Corporate social responsibility: A strategy for sustainable business success. An analysis of 20 selected British companies

Purpose – This paper attempts to prove that strategically investing in corporate social responsibility (CSR) will maximize profits while satisfying the demands from multiple stakeholders. Design/methodology/approach – The paper adopts a quantitative analysis and exploratory approach. It studies the CSR practices of 20 selected UK companies. The analysis of CSR policies is based on the global reporting initiative (GRI) guidelines. The analysis took a further step in examining the trends of earnings per share (EPS) of the selected companies. Findings – The findings revealed that out of the 20 selected companies, only four achieved all six guidelines as per the GRI. In regression analysis of the variables CSR and EPS, a very weak (causal) but positive relationship was evident (R2=0.147). Research limitations/implications – The study was applied to 20 selected companies in the UK. Future research should be extended to a larger sample in order to analyze the strength of the relationship between EPS and CSR. The study applied variables of CSR based on GRI. Other measures may reveal different insights. Practical implications – In the strategic sense, CSR investments are not just another business cost but are essential for a firm's continued survival in the ever increasingly competitive business world of today. This understanding is crucial as there is an escalation of concern by both society and corporations in the modern world. More so, it is increasingly and widely accepted that attempting to isolate business from society is unrealistic and that dichotomising economic and social objectives as distinct and competing is false. Originality/value – The paper applies the variable EPS and seeks to establish a relationship with the CSR as measured according to the GRI

HnRNP K mislocalisation and dysfunction in neurodegenerative disease and ageing

Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs) are a diverse, multi-functional family of RNA-binding proteins. Many such proteins, including TDP-43 and FUS, have been strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). By contrast hnRNP K, the focus of this thesis, has been underexplored in the context of neurodegenerative disease. The first work to be described here involves a comprehensive pathological assessment of hnRNP K protein’s neuronal localisation profile in FTLD, ALS and control brain tissue. Following pathological examination, hnRNP K mislocalisation from the nucleus to the cytoplasm within pyramidal neurons of the cortex was identified as a novel neuropathological feature that is associated with both neurodegenerative disease and ageing. Double immunofluorescence was used to confirm these neurons were anatomically distinct from those harbouring the classical TDP-43 or Tau proteinaceous inclusions used in the pathological diagnosis of FTLD. Nuclear loss and mislocalisation of hnRNP K to the cytoplasm was then identified to also occur in two further neuronal cell types within the dentate nucleus of the cerebellum and the CA4 region of the hippocampus. As with pyramidal neurons, similar associations were identified between disease, age and hnRNP K mislocalisation in neurons of the dentate nucleus. Hence, neuronal mislocalisation of hnRNP K across the brain has potentially broad relevance to dementia and the ageing process. Almost all hnRNPs have been found to perform essential homeostatic functions in regulating appropriate target gene splicing activity. Recently, several hnRNPs have been found to have important roles in repressing the inclusion of non-conserved, so-called ‘cryptic exons’ within mature mRNA transcripts. Inclusion of cryptic exons following TDP-43 nuclear depletion and subsequent reductions in the functional levels of target transcripts and proteins is an emerging pathogenic theme of several neurodegenerative diseases including FTLD and ALS. To recapitulate the functional implications of the hnRNP K nuclear depletion that is observed in brain tissue, a hnRNP K knockdown neuronal model was developed utilising an iPSC-derived CRISPR-interference based platform. RNA-seq analysis revealed that nuclear hnRNP K protein depletion within cortical neurons is associated with the robust activation of several cryptic exon events in mRNA targets of hnRNP K as well as the upregulation of other abnormal splicing events termed ‘skiptic exons’. Several of these novel splicing events were validated molecularly using three-primer PCRs. Finally, an in situ hybridisation (ISH) based technology (BaseScope™) platform was optimised to visualise novel cryptic events in post-mortem brain tissue. The platform was used to detect a recently discovered cryptic exon within synaptic gene UNC13A and another in the insulin receptor (INSR) gene, two newly described targets of TDP-43. These events were found specifically in FTLD-TDP or ALS brains, validating it as a specific marker of TDP-43-proteinopathy. A methodological pipeline was also developed to delineate the spatial relationship between cryptic exons and associated TDP-43 pathology. Hence, providing a platform for the future detection, validation and analyses of novel cryptic exons associated with hnRNP K protein depletion in pyramidal neurons

