Identifying the unique characteristics of independent fashion retailers in Scotland by utilising Porter’s generic competitive strategy model and the marketing mix

Independent retailers in the fashion sector make a substantial contribution to the UK economy at the time of significant change on the high street due to financial pressures and the growth of online trade. They provide an element of creativity and innovation to a homogenous retail landscape. The independent fashion retailer creates a destination and individual identity by presenting a unique offering and differentiated experience. Whilst independent retailers are important to the future of our high street, research is limited, particularly in the area of fashion independents. Therefore this research examines and identifies the unique characteristics of independent fashion retailers within Scotland. The research adopts a case study approach, qualitative methods of data collection in order to fulfil the aim and objectives of the study. Porter’s Generic Competitive Strategies and the marketing mix were utilised as a means of drawing out the individual aspects and unique characteristics of the independent fashion retailer.Los minoristas independientes en el sector de la moda hacen una contribución sustancial a la economía del Reino Unido en el momento de un cambio significativo debido a las presiones financieras y el crecimiento del comercio en línea. Proporcionan un elemento de creatividad e innovación a un paisaje minorista homogéneo. El distribuidor independiente de moda crea un destino y una identidad individual al presentar una oferta única y una experiencia diferenciada. Mientras que los minoristas independientes son importantes para el futuro, la investigación es limitada, sobre todo en el área de empresas independientes de la moda. Por lo tanto, esta investigación examina e identifica las características únicas de los minoristas independientes de moda en Escocia. La investigación adopta un enfoque de estudio de caso, métodos cualitativos de recolección de datos con el fin de cumplir con los objetivos del estudio. Las Estrategias Competitivas Generales de Porter y la mezcla de mercadeo se utilizaron como un medio de extraer los aspectos individuales y las características únicas del minorista de moda independiente

Update on the drug situation in Dublin.

This report provides an update of information contained in earlier reports of the "Multi-city Study of Drug Misuse" for the years 1986 and 1989. Information already presented showed the occurrence of an opiate epidemic in Dublin, which commenced in the late 1970s reaching a peak in 1983. Data since then particularly relating to the indicators, first treatment demand, viral hepatitis, police arrests and seizures of illicit drugs point to a reduction and stabilisation of drug misuse in the city. Heroin remains 'the preferred drug of misuse

Multi-city study of drug misuse. 1990 update of data: Dublin City report.

This report contains an update of information published in the Multi-city Study of Drug Misuse' in 1987 for the Greater Dublin area. The report begins with a description of the demographic features of Dublin, the history of drug misuse the legal and control systems, the treatment facilities for drug users and the components of a drugs monitoring system. These descriptive sections are crucial if the relevance of drug use indicators are to be put in context. The various indicators currently used in Dublin are discussed with emphasis on their strength and weakness. Overall the picture is optimistic for this approach as over the years many of the indicators used have become more refined and trends over time seen as more meaningful, particularly when combined set of indicators point to a similar trend in drug misuse. Work remains to be done in improving procedures, developing new indicators and surveying the general population. An encouraging development is the proposed establishment of a national drug misuse database

A review of the existing data on cocaine in Ireland.

This report draws together data from a number of sources, including drug treatment data, crime statistics, drug seizure figures and forensic science information to estimate cocaine prevalence in Ireland. The author concludes that unlike heroin users, cocaine users are middle class and not involved in crime. There is no pattern of street seizures or regular dealing of cocaine and the author concludes that a household survey would not be a cost effective means of assesing further information regarding the prevalence of cocaine. The author recommends the collection of basic information on non-fatal overdoses from Accident and Emergency departments, and the administration of a questionnaire to cocaine users in contact with Dublin's treatment centres. Following the administration of the questionnaire, the feasability of a snowball approach to cocaine prevalence research should be evaluated

The Dublin/ London research project: final report.

The principal objectives of this project were to develop a first treatment demand indicator and establish a reporting system of information on the socio-economic characteristics of drug misusers in Dublin and London, through the collection of similar core data in each city. The research showed that the sex ration was similar for both cities, but in London drug misusers were slightly older than n Dublin. In London almost one quarter of the drug users compromised non-white nationals whereas in Dublin the proportion was negligible. In Dublin 80% of the client group were unemployed, compared with 60% in London, with fewer misusers making their first treatment demand in Dublin (15%) than London (33%). Heroin was the predominate drug of misuse for both cities. Drug users in Dublin were more likely to have injected and shared needles than those in London

Treated drug misuse in the greater Dublin area 1990.

This report is based on data from the Drug Treatment Reporting System. The reporting system collected information on clients who presented to services for the treatment of problem drug use. This report provides data on socio-demographic background, problem drug use and risk behaviour for people who received treatment for their problem drug taking in 1990. The authors estimated that 1,752 people received treatment for drug use in 1990, 574 for the first time. The majority of these were male, aged between 15 and 39 years, and unemployed. In most cases, an opiate was the primary drug of misuse, mainly heroin, with the majority injecting their primary drug

The impact of Tourette's Syndrome on the functioning of young Australians: the roles of tic severity, comorbid diagnoses and attachment to peers

