Purpose -The purpose of this research is to explore employee perceptions of the development of a learning culture in a medium-sized manufacturing company that was aspiring to become a learning organization. Design/methodology/approach -The research comprised an extended interview with the company's Organizational Development Manager, a validated questionnaire on the learning organization with a cross-section of 80 staff, and semi-structured interviews with a stratified sample of 20 employees. Findings -The company was using learning to develop its competitive edge, and employees were at various stages of understanding and acceptance of the need for learning and competence development on the job to sustain and develop the company. A tension was detected between the company's objectives and the aspirations of some employees, but the majority appeared to accept the overt learning policy as good for them and the company. Research limitations/implications -Through circumstances, the sample of employees included a fairly high proportion already involved in training, so there was potential for some positive bias towards training and a learning culture. Nevertheless, the study provides some pointers for involving employees in the development of an organization that values learning and for resolving possible tensions between institutional objectives and individual aspirations. Originality/value -As well as adding empirical data to the theory-dominated literature on learning organizations, this study contributes towards a better understanding of the perceptions of employees in the development of a learning organization, rather than from the organizational or management perspectives that tend to dominate the literature.

Aims and objectives. To examine factors which contribute to the individual's experience of pain in relation to intrauterine contraception insertion and determine evidence-based nursing strategies to best assess and manage this pain. Background. Nurses are increasingly involved in consultations regarding intrauterine contraception. However, concerns regarding painful or difficult insertion may inhibit uptake and discourage nurses from promoting or inserting intrauterine contraception. Design. Integrative review. Methods. Database searches of CINAHL, PubMed, Wiley Online Library and the Cochrane Collaboration for relevant literature. Eight papers met the inclusion criteria and were analysed using an integrative review process. Results. Physical causes and pharmacological interventions for insertion pain have been thoroughly investigated. Absence of previous vaginal delivery and anxiety may increase the likelihood of procedural pain. The literature fails to conclusively determine any universally effective prophylactic analgesia. Cervical anaesthesia may be beneficial in some cases and oral analgesia may relieve postprocedural pain. Distraction in the form of conversation, music or television can be effective in reducing anxiety. Conclusions. A combination of physical, psychological and environmental factors contribute to the individual's pain experience. Nurses have the potential to make a significant impact on pain outcomes by demonstrating clinical expertise and creating a trustful environment. Giving reliable information, acknowledging the significance of anxiety and providing reassurance and distraction are effective pain reducing strategies. Research into nonpharmacological approaches is warranted, especially those which reduce anxiety. Relevance to clinical practice. Increasing uptake of long-acting reversible contraception is a public health goal. Providing effective pain management strategies to improve patient experience may encourage more nurses to recommend, or enhance their scope of practice to include, intrauterine contraception insertion.

Issue addressed The implications of the high cost of water on the poverty and subsequent health of Aboriginal residents in a remote community in Australia. Methods During 2003, a focus group session was held with adults at Umoona Aboriginal community in South Australia. Participants were asked to comment on key issues of concern in the provision of the domestic water supply. Results The Umoona community members in Coober Pedy identified the high cost of water and electricity as key hardship factors. Conclusions Plans under the National Water Initiative to move to full cost recovery for water and the privatisation of public utilities may result in increased hardship for low‐income groups such as Aboriginal people. Utility stress (difficulties paying water, electricity, gas or telephone accounts by the due date) increases poverty and relative deprivation, both key factors in the social determinants of health. Increased community service obligations (CSO) and rebates need to be made available to all low‐income groups in order to reduce the negative impact of poverty. So what? Health promotion strategies aimed at improving the health status of Aboriginal people, particularly those living in remote communities, need to take into account the complex nature of poverty in many of these communities and the subsequent negative impact this has on the ability of community members to engage in healthy living practices.

Policy ideology in Aboriginal affairs is caught between left wing rights versus right wing responsibility arguments. Taking the radical centre position of mutual rights and responsibilities espoused by Pearson and applying it to the National Water Initiative, Eileen Willis, Meryl Pearce, Carmel McCarthy, Fiona Ryan and Ben Wadham demonstrate the way in which one Aboriginal community, Yarilena, situated in an arid and remote region of South Australia, has met the challenge. They show the initiatives instigated by the community that are applicable to other Aboriginal settings, and the challenges facing governments who take seriously the policy formulation of mutual obligation within the Pearson framework. Development (2008) 51, 418–424. doi:10.1057/dev.2008.30

No abstract