Young Peoples’ Experiences of Hearing Voices: A Phenomenological Study of Self and Sense-Making in First-Episode Psychosis

The experience of hearing voices has been theoretically construed in a number of ways. The current dominant approach is psychiatric in nature; often criticised for pathologising the experience and neglecting to explore the subjective meaning the experience holds for people who hear voices. The limited literature, which has explored voice-hearers’ experiences, predominately reflects the experiences of adults, largely neglecting to represent younger peoples’ experiences (i.e. 16 to 25 year olds), when psychosis is most likely to occur and when identity formation and self-development are fundamental. This study aims to explore the impact of hearing voices within first-episode psychosis on young peoples’ sense of self and how they make sense of this experience. This study utilises interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) to reflect on experiences of eight young people who hear voices. Three themes were identified: 1). “I’m losing my mind”: The shattered self; 2). “I can’t say it in words”: More than words; 3). “It just makes a lot of sense like, that I was a bit crazy”: Trying to make sense of voices. The transitional process the experience appeared to embody for these young people is outlined in a model. Key components of the model attend to the importance of others and how crucial their response is in helping the young people make sense, but also in their perceptions of themselves and their identity

Nursing in the university : an historical analysis of nursing education at the Virginia Commonwealth University/Medical College of Virginia School of Nursing

The purpose of this study was to trace the development of nursing education at Virginia Commonwealth University/Medical College of Virginia School of Nursing from its inception in 1893 through 1981. The primary focus was on the basic nursing programs which included the diploma, associate degree and baccalaureate programs. Other programs offered by the school were presented briefly in order to provide a more complete picture.;Major trends in selected elements of faculty qualifications, curriculum, admission and graduation requirements, accreditation, and relationships to local hospitals and higher education in nursing education at the school were identified and compared to national standards and trends that were divided into specific time frames. The national standards and trends were established from published reports and guidelines of the nursing organizations. Selected economic, political, and social issues that have affected nursing were discussed.;Methods used to collect data included review of related literature, interviews and correspondence, Faculty and Curriculum Committee minutes, and review of material relevant to the school housed in the archives of the university and Virginia State Library. Catalogues and other official publications of the school and university also were used.;The most significant finding was that VCU/MCV School of Nursing met or exceeded national trends in the selected elements from 1893 to 1981 but did not completely meet national standards until after 1960. The nursing school was a leader in Virginia, considered a pioneer in many areas, and obtained several firsts in nursing education in the state

A low technology computer assisted marking strategy for law essays

This paper provides an explanation of the rationale and underlying principles leading to the development and implementation of an automated student feedback tool for Public Law essays at the University of Derby. It also reports on the successes and limitations of the approach and suggests that the use of automated feedback at an early stage in formative assessment is a theoretically supportable and practically useful strategy

Examining the public policy perspective of CSR implementation in Sub-Saharan Africa

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine the public policy perspective of corporate social responsibility (CSR) implementation in Sub-Saharan Africa. There has been an increase in the number of countries adopting a national policy for CSR practice, particularly in the Western society. Despite the growing awareness about the role of government in CSR promotion, governments in Sub-Saharan Africa are yet to evolve policies that could help promote CSR in the region. As drivers of CSR, governments hold resources, like access to regulated parts of society that makes the inclusion of CSR opportunities relevant to strategic and operational management. From the extant literature, the role of government in defining and shaping the field of CSR is gaining wider acceptability. Design/methodology/approach - Using a qualitative research approach, this paper examines the current status of CSR implementation, particularly from the public policy perspective in selected Sub-Saharan African countries. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with policymakers and policy implementers. The study adopted a thematic analysis and developed a rigorous phenomenological design to reveal the insights to CSR policy-making. Findings - The findings established that the status of CSR implementation in Sub-Saharan Africa is influenced by absence of national CSR policy, CSR being mainstreamed in government constitution and CSR being a company initiative action to comply with international code of business conduct. Practical implications - The results of this study could have policy implications for both executive and MPs of national governments for CSR regulatory policies. Originality/value - In most developing countries, including Sub-Saharan African countries, the aforementioned institutional conditions are often an exception. There are both no legal and regulatory frameworks for Multinational Corporation activities and their socio-ecological impact, or such regulations may exist but are not adequately enforced (Rwabizambuga, 2007). This situation, unfortunately, has created a huge reporting gap between what organisations do and what they report regarding CSR. Hence, this original study adds to the body of knowledge for this region by revealing the central issues around the phenomenon

