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The need for more accessible services is apparent and has become more urgent due to the pandemic, COVID-19. While online psycho-education exists, its feasibility is rarely tested. This study explored the online learning experiences and technology competencies of caregivers of transition-aged autistic youth. Their preferred online transition-related training topics were also explored.

A quantitative survey was developed based on the review of related literature. The survey was distributed to caregivers of autistic children in the USA.

Results showed that these caregivers are open to online learning (84%) while preferring asynchronous (74.6%) over synchronous mode (12%). The highest-rated topics include life/independent living skills, employment and social and community involvement.

This paper presented valuable information for researchers and educators who are interested in developing online learning programs for the caregivers of autistic children.

The majority of New Commonwealth immigrants to Britain arrived during the 1950s and early 1960s but for them and their children, equal opportunities are not yet a reality. To understand why this is so, requires some background on the establishment of a multi‐racial society in Britain.

The relevance of theories of strategic management and the approaches and techniques which they advocate is examined for managers in smaller firms attempting to gain competitive advantage. The distinctions drawn by Whittington between four generic perspectives on strategy — classical, evolutionary, processual and systemic — are considered in the light of the experiences of four small‐ and medium‐sized component manufacturers in the West Midlands. It is argued that the processual approach is likely to be most appropriate for the survival and enhanced competitiveness of such firms, but that it requires adaptation to the circumstances of smaller firms.

In Britain there has been considerable growth in the small firms sector during the 1980s. Whilst some have been at the forefront of technological innovation, many others outside the high‐tech area have been more reluctant to change. Aspects of the role of small firms in the economy are noted and some of the helps and hindrances to technological innovation in such firms are reviewed. Four company cases from the components industry are featured, outlining how these companies introduced various types of technological change to improve quality and integrate their manufacturing processes. The factors which led them to consider technological change and the ways in which they managed the process are outlined in relation to market pressures. Their experiences point to the importance of human factors and training within strategies for change.

For researchers concerned with the field of youth labour markets the experience in recent years has been one of working on shifting sands. Whilst there has been in the last few years a considerable decline in demand for labour generally, in the case of young people seeking work, the fall off is even more marked, as illustrated in Table I.

This paper highlights some of the issues faced by smaller manufacturing firms attempting to remain competitive in the face of supply chain rationalisation. It is argued that rather than following the holistic templates of change adopted by many larger firms, the approach of smaller component suppliers tends to involve more partial, short term solutions. Three dilemmas for smaller firms are identified and the experiences of a Best Practice Network of component suppliers illustrate some of the ways in which companies down the supply chain attempt to remain competitive, in the face of rationalisation driven by original equipment manufacturers.

With increasing global competition for manufacturers, interest has grown among researchers and practitioners in the role of advanced manufacturing technologies (AMT) in assisting firms to maintain their competitive edge. To contribute to the debate, this paper presents three case studies, one each from Australia, Britain and Canada, of companies investing in one type of AMT, computer numerical controlled (CNC) machines. The findings reported in this paper draw on the experiences of companies in developed economies but which are geographically dispersed and have different histories of industrialisation. Nevertheless when it comes to implementing AMT, there are far more similarities than differences in their experiences. The message is that for successful implementation of AMT, companies need to ensure that a broad, market driven perspective is taken to these investments, that attention is given to integration across systems and that people issues require as much attention as those directly relating to the actual technology.

This article examines the careers and changing roles of British production and operations managers through three surveys covering the last quarter of the twentieth century. Careers are examined in terms of both their organisational context and the subjective experiences of those who have chosen this field, during a period of great turbulence for manufacturing due to growing global competition. The persistent features of such roles and responsibilities are contrasted with the changes in focus and demands. The managers' sources of satisfaction and frustration are outlined as are their perceptions of their situation in relation to managers in other areas. The article concludes by considering what has changed and what needs to change, in order for manufacturing to gain maximum benefit from the contribution of these managers.

The aim of this research was to ascertain the current roles and responsibilities of logistics managers in two countries, how they compare their situation with other managers and to identify the types of knowledge and experience that would assist them to develop their careers.

This paper compares the results of a postal survey of 303 Australian and 161 British logistics managers.

The study indicates that logistics managers in both countries share many similar experiences, responsibilities and perceptions of their career situations. They take considerable pride and satisfaction from these careers but recognise the need for continuing professional development in their present and future roles.

The research is limited to the respondents to the surveys. Further research in other countries including less well‐developed economies would add to the generalisation of results.

It is argued that for successful international supply chain management, there is a need to review both current and future provision in higher education and continuing professional development, in order to strengthen strategic competences and increase understanding of the significance of interdisciplinary awareness in global markets.

This paper represents the first attempt to understand the roles, responsibilities, career pathways and future needs of logistics managers in the two countries. Its results should provide guidance to top managers for the future success of the logistics function in their organisations.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the origins and development of the “Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal (AAAJ) Community”, a flourishing international interdisciplinary accounting research community. This scholarly community has emerged over some 30 years from the publication in 1988 of the inaugural issue of AAAJ under the joint editorship of James Guthrie and Lee Parker. This historical account discusses the motivation for establishing the journal and the important publishing initiatives, developments and trends across this period. The study positions the journal as a key thought leader, the catalyst for other Community activities such as the Asia-Pacific Interdisciplinary Research in Accounting conference.

The investigation involved a selective review of the contents of AAAJ, particularly the annual editorials published since inception, and other relevant literature, analysis of the main research themes and the most cited papers, and oral history interviews with the joint editors. The future prospects for the AAAJ Community are addressed.

The AAAJ Community has shaped and led developments in interdisciplinary accounting research. Recognised for innovation and with a reputation for nurturing scholars, AAAJ continues to grow in stature as one of the world’s leading accounting journals, challenging the status quo and fostering inclusive scholarship.

The study does not examine the journal’s publication patterns nor assess in detail the research studies that have been published in the journal.

The study recognises AAAJ as central to the development of an interdisciplinary accounting research community, firmly located in the sociological, critical and interpretative tradition also associated with some other leading accounting journals.