bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assurance and e‐auctions: are the existing business models still relevant?
Authors: Pathak Jagdish
Published: June 2003

The security of e‐commerce is a serious concern of all the major players in the digital business arena who rely heavily on distributed processing in their routine daily operational chores. The security breaches and the related frauds have cost billions of dollars to the businesses and the industries as a whole and consumers suffer also. It is possible that business models of transaction processing that are viable in conventional commerce might be wrong abinitio in the context of digital business. There is a growing need for robust tools and equally rigorous auditable methodologies in the design and verification of the correctness of the digital processing systems that operate over the Internet. This paper focuses on the economic reasoning of business process design. The author has decided to develop a secure online auction protocol as an attempt to apply the design of mechanism reasoning framework in the direction of information systems audit and control of e‐commerce.
Factor analysis of service quality dimension shifts in the information age
Authors: Li Y.N. , Tan K.C. , Xie M.
Published: June 2003

To achieve quality in customer service is to enhance a company’s competitiveness. With the birth of the World Wide Web, the process of making products and services available to customers has changed from traditional communication channels to Web‐based information systems. Consequently, the widely used service quality measurement instrument SERVQUAL, developed for traditional customer service, may require adaptation for use in this information age. The identified general service quality dimensions in SERVQUAL may no longer be appropriate under this new and specific context. Shifts in service quality dimensions are due to the differences between Web‐based and traditional communication as well as the complementary functions of these two channels. A survey was conducted online and analyzed using structural equation modeling. Two new quality dimensions were identified. This information should be useful to Web designers and information service providers.
Output steering in public organizations: about the use of a product approach and a process approach
Authors: de Bruijn Hans
Published: June 2003

Focuses on managing performance in public, professional organizations, specifically those using output steering. Asks whether these organizations can use output measurement effectively in spite of the tool’s shortcoming. Outlines the positive effects of output steering as well as the “perverse” effects and derives three mechanisms that usually manifest themselves when output steering is used. Also deals with an alternative to output: a focus on throughput. Output steering focuses on an organization’s products; throughput steering focuses on the process of generating these products. Asserts that effective performance management implies that a manager and a professional use both approaches and make a creative use of the tension between the two approaches. They constantly move to and fro between a product approach and a process approach.
Third generation quality management: the role of stakeholders in integrating business into society
Authors: Foster David , Jonker Jan
Published: June 2003

This contribution outlines the development of quality theory through various stages to the point where it now recognises the impact of external groups and individuals on the output of quality products and services. In particular, it articulates how the developments in stakeholder theory have coincided with the development of a theoretical framework for quality management and how stakeholder involvement relates to the output of the organisation. It examines some of the implications of this re‐orientation and aims to describe tomorrow’s emerging stakeholder model of quality. Finally, it argues that the new conceptualisation represents a generational change as it has fundamental ramifications for the nature of organisations and the way they maintain and evaluate quality. The differences between the generations are characterised and examined to demonstrate their potential significance.
Improving performance: quality costs with a new name?
Authors: Keogh William , Dalrymple John F. , Atkins Martin H.
Published: June 2003

Juran defined the basic quality problem as “to strike the optimum balance between cost of quality and value of quality for each quality characteristic and to do so in the lower levels of organisation”, explaining that increased conformance reduces the losses which are due to defectives but “the cost of the controls needed for greater conformance rises geometrically as perfection is approached”. Various subsequent models and figures often report, in a dollar measure, the “value” of costs and cost savings. Despite the passing of time since Juran’s explanation that not only dollars can be balanced against dollars but sometimes other measures are just as important, there is often a concern that the real indicator of performance will be what affects the bottom line. This paper discusses different approaches to dealing with the cost of quality and how organisations are attempting to improve performance. The most interesting observation is that what we know as quality costs is clearly being applied successfully under different guises and different names.
ISO 9000 implementation: a study of manufacturing companies in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Magd Hesham , Kadasah Nasser , Curry Adrienne
Published: June 2003