Exploring COVID-19 Impacts on Maine Tourism Using an Online Photo-Sharing Site

This article explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on travel patterns and visitor spending within Maine using data from the social media site Flickr. The authors compared the geographic information attached to Flickr photo posts in Maine before and after March 2020 when pandemic travel restrictions began to be implemented. Maps show that Maine visitors shifted to more northern, rural, and inland areas. The direct economic impact of these patterns are indicated through the correlation of Flickr photo posts to sales tax data. Lastly, we examined divergent movement patterns and social media use of visitors coming from places with and without travel restrictions. Flickr photo analysis can be a safe, cost-effective, accessible way to help assess policy and develop tourism management strategies, especially useful during a time of rapid change and public health crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic

State vs non-state armed groups - a political economy of violence

The early 21st century has witnessed the rise in violent extremism with groups such as Al Qaeda and Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in the Middle East, the Boko Haram in West Africa, and Al Shabaab in East Africa. The activities of these and other non-state armed groups have created a general state of panic and fear that is spreading beyond their areas of operation to other parts of the political world. Rather than diminishing the influence of these groups, the states' counter extremism strategies seem to be further fuelling the extremism and creating new waves of violence that threatens global security and undermines the very essence of our collective wellbeing. This paper examines the socio-economic and political environment in which these armed groups have thrived and poses the question as to whether the failure of politics and development are to blame for the rise of extremism. The paper proposes a new approach to combating extremism that involves re-connecting people with politics and development. The basic contention of this paper is that there has been a failure of the state to satisfy the wellbeing of its citizens. The paper provides an explanation of, but by no means a justification of, the use of violent extremism in the early 21st century

Doctor communication quality and friends' attitudes influence complementary medicine use in inflammatory bowel disease

AIM: To examine the frequency of regular complementary and alternative therapy (CAM) use in three Australian cohorts of contrasting care setting and geography, and identify independent attitudinal and psychological predictors of CAM use across all cohorts. METHODS: A cross sectional questionnaire was administered to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients in 3 separate cohorts which differed by geographical region and care setting. Demographics and frequency of regular CAM use were assessed, along with attitudes towards IBD medication and psychological parameters such as anxiety, depression, personality traits and quality of life (QOL), and compared across cohorts. Independent attitudinal and psychological predictors of CAM use were determined using binary logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: In 473 respondents (mean age 50.3 years, 60.2% female) regular CAM use was reported by 45.4%, and did not vary between cohorts. Only 54.1% of users disclosed CAM use to their doctor. Independent predictors of CAM use which confirm those reported previously were: covert conventional medication dose reduction (P < 0.001), seeking psychological treatment (P < 0.001), adverse effects of conventional medication (P = 0.043), and higher QOL (P < 0.001). Newly identified predictors were CAM use by family or friends (P < 0.001), dissatisfaction with patient-doctor communication (P < 0.001), and lower depression scores (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In addition to previously identified predictors of CAM use, these data show that physician attention to communication and the patient-doctor relationship is important as these factors influence CAM use. Patient reluctance to discuss CAM with physicians may promote greater reliance on social contacts to influence CAM decisions.Réme Mountifield, Jane M Andrews, Antonina Mikocka-Walus and Peter Bampto

HnRNP K mislocalisation in neurons of the dentate nucleus is a novel neuropathological feature of neurodegenerative disease and ageing

Nuclear depletion and cytoplasmic mislocalisation of the RNA-binding protein heterogeneous ribonucleoprotein K (hnRNP K) within pyramidal neurons of the frontal cortex have been shown to be a common neuropathological feature in frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) and elderly control brain. Here, we describe a second neuronal subtype vulnerable to mislocalisation within the dentate nucleus of the cerebellum. In contrast to neurons within the cerebellar cortex that typically exhibited normal, nuclear staining, many neurons of the dentate nucleus exhibited striking mislocalisation of hnRNP K to the cytoplasm within neurodegenerative disease brain. Mislocalisation frequency in this region was found to be significantly higher in both FTLD-TDP A and Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain than in age-matched controls. However, within control (but not disease) subjects, mislocalisation frequency was significantly associated with age-at-death with more elderly controls typically exhibiting greater levels of the pathology. This study provides further evidence for hnRNP K mislocalisation being a more anatomically diverse pathology than previously thought and suggests that potential dysfunction of the protein may be more broadly relevant to the fields of neurodegeneration and ageing