The Methodological and Ethical Issues of Conducting Management Research in the Voluntary Sector

This article discusses the methodological and ethical issues involved in conducting research in the voluntary sector. By outlining a proposed research strategy the authors highlight the challenges and issues that voluntary sector researchers face. The article concludes that the nature of the voluntary sector and the unique characteristics of voluntary organizations not only impact on the development of voluntary sector management theory but also on the research design, ethics and practices adopted for empirical studies into voluntary organizations.     

Exploring employee engagement in Scottish nursing at a time of multi-faceted change: developing a research agenda

Given the unprecedented levels and pace of change being experienced in the UK's National Health Service, it is critical to maximize the engagement of key staff. This paper identifies the most important issues that need to be addressed for nurses (the largest group of NHS employees). The case study for this paper on Scottish nurses in a new hospital focused on the interaction between feeling valued, involved and having a voice; and line management support. Themes and challenges for future empirical research are identified. Lessons from the case study will find application internationally.     

The missing link? Understanding the relationship between individual and organisational learning

This article recognises that individual learning plays a key role in organisational learning. It identifies that there has been little empirical research to date exploring the interaction between individual and organisational learning. New research is presented from a company engaged in organisational learning, by a case study investigation utilising qualitative and quantitative research methods. The article explores key issues in training and development related to the interaction of individual and organisational learning, and concludes that individual learning is related to organisational learning through a range of factors including positive learning climate, active informal learning by individuals, and effective communication of skills and knowledge.     

Men as consumers of maternity services: a contradiction in terms

Research and policy on the consumers of maternity services have tended to focus on women, with service provision directed to meet their needs. It is, after all, women who get pregnant and give birth. However, since the 1970s, men have been encouraged to take up an active role in childbirth and, to a lesser extent, pregnancy. This has resulted in fathers becoming participatory in maternity services. In recent years, there has developed a greater focus on paternity and an awareness of the father’s experiences. This has led to an evaluation of maternity services and a desire to better address the ‘needs’ of men as consumers. This article examines some of the factors that have facilitated paternal participation during the antenatal period and birth, and some of the roles and responsibilities assigned to men. The recent debates regarding fathers within childbirth discourses, and what impact this will have on their experience of pregnancy, childbirth and status as maternity service users, are also discussed.     

Comparing the impact of management on public and private sector nurses in the UK,Italy, and Australia

The research examined the impact of management upon employee outcomes (perceptions of discretionary power, well-being, engagement, and affective commitment), comparing public and private sector nurses in Australia, the United Kingdom, and Italy. Overall, 1,945 nurses participated in a self-report survey within these core- and laggard-New Public Management countries. While management influenced employee outcomes for each country, there were significant differences between the public and private sectors, with private sector nurses reporting higher perceptions of outcomes. Importantly, nurses’ engagement was affected by management practice for each country. This study raises important implications for nurse managers, especially public sector managers, described within.     

Narrating the Power of Non‐Standard Employment: The Case of the Israeli Public Sector*

abstract Applying a critical discourse analysis approach, this study shows how the argument equating non‐standard employment (NSE) with organizational efficiency gains dominance over the contesting argument that views NSE as reducing organizational efficiency. We interviewed 24 senior‐level HR managers in the Israeli public sector, where NSE is used extensively, in order to shed light on the discursive order and the power struggle between these contesting arguments. Findings point to two story‐lines that helped discredit the argument in which NSE reduces organizational efficiency: (1) a statement of loyalty to organizational efficiency, accompanied by a gesture of concern for employees in non‐standard arrangements; and (2) subordinating an implied preference for eliminating NSE to organizational constraints.     

Cross-Border Insolvencies in the 21st Century: A Proposal for International Cooperation

Faced with a maze of national insolvency laws, cross-border insolvencies currently lack the fairness to both debtor and creditor that can be found in domestic proceedings. Yet the problem of international insolvencies cannot be solved by independent action in individual nations, nor without a fundamental commitment to the principle of universality. This article discusses one proposed solution to the problem of how best to encourage the central administration of cross-border insolvencies. namely the Model International Insolvency Cooperation Act (“MIICA”). The author reviews MIICA's genesis, principles, provisions and prospects for implementation. Confrontées à une multitude de lois nationales sur l'insolvabilité, les faillites ayant lieu au-delà de nos frontières ne sont pas aussi équitables vis-àvis des débiteurs et des créditeurs que celles qui surviennent à l'intérieur du pays. Cependant, le problème de faillites internationales ne peut pas être résolu de façon indépendante par différents pays ou sans adhérer au principe de l'universalité. Cet article examine une des solutions proposées afin d'encourager le plus possible l'administration centrale des faillites qui se produisent à l‘étranger, notamment la “Model International Insolvency Cooperation Act” (“Loi Modèle sur la cooperation quant à l'insolvabilité internationale”). L'auteure passe en revue les origines, les principes, les disopositions et les perspectives d'application de la Loi.