RECALL AND HEALTH PERCEPTIONS OF CANNABIS PRODUCTS BASED ON PACKAGING: VISUAL AIDS AND CANNABINOID POTENCY

In regulated markets, packaging of cannabis products influences decisions to purchase and use cannabis, communicates messages about safety and risk, and provides information about cannabinoid potency (i.e., THC and CBD). While people who use cannabis often report difficulty understanding product information and there is little guidance for how best to convey product potency, plain packaging with a visual aid depicting potency values may help to resolve this issue. Along with labeling, potency values may also influence how people perceive and recall information about cannabis products. Moreover, the inclusion of a visual aid may interact with potency values, thereby affecting perceptions and recall. The aims of the current study were to examine (1) the effect of including a visual aid on cannabis labels on perceptions of health benefits, likelihood to purchase and use the product, and potency recall; (2) the effect of different THC and CBD potency ratio on product perceptions of health harms and health benefits, likelihood to purchase and use the product, and potency recall; and (3) the visual aid × potency ratio interaction on perception outcomes. In an online 2 × 3 mixed experimental design, participants who used cannabis flower in the past three months (n = 431) were randomly assigned to view images of cannabis flower packages with THC/CBD potency ratio communicated using either numbers only or with numbers and a visual aid. Participants examined three packages with different potencies (THC-dominant, equal THC:CBD, CBD-dominant), reported perceptions of harm, health benefits, likelihood to purchase, likelihood to use, and were asked to recall the THC and CBD potency values. Including a visual aid on packaging did not affect recall or perceptions, and visual aids did not interact with different potencies on these outcomes. However, there were significant differences for recall and perception variables based on potency. Moreover, relative to equal THC:CBD and CBD-dominant, THC-dominant products were rated significantly higher for perceived harms, likelihood to purchase and use, and lower for perceived benefits. Thus, potency combinations appear to affect health harm and benefit perceptions, and these findings may inform approaches to packaging design and consumer education for people who use cannabis

Locus of control and online learning.

The integration of online learning in university courses is considered to be both inevitable and necessary. Thus there is an increasing need to raise awareness among educators and course designers about the critical issues impacting on online learning. The aim of this study, therefore, was to assess the differences between two groups of first-year Business Sciences learners (online and conventional learners) in terms of biographic and demographic characteristics and locus of control. The study population consisted of 586 first-year learners of whom 185 completed the Locus of Control Inventory (LCI). The results show that the two groups of learners do not differ statistically significantly from each other with respect to locus of control. The findings and their implications are also discussed

General Anesthetics and The Developing Brain

Millions of children undergo seemingly safe general anesthesia and sedation to facilitate procedures located in surgery, imaging suites, radiology suites, emergency departments, and intensive care units. With appropriate doses and administration, anesthetics are thought to be fully reversible and free from lasting harm. However, those assumptions are being challenged with recent research documenting anesthesia-induced neurotoxicity with subsequent neurological sequelae. A comprehensive literature review will be performed using medical databases including CINAI-IL, Google Scholar, Medline, and PubMed. The information gathered will be presented at the North Dakota Association of Nurse Anesthetists bi-annual meeting in Bismarck, North Dakota and to the anesthesia department at Sanford Health in Fargo, North Dakota to raise awareness and further their knowledge on this topic. Although information is rapidly accumulating and experimental findings are certainly sound, additional research is vital to close the gaps on this phenomenon. This research is needed in order to determine neurological impairment within the pediatric population, nature of the deficits, and prevention. Compelling evidence obtained in studies warrants concern and caution. Further investigation is needed to adequately address this critical issue. Alternatives to volatile anesthetics (e.g. opioid-based anesthesia, regional anesthesia), or delaying elective surgeries until an older age may be warrante

The conceptualisation and measurement of combat readiness for peace-support operations: an exploratory study.

The aim of this study was to conceptualise combat readiness and to construct a normative measurement instrument for use within the context of peace-support operations. The Peace-Support Operations Questionnaire (PSOQ) was developed comprising of three types of items, namely an associated component, a disassociated component, and certain generic items applicable to both components. The sample comprised 461 soldiers of the South African National Defence Force. A second-order factor analysis on the 15 sub-scores of the first-order factor analysis yielded two factors. These factors were interpreted as Military Climate and Discipline. The two factors were subjected to an item analysis and yielded reliability coefficients of 0,987 and 0,791. The implications of these findings are discussed

The development of a management error orientation questionnaire.

