bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simulation team training for improved teamwork in an intensive care unit
Authors: Sandahl Christer , Gustafsson Helena , Wallin Carl‐Johan , Meurling Lisbet , Øvretveit John , Brommels Mats , Hansson Johan
Published: January 2013

Purpose

This study aims to describe implementation of simulator‐based medical team training and the effect of this programme on inter‐professional working in an intensive care unit (ICU).

Design/methodology/approach

Over a period of two years, 90 percent (n=152) of the staff of the general ICU at Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Sweden, received inter‐professional team training in a fully equipped patient room in their own workplace. A case study method was used to describe and explain the planning, formation, and results of the training programme.

Findings

In interviews, the participants reported that the training had increased their awareness of the importance of effective communication for patient safety. The intervention had even had an indirect impact by creating a need to talk, not only about how to communicate efficaciously, but also concerning difficult care situations in general. This, in turn, had led to regular reflection meetings for nurses held three times a week. Examples of better communication in acute situations were also reported. However, the findings indicate that the observed improvements will not last, unless organisational features such as staffing rotas and scheduling of rounds and meetings can be changed to enable use of the learned behaviours in everyday work. Other threats to sustainability include shortage of staff, overtime for staff, demands for hospital beds, budget cuts, and poor staff communication due to separate meetings for nurses and physicians.

Originality/value

The present results broaden our understanding of how to create and sustain an organizational system that supports medical team training.
Pro‐diversity practices and perceived insider status
Authors: Guerrero Sylvie , Sylvestre Julie , Muresanu Doina
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to study the effects of pro‐diversity practices on perceived insider status, and explore the moderating role of leader‐member exchange in this relationship. The main and interactive effects on PIS are studied for cultural minority and majority groups.

Design/methodology/approach

Research hypotheses are tested with a questionnaire administered to 210 employees working in three Canadian organizations engaged in diversity management.

Findings

Results indicate that the main and interactive effects of organizational fairness and leader‐member exchange on perceived insider status are significant. The interactive effect on perceived insider status is higher for cultural minorities than for other employees.

Research limitations/implications

This study shows the importance of perceived insider status in the field of diversity, identifies organizational fairness and leader‐member exchange as two significant organizational antecedents to perceived insider status, and describes the mechanisms linking these antecedents to perceived insider status (the interaction effects).

Originality/value

The main contribution of the research resides in the identification of perceived insider status as a variable that deserves more attention in the field of diversity. The article invites future research to explore the behavioral consequences of perceived insider status in diverse teams, and to pursue the understanding of mechanisms leading to feelings of inclusion.
Workforce diversity in strategic human resource management models
Authors: Martín Alcázar Fernando , Miguel Romero Fernández Pedro , Sánchez Gardey Gonzalo
Published: January 2013

Purpose

Workforce diversity is considered one of the main challenges for human resource management in modern organizations. Despite its strategic importance, the majority of models in this field implicitly consider workforce as a generic and homogeneous category, and do not take into account cultural differences among employees. The aim of this paper is to present a systematic review of the literature on diversity among employees in strategic human resource management (SHRM). The objective of this conceptual analysis is to identify limitations in previous research and unresolved issues that could drive future research in this field.

Design/methodology/approach

To develop this conceptual analysis, the paper reviews previous literature on SHRM, drawing on the distinction between the universalistic, contingent and configurational perspectives. Each of these approaches is explored, looking for the way in which they have treated workforce diversity and cross‐culturality.

Findings

The paper concludes that managing a heterogeneous workforce requires a holistic transformation of human resource strategies. Nevertheless, efforts to define cross‐cultural and diversity‐oriented models still remain undeveloped. Limitations of previous research in the diversity‐SHRM field are indentified in the paper.