This study identifies the costs, benefits and the satisfaction level with ISO 9000 implementation in Saudi Arabian firms. A survey of 140 ISO 9000 certified manufacturing companies was carried out. The results suggest that these manufacturing companies were satisfied with ISO 9000 as far as the benefits gained from certification and its costs were concerned. They considered the benefits of ISO 9000 certification to exceed the costs of attaining the standards, and believed that ISO 9000 contributed to organisational survival and success.
Healthcare information management: the integration of patients’ data
Authors: Alshawi Sarmad , Missi Farouk , Eldabi Tillal
Published: June 2003

In a dynamic and uncertain business environment, with increasingly intense competition and vibrant globalisation, there is a growing demand by healthcare businesses for both internal and external information, to analyse patients’ information quickly and efficiently, which has led healthcare organisations to embrace customer relationship management (CRM) systems. Data quality and data integration issues facilitate the achievement of CRM business objectives. Data quality is the state of completeness, validity, consistency, timeliness and accuracy that makes data appropriate for CRM business exploitation. A good integration strategy begins with a thorough data assessment study, and relies upon the quality of these data. A framework is proposed for evaluating the quality and integration of patient data for CRM applications in the health care sector. Even though this framework is in an early stage of development, it intends to present existing solutions for evaluating the above issues.
Defining the regional healthcare planning objective using a multi‐criteria approach
Authors: Pelletier Christine , Weil Georges
Published: June 2003

Regional health care planning deals with the regional healthcare resource location‐allocation problem posed to each public healthcare administration. Up to date, the models designed to support this kind of decision failed in their application. We found that the main reason is that often these models restrict the problem to a unique aspect (such as “covering of the territory” or “technique efficiency”), leaving outside a set of very important other dimensions, even if these are usually subjective and difficult to formalise. In this paper we present a method to identify formally these dimensions, by assigning measurable attributes to each of them. At a different level, we propose a hierarchical formulation of the overall objective of the regional healthcare resource planning for the facility systems; in this hierarchy, each leaf term corresponds to a formal evaluation criterion.
Opinions on the use of clinical decision support systems for paediatric prescribing in a New Zealand hospital
Authors: Pain Den , Fielden Kay , Alaa Shibl Rania
Published: June 2003

Adverse drug events and medication errors can occur because of decisions made during prescribing. The New Zealand Herald reported that preventable medical errors by doctors and other health workers are thought to be killing more than 1,500 patients a year in New Zealand. This article is a small‐scale case study which examines the perceptions of paediatric doctors in a New Zealand hospital regarding adverse drug events/reactions and their views on how they may or may not be avoided with the use of a clinical decision support system (CDSS) in a prescribing environment. It was found that doctors welcomed the use of a CDSS for prescribing. The doctors stated three critical factors for their use of such a system: time constraint, limited knowledge, and misreading.
Managing thin and thinly distributed knowledge in medical genetics using the Internet
Authors: Ambrose Paul , Ramaprasad Arkalgud , Rai Arun
Published: June 2003

In this paper we examine how Internet technologies are useful in managing thin (amount of knowledge is low) and thinly distributed (density of expertise is low) medical knowledge. Our specific focus is to highlight the usefulness of the Internet in managing such knowledge, and that the nature of the “basket of Internet technologies” used to manage knowledge varies based on whether knowledge is thick or thin, and thickly or thinly distributed. We also draw attention to the need to examine the semiotic process management while designing Internet‐enabled solutions for managing thin and thinly distributed knowledge. Our study used medical genetics as the research context and collected data from physicians in the US Midwest through semi‐structured interviews.
IS/IT outsourcing practices in the public health sector of Kuwait: a contingency approach
Authors: Khalfan Abdulwahed Mo. , Alshawaf Abdulridha
Published: June 2003

