Suchergebnisse

Antibiotic resistance is a global public health issue with several anthropogenic drivers, including antibiotic consumption. Recent studies have highlighted that the relationship between antibiotic consumption and antibiotic resistance is contextualised by a variety of socioeconomic, cultural, and governance-related drivers of consumption behaviour and contagion that have been underexamined. A potential complication for research and policy is that measures of antibiotic consumption are often reliant on prescribing or sales data which may not easily take into account the dynamics of community consumption that include self-medication; for example, the preservation and use of leftover medication or the obtaining of antibiotics without a prescription. This study uses repeated cross-sectional survey data to fulfil two core aims: firstly, to examine the individual-level and national-contextual determinants of self-medication among antibiotic consumers in European countries, and secondly, to examine the relationship between self-medication behaviour and antibiotic resistance at the national level.
This study is particularly novel in its application of a multilevel modelling specification that includes individual-level factors with both time-variant and persistent national characteristics to examine antibiotic consumption behaviours. The key findings of the study are that survey respondents in countries with persistently higher levels of inequality, burdens of out-of-pocket health expenditure, and corruption have an increased probability of self-medicating with antibiotics. The study also highlights that overall levels of antibiotic consumption and antibiotic self-medication do not correlate and are associated heterogeneously with changes in different pathogen/antibiotic pairs. In summary, the study emphasises that antibiotic stewardship and antibiotic resistance, whilst related by biological mechanisms, are also inherently social issues. Attempts to improve antibiotic stewardship and address the challenge of antibiotic resistance should also attend to structural challenges that underlie challenges to antibiotic stewardship in the community, such as the effects of inequality and reduced access to healthcare services.

Objectives To analyse demographic, social and geographic predictors of incompliant attitudes towards prescription completion in the UK. Methods Two waves of the Eurobarometer survey (85.1 and 90.1) were analysed, with a final sample size of 2016. Using logistic regression, the best-fitting combination of a set of identified variables was specified. The regression output and the model-averaged importance of each variable were analysed. Results Compared with a median prevalence region, respondents in the Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics (NUTS) 1 London (OR = 2.358, 95% CI = 1.100–5.398) and Scotland (OR = 2.418, 95% CI = 1.083–5.693) regions were most likely to report an incompliant attitude. Respondents who correctly answered questions about whether unnecessary use of antibiotics could make them ineffective in future (OR = 0.353, 95% CI = 0.230–0.544), whether antibiotics kill viruses (OR = 0.644, 95% CI = 0.450–0.919) and whether antibiotics treat colds (OR = 0.412, 95% CI = 0.287–0.591) were less likely to report incompliant attitudes. Conversely, respondents who correctly responded that antibiotics can cause side effects (OR = 1.419, 95% CI = 1.014–1.999) were more likely to report incompliant attitudes. There was some evidence of associations between political orientation and level of compliance. Uncooperative survey respondents (OR = 2.001, 95% CI = 1.108–3.526) were more likely to report incompliant attitudes. Conclusions Incompliant attitudes towards antibiotic prescription compliance in the UK are associated with a variety of factors, including regional geographic variation in attitudes. Knowledge about antibiotics can relate to good stewardship attitudes, but concerns over side effects are associated with poor attitudes. Further research should examine the underlying attitudes and beliefs that political orientation may be a marker for in the context of antibiotic stewardship. Survey samples reliant on self-selection are likely to be biased towards good stewardship.

This paper is an ethnographic study of rural entrepreneurship. It explores the relationship between small business and the rural environment and is intended to contribute to the development of entrepreneurial theory. The major findings are that the entrepreneurial process is the creation and extraction of value from the environment, but that the background of the entrepreneur configures the idiosyncratic entrepreneurial process. The key to understanding this is argued to be the entrepreneur's perception of value, so that entrepreneurship is argued to be protean in that it takes its shape from the dynamics of the individual fitting themselves into their perception of the socio-economic context. Thus the entrepreneurs' approach to business can be understood in terms of their values and in this study, the entrepreneurial business is shaped and formed from these same values.

Informed by Mike Wright's insight on entrepreneurial finance research problems, we examine how Chinese angel finance has evolved with institutional changes over two decades. Our longitudinal cases explore the changing roles of personal ties within strengthening regulatory institutions. Rather than the diminishing role anticipated, we found that personal ties remained vital for investment decisions. Although the improved regulatory environment influenced the extent and volume of investment, encouraging greater and longer investments, personal ties still informed decisions. We conclude that angel finance practice has evolved to match the changing Chinese environment. Social ties no longer comprehensively determine investment decisions. Instead, personal ties complement the improving environment. The trust embodied in ties continues to facilitate deal‐making by quick decisions and simple contracts. Importantly, we noted how trust reshaped moral hazards and agency problems through the moral obligations of ties. Thus, trust in the individual took more account of the business, but remained centred on personal integrity. We also found that ties with government officials, historically vital in uncertain environments, had become much less important as confidence in the regulatory regime improved. The paper contributes to our understanding of institutions and practices. It highlights culture's continuing role by addressing Mike Wright's concerns and using his guidance.

