Understanding motivations for entrepreneurship

The main aims of the study were to explore the different factors motivating entrepreneurs to start a business; explore whether motivations for entrepreneurship change and the impact of the recession; identify any correlates of motivations for entrepreneurship; and to examine the consequences of the different motivations for the entrepreneurial process and performance. The study is based on a re-survey of 1,000 entrepreneurs first identified in GEM and supplemented by in-depth interviews carried out with 40 entrepreneurs

Business growth, the internet and risk management in the computer games industry

According to Wasserman (2011) the growth of the Internet has transformed the software industry in a wide variety of ways. These include the creation of new business opportunities as well as significant impacts across software business processes such as software development, distribution and product support. This chapter examines one significant sub-sector of the software industry, the computer (or video) games industry, and focuses on the impact on games development companies of the opportunities created by developments in Internet and mobile technologies

The potential of trading activity income to fund third sector organisations operating in deprived areas

In the United Kingdom, as in other countries, Third Sector Organisations (TSOs) have been drawn towards income sources associated with trading activities (Teasdale, 2010), but many remain reliant on grant funding to support such activities (Chell, 2007). Using a multivariate analysis approach and data from the National Survey of Charities and Social Enterprises (NSCSE), it is found that trading activities are used relatively commonly in deprived areas. These organisations are also more likely to attempt to access public sector funds. This suggests policy-makers need to consider the impact of funding cuts on TSOs in the most deprived areas as TSOs are unlikely achieve their objectives without continuing support

The impact of personalisation on people from Chinese backgrounds: accounts of social care experience

The limited research that considers people from black and minority ethnic communities experiences of personalisation tends to focus on personal budgets rather than personalisation per se. This article provides an opportunity to hear the voices of people from Chinese backgrounds and their experiences of personalisation. The study used individual semi-structured interviews and focus groups to collect data from people from Chinese backgrounds who lived in England, were aged between 18 and 70 and received social care for a physical disability. Data were analysed using an iterative and thematic approach, with early analysis informing the subsequent analytical rounds. The findings reveal that personalisation has the potential to transform the lives of people from Chinese backgrounds, especially when tailored support is available for people to understand and access personal budgets and put them to creative use. However, the impact of personalisation is barely evident because few eligible individuals access personal budgets or participate in co-production. This is related to a lack of encouragement for service users to become genuine partners in understanding, designing, commissioning and accessing a diverse range of social care services to meet their cultural and social care needs

Smoking cessation advice recorded during pregnancy in United Kingdom primary care

Background: United Kingdom (UK) national guidelines recommend that all pregnant women who smoke should be advised to quit at every available opportunity, and brief cessation advice is an efficient and cost-effective means to increase quit rates. The Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) implemented in 2004 requires general practitioners to document their delivery of smoking cessation advice in patient records. However, no specific targets have been set in QOF for the recording of this advice in pregnant women. We used a large electronic primary care database from the UK to quantify the pregnancies in which women who smoked were recorded to have been given smoking cessation advice, and the associated maternal characteristics. Methods: Using The Health Improvement Network database we calculated annual propotions of pregnant smokers between 2000 and 2009 with cessation advice documented in their medical records during pregnancy. Logistic regression was used to assess variation in the recording of cessation advice with maternal characteristics. Results: Among 45,296 pregnancies in women who smoked, recorded cessation advice increased from 7% in 2000 to 37% in 2004 when the QOF was introduced and reduced slightly to 30% in 2009. Pregnant smokers from the youngest age group (15–19) were 21% more likely to have a record of cessation advice compared to pregnant smokers aged 25–29 (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.10-1.35) and pregnant smokers from the most deprived group were 38% more likely to have a record for cessation advice compared to pregnant smokers from the least deprived group (OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.14-1.68). Pregnant smokers with asthma were twice as likely to have documentation of cessation advice in their primary care records compared to pregnant smokers without asthma (OR 1.97, 95% CI 1.80-2.16). Presence of comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension and mental illness also increased the likelihood of having smoking cessation advice recorded. No marked variations were observed in the recording of cessation advice with body mass index. Conclusion: Recorded delivery of smoking cessation advice for pregnant smokers in primary care has increased with some fluctuation over the years, especially after the implementation of the QOF, and varies with maternal characteristics