Research limitations/implications

Drawing on the limitations of the treatment given to diversity in SHRM research, the paper identifies four research questions that still need to be addressed: deeper analysis of the concept of diversity, introduction of psychological processes mediating the diversity‐performance relationship, development of diversity oriented SHRM typologies and redefinition of performance indicators to measure the effects of diversity.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a theoretical model to illustrate present state of the art and future research lines in the fields of diversity, cross‐cultural management and SHRM.
Application of rapid tooling to manufacture customized nasal mask cushion for continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices
Authors: Cheng Yih‐Lin , Chu Jin‐Chiou
Published: January 2013

Purpose

A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device is one of the main treatments for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients. Most patients treated by this method complain about the comfortableness of the mask, but the commercial mask cushions are only available in fixed sizes. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to apply the rapid tooling (RT) technique to manufacture customized nasal mask cushions, to increase the performance and with price competitiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

The patient's face was first duplicated twice by Hygrogum and plaster. The face model, on which the cushion CAD design was based, was digitized by the reverse‐engineering technology. The RT of the cushion was then designed and manufactured by two rapid prototyping techniques – Objet's PolyJet and shape deposition manufacturing (SDM). Finally, silicone was cast into the RT to obtain customized cushions. The customized cushion was compared with two other commercial cushions through fit testing and cost estimation.

Findings

The proposed approach can successfully manufacture customized cushions within a day. The SDM process has advantages in this application over Objet's system. The fit testing showed that the fit factor of the customized cushion was better and less loading was required, which should lead to great improvement in the patient's comfort. Moreover, the price‐to‐performance ratio of the customized cushion can be lower than the commercial ones if more than three cushions were made by a single rapid tool.

Originality/value

This paper has proposed a new application of RT on customized nasal mask cushions for CPAP devices. The customized cushion has lower price‐to‐performance ratio and the cost remains competitive.
Additive manufacturing of ZrO2‐Al2O3 ceramic components by selective laser melting
Authors: Wilkes Jan , Hagedorn Yves‐Christian , Meiners Wilhelm , Wissenbach Konrad
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose this paper is to develop an additive manufacturing (AM) technique for high‐strength oxide ceramics. The process development aims at directly manufacturing fully dense ceramic freeform‐components with good mechanical properties.

Design/methodology/approach

The selective laser melting of the ceramic materials zirconia and alumina has been investigated experimentally. The approach followed up is to completely melt ZrO2/Al2O3 powder mixtures by a focused laser beam. In order to reduce thermally induced stresses, the ceramic is preheated to a temperature of at least 1,600°C during the build up process.

Findings

It is possible to manufacture ceramic objects with almost 100 percent density, without any sintering processes or any post‐processing. Crack‐free specimens have been manufactured that have a flexural strength of more than 500 MPa. Manufactured objects have a fine‐grained two‐phase microstructure consisting of tetragonal zirconia and alpha‐alumina.

Research limitations/implications

Future research may focus on improving the surface quality of manufactured components, solving issues related to the cold powder deposition on the preheated ceramic, further increasing the mechanical strength and transferring the technology from laboratory scale to industrial application.

Practical implications

Potential applications of this technique include manufacturing individual all‐ceramic dental restorations, ceramic prototypes and complex‐shaped ceramic components that cannot be made by any other manufacturing technique.

Originality/value

This new manufacturing technique based on melting and solidification of high‐performance ceramic material has some significant advantages compared to laser sintering techniques or other manufacturing techniques relying on solid‐state sintering processes.
Co‐designing compliance to the Anti‐Money Laundering Act within the small and medium enterprise sector
Authors: Kelkar Ameya , Rao Asha
Published: January 2013

Purpose

Money laundering is a financial crime that does not directly affect a business but poses a serious threat to a nation's stability and security. The Australian Anti‐money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing Act (AML/CTF Act – the Act) passed into law in 2006, but achieving compliance is proving a daunting task, especially within the small and medium enterprises (SME) sector. This paper aims to propose a co‐designed communication strategy, which if adopted by the Australian regulator, AUSTRAC, could improve communication and education about the Act within this sector.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review is done to understand the complexities of the Act and its compliance regime, especially with regards to SME. By establishing the importance of SME to a country's economy, as well as the need for AUSTRAC to understand their limitations, this paper uses the concepts of design in communication, and the importance of involving stakeholders in designing solutions, to develop a communication strategy.

Findings

It is clear that the current compliance regime is not very successful, and a better communication strategy would achieve better education among the SME sector and could result in better compliance indices.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is based on the available literature including journals, white papers and the AUSTRAC website and did not involve in‐person communication or contact with either the stakeholders or AUSTRAC.

