University of Salford

About: University of Salford is a education organization based out in Salford, Manchester, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Thin film. The organization has 13049 authors who have published 22957 publications receiving 537330 citations. The organization is also known as: University of Salford Manchester & The University of Salford Manchester.

Diffusion - or delusion? Challenging an IS research tradition

Abstract: – This paper seeks to critique the notion of diffusionism., – The notion of diffusionism provides a general way of understanding innovation and human progress. It is pervasive within IS research and practice. Generically, diffusionism denotes an asymmetrical view of innovation as originating exclusively in “progressive” centres, from which it spreads through an essentially passive recipient community. This model is pernicious, as it privileges an elite few over the majority, with the innovator/imitator dichotomy presented as natural, moral and inevitable. This paper analyses the notion of diffusionism in information systems (IS)., – The failure to find any empirical support for diffusionism reveals both its mythical character and its ideological rationale in lending moral legitimacy to colonialistic projects. Empirical examples demonstrate both the ubiquity of the diffusionist mindset in IS research and practice, and its linkage to pseudo‐colonial activities in the home domain., – The paper concludes by arguing for a more critical approach within IS research on innovation, the use of richer, process‐based theories, and greater partnership with practitioners in order to close the research/practice gap.

An integrated tactile/shear feedback array for stimulation of finger mechanoreceptor

Abstract: VR and telepresence applications have placed increasing demands on the need for effective user interfaces. To date most of the interfaces have emphasised the use of visual and audio effects but tactile feedback has been identified as a leading feature for future systems where there will be an increased desire to truly interact with the virtual/remote world rather than being observational. The paper focuses on the cutaneous aspects of tactile feedback describing the design and construction of pneumatically powered tactile and shear feedback modules. It is shown that by incorporating a range of novel features into this design it is possible to stimulate all the mechano-receptive nerves (SAI, SAII, RAI, and RAII) with localised signals from DC to 400 Hz. All this is shown in a fully integrated, ultra-light and comfortable package. The design control and performance results are all presented.

The Comparative Performance of Public and Private Ownership

Abstract: At first blush it is remarkable how little work has been done by economists on a subject so popular and contentious in the political arena. At second blush there is perhaps little surprise given the huge pitfalls of a conceptual and measurement variety and the difficulty, at least in this country, of finding the two species in coexistence in the same product area. The recent surge of cost studies has, belatedly, drawn on the wide variety of institutional forms in certain industries in North America. Even so the coverage is patchy. Electricity has been well studied and there has been some work on water supply, railways, urban transport and airlines. In these areas output is generally subject to user charges. This paper therefore focuses on areas of a semi-commercial’ nature so that health and education are not covered though the temptation could not not be resisted of including an area both fecund in its variety of institutional forms and one where economists seem to have found their true home, refuse collection. There is a problem in specifying what is meant by performance and how it is measured. There is, on the other side of the coin, a problem in knowing what can be deduced from those things that can sometimes be measured, that is relative costs and relative profitability.

Harnessing expertise: involving peer interviewers in qualitative research with hard-to-reach populations

Abstract: The use of peer interviewers with privileged access to a particular population group, which is difficult to reach via more conventional methods, has been acknowledged in recent research. This paper explores a number of key issues relating to the employment of peer interviewers by reflecting on a project designed to explore the views and experiences of parents who use illegal drugs. The project presented the research team with a number of challenges. These included the need to provide on-going support for the interviewers, a sense of distance felt by the researchers from the raw data they collected, and the difficulties of gaining from the skills and experiences of peer interviewers without exploiting their labour. The paper also explores the advantages of involving peer interviewers closely in research work and reflects on the nature and boundaries of expert knowledge that can become evident in such collaborations. The need for a certain amount of flexibility over the roles and domains of control that lay experts and researchers traditionally inhabit is suggested. In conclusion, it is argued that the involvement of peer interviewers in research can be a valuable means of enhancing our knowledge and understanding of a variety of population groups who tend to live beyond the gaze of more orthodox researchers.