Pharmacological interventions for promoting smoking cessation during pregnancy

Background Smoking in pregnancy is a public health problem. When used by non-pregnant smokers, pharmacotherapies (nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), bupropion and varenicline) are effective for smoking cessation, however, their efficacy and safety in pregnancy remains unknown. Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS), or e-cigarettes, are becoming widely used but their efficacy and safety when used for smoking cessation in pregnancy are also unknown. Objectives To determine the efficacy and safety of smoking cessation pharmacotherapies (including NRT, varenicline and bupropion), other medications, or ENDS when used for smoking cessation in pregnancy. Search methods We searched the Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (11 July 2015), checked references of retrieved studies, and contacted authors. Selection criteria Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) conducted in pregnant women with designs that permit the independent effects of any type of pharmacotherapy or ENDS on smoking cessation to be ascertained were eligible for inclusion. The following RCT designs are included. Placebo-RCTs: any form of NRT, other pharmacotherapy, or ENDS, with or without behavioural support/cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), or brief advice, compared with an identical placebo and behavioural support of similar intensity. RCTs providing a comparison between i) any form of NRT, other pharmacotherapy, or ENDS added to behavioural support/CBT, or brief advice and ii) behavioural support of similar (ideally identical) intensity. Parallel- or cluster-randomised trials were eligible for inclusion. Quasi-randomised, cross-over and within-participant designs were not, due to the potential biases associated with these designs. Data collection and analysis Two review authors independently assessed trials for inclusion and risk of bias and also independently extracted data and cross checked individual outcomes of this process to ensure accuracy. The primary efficacy outcome was smoking cessation in later pregnancy (in all but one trial, at or around delivery); safety was assessed by 11 outcomes (principally birth outcomes) that indicated neonatal and infant well-being; and we also collated data on adherence with trial treatments. Main results This review includes a total of nine trials which enrolled 2210 pregnant smokers: eight trials of NRT and one trial of bupropion as adjuncts to behavioural support/CBT. The risk of bias was generally low across trials with virtually all domains of the 'Risk of bias' assessment tool being satisfied for the majority of studies. We found no trials investigating varenicline or ENDS. Compared to placebo and non-placebo controls, there was a difference in smoking rates observed in later pregnancy favouring use of NRT (risk ratio (RR) 1.41, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03 to 1.93, eight studies, 2199 women). However, subgroup analysis of placebo-RCTs provided a lower RR in favour of NRT (RR 1.28, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.66, five studies, 1926 women), whereas within the two non-placebo RCTs there was a strong positive effect of NRT, (RR 8.51, 95% CI 2.05 to 35.28, three studies, 273 women; P value for random-effects subgroup interaction test = 0.01). There were no differences between NRT and control groups in rates of miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, birthweight, low birthweight, admissions to neonatal intensive care, caesarean section, congenital abnormalities or neonatal death. Compared to placebo group infants, at two years of age, infants born to women who had been randomised to NRT had higher rates of 'survival without developmental impairment' (one trial). Generally, adherence with trial NRT regimens was low. Non-serious side effects observed with NRT included headache, nausea and local reactions (e.g. skin irritation from patches or foul taste from gum), but these data could not be pooled. Authors' conclusions NRT used in pregnancy for smoking cessation increases smoking cessation rates measured in late pregnancy by approximately 40%. There is evidence, suggesting that when potentially-biased, non-placebo RCTs are excluded from analyses, NRT is no more effective than placebo. There is no evidence that NRT used for smoking cessation in pregnancy has either positive or negative impacts on birth outcomes. However, evidence from the only trial to have followed up infants after birth, suggests use of NRT promotes healthy developmental outcomes in infants. Further research evidence on NRT efficacy and safety is needed, ideally from placebo-controlled RCTs which achieve higher adherence rates and which monitor infants' outcomes into childhood. Accruing data suggests that it would be ethical for future RCTs to investigate higher doses of NRT than those tested in the included studies