Originality/value

This paper is first of its kind to propose the use of “design” in order to improve the AML/CTF compliance indices.
Investigating the convergent validity of organizational trust
Authors: Agarwal Vinita
Published: January 2013

Purpose

Organizational trust is an important construct for organizational and public relations scholars and practitioners for its influence on key organizational outcomes, yet the convergent validity of organizational trust instruments has not been investigated by any study. The purpose of this paper is to address an important gap in the literature by reporting the results of a systematic investigation of the convergent validity of three organizational trust measures, taking an interpersonal, public relations, and organizational approach to trust in organizations respectively.

Design/methodology/approach

IRB approval was obtained for a cross‐sectional study design gathering self‐reports from participants through an online data gathering system of a large Midwestern university in the USA. Correlational matrices, along with exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses adapting the multitrait‐multimethod matrix, were employed for data analysis.

Findings

The three trust measures demonstrate mixed evidence of convergent validity with each other and with a theoretically correlated construct, organizational identification, demonstrating that while the three measures share the same conceptual ground, there is a need to clarify their underlying theoretical specification, especially with respect to organizational identification.

Research limitations/implications

Future large‐scale studies can extend the findings based on a student population by employing multiple and diverse data sets, as well as investigate method variance.

Practical implications

Recommendations to improve convergent validity include: increasing item parsimony to decrease redundancy; revise item construction; and improved theoretical specification investigating the conceptual boundaries organizational identification with trust.

Originality/value

The study provides empirical evidence of the need for greater conceptual and operational clarification of the theoretical bases of trust. It is the first to advance research on trust in organizations by providing empirical support for the convergent validity of organizational trust measures assessed from organizational, interpersonal, and public relations perspectives.
Relationship stresses: new ground for relationship management research
Authors: Derville Gallicano Tiffany
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to advance knowledge about organization‐public relationships by establishing a theoretical category for understanding them and by contributing to a foundation of knowledge in that category. Relationship stresses are presented as the factors that constrain organization‐public relationships. This study identifies stresses on the relationship between a grassroots advocacy organization and its former members, as well as stresses between the organization and members who have decreased their participation in it.

Design/methodology/approach

In‐person interviews were conducted with 24 people, phone interviews were conducted with 44 people, and e‐mail interviews were conducted with 13 people. Interviewees included staff members, former volunteers, and volunteers who had decreased their participation in the organization.

Findings

Several relationship stresses were identified: the silver curtain, the emotion tax, relationship speeding, invisible isms, weak leadership, disagreement with decisions, the revolving door, overworking volunteers, underworking volunteers, age, and health.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes a new category for relationship management scholarship, which can be productive for theory building. It also illuminates Dozier and Lauzen's questioning about the unique conditions of social movement organizations.

Practical implications

Established cultivation strategies can actually aggravate publics when a relationship has significantly deteriorated and the root problem is not addressed.

Originality/value

Recognizing problems in the relationship between an advocacy organization and members results in a deep understanding of a unique context for public relations practice. In addition, this study illuminates a context for cultivation strategies by codifying a foundation of relationship stresses. Identifying stresses to relationships can help scholars and practitioners ascertain problems and treat those problems at the root level.
Developing a comprehensive methodology for BPR projects by employing IT tools
Authors: Eftekhari Nazanin , Akhavan Peyman
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a comprehensive IT tools based methodology (CITM) for BPR projects in order to facilitate implementing BPR project by considering relevant IT tools in each phase of the methodology, both approaches (clean slate and analysis of existing processes on details), and failure analysis for diminishing the risk of the BPR project.

Design/methodology/approach

In today's world, corporations need to adjust with the environment changes in order to stay stable in facing market changes. This paper presents a comprehensive methodology in which by considering different aspects for implementing BPR project including IT tools, both BPR approaches, and failure analysis can facilitate BPR project. The proposed methodology's validation was tested by getting the 50 experts' ideas in each phase of the methodology and in a case study at organization and planning department in an IT company.

Findings

The structured methodology developed in this paper contain the two debatable approaches of BPR (clean slate approach as well as analysis of existing processes on details approach). This methodology enables the organization to derive a proper way to implement BPR project in order to its situation. In every phase of this methodology, based on their applications in each specific phase, required softwares and IT tools are proposed. The applicability of methodology was analyzed and confirmed thoroughly by the 50 BPR experts and in a case study at an IT company.