This paper addresses the questions; to what extent are women entrepreneurs empowered by entrepreneurship and critically, does entrepreneurship offer emancipation. Our theoretical position is that entrepreneurship is socially embedded and must be recognised as a social process with economic outcomes. Accordingly, questions of empowerment should take full account of the context in which entrepreneurship takes place. Our argument is that institutions, formal and informal, cultural, social, and political create the gendered contexts of the Global South where women's entrepreneurship is subjugated; treated as inferior and second class. Our thematic review of a broad scope of the literature demonstrates how, in the different parts of the Global South, women entrepreneurs confront the many impediments and how this shapes their practices. We show how the interplay of tradition, culture, and patriarchy seem to conspire to subordinate their efforts. Yet we also recognise how entrepreneurial agency chips away and is beginning to erode these bastions. In particular, how role models establish examples that undermine patriarchy. We conclude that entrepreneurship can empower, but modestly and slowly. Some independence is achieved, but emancipation is a long slow game.

This paper addresses the following questions: Are women entrepreneurs empowered by entrepreneurship, and critically, does entrepreneurship offer emancipation? Our theoretical position is that entrepreneurship is socially embedded and must be recognized as a social process with economic outcomes. Accordingly, questions of empowerment must take full account of the context in which entrepreneurship takes place. We argue that institutions—formal and informal, cultural, social, and political—create gendered contexts in the Global South, where women's entrepreneurship is subjugated and treated as inferior and second class. Our thematic review of a broad scope of the literature demonstrates that in different regions of the Global South, women entrepreneurs confront many impediments and that this shapes their practices. We show how the interplay of tradition, culture, and patriarchy seem to conspire to subordinate their efforts. Yet, we also recognize how entrepreneurial agency chips away and is beginning to erode these bastions, in particular, how role models establish examples that undermine patriarchy. We conclude that entrepreneurship can empower but modestly and slowly. Some independence is achieved, but emancipation is a long, slow game.

This paper addresses the following questions: Are women entrepreneurs empowered by entrepreneurship, and critically, does entrepreneurship offer emancipation? Our theoretical position is that entrepreneurship is socially embedded and must be recognized as a social process with economic outcomes. Accordingly, questions of empowerment must take full account of the context in which entrepreneurship takes place. We argue that institutions-formal and informal, cultural, social, and political-create gendered contexts in the Global South, where women's entrepreneurship is subjugated and treated as inferior and second class. Our thematic review of a broad scope of the literature demonstrates that in different regions of the Global South, women entrepreneurs confront many impediments and that this shapes their practices. We show how the interplay of tradition, culture, and patriarchy seem to conspire to subordinate their efforts. Yet, we also recognize how entrepreneurial agency chips away and is beginning to erode these bastions, in particular, how role models establish examples that undermine patriarchy. We conclude that entrepreneurship can empower but modestly and slowly. Some independence is achieved, but emancipation is a long, slow game.

Narrative is an important tool for developing and writing up action research experiences. Its power lies in the fact that narrative construction and narrative recounting are fundamental human communication practices. Narratives are also knowledge producing devices, since they make sense of personal experiences and share that sense-giving with others. However, the twinned duality of narrative knowing (sense-making) and narrative telling (communicating that sense) has often caused narrative as a methodological approach to be disregarded or misunderstood. Our objective is to reflect on how we can best use the narrative method in action research by paying due attention to these issues. In doing so, we consider ontologies, epistemologies and key characteristics. We argue that what has been seen as a weakness in the narrative method, its deep subjectivity, can actually be employed as an analytical strength in action research. We show how examining explanations of context, inherent in narrative processes, can provide rich insights into the meanings of phenomena.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to address the lack of conceptualisation within the emerging field of social enterprise, the aim is to contribute to a better understanding of process effectiveness and potential.Design/methodology/approachThe literature is drawn upon in providing a rationale for focusing on process, for selecting an appropriate organising framework, and for developing the typology and its key dimensions.FindingsIn proposing two polar opposite "ideal types" – one based on traditional concepts of non‐profit organisations and one that employs entrepreneurship as a strategy for achieving social aims (such as poverty and marginalisation) – the process components (activities, people and organising) and their interrelationship are explained. The dimensions of each component that facilitate or constrain entrepreneurship are conceptualised along a continuum, whereby a predisposition toward either end of the continuum forms the basis of classification. Upon assessing each process component, an overall determination of type can be made. Effectiveness – innovation in dealing with the challenges of social exclusion and marginalisation; increased self‐sufficiency and sustainability – depends upon the extent to which the process components are congruently configured to foster entrepreneurship.Originality/valueWith conceptualisation in its infancy, the emphasis to date has been on the similarities between social and commercial enterprises. Here, it has been focused on the key differences in process among social enterprise initiatives, thereby contributing new insights into social enterprising and its capacity for effectiveness. In explaining the impact of differing types on outcomes, practitioners and policymakers can develop more realistic expectations of what can be achieved.

