Wolverhampton Intellectual Repository and E-Theses
WIRE is the open access repository for research publications and outputs by researchers based at the University of Wolverhampton.
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Recent Submissions
Item Self-initiated coping strategies of adults during COVID-19, and their association with psychosocial outcomes(University of Wolverhampton, 2025)This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the practices of mindfulness and physical exercise as coping strategies adopted by adults during the Covid-19 pandemic and their associations with resilience and post-traumatic growth (PTG). A quantitative online survey composed of several questionnaires and delivered through the Qualtrics platform collected data for further investigation of the relationship between the impact of Covid-19, coping, physical exercise, mindfulness, health and well-being, resilience, and post-traumatic growth. The sample of 119 participants is mainly composed of females, white British nationals and UK residents, with a mean age of 44.5 years old. Multiple regression results showed that physical exercise was non-significant regarding its contribution to either of the outcome variables, despite most of the sample engaging in physical exercise during Covid- 19. Mindfulness practice, health and well-being before Covid-19 and avoidance coping were contributors to health and well-being at data collection. Dispositional mindfulness was found to be the sole contributor to resilience in this sample. Whereas mindfulness practice, dispositional mindfulness, the impact of Covid-19, avoidance and approach coping and death from Covid-19 were shown to be significantly associated with PTG. Conclusions: Physical exercise, despite being highly engaged with by the sample did not yield the expected contribution towards the outcome variables, with mindfulness practice being more relevant in contributing to health and well-being and post-traumatic growth and dispositional mindfulness, an important contributor to both resilience and PTG. Alternative factors and strategies of coping may play a more relevant role in those relationships. More complex relationships between predictors and outcome variables may be occurring that are beyond the scope of the present study. The findings demonstrate that physical exercise and mindfulness practice differ in the impact of their contribution to the outcome variables. Future research may need to focus on investigating further those relationships.Item Development of the change readiness diagnostic tool through industry 4.0 transformation; UK infrastructure sector case study(CIB, 2025-12-31)Industry 4.0 implementation still proves to be a challenge within the UK infrastructure sector and the decision-makers within organisations in the sector despite its clear importance as it introduces several changes to the organisation's structure, processes, and business practices. Due to the challenges and lack of understanding in the sector, it is vital for change management to be highly considered in the decision-making process of implementation of Industry 4.0 initiatives to ensure successful implementation. It has been highlighted that organisational culture and resistance to change is a key barrier to successful implementation which should be addressed before organisations implement Industry 4.0 initiatives. The development of a readiness tool has been proposed to assess organisations' readiness to implement Industry 4.0 initiatives before implementation. The evaluation of readiness for organisations allows the decision-makers to bridge the gaps if they can on the changes and challenges that are presented by Industry 4.0 initiatives. The methodology for this study was undertaken using an inductive approach where case studies were observed, and semi structures interviews were undertaken. The findings from the analysis highlighted six key aspects to consider assessing readiness for prior to industry 4.0 strategies implementation in the infrastructure sector. They are (1) Organisations need, (2) Organisations Willingness to Change, (3) Employees Willingness to Change, (4) Support from Management, (5) Organisation Productiveness, and (6) Organisations Willingness to Invest. This study demonstrates a readiness tool which can allow organisations to assess their readiness prior to the adoption of industry 4.0 strategies.Item Co-constructing confidence and performance: a study of athlete-coach beliefs in elite judo(SAGE, 2025-12-31)This study examined beliefs and self-confidence regarding performance factors among UK judo athletes and coaches. A total of 97 athletes (42 elite: 19 male, 23 female; 55 non-elite: 36 male, 19 female) and 61 coaches (31 elite: 25 male, 6 female; 30 non-elite: 23 male, 7 female) completed a 30-item scale based on the UK Coaching Framework (2009). The scale assessed perceived importance and confidence in five subscales: physical development, self-understanding, psychological preparation, relationships, and skills. Analysis revealed significant differences between athletes and coaches in their ratings of relationships, psychological preparation, skills, and self-understanding. Additionally, differences emerged based on biological sex for physical development, skills, and self-understanding. Through a mixed methods design qualitative insights highlighted that athletes value supportive coaching for enhancing self-confidence, while coaches emphasise understanding individual needs for effective training. These findings underscore the importance of a co-construction model that promotes athlete-coach collaboration in developing tailored support strategies to optimise overall performance outcomes.Item Response to the Women and Equalities Committee’s Call for Evidence on Female Entrepreneurs(UK Parliament., 2025-03-25)This submission from the University of Wolverhampton is based on research underpinning two funded programmes: Women in Business Leadership in the Midlands and Investigating Disparities in SMEs Digitalisation. It also reflects the work of many academics at Wolverhampton Business School in the areas of gender, entrepreneurship, mentorship, and coaching.Item Empowering women entrepreneurs through digital upskilling: Driving economic recovery in Türkiye, post-earthquake(UK Parliament, 2025-01-29)The February 2023 earthquakes in Türkiye caused widespread devastation, erasing 48,422 businesses and leaving communities grappling with the challenges of recovery. Among those most severely impacted were women-led Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs), with 88% of women entrepreneurs, including refugees, facing significant disruptions to their operations. Alarmingly, 50% of these businesses remain unable to resume, revealing entrenched systemic inequalities and structural barriers, such as limited access to resources, markets, and digital tools. Without targeted intervention, these women entrepreneurs risk permanent exclusion from economic systems, exacerbating regional disparities and delaying recovery.
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