Originality/value

This study provides a comprehensive methodology to consider the gap of the BPR methodologies in their comprehensiveness, use IT tools and softwares and lower the risk of the BPR implementation. In developing the CITM the challenging approaches are considered, the related softwares and IT tools are proposed and failure analysis is done and considered in each phase of the CITM in order to decrease the risk of its implementation.
Need for sustainable global business model in software outsourcing
Authors: Mathur Jain Daisy , Khurana Reema
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study sustainability of the global business model of software outsourcing with perspective of Indian vendors.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to obtain results as per the stated purpose, the authors have done an extensive literature review search in the e‐journals databases: ABI/INFORM Complete, EBSCO Business Source Complete, Emerald Management Xtra and Science Direct. Over and above these databases and journals, NASSCOM reports, survey and some books were also referred for literature review. Finally 59 references listed at the end of the paper were used for the stated purpose.

Findings

The paper studies trends in software industry and outsourcing models, which Indian vendors are offering to their global clients. Each model is evaluated analytically for its advantages and shortcomings subsequently the paper concludes by stating the need for a sustainable global business model in software outsourcing from Indian perspective.

Research limitations/implications

The paper studies business of software at a global level and subsequently narrows its focus on the models being provided by the Indian vendors. It identifies need for a sustainable model to be used by the Indian vendors; the limitation of the paper is it concludes with the need identification and is from an Indian vendor perspective. The needs identified can be further used as a basis for hypothesis formulation, questionnaire design, data survey and analysis so that blue print of the proposed model can finally emerge, also the study can be expanded to include global vendors.

Practical implications

The following paper analytically studies current trends in global business of software sourcing, and identifies pros and cons of the models adopted by Indian vendors. It identifies the need for a sustainable global business model for software outsourcing; in case the need is fulfilled it will definitely add value to India as a software sourcing destination and lead to more revenue generation which will eventually culminate into a large‐scale and long term economic and social impact. The study also has several research and public policy formulation implications.

Originality/value

The paper is completely original work of the authors where the value addition is clearly seen by studying the advantages and shortcomings of the existing models of software outsourcing adopted by Indian vendors and identifying the need for sustainability therein.
Handoff processes, information quality and patient safety
Authors: Gogan Janis L. , Baxter Ryan J. , Boss Scott R. , Chircu Alina M.
Published: January 2013

Purpose

Key findings from recent and relevant studies on patient safety and clinical handoffs are summarized and analyzed. After briefly reviewing process management and accounting control theory, the aim of this paper is to discuss how these latter two disciplines can be combined to further improve patient safety in handoffs.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review on studies of patient safety, clinical processes and clinical handoffs was conducted in leading medical, quality, and information systems journals.

Findings

This paper issues a call for research using a trans‐disciplinary methodology to shed new light on information quality issues in clinical handoff processes, which in turn should improve patient safety.

Research limitations/implications

The literature review employed systematic, heuristic, iterative and practical criteria for identifying and selecting papers, trading off completeness for multi‐disciplinarity. No prior empirical patient safety studies combined process management and accounting control theory.

Practical implications

The above‐noted trans‐disciplinary analytic approach may help medical professionals develop more effective handoff processes, checklists, standard operating procedures (SOPs), clinical pathways, and supporting software, and audit and continuously monitor their implementation.

Originality/value

This paper responds to recent calls for trans‐disciplinary research on healthcare quality improvement. The literature review is valuable for understanding clinical handoff problems and solutions from multiple perspectives. The proposed combination of two theories – accounting control theory and business process management – is novel and useful for describing, improving and monitoring handoff processes in the broader context of clinical processes, using a common terminology for information quality traits.
A methodology for effective implementation of lean strategies and its performance evaluation in manufacturing organizations
Authors: Karim Azharul , Arif‐Uz‐Zaman Kazi
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop an effective methodology for implementing lean manufacturing strategies and a leanness evaluation metric using continuous performance measurement (CPM).

Design/methodology/approach

Based on five lean principles, a systematic lean implementation methodology for manufacturing organizations has been proposed. A simplified leanness evaluation metric consisting of both efficiency and effectiveness attributes of manufacturing performance has been developed for continuous evaluation of lean implementation. A case study to validate the proposed methodology has been conducted and proposed CPM metric has been used to assess the manufacturing leanness.