Apprenticeship Pay Survey, 2014

Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.The Apprenticeship Pay Survey, 2014 was carried out by IFF Research on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and involved 9,367 telephone interviews with apprentices in Great Britain. Apprenticeships are a structured programme of training, consisting of paid employment and learning, which give people the opportunity to work for an employer, learn on the job, build up knowledge and skills, and gain recognised qualifications within a specific occupation or trade. Apprenticeships are administered by the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) in England, Skills Development Scotland (SDS) in Scotland and the Welsh Government (WG) in Wales. The National Minimum Wage is the minimum pay per hour almost all workers in the UK are entitled to by law. As well as separate minimum rates for those aged under 18, 18-20 and 21 or over, there is a distinct National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices aged 16 to 18 and those aged 19 or over who are in their first year of the Apprenticeship (all other apprentices are entitled to the National Minimum Wage for their age). At the time the survey was conducted The National Minimum Wage rate per hour for apprentices was £2.68 for those aged 16-18 or in the first year of their Apprenticeship, £5.03 for those in their second year or later and aged 19-20, and £6.31 for those in their second year or later and aged 21 and over. The main aim of this survey was to provide an accurate and up-to-date picture of the pay of the apprentice population, both across Great Britain, and within England, Scotland and Wales, in order to assist with development and monitoring of Apprenticeship and National Minimum Wage policy. For example, evidence from the Apprenticeship Pay Survey contributes to the Low Pay Commission’s recommendations to Government for the Apprenticeship minimum wage rate. Further information is available from the Apprenticeship Pay Survey, 2014 webpage. The Apprenticeship Pay Survey was also conducted in 2005, 2007, 2011 and 2012, but only data from 2014 onwards are available from the UK Data Service. The 2016 survey is held under SN 8204, which also includes a combined 2014 and 2016 file. Main Topics:The research was conducted with Apprentices across Great Britain. Specifically, the survey sought to establish:the wages employers are paying apprenticesthe number of hours apprentices spend working and undertaking training, in order to establish their hourly wage ratesthe range of wage rates and differences by type of apprentice, for example by gender, age, framework, ethnicity, disability, level, number of years since starting the programme and prior employment status</ul

Infant Feeding Survey, 2010

Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.The Infant Feeding Survey (IFS) has been carried out every five years since 1975, in order to establish information about infant feeding practices. Government policy in the United Kingdom has consistently supported breastfeeding as the best way of ensuring a healthy start for infants and of promoting women's health. Current guidance on infant feeding is as follows:breastmilk is the best form of nutrition for infants;exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for around the first six months (26 weeks) of an infant's life;infant formula is the only recommended alternative to breastfeeding for babies who are under 12 months old;around six months is the recommended age for the introduction of solid foods for infants, whether breastfed or fed on breastmilk substitutes;breastfeeding (and/or breastmilk substitutes) should continue beyond the first six months, along with appropriate types and amounts of solid foods;mothers who are unable to, or choose not to, follow these recommendations should be supported to optimise their infants' nutrition. Since the IFS began, the content of the survey has evolved to reflect the prevailing government policy agenda, while recognising the importance of maintaining consistency over time to allow comparison and trend analysis. The first IFS in 1975 took place in England and Wales only. From 1980 the survey covered Scotland, while from 1990 Northern Ireland was also included. The 2005 survey was the first to provide separate estimates for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as for the UK as a whole, and to provide estimates of exclusive breast-feeding (where the baby is given only breast milk, no other liquids or solids). Further information about the IFS series may be found on the Health and Social Care Information Centre website (search for 'Infant Feeding Survey'). The UK Data Archive holds IFS data from 1985 onwards. A separate survey, Infant Feeding in Asian Families, 1994-1996, covering England only, is held under SN 3759. The 2010 IFS was based on an initial representative sample of mothers who were selected from all UK births registered during August and October 2010. Three stages of data collection were conducted, with Stage 1 being carried out when babies were around 4-10 weeks old, Stage 2 when they were 4-6 months old, and Stage 3 when they were 8-10 months old. A total of 10,768 mothers completed and returned all three questionnaires. For the first time in 2010, additional questions were included alongside the main Stage 2 questionnaire for mothers of multiple births. Users should note that the UK Data Archive study currently includes questionnaire data from Stages 1, 2 and 3 and the multiple births data, with Excel data tables relating to survey methodology and sampling error. The main aims of the 2010 survey were broadly similar to previous IFS, and were as follows: to establish how infants born in 2010 were being fed and to provide national figures on the incidence, prevalence and duration of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding;to examine trends in infant feeding practices over recent years, in particular to compare changes between 2005 and 2010;to investigate variations in feeding practices among different socio-demographic groups and the factors associated with mothers' feeding intentions and with the feeding practices adopted in the early weeks;to establish the age at which solid foods are introduced and to examine practices associated with introducing solid foods up to 9 months;to measure the proportion of mothers who smoke and drink during pregnancy, and to look at the patterns of smoking and drinking behaviour before, during and after the birth; andto measure levels of awareness of and registration on the Healthy Start scheme and understand how Healthy Start vouchers are being used. (The Healthy Start scheme provides support for mothers in receipt of certain benefits and tax credits. Vouchers are provided that can be spent on milk, infant formula, fresh fruit or vegetables for pregnant women and children under 4 years old and coupons are also available for free vitamins for pregnant women, mothers and babies.)For the second edition (July 2013), data and documentation from Stage 3 of the survey were added to the study. Linking files in Stata - a warning Stata users should note that the case identifier variable (ID) number structure may differ across datasets for all three stages. The letter prefixing the ID number may be upper case in one dataset and lower case in another. This is related to whether an online, face-to-face, CATI or postal route was used to complete the questionnaire- for example one respondent has the ID number 'E00157' in Stage 1 and Stage 2, but 'e00157' in Stage 3. Apart from the upper/lower case prefix letter, the ID number is exactly the same. However, the Stata command used to link the datasets (the 'merge' function) requires an exact match on the matching variable (ID), so if the prefix letter is lower case in one stage and upper case in another stage, Stata will reject the link and assume those cases are different respondents. At present, 441 cases are affected by this. The original datasets were compiled in SPSS, which does not distinguish between the upper and lower case prefix letters while merging datasets. Note from the depositor, September 2016: The depositor has sent the following note to data users: "An error in the Stage 1 dataset has been identified. Ninety-nine mothers stated that it was their first birth (Q3), that they had a total of 1 child (Q4) but then also selected the option to say that they had a multiple birth (Q5). The Stage 2 and Stage 3 data are unaffected and no figures in the published report or tables are affected. Users analysing the Stage 1 dataset should take this anomaly into account when including multiple births data in Stage 1 in their analysis." Main Topics:Topics covered in the questionnaires included: details of pregnancy and birth; how infants are fed, including incidence, prevalence and duration of breast-feeding, and types of milk/other drinks/food given; vitamins consumed by mother and baby; post-natal care and childcare advice received; mothers' intentions and practices regarding breast-feeding, including feeding in public places; smoking and drinking during pregnancy; mothers' intentions to return to or start work; demographic details of mother; awareness of and participation in Healthy Start schemes

