Presently, one in four students entering higher education (HE) hold a Business and Technology Edu... more Presently, one in four students entering higher education (HE) hold a Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC) qualification. These vocational qualifications have played an important role in developing an additional educational pathway into universities for students often associated with under-represented groups and low participation regions, while widening participation initiatives have contributed to the increased number of BTEC students entering HE institutions (HEIs). Following on, potential approaches to support BTEC students during their first year at university were devised. One intervention has involved the development of an online module aimed to assist BTEC students’ transition from college to higher education. This article reflects upon the development of an online module implemented at a ‘selective’ university and examines what we actually define as 'success' within this context. The case study draws upon a variety of sources and provides not just an unde...
Outlines the UK law on insovency and asks whether the financial ratios banks use to assess credit... more Outlines the UK law on insovency and asks whether the financial ratios banks use to assess credit worthiness can discriminate between the companies placed in administrative receivership (AR) by their lending banks which can or cannot be rescued. Applies both linear discriminant analysis and logistic regression to samples of UK companies placed into AR in 1998, explains the methodology and shows broadly similar results from the two methods; and a predictive accuracy of 85‐90 per cent for the rescued companies and 55‐60 per cent for the failures. Analyses the key ratios for survival in more detail, looking at debtor turnover, the gearing ratio and the current ratio. Recogises the limitations of the study but sees it as a promising approach to predicting survivability.
European MBA programmes use a variety of learning processes. The distance learning model meets a ... more European MBA programmes use a variety of learning processes. The distance learning model meets a desire to develop continuous and flexible learning environments alongside full-time work. Embedded in the six elements of the Henley distance learning MBA – workbook, groupware, workshops, WWW, telephone links and business simulation – are the cognitive and experiential schools of learning styles. This article examines the learning style expectations of 133 Henley distance learning MBA students and notes high congruence between their learning expectations and the process design used.
ABSTRACT Self and peer assessment systems can provide a convenient solution to the very real prob... more ABSTRACT Self and peer assessment systems can provide a convenient solution to the very real problem of awarding fair marks for team members undertaking group assignments. The developing methodology has numerous benefits for enhanced student learning and transferable skill development. Peer Assessment is not, however, universally embraced: critics cite potential drawbacks including collusion, and unfair or vindictive marking and this paper provides a comprehensive review of the state of the art and then describes a web-based peer assessment tool from Loughborough University. The paper goes on to outline a research methodology that embraced interview, web survey and data analysis, through which staff and student experiences and perspectives were collected. Whilst much of the data tends to confirm, update and strengthen previous literature on this subject, important new insights are gained into the thoughts of students who appear to recognise and value the fairness they believe peer mark moderation can offer. Statistical data verifies the lack of collusion associated with the web-based system and students comment positively on qualities of anonymity and the relatively accurate recognition of the different levels of achievement within teams. Individual and group marking behaviours also suggest that most peer review marking is "honest" but can be influenced by group size, selection method and the year of study.
Society's changing attitude to debt was reflected in the 1982 Review of Insolvency Law by Sir... more Society's changing attitude to debt was reflected in the 1982 Review of Insolvency Law by Sir Kenneth Cork and his Committee. Bankruptcy was not the way to deal with many 'innocent' debtors. [Continues.]
The May 2007 consultation on Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs) proposes six reforms to cur... more The May 2007 consultation on Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs) proposes six reforms to current legislation to be enacted via Legislative Reform Order (LRO). This brief article outlines the six reform areas and discusses the key reforms against a background of the changes that have been seen in the insolvency “market” in recent years. The reforms combine Cork’s practical approach to dealing with smaller debtors with current budgetary and administrative drivers and 20 years of experience of the IVA regime. The “market” driven logic for these reforms is clear. Few commentators forecast the huge growth in IVA numbers following the Enterprise Act 2002 changes to bankruptcy law. Indeed, the death of the IVA was widely predicted, yet the underlying growth in consumer credit and its attendant problems is clearly linked to both bankruptcy and IVA growth.
This doctoral submission represents over ten years of focused research that has resulted in a uni... more This doctoral submission represents over ten years of focused research that has resulted in a unique collection of academic and professional articles. The epithet "unique" is adopted to reflect that over those years this area of study has been relatively untouched by other academic researchers. This submission presents a total of eight academic and seven professional journal publications that chronicle the major output of numerous research projects undertaken between 1992 and 2002. The publications adhere to a central aim - to investigate the practical use and complex interactions between stakeholders of the individual insolvency rescue vehicle the Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA). The research projects employed a variety of relevant methodologies to populate an emerging conceptual model of the prime factors affecting the incidence, usage and outcomes of IVA cases. The first five articles report and develop the data collected during the various projects. The articles...
Against a background of greater competition, market saturation and falling margins over the past ... more Against a background of greater competition, market saturation and falling margins over the past decade UK banks have sought greater efficiencies in credit and risk assessment procedures, especially with personal lending products. In the same way they have attempted to reduce costs associated with the monitoring and collection of bad debts. Failure to monitor debt recoveries adequately, however, can lead to further pressure on profits. This paper uses a case study approach to outline key strategies adopted by two major banks in respect of formal insolvency, the "tip" of a considerable debt recovery "iceberg". The paper illustrates the reactions and changing practices of banks, as unsecured creditors, and draws on empirical research that has charted the effect of the Insolvency Act 1986 as regards individual debtors. The collection of bad debts presents banks with risks, heightened by adverse selection and moral hazard problems greater than those applicable to cre...