Presents first an overview of a case study exploring the information systems/information technology (IS/IT) outsourcing phenomenon in the public sector of Kuwait where the data collection for this study was carried out. The primary data on IS/IT outsourcing practices were collected by means of survey questionnaire and semi‐structured interviews supported by organisational documentation. Several public sector institutions, including the Ministry of Public Health, participated in the investigation. Second, this paper seeks to develop a conceptual contingency model for the successful implementation of IS/IT outsourcing arrangements in the context of Kuwait. The model addresses many interacting variables, from national culture and social factors through contractual issues. Argues that it is necessary to take account of all these variables to ensure successful implementation of IS/IT outsourcing arrangements. The study findings suggest that there will be an increasing utilisation of IS/IT outsourcing services in the public sector of Kuwait, particularly at its main component, the public health care sector.
TeleHealth paradigm for Kuwait’s healthcare
Authors: Akber Abdullah , Gough Tom
Published: June 2003

Technological developments have shed optimistic light on the future of telecommunications in healthcare. However, problems still prevail in the healthcare industry and the need for an effective solution in a rapidly evolving technological environment is imperative in the coming years. This paper defines the problem within healthcare delivery worldwide and theoretically explores a typical medical scenario in Kuwait, utilising the grounded theory method. It traces the social processes within medical work and network and attempts to understand the underlying relationships between the two. Analysis of the scenario leads to an understanding of the concepts and categories, enabling the interpretation of a theory that forms the basis of an architectural model, resulting in the proposition of a new telehealth paradigm, the pay‐per‐use concept. The research question focuses on the appropriateness of such a concept for the healthcare industry. Anticipates that the proposed new conceptual framework will be the evolving IT solution in healthcare delivery.
Towards an improved collaboration model for the national healthcare system in England and Wales: a critical and constructive approach using operational research
Authors: Shapiro Janet , Shapiro Ramon
Published: June 2003

Soft systems methods have a proven record in tackling problems in healthcare and are used to model interactions within the National Health Service (NHS). The precepts set down by Stringer and other OR scientists guide an evaluation according to quality and effectiveness of aspects of healthcare management in the NHS from the viewpoints of government, software consultants, health professionals and patients. Effective management of a shared system requires the commitment of all stakeholders to an agreed agenda. It is argued that recent organisational changes and liberalised funding schemes frustrate the co‐operative efforts of those working to provide good healthcare.
Serviceflow management for health provider networks
Authors: Klischewski Ralf , Wetzel Ingrid
Published: June 2003

Exploding expenditure in health care has led to new reimbursement regulations forcing health care providers to conduct their organisations as business concerns. In order to be competitive providers have started to build networks that allow the delivery of interrelated health services in a well‐adjusted and uniform manner. However, besides strategic agreement, successful networking requires the support of information systems for efficient cooperation and process management in order to deliver efficient day to day service. With serviceflow management we provide a general concept that answers these needs. Based on modelling process patterns and the exchange of XML‐representations of process knowledge and data between service providers, serviceflow management supports organisations in jointly delivering services that cross provider boundaries. Furthermore, it enables flexible handling of processes, which is indispensable in health care. Based on a health care example, we explore the possibilities of serviceflow management and present a Web‐based prototype on the basis of our generic, four‐layered architecture.
District health information systems in the public sector: health centres in Korea
Authors: Han Dongwoon , Lee Heejin
Published: June 2003

The public health sector in South Korea introduced district health information systems (DHIS) in health centres in the early 1990s. DHIS aimed to help health centres to provide comprehensive health care services and to achieve effective and efficient management of their works. District health information systems are still being implemented in health centres. Information generated and collected through the systems is to be used by local authorities to plan and manage health services in their areas, and further by the central government to make a health plan and health policy at the national level. However, the adoption and implementation of DHIS by health centres does not meet the initial anticipation. Moreover, reasons for that have not been explored yet. This paper presents the development of DHIS for health centres in Korea, evaluates the project focusing on impacts and problems found in implementing the systems, and provides lessons and recommendations for establishing a nationwide health information network.
A systematic review of universal approaches to mental health promotion in schools
Authors: Wells Jane , Barlow Jane , Stewart‐Brown Sarah
Published: June 2003