Findings

Proposed methodology is able to systematically identify manufacturing wastes, select appropriate lean tools, identify relevant performance indicators, achieve significant performance improvement and establish lean culture in the organization. Continuous performance measurement matrices in terms of efficiency and effectiveness are proved to be appropriate methods for continuous evaluation of lean performance.

Research limitations/implications

Effectiveness of the method developed has been demonstrated by applying it in a real life assembly process. However, more tests/applications will be necessary to generalize the findings.

Practical implications

Results show that applying the methods developed, managers can successfully identify and remove manufacturing wastes from their production processes. By improving process efficiency, they can optimize their resource allocations. Manufacturers now have a validated step by step methodology for successfully implementing lean strategies.

Originality/value

According to the authors' best knowledge, this is the first known study that proposed a systematic lean implementation methodology based on lean principles and continuous improvement techniques. Evaluation of performance improvement by lean strategies is a critical issue. This study develops a simplified leanness evaluation metric considering both efficiency and effectiveness attributes and integrates it with the lean implementation methodology.
Output‐based specifications for PPP projects: lessons for facilities management from Australia
Authors: Javed Arshad Ali , Lam Patrick T.I. , Zou Patrick X.W.
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus on the challenges faced by the public and private sectors in developing output specifications for Australian public private partnership (PPP) projects. In particular, this study aims to examine how the stakeholders (including facilities managers) should cater for future changes in output specifications and make them flexible enough to meet the evolving project objectives.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is based on 19 semi‐structured interviews with key stakeholders from the public and private sectors in three States of Australia where PPP procurement has been used, including New South Wales (NSW), Queensland and Victoria. The results are triangulated with relevant literature for supports and contrasts.

Findings

For PPP projects, a good set of output specifications is conducive to the achievement of value for money, innovation, risk transfer, whole life asset performance through a clear abatement regime and an effective linkage of performance criteria to the payment mechanism. For existing specifications, it was found that too many and complex KPIs were specified, which were difficult to monitor, measure and implement by the client. Very prescriptive specifications hindered innovations and did not allow appropriate risk allocation. Further, the research study suggests that after the global financial crises, the private sector had less appetite to take the patronage risks in road and rail PPP projects. To mitigate these pitfalls, it is imperative that output specifications need to be aligned with the type of PPP projects they represent; in particular foreseeable changes should be addressed by some pre‐agreed framework to facilitate negotiation.

Originality/value

The significant contribution of this research is the identification of the common issues faced in drafting output specifications for Australian PPP projects. Stakeholders of future PPP projects should find the lessons useful for achieving value for money and appropriate risk transfer, stating the user requirements through clear and concise output specifications rather than input or prescriptive specifications in procuring social and economical PPP projects. Their relationships with facilities management are highlighted.
Earned value‐based performance monitoring of facility construction projects
Authors: De Marco Alberto , Narbaev Timur
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the diffusion of earned value management (EVM) as a practicable methodology to monitor facility construction and renovation projects in the context of the European industry.

Design/methodology/approach

First, a review of the literature reveals how EVM evolved as a tool for facility construction project monitoring together with specific concerns for its application. Then, a review of EVM practice and trends in Europe is provided and finally, applicability and viability of the method is proved through a case demonstration.

Findings

EVM practice in the European construction industry is found to be lagging behind other experienced countries and industries, despite EVM having been found to be applicable, adaptable, and predictive of integrated final cost and schedule of facility construction projects. In particular, cost estimate at completion is forecasted by a simple cost performance index (CPI), while for the time estimate at completion, the earned schedule concept is revealed as an accurate predictor.

Research limitations/implications

The paper urges the need for research of a European standard as a primary factor for successful diffusion of EVM usage in architecture, engineering and construction projects.

Practical implications

This paper helps practitioners to understand the adaptability of EVM practice in the European construction industry and to apply EV tools for effective monitoring of the performance of their projects.

Originality/value

Current trends of EVM practice in the European construction context are presented and suggestions for sustaining the diffusion of EVM are given.
What drives mutual fund flows: profit or panic?
Authors: Bu Qiang , Lacey Nelson
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the market‐timing ability of mutual fund flows and how fund investors conduct asset allocation in response to market volatility.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper compares the abnormal returns of net inflow funds with those of net outflow funds, and it explores the performance gap between them based on a model that incorporates both market return timing and market volatility timing. The asset allocation pattern of fund investors and its relation to market volatility are also investigated.