The aim of this study was to develop a Management Error Orientation Questionnaire (MEOQ) to be used as an instrument to measure the attitude of management towards errors in the workplace. The sample comprised of 232 managers from a variety of business sectors. A factor analysis on 59 items yielded three factors and these factors were interpreted as the attitude of dealing with errors, the risk of errors and error strain. The three scales were subjected to an item analysis and yielded significant levels of reliability

Frontline police employees' social construction of client service.

The social construction of frontline employees’ client service plays a major role in organisational success. This study illuminated why frontline personnel are reluctant to accept organisational change which is in line with new policing philosophies. Applying modernist qualitative methodology, and particularly grounded theory within a case study design a ‘process satisfaction model’ was developed with the aim to improve employee satisfaction with internal processes and ultimately service delivery. This model may be used for change in the South African Police Service (SAPS) and other government departments

The benefits of using small supervisor-initiated groups to supervise master's research

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The Management Side Of Talent: Causal Implications For The Retention Of Generation Y Employees

Organisations are facing significant challenges to retain Generation Y employees. Research shows that, once these individuals are employed, they are not likely to remain in that position for very long. Organisations therefore need to find innovative solutions to retain this group of employees. The purpose of this research was to determine the causal relationship between management support towards talent management and the impact thereof on the turnover intentions of Generation Y employees. The Human Capital Index, Perceived Organisational Support Questionnaire, Perceived Organisational Support and Intention to Quit questionnaires were administered among a convenience sample of generation Y employees (N=135). The results showed that Perceived Organisational Support is significantly related to Talent management practices, Perceived Supervisor Support and Intention to Quit. Perceived Supervisor Support is significantly related to Talent management practices and Intention to Quit. Talent management practices are significantly related to intention to quit. Recommendations are made

2022 : an editorial reflection

The publication of the 20th volume of the SA Journal of Human Resource Management (SAJHRM) marks an important milestone in the journal’s existence in the broader field of management sciences. Since its inception as an accredited scientific journal in 2003, following what Professor Gert Roodt and his colleagues at the Department of Human Resource Management (HRM) Rand Afrikaans University (RAU) described as ‘building on the brilliant initiative to establish the SAJHRM’, it continues to grow in status and reputation. It advanced quickly to be recognised as a cutting-edge journal, publishing the highest quality research within the southern African context before its orbit expanded to include African and developing world contexts. The SAJHRM serves as a leading catalyst for peer-reviewed research in HRM. It therefore explores aspects related and relevant to HRM in various organisational settings. It aims to emphasise and promote the theory and good practices of HRM within Africa’s vulnerable labour market groups, which have unique economic, cultural, political and social concerns.http://www.sajhrm.co.zaam2023Human Resource Managemen

Turnover of nursing employees in a Gauteng hospital group

Orientation: The South African nursing profession is in a crisis as professional nurses leave the country in search of lucrative work overseas. Research purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate individual determinants of voluntary turnover to identify a risk-group profile. Motivation for the study: Nursing employers should have a clearer understanding of the dynamics around nurses’ turnover behaviour and embark on strategies to retain their talent. Research design, approach and method: A survey measuring voluntary turnover was conducted among 262 professional and assistant nurses in three selected hospitals in Gauteng province using the McCarthy, Tyrrell and Cronin (2002) instrument. Pearson’s chi square with Yates’s continuity correction tested the relationship among the variables presented in a contingency table, in other words the risk group and each of the individual determinants. Main findings: Discontent with salaries was the major determinant of the nurses’ resignation. Organisational causes were nursing practices, the work environment, physical-emotional costs and employment opportunities after resignation. Practical/managerial implications: Hospital management could indeed establish a good rapport with nursing staff while facilitating respectful and ethical conduct by doctors towards nursing staff. Putting into place effective labour practices and business strategies could improve job satisfaction in the workplace. Contribution/value-add: This study contributed to a greater understanding of the personal and organisational determinants of the turnover of nurses in South African hospitals