Reviews previous studies of the universal approach to mental health promotion, and disease prevention programmes or interventions in schools. Over 8,000 publications were identified initially and 425 studies obtained for further review. The inclusion criteria were met by 17 (mostly US) studies investigating 16 interventions. Positive evidence of effectiveness was obtained for programmes that adopted a whole‐school approach, were implemented continuously for more than a year, and were aimed at the promotion of mental health as opposed to the prevention of mental illness. Provides evidence that universal school mental health promotion programmes can be effective and suggests that long‐term interventions promoting the positive mental health of all pupils and involving changes to the school climate are likely to be more successful than brief class‐based mental illness prevention programmes.
Adapting tailored intervention message libraries for new populations
Authors: Sugg Skinner Celette , Buchanan Adam , Kreuter Matthew W. , Holt Cheryl , Bucholtz Dawn , Smith Strigo Tara
Published: June 2003

This paper demonstrates that a message library – the computer‐tailored intervention component that contains all potential versions of tailored content – can be adapted for use in a new setting at reasonable cost and effort. A message library developed for one population was adapted to enable its use with a second population in a different geographic region. Concludes that adapting message libraries for new populations need not be a barrier to disseminating tailored interventions and designing message libraries with dissemination in mind creates tailored interventions that can be adapted for use with different populations.
A qualitative study of factors that influence the motivation‐action relationship in condom use among drug users
Authors: van Empelen Pepijn , Kok Gerjo , Hoebe Christian J.P.H. , Jansen Maria W.J.
Published: June 2003

The present article focuses on the gap between motivation and action in relation to condom use among drug users in non‐commercial relationships. The study showed that most drug users were not motivated to use condoms within steady relationships. In casual sexual relationships the intention to use condoms was higher, but several enactment factors were identified that may inhibit actual condom use. These findings about the difference in perceived type of sexual relationship and of the enactment factors should be taken into account when promoting safe sex among drug users.
The lack of effectiveness of 18 weeks of accumulative short bouts of brisk walking upon the function of the heart
Authors: Woolf‐May Kate , Ferrett Deborah , Owen Andrew , Bird Steve
Published: June 2003

Cardiac function generally deteriorates with increasing age, although recent research has found a reversal in this decline in a group of middle‐aged individuals after 18 weeks of brisk walking in single daily bouts of between 20‐40 minutes. Government guidelines advocate accumulative short bouts of exercise for the promotion of health. The purpose of this study was to determine whether accumulative short walking bouts were as effective at producing changes in cardiac function as those previously found from single daily bouts. Presents the results of post‐intervention ANCOVA statistical analysis of 64 healthy men and women, aged 40‐68 years, who were not habitual exercisers, who were randomly divided into matched groups of either short walkers or controls who were also not habitual exercisers.
Television entertainment and health education for children in Israel
Authors: Tamir Dov , Shabtai Anat , Weinstein Ruth , Dayan Itzhak , Avraham Michal , Tamir Maya
Published: June 2003

Describes initial effects of 30 short health education episodes for television on health knowledge and behavior of seven‐to‐eight year old Israeli children. The research population consisted of a random sample of 300 Israeli children who have cable television at home. A telephone survey was conducted three months after the items were broadcast on the most popular children’s channel on television in Israel. Of the sample children 95 per cent watched the Children’s Channel, and 95 per cent of these children were familiar with the main characters of the series. The findings indicate that by using television prime‐time it was possible to expose a majority of children to health messages and increase health knowledge and reported positive behavior. In addition, it is proposed to integrate such a program with school health education that incorporates similar health messages for children.
Visual navigation of distributed knowledge structures in groupware‐based organizational memories
Authors: Smolnik Stefan , Erdmann Ingo
Published: June 2003