Presently, one in four students entering higher education (HE) hold a Business and Technology Edu... more Presently, one in four students entering higher education (HE) hold a Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC) qualification. These vocational qualifications have played an important role in developing an additional educational pathway into universities for students often associated with under-represented groups and low participation regions, while widening participation initiatives have contributed to the increased number of BTEC students entering HE institutions (HEIs). Following on, potential approaches to support BTEC students during their first year at university were devised. One intervention has involved the development of an online module aimed to assist BTEC students’ transition from college to higher education. This article reflects upon the development of an online module implemented at a ‘selective’ university and examines what we actually define as 'success' within this context. The case study draws upon a variety of sources and provides not just an unde...
Outlines the UK law on insovency and asks whether the financial ratios banks use to assess credit... more Outlines the UK law on insovency and asks whether the financial ratios banks use to assess credit worthiness can discriminate between the companies placed in administrative receivership (AR) by their lending banks which can or cannot be rescued. Applies both linear discriminant analysis and logistic regression to samples of UK companies placed into AR in 1998, explains the methodology and shows broadly similar results from the two methods; and a predictive accuracy of 85‐90 per cent for the rescued companies and 55‐60 per cent for the failures. Analyses the key ratios for survival in more detail, looking at debtor turnover, the gearing ratio and the current ratio. Recogises the limitations of the study but sees it as a promising approach to predicting survivability.
European MBA programmes use a variety of learning processes. The distance learning model meets a ... more European MBA programmes use a variety of learning processes. The distance learning model meets a desire to develop continuous and flexible learning environments alongside full-time work. Embedded in the six elements of the Henley distance learning MBA – workbook, groupware, workshops, WWW, telephone links and business simulation – are the cognitive and experiential schools of learning styles. This article examines the learning style expectations of 133 Henley distance learning MBA students and notes high congruence between their learning expectations and the process design used.
ABSTRACT Self and peer assessment systems can provide a convenient solution to the very real prob... more ABSTRACT Self and peer assessment systems can provide a convenient solution to the very real problem of awarding fair marks for team members undertaking group assignments. The developing methodology has numerous benefits for enhanced student learning and transferable skill development. Peer Assessment is not, however, universally embraced: critics cite potential drawbacks including collusion, and unfair or vindictive marking and this paper provides a comprehensive review of the state of the art and then describes a web-based peer assessment tool from Loughborough University. The paper goes on to outline a research methodology that embraced interview, web survey and data analysis, through which staff and student experiences and perspectives were collected. Whilst much of the data tends to confirm, update and strengthen previous literature on this subject, important new insights are gained into the thoughts of students who appear to recognise and value the fairness they believe peer mark moderation can offer. Statistical data verifies the lack of collusion associated with the web-based system and students comment positively on qualities of anonymity and the relatively accurate recognition of the different levels of achievement within teams. Individual and group marking behaviours also suggest that most peer review marking is "honest" but can be influenced by group size, selection method and the year of study.
Society's changing attitude to debt was reflected in the 1982 Review of Insolvency Law by Sir... more Society's changing attitude to debt was reflected in the 1982 Review of Insolvency Law by Sir Kenneth Cork and his Committee. Bankruptcy was not the way to deal with many 'innocent' debtors. [Continues.]
The May 2007 consultation on Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs) proposes six reforms to cur... more The May 2007 consultation on Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs) proposes six reforms to current legislation to be enacted via Legislative Reform Order (LRO). This brief article outlines the six reform areas and discusses the key reforms against a background of the changes that have been seen in the insolvency “market” in recent years. The reforms combine Cork’s practical approach to dealing with smaller debtors with current budgetary and administrative drivers and 20 years of experience of the IVA regime. The “market” driven logic for these reforms is clear. Few commentators forecast the huge growth in IVA numbers following the Enterprise Act 2002 changes to bankruptcy law. Indeed, the death of the IVA was widely predicted, yet the underlying growth in consumer credit and its attendant problems is clearly linked to both bankruptcy and IVA growth.
This doctoral submission represents over ten years of focused research that has resulted in a uni... more This doctoral submission represents over ten years of focused research that has resulted in a unique collection of academic and professional articles. The epithet "unique" is adopted to reflect that over those years this area of study has been relatively untouched by other academic researchers. This submission presents a total of eight academic and seven professional journal publications that chronicle the major output of numerous research projects undertaken between 1992 and 2002. The publications adhere to a central aim - to investigate the practical use and complex interactions between stakeholders of the individual insolvency rescue vehicle the Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA). The research projects employed a variety of relevant methodologies to populate an emerging conceptual model of the prime factors affecting the incidence, usage and outcomes of IVA cases. The first five articles report and develop the data collected during the various projects. The articles...
Against a background of greater competition, market saturation and falling margins over the past ... more Against a background of greater competition, market saturation and falling margins over the past decade UK banks have sought greater efficiencies in credit and risk assessment procedures, especially with personal lending products. In the same way they have attempted to reduce costs associated with the monitoring and collection of bad debts. Failure to monitor debt recoveries adequately, however, can lead to further pressure on profits. This paper uses a case study approach to outline key strategies adopted by two major banks in respect of formal insolvency, the "tip" of a considerable debt recovery "iceberg". The paper illustrates the reactions and changing practices of banks, as unsecured creditors, and draws on empirical research that has charted the effect of the Insolvency Act 1986 as regards individual debtors. The collection of bad debts presents banks with risks, heightened by adverse selection and moral hazard problems greater than those applicable to cre...
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