This research was conducted in response to the under-involvement of psychologists in the provision of care and advancement of research regarding Tourette's syndrome (TS). The major goal was to improve current understandings of individual differences in outcomes for youth with this distressing disorder. It represents one of the largest controlled studies of TS, is one of few to employ a community-based sample, and is the first comprehensive study of TS in young Australians. The research was conducted in two parts. Study One was an Australia-wide, controlled, mixed-method survey-based study. Participants were parents of youth with TS (n = 86) and parents of typically developing peers (n = 108). Study Two was a qualitative, interview-based study of the attachment relationships and functioning of youth with TS, as perceived by their biological mothers (n = 22). The ethical and practical constraints associated with including young children in this study, limited participation to primary caregivers. In a novel application of attachment theory, the study tested the hypothesis that individual differences in outcomes would be predicted by the security of the peer attachments of youth with TS. Tourette's was conceptualised as a stressor with the capacity to disrupt or impair the quality of the youth's close relationships. Multivariate analyses in Study One study confirmed that youth with TS experienced significantly lower health-related quality of life and functioning across all domains (assessed with the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, PedsQL) and higher rates of psychopathology, behavioural and social dysfunction (measured by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, SDQ) relative to controls. Also as expected, the clinical presentation of TS group youth mirrored the phenomenology of the disorder reported in the international literature. The major hypothesis was also supported. Multivariate results indicated highly significant (p< .01 - p< .001) associations between insecure peer attachment (classified by the Attachment Questionnaire for Children) and negative outcomes of all measures (PedsQL & SDQ), with converse findings for secure attachment. Also as predicted, youth with TS experienced a highly significant increased rate (threefold) of insecure peer attachment in comparison with controls. The further prediction that secure peer attachment would moderate or mediate the adverse impact of tic severity and comorbid disorder, however, received limited support. Also as predicted, increased tic severity and having a comorbid diagnoses (72% of the TS group) were both strongly associated with negative outcomes on all measures. No interactions were found between tic severity, comorbid disorder and insecure peer attachment, indicating that each variable independently affected the individual's quality of life. Further analyses of the impact of individual comorbid diagnoses on quality of life and levels of dysfunction, however, revealed restricted and highly disorder specific effects. This analysis also determined the exclusive contribution of TS to impaired social functioning and peer relationships problems. Furthermore, a high rate of undiagnosed or subclinical level mood disorder was evident in TS group youth. As depression has been found to be the strongest predictor of highly adverse outcomes for those with the TS by adulthood, this result is of particular clinical interest. The two exploratory qualitative studies revealed the impact of TS on the attachment relationships and attachment-related functioning of youth with TS, using methodology designed for the study. Personality (classified into "Big Five" traits) was the most commonly identified factor to impact peer relationships. Extraversion and Agreeableness facilitated the friendships for all youth, whilst higher rates of Neuroticism impaired the peer relationships of TS group youth. The explanatory theories of TS group parents were also more complex, variable and included more "non-personality" related factors than those of controls. Factors enhancing secure attachments for TS group youth included successful psychological adjustment to diagnosis; low level of self-consciousness and adaptive cognitive appraisal of their symptomatology; the ability to defend themselves against the negative behaviour of others; the ability to manage tics on occasions; and having the acceptance and understanding of peers. The strongest barriers to friendships were the negative behaviour of peers (bullying, teasing and social rejection); the experience of severe tics; the inability to control tics at critical times; non-tic related or comorbid symptoms such as impulsivity, cognitive rigidity and obsessive-compulsive behaviours; social anxiety; maladjustment to diagnosis of TS; effort required to suppress tics when in company of friends; and high levels of self-consciousness. The findings from Study Two illustrated the powerful influence of TS on the quality of the Mother-Child relationship (MCR), by determining the unique "closeness" of the MCR and directing many maternal roles and functions within this relationship. The study also identified the multiple threats TS posed to the security of the MCR. These included high levels of maternal fear, anxiety, stress, and caregiver burden; relationship ruptures associated with negative aspects of the child's symptoms, behaviours and developmental transitions; reduced social support; and maternal over-involvement. The impact of the child's diagnosis of TS, however, appeared to strengthen the mother-child bond. The study also revealed the stress associated with parenting a child or adolescent with TS, with participants' experiences mirroring those of parents of children with other serious chronic disorders. Finally, the integrated results of the research facilitated the development of an inclusive, predictive quality of life model for youth with TS. Findings also informed the development of guidelines for psychological interventions to improve the quality of the youth's attachment relationships. It was concluded that improving the attachment relationships of youth with TS is an important treatment goal that should be considered alongside the management of tic severity and comorbid disorder. Broader recommendations for policy, services and advocacy were also made in response to current findings of continuing stigma, and the inadequacy of TS services and supports in Australia

The opiate epidemic in Dublin: are we over the worst?

The opiate epidemic in Dublin peaked in 1983 and this paper reports on more recent information from the Jervis Street Drug Centre showing a decline in the number of first attenders for opiate misuse at the Centre from 451 in 1983 to 116 in 1985. However, there were 109 first attenders in the first six months for 1986. Twenty-one per cent of opiate attenders had been using drugs for seven or more years prior to their first contact for treatment at the Centre in 1984, the majority of whom were self-referred. A high proportion of opiate users (85%) attending for treatment in 1984 had needle marks, indicating the preference in Dublin for injecting rather than for sniffing or smoking heroin. Sixty-five per cent who admitted heroin misuse in 1984 were unemployed. While the overall drop in the numbers contacting the service for treatment for the first time for opiate misuse since 1983 is to be welcomed, there is need for concern at the rise in the number of first contacts during the first six months of 1986 and at the major health hazard that may result from infection by the HIV virus responsible for AIDS. In a sample of 398 intravenous opiate users, 27% were positive for the virus