Many of today's organizations already have a strong integration of groupware systems within their IT‐infrastructure. The shared databases of these groupware systems form organizational memories, which comprise the complete knowledge of an organization collected over the time of its existence. One key problem is how to find relevant knowledge or information in continuously growing and distributed organizational memories. In many cases, the basic functionalities and mechanisms of groupware systems are not sufficient to support users in finding required knowledge or information. Topic maps provide strong paradigms and concepts for the semantic structuring of link networks and therefore, they are a considerable solution for organizing and navigating large and, continuously growing organizational memories. The K‐Discovery project suggests applying topic maps to groupware systems to address the mentioned challenges. Thus, the K‐Discovery project introduces a conceptual framework, an architecture, and an implementation approach to create knowledge structures by generating topic maps from organizational memories and offers navigation tools to exploit the created structures.
A framework for designing a workflow‐based knowledge map
Authors: Kang Intae , Park Yongtae , Kim Yeongho
Published: June 2003

A complete form of knowledge management system comprises both process management and contents management. Process management is concerned with handling activities to generate and utilize knowledge, whereas contents management deals with knowledge contents themselves. Workflow, considered as a core component of process management, is to define and administer business processes automatically. A knowledge map is a representation tool to visualize knowledge sources and relationships among knowledge artifacts. Noting the crucial needs to integrate process management and contents management and recognizing that previous research has paid little attention to this issue, we propose a framework for developing a workflow‐based knowledge map. The proposed process‐perspective knowledge map takes the structure of processes and tasks defined in workflow into account. We then materialize the framework by developing a prototype and applying it to the car seat design process of the automobile industry. The integration represents an exploratory effort to combine process management and contents management.
Do we practise what we preach?
Authors: Wickramasinghe Nilmini
Published: June 2003

Knowledge management systems are predominant in both theory and practice. However, are the same systems discussed in theory actualized in practice? By comparing and contrasting knowledge management systems in theory and practice, this paper demonstrates that they are indeed dissimilar. In theory, they have both subjective and objective components. In practice, only the objective component appears to be actualized; hence, these systems in practice are essentially organizational memory systems at best and not knowledge management systems at all. By unravelling the mystique of knowledge management systems, this paper exposes a fundamental anomaly. Further, an apparent void currently in practice is highlighted; namely, the lack of the subjective component of knowledge management systems in practice. They are being heralded as key systems that are vital for organizations to survive and thrive in the intense competitive environment of the information age. Surely then, a system that in practice supports not only the objective component, but also the subjective component of knowledge management, would indeed be a truly powerful system.
Knowledge conversion with information technology of Korean companies
Authors: Lee Hyun‐Soo , Suh Yung‐Ho
Published: June 2003

This research aims at finding out how the efforts of Korean enterprises to convert data and information into knowledge are related to the use of information technology. It also aims to come up with plans to efficiently introduce external knowledge by applying information technology.This research was conducted focusing on the cases of enterprises that are carrying out knowledge management by applying information technology and the result shows that Korean enterprises place high value on the application of information technology in introducing knowledge management. However, the use of information technology is not common to all enterprises in four kinds of knowledge conversion. For an organization to efficiently acquire and apply valuable knowledge, the boundary of an enterprise should be extended, and for this, the enterprise should be changed into an extended knowledge enterprise, which is founded on the trust and compensation of all the interested parties. In an extended knowledge enterprise, its first consideration is to acquire knowledge that can efficiently manage and control the interests of customers, suppliers, public institutions, and competitors that exist in the surroundings and to acquire the core knowledge that can make those people and institutions participate. In addition, the organization should possess knowledge base and information communication technology that can smoothly convert data and information into knowledge, by efficiently connecting them.
Interaction management
Authors: Smoliar Stephen W.
Published: June 2003