This paper explores the processes by which Israeli engineers become entrepreneurs. We employed a qualitative approach, using ethnographic life history interviews with nine entrepreneurial engineers. We find that the uniqueness of the Israeli political, economic and security situations have impacted on the ways that engineers become entrepreneurial. In particular, we note how three generations of engineers have been variously affected since Israel was founded in 1948. Each era brought with it different needs and different socio-economic circumstances. Some pushed engineers into enterprise, but later, we show how pull factors have determined the Israeli entrepreneurial milieu. However, for all eras, we find that learning to become an entrepreneur was a lifelong process, an amalgam of experience moulded with formal learning. These elements fused self and circumstance to determine the career trajectories of our enterprising engineers. Although this study is based on Israeli data, the conditions for the third generation reflect global convergence. Accordingly, the learning process for new engineers can be anticipated as universal.

This paper develops a model of the factors deemed critical for success in high-tech new ventures in Israel. Israel presents an interesting forum, geographically distant from main markets but richly endowed with human capital, new high-tech ventures are seen as an essential element of the economy. Yet, despite its importance, high-tech is characterised by risk and challenge. Consequently, a model which draws on the experience of success and failure should be valuable. Our multi stage methodology enrolled the wisdom and experience of founders, managers and financiers of high-tech businesses to identify and categorise the importance of the factors and the role played by these factors. We found that success factors could be grouped as critical or as important. The first group categorised the idea, strategy, the core team's commitment, expertise and marketing as critical. Important factors were deemed to be management, customer relationships and research and development. The least important factors proved to be those external to the firm, the economy, politics and the general business environment. Overall the study emphasises that the attitudes and abilities of the core team are paramount. Although the model is based on the Israeli experience, many of the aspects are global. Consequently, the study may have broad applicability.

This study examines the role that gender played in the entrepreneurial actions of mature women in the process of starting and developing their businesses. The literature indicates that the characteristics of entrepreneuse and their businesses can be usefully categorised in terms of push and pull factors. Motivational pull factors are seen as broadly universal, fitting both men and women, but push factors, such as flexibility to accommodate domestic roles are presented as more important for women, Consequently our study examines mature entrepreneuse, who might be expected to have reduced domestic responsibilities. A sample of ten mature female entrepreneurs was selected because the literature indicated that there were specific "windows of entrepreneurial opportunity" in women's life stages. Such a window of opportunity could be expected to open when the demands of childrearing reduce as children become older. The respondents were interviewed in depth to explore the ramifications of gender in the motivation, expectations, purpose, action and outcomes of their business activities. We found that gender, in particular gender expectations, continued to play a significant configuring role in the way that these respondents operated their businesses.

This study reports on the consequences of endemic cattle and sheep disease (2001) on two separate areas on the tourist industry; (a) the Grampian Region of Scotland (indirectly affected) and (b) Cumbria in England (directly affected), and secondly on the effects of various crisis management strategies to alleviate the ensuing problems in both areas. Data were collected by a survey of a sample of 200 tourism orientated SME operators in Grampian and 170 businesses in Cumbria. The results show two forms of impact caused by the disease, direct and those less obvious or tangible. Direct impact was the dramatic loss of trade, most dramatically experienced by the lack of tourists visiting the areas. Indirect effects included loss of supply, change to the product offered and cuts in future investment. In the combination of these impacts, it was clear that the effects would have longevity far beyond the period of the actual crisis. Although the actual presence of the disease was geographically limited in Grampian, the consequences rippled out to affect areas that had no direct connection. In Cumbria, the effects were only slightly more severe but the response more direct and initially effective. Significantly the data also demonstrated a perception of minimal effort by the government to limit the consequences to the farming industry especially in Grampian. We conclude that the tourist industry in peripheral regions is fragile and highly vulnerable to any external shocks. However, we also note the ability of small rural firms to respond to such catastrophes and to avert the worst impacts of crisis.