Findings

This study finds that funds that receive net money inflows fail to earn risk‐adjusted abnormal returns, while funds with net outflows earn statistically significant negative abnormal returns. Neither the net inflow funds nor the net outflow funds show any ability to time the market return, but there is some evidence that net inflow funds exhibit an ability to time market volatility. Because cash holdings of the net outflow funds are much lower than that of the net inflow funds, it is concluded that the underperformance of net outflow funds is to an extent an asset fire sale.

Research limitations/implications

The study results show that fund investors on the whole are driven by market volatility, and they do not have an ability to time the market return. The results do not exclude the possibility that a small number of investors possess market timing skills.

Originality/value

The study demonstrates the importance of funds' liquidity management through investor reaction to dynamic market conditions.
Asymmetric long memory volatility in the PIIGS economies
Authors: Kumar Dilip , Maheswaran S.
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The main purpose of this paper is to examine the asymmetry and long memory properties in the volatility of the stock indices of the PIIGS economies (Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper utilizes the wavelets approach (based on Haar, Daubechies‐4, Daubechies‐12 and Daubechies‐20 wavelets) and the GARCH class of models (namely, ARFIMA (p,d′,q)‐GARCH (1,1), IGARCH (1,1), FIGARCH (1,d,0), FIGARCH (1,d,1), EGARCH (1,1) and FIEGARCH (1,d,1)) to accomplish the desired goals.

Findings

The findings provide evidence in support of the presence of long range dependence in the various proxies of volatility of the PIIGS economies. The results from the wavelet approach also support the Taylor effect in the volatility proxies. The results show that ARFIMA (p,d′,q)‐FIGARCH (1,d,0) model specification is better able to capture the long memory property of conditional volatility than the conventional GARCH and IGARCH models. In addition, the ARFIMA (p,d′,q)‐FIEGARCH (1,d,1) model is better able to capture the asymmetric long memory feature in the conditional volatility.

Originality/value

This paper has both methodological and empirical originality. On the methodological side, the study applies the wavelet technique on the major proxies of volatility (squared returns, absolute returns, logarithm squared returns and the range) because the wavelet‐based estimator exhibits superior properties in modeling the behavior of the volatility of stock returns. On the empirical side, the paper finds asymmetry and long range dependence in the conditional volatility of the stock returns in PIIGS economies using the GARCH family of models.
Agile learning: living with the speed of change
Authors: Miles Andrea
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify whether HR leaders could prepare and train their workforce for tomorrow's skills demand.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was commissioned by Lumesse contact database and third party research house, Survey Shack, which ran from 6‐17 August 2012. Respondents were sourced from 24 different countries and worked in SMEs of less than 1,000 employees to enterprise‐sized organisations with more than 50,000 employees.

Findings

Over a third of HR leaders believe they cannot sufficiently prepare their workforce for tomorrow's skills demand, leaving one in three employees feeling insecure in their job as a result. Only 10 per cent worldwide believe HR is seen as an “extremely useful partner” by employees for skills development; over 70 per cent of HR leaders believe that employees see HR as providing little or no learning, or just the minimum skills for them to succeed; and 40 per cent of HR leaders believe that employees would not seek help from HR if they needed to develop new knowledge or skills quickly. The majority of employees see their colleagues as a more valuable resource for acquiring new skills or knowledge than their internal Learning Management Systems.

Practical implications

The paper will help HR leaders understand the benefits of adopting more agile tools and approaches to learning and development programmes in organisations

Originality/value

This paper is valuable to HR leaders and learning professionals needing to understand how best to implement valuable learning and skills for employees, to keep up with the speed of change.
Healthcare planning and its potential role increasing operational efficiency in the health sector
Authors: Virtue Anthony , Chaussalet Thierry , Kelly John
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider a number of issues around the poor adoption of healthcare simulation models and reflect whether there has been a broad failure of academic healthcare simulation modellers to build models that reflect real healthcare problems as acknowledged by healthcare stakeholders. This paper will also review the role of healthcare planners within the health sector and propose that they are well suited to act as change agents to improve the adoption of simulation within the sector.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reviewed academic evidence around poor adoption of simulation modelling in healthcare, including differences to other sectors, its size and complexity, stakeholder issues and current and future challenges to improve operational efficiency. This paper also reviewed the role of healthcare planning and its valuable links with health stakeholders, suggesting that these links could be exploited to increase simulation modelling within the healthcare sector to improve operational efficiency.