Purveyors of knowledge management software have a disconcerting tendency to promote the myth that all problems may be solved by more powerful tools for the exchange of information in the workplace. This fallacy is based on the faulty assumption that knowledge management is about the management of knowledge (as if knowledge were a commodity that could be managed), as opposed to the management of people whose work depends critically on what they know. The origins of knowledge management are far more firmly rooted in the psychological legacy of organizational communication than they are in the technological legacy of information management systems. However, even organizational communication is an inadequate foundation, since various schools of thought in social theory, particularly the structuration theory of Anthony Giddens, inform us that interaction (in the workplace or in any other social setting) is not strictly limited to communication. Knowledge management thus requires moving beyond simplistic models of information exchange to more challenging problems of leveraging social interaction to the advantage of the enterprise. This paper focuses on the claim of structuration theory that the dimension of communication should be supplemented with additional dimensions of power and sanction. This perspective is then examined in light of a case study of crisis management practices, and the case study provides a basis for addressing implications for technological support.
Experiences from knowledge management implementations in companies of the software sector
Authors: Apostolou Dimitris , Mentzas Gregoris
Published: June 2003

The Know‐Net knowledge management solution, that includes a theoretical framework, a consulting method and a software tool, is based on a knowledge asset‐centric design that innovatively fuses the process or human approach with the product or content approach of knowledge management. This paper describes how Know‐Net was applied in four companies of the software sector. It outlines how specific business areas such as an R&D unit, the bid management process and collaboration between geographically‐dispersed teams can benefit from knowledge management. It outlines the role specific Know‐Net components played within the transformation of existing business processes and structures, and provides key recommendations based on this experience.
The potential use of knowledge management for training
Authors: Muscatello Joseph R.
Published: June 2003

The powerful competitive traits of a learning organization are well documented. Companies in the future will have to provide new and innovative techniques if they hope to survive and prosper. These techniques will revolve around knowledge management. However, research on using knowledge management as a tool to increase learning is minimal. Knowledge management systems provide a new vehicle to effectively and efficiently disseminate knowledge, skill and expertise throughout an organization. Knowledge management is an outgrowth of the “information society”. Currently, research and implementation of knowledge has centered on the outside customer service and outside customer relationships. Little has been written about the use of knowledge to serve the training needs of the firm. This study combines the powerful competitive traits of a learning organization with knowledge management traits to potentially increase the positive effects of both.
Capitalizing Non‐cancelable Operating Leases
Authors: Bennett Bruce K. , Bradbury Michael E.
Published: June 2003

There have been recent international moves to require the capitalization of non‐cancelable operating leases. Most prior research on the constructive capitalization of leases has been undertaken on US data. The results from US studies may not apply to international firms because non‐US operating lease contracts may differ in lease term, discount rates, and renewal options. This study presents the financial statement impact of constructive capitalization for 38 firms listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange. New Zealand is an appropriate institutional setting because the required footnote disclosures for operating leases are similar to the International Accounting Standard. The method of constructive capitalization follows the general approach developed by Imhoff, et al. (1991). The results show that constructive capitalization has a material impact on reported liabilities and financial ratios. The results suggest that, relative to present value procedures of constructive lease capitalization, heuristics used by analysts lead to the overstatement of lease liabilities and lease assets. However, the use of single cross‐sectional parameters (e.g., discount rates, lease life) results in constructed lease assets and liabilities that are similar to more elaborate firm‐specific procedures.
Choice of Accounting Method for Valuation of Investment Securities: Evidence from Hong Kong Firms
Authors: Jaggi Bikki , Leung Sidney
Published: June 2003

This study examines whether Hong Kong managers choose “benchmark” or “alternative” valuation method for investment securities, after the Hong Kong SSAP 24 became effective starting with fiscal‐year ending December 31, 1999. Tests are conducted on a sample of 292 firms, out of which 155 Hong Kong firms reported unrealized gains and losses and 128 firms that did not report holding gains/losses, but reported investment securities.

