Rude word censored – but definitely muttered under my breath

about the British Journal of Educational Technology

Those readers of long standing will know that I read or, more truthfully, glance at the table of contents, with abstracts, for a large number of journals.

I will then either:

• mentally discard the information as not relevant to careers practitioners (the majority of what passes before my eyes);
• send an email, or cut and paste the URL, into my blog’s drafts folder for later posting (sometimes gets discarded at this stage; or
• write, using paper and pencil, the journal title and the page number so that I can request said journal to read the full article on my next visit to the British Library.

The system works well until you try to open a journal at page E117 to read “What fantasy role-playing games can teach your children (or even you)” to discover that there are thirteen items which are not included in the print version of said journal.

Fortunately the British Library has the electronic version but, to be honest, by this time I have lost interest in what I thought would be interesting!

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Against medical advice: the anti-consumption of vaccines

an article by Michael S.W. Lee and Mike Male, (The University of Auckland Business School, Auckland)  published in Journal of Consumer Marketing Volume 28 Issue 7 (2011)

Abstract

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the main reasons driving the anti-vaccination movement (AVM) and relate similarities and differences of the AVM with the anti-consumption of other products.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper conducts thematic analysis of various online sources, including medical journals, blogs, science articles and business/social science databases.
Findings
First, the paper outlines the main themes (religion, freedom of choice, risk, and uncertainty) driving the anti-consumption of vaccines. Second, it explains why the AVM is a unique and paradoxical form of anti-consumption. Third, although much anti-consumption behaviour is motivated by the belief that rejecting certain acts of consumption may be beneficial to society, the paper uses the AVM to show that not all anti-consumption behavior has clear-cut benefits for society.
Research limitations/implications
While this is predominately a conceptual paper, a commentary on the AVM has never been attempted by business scholars. This is surprising since business scholars are able to bring a more impartial viewpoint to the debate than both the medical establishment and proponents of natural therapy. As this paper is not associated with medical interests, nor the AVM, the focus is on the welfare of consumers and as such, a more detached perspective may be useful in this controversial area.
Practical implications
Since the AVM debate is filled with much uncertainty, the paper recommends a more balanced/respectful approach by the medical community, pro-vaccinators and the AVM.
Originality/value
Unlike previous work in the area, this research intersects commercial, societal, and medical interests. It also highlights AVM as an interesting case where large groups of people sharing similar anti-consumption behaviours are actually incompatible with one another.

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