An ISO 9001:2000-based framework for realizing quality in small businesses

The purpose of ISO 9001:2000 Quality Management System (QMS) is to provide businesses with a model to grow systematically while assuring the quality of their products. The validity of ISO 9001:2000 QMS stems, largely, from the fact that the best minds worldwide have contributed to its development and maintenance, and the fact that many companies have reported real business gains because of its implementation. Unfortunately, many small businesses fail to survive due to the absence or lack of adequate system for managing quality. An obvious recommendation would be to implement ISO 9001:2000 QMS. Nevertheless, small businesses often cite lack of resources and time as the main reasons for not implementing ISO 9001:2000 QMS.     

The Common Assessment Framework form 9 years on: a creative process

Legislation within England states that local authorities should provide services for all those families in need. However, research has identified that regardless of the introduction of strategies to identify need and enhance family support, ongoing barriers to services adhere. Taking a social constructionist approach, this study explored professionals' experiences of the use of the Common Assessment Framework form. Data were collected in four different local authorities in two phases. Forty‐one professionals from a variety of agencies took part in semi‐structured interviews. Data were analyzed thematically. Findings demonstrate that the professionals experienced difficulties in working through the Common Assessment Framework process, for example, in completing the form and engaging families. This situation led to the more experienced and knowledgeable professionals utilising creative ways to successfully navigate the ‘referral process’. Such creative working practices included the terminology used to complete the form and how the process was ‘sold’ to parents, so that they could be in a better position to engage parents and complete the Common Assessment Framework form. Because of this, more experienced professionals seem to be able to accelerate the referral process in order to access much needed support services for children and young people.     

Towards an assessment for organizational participatory research health partnerships: A systematic mixed studies review with framework synthesis

Within the health sciences, organizational participatory research (OPR) is defined as a blend of research and action, in which academic researchers partner with health organization members. OPR is based on a sound partnership between all stakeholders to improve organizational practices. However, little research on the evaluation of OPR health partnership exists. This systematic mixed studies review sought to produce a new theoretical model that structures the evaluation of the OPR processes and related outcomes of OPR health partnerships. Six bibliographic databases were searched together with grey literature sources for OPR health partnership evaluation questionnaires. Six questionnaires were included, from which a pool of 95 OPR health partnership evaluation items were derived. The included questionnaires were appraised for the quality of their origin, development and measurement properties. A framework synthesis was performed using an existing OPR framework by organizing questionnaire items in a matrix using a hybrid thematic analysis. This led to our proposed Organizational Participatory Research Evaluation Model (OPREM) that includes three axes, Trust, Collective Learning and Sustainability (with specific dimensions) and 95 items. This model provides information to help stakeholders comprehensively structure the evaluation of their partnerships and subsequent improvement; thus, potentially helping to improve health organization practices.     

The emergence of the emergence-based approach in community practice

Community practitioners are often challenged to work in complex environments and situations that naturally occur in communities. This article focuses on the theoretical and practical use of the Emergence-Based Approach that is relevant for work in complex community situations. Using this approach, the practitioner encourages the emergence of novel ideas and initiatives, and engages a decentralized network of activists, helping them develop their initiatives. Using a field study, we compare this approach to the traditional Outcomes-Based Approach. Although their mindsets are very different, and even contradict one another, we suggest practical ways to combine the two in an effective way.     

论辩理论及其应用

在认知科学的背景下,论辩研究已经成为了逻辑学、语言学、计算机和人工智能等共同关注的问题.然而不同学科在这一课题上却未能实现有效的交叉研究.本文立足于人工智能领域的论辩理论,对依据新论辩术理论所选择的最接近理想模型的辩论赛实例进行分析,以期为逻辑学与人工智能在论辩领域的交叉研究打下基础.     

基于活动的网络课程设计框架及其应用研究

与美国MIT开展的OCW运动相对应,中国从21世纪起在E-Learning资源建设方面走了一条网络课程开发的道路.在网络课程开发中,人们往往注重教学内容的设计和展示,而对如何设计和支持教与学的活动较为忽略.本文重新审视网络课程的结构框架,从学习活动的视角出发,提出了一个以活动为中心的"角色-活动-环境"(简称R-A-E)网络课程设计框架,并依据这个框架介绍如何围绕教学需求、针对课程特点设计网络课程.     

Assessing state substance abuse prevention infrastructure through the lens of CSAP's Strategic Prevention Framework

Although the organizational structures and operating procedures of state substance abuse prevention systems vary substantially across states, there is scant empirical research regarding approaches for rigorous assessment of system attributes and which attributes are most conducive to overall effectiveness. As one component of the national cross-site evaluation of the SPF State Incentive Grant Program (SPF SIG), an instrument was developed to assess state substance abuse prevention system infrastructure in order to measure infrastructure change and examine the role of state infrastructure in achieving prevention-related outcomes. In this paper we describe the development of this instrument and summarize findings from its baseline administration. As expected, states and territories were found to vary substantially with respect seven key characteristics, or domains, of state prevention infrastructure. Across the six domains that were assessed using numeric ratings, states scored highest on data systems and lowest on strategic planning. Positive intercorrelations were observed among these domains, indicating that states with high capacity on one domain generally have relatively high capacity on other domains as well. The findings also suggest that state prevention infrastructure development is linked to both funding from state government and the presence of a state interagency coordinating body with decision-making authority. The methodology and baseline findings presented will be used to inform the ongoing national cross-site evaluation of the SPF SIG and may provide useful information to guide further research on state substance abuse prevention infrastructure.     

商事信用的基本理论框架：人格信用与财产信用的同质与异步

商事信用的类型问题是研究商事信用理论的重要环节 ,而其中人格信用与财产信用的互动与同质构成商事信用最基本的理论框架。在商事信用的范畴研究中 ,来自于人格本性的价值尊严是支持商事信用实现的深层哲学依据。但是商事信用的现实性完全颠倒了“人”与“物”的主从关系 ,从而使商事信用在理论研究与法律实践中造成了重大误解和混乱 ,此亦为本文试图解决之重大问题。     

中国的自由贸易安排及其与WTO的关系

2001年以来,中国商签自由贸易协定的步伐明显加快,这是在全球FTAs激增,多边贸易谈判进展缓慢的情况下所作出的必然选择。目前,我国处于不同进展阶段的FTAs已达14个,FTAs的多重效应决定了其在我国贸易政策体系中的重要地位。以多边主义与区域主义并行不悖、协调互补的原则为基础,中国参与FTAs的目标应是全面的:既利用FTAs拓展区域利益;同时也与WTO互为补充,为服务于我国的全球经济战略发挥作用。     

Benchmarking for small- to medium-sized enterprises

This paper identifies which benchmarking databases are available for small- to medium-sized enterprises and the best way to conduct a benchmarking project given the limiting factors which exist at the present time. First, the meaning of benchmarking and performance measures, and their importance to an enterprise are explained. Second, frameworks for the identification of critical performance measures are considered. Third, different types of industrial benchmarking are identified and defined. Fourth, publicly accessible databases are critically reviewed against the requirements of industrial benchmarking. Fifth, the results of the critical review are presented in tabular form. Sixth, conclusions are drawn as how best to proceed with a benchmarking project at the present time. Seventh, recommendations for how best to address the issues raised by the critical review are presented.