Findings

This paper highlights the strong links between healthcare planning and the healthcare stakeholders and proposes that healthcare planning can play a key role in adoption of healthcare simulation modelling to achieve operational efficiency improvements.

Originality/value

This paper illustrates the potential link between healthcare planning and healthcare stakeholders to achieve operational improvements within the health sector.
Operations research within UK healthcare: a review
Authors: Fakhimi Masoud , Probert Jane
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the existing literature on the wide range of operations research (OR) studies applied to healthcare, and to classify studies based on application type and on the OR technique employed. The scope of the review is limited to studies which have been undertaken in the UK, and to papers published since the year 2000.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 142 high‐quality journal and conference papers have been identified from ISI Web of Knowledge data base for review and analysis.

Findings

The findings categorise the OR techniques employed, and analyse the application type, publication trends, funding, and software packages used in the twenty‐first century in UK healthcare. Publication trends indicate an increasing use of OR techniques in UK healthcare. The findings show that, interestingly, the distribution of the OR techniques employed is not uniform; the majority of studies focus on simulation, either as the only technique employed or as one element of a multi‐method approach.

Originality/value

Several studies have focused on the use of simulation in healthcare modelling, but none has methodologically reviewed the use of the full range of OR techniques. This research is likely to benefit healthcare decision makers since it will provide them with an overview of the different studies that have utilised multiple OR techniques for investigating problems in the stated domain.
The glass ceiling: a perspective of women working in Durban
Authors: Enid Kiaye Risper , Maniraj Singh Anesh
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine whether the glass ceiling exists in organisations located in Durban. The study specifically concentrated on the barriers to the upward mobility of women, based on constructs such as social roles, personal characteristics and situational barriers. The study was intended to provide guidelines to South African organisations on how to facilitate the growth of women in senior management.

Design/methodology/approach

This study comprises a literature review which outlines the various theories related to the glass ceiling and is supported by an empirical study which tested some of the concepts that emerged from the literature. A survey was conducted using an online questionnaire distributed to a group of women who met the respondent specifications. In order to obtain a larger sample, snowball sampling was used.

Findings

It is evident that certain elements of the glass ceiling existed. Situational factors emerged as clear barriers to the progress of women which included gender discrimination, lack of respect from male colleagues and insensitive handling of the multiple roles played by women. Social roles such as family commitment and relocation also inhibited the growth of the respondents. At a personal level, the respondents were all confident, emotionally suited to progress, competitive and enjoyed the confidence of their subordinates.

Research limitations/implications

A larger sample would have ensured more generalisable results to organisations in Durban. Respondents had to evaluate their personal characteristics, which could have been exaggerated; the views of subordinates would present a more balanced view. This study needs to be replicated in other major centres in South Africa, in order to improve the gender equity across the country.

Practical implications

The study highlights the fact that unless all barriers are removed, women will not progress to higher levels in organisations. It also provides guidelines to break through the invisible barriers.

Social implications

This study will benefit women in the workplace, giving them due recognition, empowerment and prospects for upward mobility.

Originality/value

This paper highlights localised barriers to the advancement of women within a South African city.
Automated prompting technologies in rehabilitation and at home
Authors: O'Neill Brian , Best Catherine , Gillespie Alex , O'Neill Lauren
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to test the efficacy of an interactive verbal prompting technology (Guide) on supporting the morning routine. Data have already established the efficacy of such prompting during procedural tasks, but the efficacy of such prompting in tasks with procedural and motivational elements remains unexamined. Such tasks, such as getting out of bed in the morning and engaging in personal care, are often the focus of rehabilitation goals.

Design/methodology/approach

A single‐n study with a male (age 61) who had severe cognitive impairment and was having trouble completing the morning routine. An A−B−A′−B′−A″−B″ design was used, with the intervention phase occurring both in an in‐patient unit (B, B′) and in the participant's own home (B″).

Findings

Interactive verbal prompting technology (Guide) significantly reduced support worker prompting and number of errors in the in‐patient setting and in the participant's own home.

Research limitations/implications

The results suggest that interactive verbal prompting can be used to support motivational tasks such as getting out of bed and the morning routine. This study used a single subject experimental design and the results need to be confirmed in a larger sample.

