Manchester Metropolitan University

About: Manchester Metropolitan University is a education organization based out in Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 5435 authors who have published 16202 publications receiving 442561 citations. The organization is also known as: Manchester Polytechnic & MMU.

Mammal distributions in the western Mediterranean: the role of human intervention

Abstract: The natural distribution of the 17 non-flying mammal species occurring wild in both the Maghreb (north-west Africa) and Iberia (south-west Europe) is considered. It is concluded that only four species – Red Fox Vulpes vulpes, Wild Boar Sus scrofa, Wild Cat Felis silvestris and Otter Lutra lutra – are native to both regions, while another three – Red Deer Cervus elaphus, Brown Bear Ursus arctos and Aurochs Bos primigenius – were native to North Africa until the mid-Holocene but have probably died out naturally. Algerian Hedgehog Atelerix algirus, Barbary Ape Macaca sylvanus, Genet Genetta genetta and Egyptian Mongoose Herpestes ichneumon are widely accepted as introductions to Europe from North Africa. The remaining six species, and Red Deer now found in Africa, were also probably introduced – Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus, Weasel Mustela nivalis, Wood Mouse Apodemus sylvaticus and Lesser White-toothed Shrew Crocidura russula from Europe to Africa; Algerian Mouse Mus spretus from Africa to Europe; Savi’s Pygmy Shrew Suncus etruscus perhaps from the eastern Mediterranean to both Iberia and the Maghreb. There are two Maghrebi species which, although not found in Europe, are more closely related to Palaearctic than to Afrotropical species: Garden Dormouse Eliomys melanurus, probably native to north-west Africa, although possible augmentation of the natural population cannot be ruled out, and Whitaker’s Shrew Crocidura whitakeri, a North African endemic. Removal of so many species of European provenance from the list of mammals native to north-west Africa should not be considered to weaken its position as part of the Palaearctic zoogeographical region. Bats and other, non-mammalian, taxa illustrate the clear faunal relationship between the Maghreb and south-west Europe, whilst emphasizing its distinction from subsaharan Africa.

Action Learning - A Paradigm in Emergence: the Problems Facing a Challenge to Traditional Management Education and Development

Abstract: SUMMARY This paper examines the proposition that action learning is a new paradigm in management education. Action learning is becoming widely accepted methodology for the development of managers and managerial competence. This is in both public and private sector organizations and within the context of certificated and organisationally based programmes. The paper seeks to use Kuhn's work on the nature of paradigms and change as a way of explaining the increase of interest in his approach. Importantly, although this approach promises to answer some of the problems of traditional management education, it is not without its own critics. Kuhn's criteria for a paradigm change are explained with reference to action learning literature and knowledge of practice. From this a framework is developed that compares a traditional approach to management education with an action learning approach on three levels. Our conclusion is that action learning is a new paradigm, but for the maximum benefit to be gained from the approach its application needs to be more carefully considered, particularly in relation to the provision of some wider external frameworks for the manager to use as‘tools for thinking’

Moral economy and cultural work

Abstract: While the ‘culturalization’ of the economy has led some to welcome the ‘turn to life’ (Heelas, 2002) and anticipate the remoralization of economic activity, others argue the cultural turn is conducive only to consolidating neo-liberalism's characteristic demoralization of economic relations.The cultural industries, as a leading sector of the culturalized economy, are seen to be particularly culpable in this respect, offering the illusion of freedom, but actually eroding the ethical basis of work through tendencies for individuation and exploitation. Building on the recent renewal of interest in ‘moral economy’, this article argues that claims for the demoralization of cultural industries may be premature. Empirical evidence is presented from interviews with cultural entrepreneurs in Manchester, UK, to reveal how social and political values are biographically important and made evident in the routine context of work. The conclusion offers that individualization may provide some opportunity to re-establish ...

Trust and the psychological contract

Abstract: Purpose – This paper aims to contribute empirical data to the under‐researched relationship between trust and the psychological contract.Design/methodology/approach – A case study approach is used carrying out 41 interviews in three case study firms, adopting a critical incident technique (CIT).Findings – Trust is present in all psychological contracts and its different bases, cognitive and affective, underpin transactional and relational obligations respectively.Research limitations/implications – A small‐scale study using CIT which identifies especially salient issues but is not necessarily exhaustive. Provides a base for more detailed study of the relationship.Practical implications – Demonstrates the impact of the differing bases of trust on the employment relationship. This information could contribute to better managing the employment relationship.Originality/value – There are few extant empirical data on this relationship and a contribution is made to debates on the role of trust within the psychol...

Occupational Stress in Head Teachers: A National UK Study

Abstract: Over the years, research into occupational health and stress has concentrated on jobs suspected of being ‘stress risks’, such as air traffic controllers (Crump, Cooper & Maxwell, 1981). the police (Cooper et al., 1982), executives (van der Ploeg, Vis, Cooper & Spielberger, 1986), nurses working with the critically ill and dying (Cooper & Mitchell, 1990) and so on. Until recently, little systematic empirical work had been conducted to explore occupations or groups of workers undergoing transformation and change, although normally not thought to be under particular stress. One occupation which has undergone enormous legislative and occupational change during the last five years or more is the teaching profession (Cole & Walker. 1989). As the pressure has grown for those in teaching, more research to identify occupational stress has been undertaken, particularly on front line teachers themselves (Kyriacou & Pratt, 1985: Kyriacou, 1989).