The findings indicate that firms with strong relative performance, i.e. current year's EPS higher than that of the last year, chose the alternative valuation method when the investment securities had holding gains and recognized the unrealized holding gains in the equity section of the balance sheet. This finding is consistent with the Cookie Jar hypothesis because these holding gains would be used in the income statement in future periods, when needed. With regard to firms with strong relative performance and holding losses, the findings indicate that the benchmark valuation was used. The losses were reported in the income statement to the extent that they did not reduce the EPS below that of the last year. This finding is consistent with the Income Smoothing Hypothesis, because the use of benchmark valuation reduced EPS of the current year to bring it in line with that of the last year. Evidence on firms with weak economic performance and holding gains or losses provided weak support to the Income Smoothing Hypothesis and Big Bath Hypothesis. Additionally, the results indicate that the firms with high debt‐equity ratio preferred the benchmark method and recorded securities at cost. This treatment provided managers with an opportunity to liquidate or reclassify the securities in future periods and use the accrued gains, when needed. The findings are inconclusive with regard to the impact of bonus plan on the choice of valuation method.
On the Performance of Naïve, Analyst and Composite Earnings Forecasts: Evidence from Hong Kong
Authors: Cheng Joseph W. , Fan Dennis K. , So Raymond W.
Published: June 2003

In this paper, we compare the information content and performance of naïve, analyst and composite forecasts in Hong Kong. Empirical evidence shows that superior performance can be obtained by a composite measure combining both analyst and naïve forecasts. In addition, analyst forecasts become more conditionally efficient over the naïve model as the actual announcement approaches. The superiority and timing advantage of analyst forecasts suggest that more emphasis should be placed on the services of analysts for predicting future earnings figures, particularly when the announcement is approaching.
The Differential Returns Offered by Mutually Owned and Proprietary UK Depository Institutions: 1993–2000
Authors: Ashton John K. , Letza Stephen
Published: June 2003

The study quantifies the differences in the level of return from investing in deposit (savings) accounts provided by depository institutions, which are either ‘mutual’ or ‘proprietary’. It is shown that for most types of deposit accounts offered in the UK, mutual building societies provide higher returns than proprietary firms. Surprisingly, it is also shown that returns from deposit accounts issued by converted or non‐mutual building societies are, generally, lower than either mutual building societies or proprietary firms. These findings are consistent for interest rate data adjusted for the effect of non‐price product characteristics and for unadjusted interest rate data.
A Simple Characterization of the Second‐best Two‐part and Block‐rate Tariffs Theory and Applications
Authors: Borrmann Jörg
Published: June 2003

The general necessary optimality conditions for second‐best discrete multipart tariffs are rather complex. In this paper, we derive a simplified characterization of these conditions for two‐part tariffs and for block‐rate tariffs for given thresholds of these tariffs. The simplified necessary optimality conditions are equivalent to the necessary conditions for a Ramsey‐optimum for goods with continuously variable individually demanded quantities. We demonstrate that this characterization of second‐best multipart tariffs can be helpful, when applying the usual regulatory mechanisms to these tariffs. In particular, we consider Vogelsang–Finsinger (1979) regulation as well as a particular form of price‐cap regulation which is related to the Laspeyres index of prices.
La consommation de soins de santé en Belgique une analyse économétrique à partir des données de l’Institut Pasteur.
Authors: Delaval Jean‐Michel
Published: June 2003

Dans le cadre de cet article, la demande de soins de santé en médecine ambulatoire (c’est‐à‐dire auprès des médecins généralistes et des médecins spécialistes) est étudiée. L’analyse se base sur les modèles économétriques développés par Cameron et al. (1980) et Polhmeier et Ulrich (1995), en distinguant, d’une part, le choix initial de consommer qui incombe aux seuls patients, et d’autre part, l’intensité de la consommation influencée par les prestataires. Les estimations sont effectuées à partir des données recueillies par l’Institut Pasteur en 1997 auprès de 7.965 ménages belges lors d’une enquête de santé.
A Theoretical Model of the Effects of Public Funding on Saving Decisions by Charitable Nonprofit Service Providers
Authors: Handy Femida , Webb Natalie J.
Published: June 2003