Originality/value

This is the first report of use of interactive verbal prompting technology to support rehabilitation of a motivational task. It is also the first study to evaluate Guide in a domestic context.
The benefits framework and eligibility
Authors: Popplewell Jamie
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the main elements of the existing framework of the UK welfare benefit system and the key changes that will be implemented under the Welfare Reform Act 2012 and its socio‐economic effects.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper outlines the structure of the key welfare benefits likely to be encountered by those with a neurological disability, the broad qualifying criteria and the interaction between various types of benefit. By comparison, it examines the elements of key significance that will take effect under Welfare Reform and the resulting impact on the various demographics of benefit claimants.

Findings

Since the merging of the UK's social security system with unemployment services, welfare legislation has seen countless changes, although the core underlying principles have remained largely the same along the way. The Government has committed to overhauling a complex benefit regime whilst counterbalancing the task of addressing the issues of budget deficit. In principle, the Government aims to deliver a more streamlined, cost‐effective benefit system, which will focus the greatest attention on the most vulnerable elements of our society. The most detrimental affect will be on unemployed, working‐age families; those that are perceived to have a greater advantage in the labour market.

Originality/value

The objective of this paper to raise awareness amongst professionals as to the benefits available to their clients to improve their financial and social position and to go some way to prepare for the potential impact of Welfare Reform.
NIDA engages teens through its blog: lessons learned
Authors: Macario Everly , Krause Carol , Cooke Katt Jennifer , Caplan Shelley , Stevens Payes Robin , Bornkessel Alexandra
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this case study is to examine the National Institute on Drug Abuse's (NIDA) use of its Sara Bellum Blog (SBB) as a means of engaging teens in the science behind drug abuse/addiction.

Design/methodology/approach

This case study presents how the SBB was conceptualized and is implemented. Metrics for monitoring the SBB are mostly qualitative and measure the extent of engagement (customer feedback, coverage by others).

Findings

Teens want to watch videos, see photos, hear real stories about other teens, be able to ask questions about drugs anonymously, not be preached to, and be stimulated to think for themselves. However, the extent of SBB comments was lower than expected. Multiple communication venues are needed, including engagement among intermediaries and role models for teens, such as teachers.

Research limitations/implications

Data presented are process measures of use and types of use, not outcomes based.

Practical implications

The use of social media is a worldwide phenomenon, as is drug abuse among teens. Governments across countries can use lessons learned to inform the development of their own blogs and/or other social media tools.

Originality/value

While there are constraints on government agencies' use of social media, NIDA is a Federal institute that has found a way to communicate directly with teens about the sensitive topic of drugs. NIDA works with a Teen Advisory Group composed of a diverse representation of youth to inform the development of teen‐oriented messages and materials. NIDA fuses the use of social media across NIDA channels (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube) with science‐based information to empower teens to make healthy decisions.
Perceived risk mediates the impact of mood on the effectiveness of health PSAs
Authors: Sar Sela , Anghelcev George
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The aim of the paper is to investigate the impact of pre‐existing audience mood on responses to health public service advertisements (PSAs). The paper also aims to show the practical and theoretical importance of mood as a variable in health communication.

Design/methodology/approach

Hypotheses regarding the impact of audience mood on the outcome of health PSAs were tested experimentally using health PSAs about vaccination and virus detection behaviors.

Findings

The influence of pre‐existing mood was mediated by the perceived risk of contracting the illness mentioned in the health advertisement. Personal estimations of risk mediated the impact of audience mood on behavioral intent and actual behavior. The more negative one's mood, the higher the perceived risk of contracting the disease mentioned in the message, and the more likely one was to adopt the precautionary behavior recommended by the PSA. Positive mood had opposite effects.

Practical implications

The findings suggest a novel media planning approach to maximizing the effectiveness of health risk messages. Due to the impact of context‐induced mood on perceptions of risk, messages could be more effective if placed in editorial contexts which induce negative mood (e.g. crime investigation reports) versus environments which induce positive mood (e.g. sitcoms), because negative mood makes people think they are more at risk and motivates them to act.

Originality/value

The mood‐and‐risk mediation hypothesis proposed here has never been examined in public health marketing. Findings call for further research on the impact of contextual affect on responses to public health communication. The paper suggests a new placement technique for media planners working in public health advertising.