Apprenticeship Pay Survey, 2016

Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.The Apprenticeship Pay Survey, 2016 was carried out by IFF Research on behalf of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and involved 9,422 telephone interviews with apprentices in Great Britain. Apprenticeships are a structured programme of training, consisting of paid employment and learning, which give people the opportunity to work for an employer, learn on the job, build up knowledge and skills, and gain recognised qualifications within a specific occupation or trade. Apprenticeships are administered by the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) in England, Skills Development Scotland (SDS) in Scotland and the Welsh Government (WG) in Wales. The National Minimum Wage is the minimum pay per hour almost all workers in the UK are entitled to by law. As well as separate minimum rates for those aged under 18, 18-20 and 21 or over, there is a distinct National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices aged 16 to 18 and those aged 19 or over who are in their first year of the Apprenticeship (all other apprentices are entitled to the National Minimum Wage for their age). From 1 April 2016, the government introduced a new mandatory National Living Wage (NLW) for workers aged 25 and above, initially set at £7.20 an hour - 50p higher than the adult NMW rate of £6.70 which applies to those aged 21 to 24. Apprentices aged 25 and above are entitled to the NLW if they are in the second or later year of their apprenticeship. The main aim of this research was to provide an accurate, up-to-date picture of the pay of the apprentice population, both across Great Britain, and within England, Scotland and Wales, in order to assist with development and monitoring of Apprenticeship and National Minimum Wage policy. For example, evidence from the Apprenticeship Pay Survey contributes to the Low Pay Commission's recommendations to Government for the Apprenticeship minimum wage rate. Further information is available from the GOV.UK Apprenticeship Pay Survey, 2016 webpage. The Apprenticeship Pay Survey was also conducted in 2005, 2007, 2011, 2012 and 2014. Data for 2014 (see SN 7739) and 2016 are the only surveys currently available from the UK Data Service. This study (SN 8204) also includes a combined 2014 and 2016 data file. Main Topics:The research was conducted with Apprentices across Great Britain. Specifically, the survey sought to establish:the wages employers are paying apprenticesthe number of hours apprentices spend working and undertaking training, in order to establish their hourly wage ratesthe range of wage rates and differences by type of apprentice, for example by gender, age, framework, ethnicity, disability, level, number of years since starting the programme and prior employment status</ul