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 & Context (language use). 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.

Rough Trade: Animal Welfare in the Global Wildlife Trade

Abstract: Wildlife trade is a big and burgeoning business, but its welfare impacts have not been studied comprehensively. We review the animal welfare impacts of the wildlife trade as they were reported in the literature between 2006 and 2011. Rarely was the term welfare mentioned, evidence of welfare impact documented, or welfare improvement recommended. Literature focused on mammals and on animals killed on site, for luxury goods or food, and for traditional medicine. Welfare impacts may be underreported, particularly in international, illegal, and wild-caught trade and trade in reptiles. Greater attention should perhaps be paid to the welfare of animals traded alive and in larger numbers (e.g., birds, reptiles, amphibians) and to those—including mammals—potentially subject to greater impacts through live use (e.g., as pets). More evidence-based research is needed. Animal welfare should be integrated with wider issues; collaboration between conservationists and welfarists and the development of health and welfare levers to influence trade offer benefits to both people and wildlife.

A stage maturity model for enterprise resource planning systems use

Abstract: Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems dominate the information technology landscape of many companies. Organizations are at different stages in the implementation process ranging from the initial analysis of implementation options, through completed standard implementations and to the sophisticated exploitation of ERP systems using advanced knowledge management, customer relationship management and supply chain management systems. The authors present a maturity model for ERP systems that identifies three stages and this is illustrated using case data selected from the study which is based on 24 organizations in the US and Europe. In Stage 1, organizations are managing legacy systems and starting the ERP project. In Stage 2, implementation is complete and the functionality of the ERP system is being exploited across the organization. In Stage 3, organizations have normalised the ERP system into the organization and are engaged in the process of obtaining strategic value from the system by using additional systems such as customer relationship management, knowledge management and supply chain planning. It is shown that the organizations follow an S-shaped curve, and that most companies are in the middle stage. An analysis of the implications for organizations at each stage of the maturity model is presented which will be of value to practising managers. The implications are categorised as impacts on cost, entropy, complexity, flexibility and strategic competitiveness.

Qualitative research and evidence-based healthcare.

Abstract: This is a particularly powerful illustration of the grows ing legitimation afforded to the methods and findings of qualitative research within health services research in general and, albeit perhaps to a lesser extent, within the EBM movement in particular. But, whilst it may be a necessary condition, acknowledgement from leaders in a field is not sufficient to change knowledge, attitudes or behaviour as those involvecd in the EBM are only too well aware. It is almost certainly the case that there are many proponents of evidence-based decision making wvithin healthcare Nho cannot and/or will not accept that qualitative research has an important part to play in the pursuit of this aim. We seek to address three issues. First, we want briefly to highlight some limitations of the EBM movement identified by social scientists. Second, we wish to explore the implications of the apparent shift away from a focus on medicine towards healthcare for the nature of the evidence which can legitimately be used. Finally, we consider some of the Nways in which qualitative research can contribute to this broader agenda and point to some of the constraints on the achievement of this potential.