Corporate decision-making during recession : product franchisors in the Australian agricultural machinery industry, 1967-72

This study analyses the impact of scale, establishment mobility and policy substitution in the corporation's geographical behaviour. To maximise opportunities for observing change, the effects of recession on firms using a particular marketing system --product franchising are examined. It is argued that competitive powers, represented by company structural attributes and expressed through relative network control capacities, should assist larger organisations to undertake spatial tactics which maintain their market and economic standing. Nineteen agricultural machinery franchisors are classified on a number of key variables into large and small groups. Their manufacturing, wholesaling and retailing activity between 1967 and 1972 is compared on criteria relating to the entry and exit of outlets. Certain locational strategies adopted by major competitors are seen to stabilise or improve distribution control, thus demonstrating a relationship of structural factors, channel management and representation courses. However, a broader association of these measures and market and general financial performance cannot be shown because of data limitations. Subsidiary findings point out the greater stability of large corporations in a setback, the lower probability of continuation suffered by small franchisors' dealers and the attack on small towns enforced by the economic contraction. Through the use of an operational model within an intensive, longitudinal analysis, the enquiry concludes that scale effects pervade locational decision-making, not only among enterprises but across the whole business sector. For the largest firms, spatial policy is clearly an interchangeable means to goals and, thus, establishment mobility can be pronounced. The divergence of such findings from previous work contributes to the ongoing review of traditional thinking in industrial geography and economics and prompts further research into the interface of the corporation and the entrepreneur

Corporate decision-making during recession : product franchisors in the Australian agricultural machinery industry 1967-72

This study analyses the impact of scale, establishment mobility and policy siibstitution in the corporation's geographical behaviour. To maximise opportunities for observing change, the effects of recession on firms using a particular marketing system — product franchising — are examined. It is argued that competitive powers, represented by company structural attributes and expressed through relative network control capacities, should assist larger organisations to undertake spatial tactics which maintain their market and economic standing. Nineteen agricultural machinery franchisors are classified on a number of key variables into large and small groups. Their manufacturing, wholesaling and retailing activity between 1967 and 1972 is compared on criteria relating to the entry and exit of outlets. Certain locational strategies adopted by major competitors are seen to stabilise or improve distribution control, thus demonstrating a relationship of structural factors, channel management and representation courses. However, a broader association of these measures and market and general financial performance cannot be shown because of data limitations. Subsidiary findings point out the greater stability of large corporations in a setback, the lower probability of continuation suffered by small franchisors' dealers and the attack on small towns enforced by the economic contraction. Through the use of an operational model within an intensive, longitudinal analysis, the enquiry concludes that scale effects pervade locational decision-making, not only among enterprises but across the whole business sector. For the largest firms, spatial policy is clearly an interchangeable means to goals and, thus, establishment mobility can be pronounced. The divergence of such findings from previous work contributes to the ongoing review of traditional thinking in industrial geography and economics and prompts further research into the interface of the corporation and the entrepreneur

Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection: an international cohort study

Background: The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on postoperative recovery needs to be understood to inform clinical decision making during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports 30-day mortality and pulmonary complication rates in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This international, multicentre, cohort study at 235 hospitals in 24 countries included all patients undergoing surgery who had SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed within 7 days before or 30 days after surgery. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality and was assessed in all enrolled patients. The main secondary outcome measure was pulmonary complications, defined as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or unexpected postoperative ventilation. Findings: This analysis includes 1128 patients who had surgery between Jan 1 and March 31, 2020, of whom 835 (74·0%) had emergency surgery and 280 (24·8%) had elective surgery. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed preoperatively in 294 (26·1%) patients. 30-day mortality was 23·8% (268 of 1128). Pulmonary complications occurred in 577 (51·2%) of 1128 patients; 30-day mortality in these patients was 38·0% (219 of 577), accounting for 81·7% (219 of 268) of all deaths. In adjusted analyses, 30-day mortality was associated with male sex (odds ratio 1·75 [95% CI 1·28–2·40], p\textless0·0001), age 70 years or older versus younger than 70 years (2·30 [1·65–3·22], p\textless0·0001), American Society of Anesthesiologists grades 3–5 versus grades 1–2 (2·35 [1·57–3·53], p\textless0·0001), malignant versus benign or obstetric diagnosis (1·55 [1·01–2·39], p=0·046), emergency versus elective surgery (1·67 [1·06–2·63], p=0·026), and major versus minor surgery (1·52 [1·01–2·31], p=0·047). Interpretation: Postoperative pulmonary complications occur in half of patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with high mortality. Thresholds for surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic should be higher than during normal practice, particularly in men aged 70 years and older. Consideration should be given for postponing non-urgent procedures and promoting non-operative treatment to delay or avoid the need for surgery. Funding: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, Bowel and Cancer Research, Bowel Disease Research Foundation, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, British Association of Surgical Oncology, British Gynaecological Cancer Society, European Society of Coloproctology, NIHR Academy, Sarcoma UK, Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland, and Yorkshire Cancer Research

Countering globalisation and managerialism: relationist ethics in social work

Social work developed from Christian caring and a eudaimonic desire for a worthwhile life. Although ethics continue to underpin the discipline, contemporary complexities of post-modernism, globalism and managerialism are destabilising the universalist moral intentions of practice and subsequently demotivating eudaimonic drives. Cultural and context-specific relativist influences are promoting an ethics of fitting in' which, without critical analysis, betrays client best interests by favouring formulaic absolutes. Alternative, relationist theory can support a critically reflective and care-ethics-driven practice that is motivating, clearer and focused on ontological consideration of dynamic client, practitioner and environmental needs. It can thus help social workers to situate themselves and achieve personal and professional transformation