word of mouth (wom) is becoming increasingly recognized as an important form of promotion and an important source of information influencing consumer’s attitudes and purchase behavior, particularly within professional services environments, where credence qualities play a critical role in consumers’ choices. wom is especially important in tourism industry, whose intangible products are diff...

BACKGROUND Continuity in the context of healthcare refers to the perception of the client that care has been connected and coherent over time. For over a decade professionals providing maternity and child and family health (CFH) services in Australia and internationally have emphasised the importance of continuity of care for women, families and children. However, continuity across maternity an...

Decentralisation has been described as an empty concept that lacks clarity. Yet there is an enduring interest in the process of decentralisation within health systems and public services more generally. Many claims about the benefits of decentralisation are not supported by evidence. It may be useful as an organising framework for analysis of health systems but in this context it lacks conceptu...

BACKGROUND Telemedicine has emerged as an efficient means of distributing professional medical expertise over a broad geographic area with few limitations to the various services that can be provided around the globe. Telepathology is particularly well suited to distributing subspecialty expertise in certain environments in an economical fashion, while preserving centers of excellence. MATERI...

Objectives and relationship to conference themes The development of a research culture within the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists, and the research capacity building within the profession that must underpin this, is an essential element of both the ‘learn’ and ‘achieve’ themes of the conference. The role of professional bodies in developing professional practice and the maintenance of s...

This article explores recent developments in freelance subtitling work within the audio-visual translation (AVT) industry. During 2010s, many LSPs operating globally moved their provision of paid, professional services to cloud platforms, and I argue that such while capable generating collaborative environments, enact information patterns which weaken communicative aspects production processes,...

In the past individuals attained their educational credentials and that was considered to be the sum total of their professional development. However, in an era of decreasing job security and fewer opportunities for upward mobility, organisations must provide employees with career growth opportunities to ensure their future employability (Chay & Ayree 1999). Thus the provision of Continuing Pro...