. We merge the World Management Survey with the FAME dataset to examine the influence of firm ownership (standalone domestic firms; domestic groups; domestic owned multinationals; foreign owned multinationals) across a broad range of management practices. Foreign owned multinationals exhibit the highest formalisation and sophistication of management practices compared to all other firm types. However, significant asymmetries exist between different management practices across firm ownership. This is important as it raises questions as to whether there is sufficient learning and transfer of practices taking place across firms

In-house or outsourcing skills: how best to manage for innovation?

Innovation is essential for driving business survival, development, and growth. Today, managers within firms continuously search for new ways to gain competitive advantage. In many cases, this comes from the effective use of intangible assets such as workplace skills and abilities. Despite this, little is known about what types of skills are required for innovation, whether these vary by innovation-type, or whether it matters if these skills are outsourced. This paper addresses these issues using data collected on eight skill types as part of the 2008–2010 Irish Community Innovation Survey. We find that there is substantial heterogeneity in the effectiveness of skills at generating different kinds of innovation. In addition, for some types of innovation, it is best to develop the skills in-house (e.g., Engineering skills for product innovation) while for others it is best to outsource the skills (e.g., Multimedia skills for process and organisational innovation)

Craftivism as Inquiry: Holding Life’s Threads

In this article, we share insights regarding an arts-based research project where carers of people with dementia conveyed their experiences in cloth. Carers face high rates of mental ill health and burnout, while forming a largely undervalued and unrecognised workforce. Through this project, carers’ knowledge was valued and amplified using an innovative methodology – craftivism. During a series of five workshops in 2021, a small group of carers, researchers and artists gathered online to develop an exhibition of craftivist textile works. They evoked the complexity of their makers’ journeys supporting loved ones at the end of life, finding joy and meaning despite grief and isolation. Making and crafting, together, we built community and highlighted the importance of the relationships at the heart of care: holding life’s threads. This article contributes to a growing literature surrounding arts-based methods in qualitative research, advocacy, and community life, while providing another platform to share and celebrate the stories of all those involved in the project

Promoting Diversity and Inclusivity in DH in Ireland and the UK. Fourth Discussion Paper of the UK-Ireland DH Network

The UK-Ireland Digital Humanities Network is an AHRC/IRC-funded project to undertake research and consultation towards the implementation of a permanent Digital Humanities association for the UK and Ireland. This is the fourth discussion paper produced by the Network, in consultation with the wider Digital Humanities community in the two countries and beyond. It summarises the findings of the fourth workshop organised by the Network, and offers recommendations based on these findings

Perceptions and experiences of interventions to prevent postnatal depression: a systematic review and qualitative evidence synthesis

Background More women experience depressive symptoms antenatally than postnatally. Supporting women through the antenatal period is recognised as important in mitigating negative outcomes and in preventing postnatal depression (PND). A systematic review was conducted which aimed to provide a detailed service user and service provider perspective on the uptake, acceptability, and perception of harms of antenatal interventions and postnatal interventions for preventing PND. Methods A comprehensive literature search was conducted in 12 major bibliographic databases in November 2012 and updated in December 2014. Studies were included if they contained qualitative evidence on the perspectives and attitudes of pregnant women and postnatal women who had taken part in, or healthcare professionals (HCPs) involved in delivering, preventive interventions for PND. Results Twenty-two studies were included. Support and empowerment through education were identified as particularly helpful to women as intervention components, across all intervention types. Implications for accessing the service, understanding the remit of the service and women's preferences for group and individual care also emerged. Limitations The majority of the included studies were of moderate or low quality, which may result in a lack of rich data consistently across all studies, limiting to some degree interpretations that can be made. Conclusion The synthesis demonstrated important considerations for devising new interventions or adapting existing interventions. Specifically, it is important that individual or group interventions are carefully tailored to women's needs or preferences and women are aware of the remit of the HCPs role to ensure they feel able to access the support required

Capacity Enhancement in Digital Humanities in the United Kingdom and Ireland: Training and Beyond

This first discussion paper, produced by the UK-Ireland Digital Humanities Network in consultation with the wider Digital Humanities (DH) community in the two countries and beyond, summarises the findings of a) the first workshop organised by the network and b) the post-workshop survey and offers recommendations based on these findings

Communicating the Value and Impact of Digital Humanities in Teaching, Research, and Infrastructure Development

This is the second discussion paper produced by the UK-Ireland Digital Humanities Network in consultation with the wider Digital Humanities (DH) Community in the two countries and beyond. It summarises the findings of the second workshop organised by the network, and offers recommendations based on these findings