Linking response strategies adopted by construction firms during the 2007 economic recession to Porter’s generic strategies

The time period bridging the years 2007 to 2012 will be remembered as one characterised by dramatic changes in the Irish and UK construction industries. Construction companies witnessed unprecedented changes in the environment, namely the coincidence of a sharp economic downturn, the significant decline of public works, a reduction in lending, increased competition, and structural changes in the marketplace. Nevertheless, little has been documented on what response strategies construction companies adopt as a result of an economic recession. Based on four exploratory case studies, a taxonomy framework of the response strategies adopted by Irish and UK construction companies during the 2007 economic recession was developed relative to Porter’s (1980) generic strategies of cost leadership, differentiation, and focus. Porter’s model (1980) is a well known theoretical framework among business strategists and industrial economists worldwide. The analysis provides strong support for the adoption of cost leadership strategies as a means to surviving the 2007 economic recession. The case studies further suggest that cost control initiatives are one of the most important attributes in companies’ responses to the 2007 recession. The findings provide valuable assistance for construction contractors in developing effective strategies and thus reducing business failures during recessionary periods.

A mixed methods study of the work patterns of full-time nurse practitioners in nursing homes

Aims and objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the integration of the nurse practitioner role in Canadian nursing homes to enable its full potential to be realised for resident and family care. The objective was to determine nurse practitioners' patterns of work activities. 

Background: Nurse practitioners were introduced in Canadian nursing homes a decade ago on a pilot basis. In recent years, government and nursing home sector interest in the role has grown along with the need for data to inform planning efforts. 

Design: The study used a sequential mixed methods design using a national survey followed by case studies. 

Methods: A national survey of nurse practitioners included demographic items and the EverCare Nurse Practitioner Role and Activity Scale. Following the survey, case studies were conducted in four nursing homes. Data were collected using individual and focus group interviews, document reviews and field notes. 

Results: Twenty-three of a target population of 26 nurse practitioners responded to the survey, two-thirds of whom provided services in nursing homes with one site and the remainder in nursing homes with as many as four sites. On average, nurse practitioners performed activities in communicator, clinician, care manager/coordinator and coach/educator subscales at least three to four times per week and activities in the collaborator subscale once a week. Of the 43 activities, nurse practitioners performed daily, most were in the clinician and communicator subscales. Case study interviews involved 150 participants. Findings complemented those of the survey and identified additional leadership activities. 

Conclusion: Nurse practitioners undertake a range of primary health care and advanced practice activities which they adapt to meet the unique needs of nursing homes. Relevance to clinical practice: Knowledge of work patterns enables nursing homes to implement the full range of nurse practitioner roles and activities to enhance resident and family care.

Tool life and hole surface integrity studies for hole-making of Ti6Al4V Alloy

With a significant growth in the use of titanium alloys in the aviation manufacturing industry, the key challenge of making high-quality holes in the aircraft assembly process needs to be addressed. In this work, case studies deploying traditional drilling and helical milling technologies are carried out to investigate the tool life and hole surface integrity for hole-making of titanium alloy. Results show that the helical milling process leads to much longer tool life, generally lower hole surface roughness, and higher hole subsurface microhardness. In addition, no plastically deformed layer or white layer has been observed in holes produced by helical milling. In contrast, a slightly softened region was always present on the drilled surface. The residual stress distributions within the hole surface, including compressive and tensile residual stress, have also been investigated in detail.