Why do charitable nonprofit, service‐providing organizations save? What are the tradeoffs between using income to build up cash reserves and serving more clients? Saving may generate income, protect the organization against a drop in donations, and increase the organization's chances of survival. Saving, though, may affect the likelihood that nonprofits receive private and public funding. We model the relationship among private and public income, economic conditions, and nonprofit savings. We find that anticipation of government help during difficult times tends to reduce the amount of saving done by the nonprofit. This effect is strengthened if government officials view unspent donations as indicative of a lack of need. Both these effects provide a strong incentive for nonprofits to spend on current consumption rather than to save for the future, and thus to increase the burden on the public purse.
Organizational Culture, Individual Differences and the Participation System in Cooperativism of Associated Workers in Andalusia, Spain
Authors: Romero Antonio J. , Pérez Miguel
Published: June 2003

From a psychosocial perspective, we have attempted to identify the characteristics of the democratic systems of a sample of 36 Andalusian cooperatives of associated workers. In this study it has become evident that those who participate the least in the governments of their organizations are the workers and those with less education. Thus, there is a high degree of association between participation in the governing of the cooperative and the development within it of an appropriate organizational culture. The results of this study have allowed us to empirically deconstruct the concept of cooperative democracy, and this process may have an effect on the improvement of human resource administration in this type of organization.
The Role of Planning and Workplace Support in Returning to Work after Maternity Leave
Authors: Houston Diane M. , Marks Gillian
Published: June 2003

The paper reports a longitudinal study of the post‐pregnancy work outcomes for full‐time working women who were pregnant with their first baby. Regression analyses revealed that women who did not return to work as intended were differentiated from those who did return to work by the amount of planning they had done in pregnancy, as well as having lower pre‐natal income and less anti‐cipated support within the workplace. Almost one third of those who returned to work part‐time reported reduced job status. The study shows the importance of workplace planning and support in return to work after maternity leave.
Managerial Control of Employees Working at Home
Authors: Felstead Alan , Jewson Nick , Walters Sally
Published: June 2003

Places of work constitute processes of management by facilitating ‘visibility’ (the possibility for supervisors and others to observe workers) and ‘presence’ (the ability for workers to participate in relations with co‐workers and others). Working at home creates problems for both these aspects of managerial control. We suggest that managers seek to compensate for the relative lack of visibility and presence of home‐located workers by generating a range of devices and social disciplines that together comprise loose networks of control. However, these responses are only partially successful since they are founded on contradictory assumptions and practices.
Human Resource Management and Corporate Performance in the UK
Authors: Guest David E. , Michie Jonathan , Conway Neil , Sheehan Maura
Published: June 2003

The relationship between HRM and performance was explored in 366 UK companies using objective and subjective performance measures and cross‐sectional and longitudinal data. Using objective measures of performance, greater use of HRM is associated with lower labour turnover and higher profit per employee but not higher productivity. After controlling for previous years’ performance, the association ceases to be significant. Using subjective performance estimates, there is a strong association between HRM and both productivity and financial performance. The study therefore confirms the association between HRM and performance but fails to show that HRM causes higher performance.
Initial Responses to the Statutory Recognition Provisions of the Employment Relations Act 1999
Authors: Oxenbridge Sarah , Brown William , Deakin Simon , Pratten Cliff
Published: June 2003

We report how trade unions and employers initially reacted to the introduction of the statutory recognition procedure in the Employment Relations Act 1999 (ERA). Interview data indicate that the ERA and the drift of EU influence have acted to shift employer attitudes towards greater approval of unions and have accelerated the rate at which employers are redesigning their relationships with unions. Although they are restricting unions’ influence over traditional issues such as pay‐setting, employers are increasingly seeking their assistance in implementing organizational changes. We explore the impact of these developments on union activity and on collective representation more broadly.
Recent Books in Biblical Studies
Authors: Brummitt Mark
Published: June 2003

Carol R. Fontaine, Smooth Words: Women, Proverbs and Performance in Biblical Wisdom

R.S. Sugirtharajah, Postcolonial Criticism and Biblical Interpretation

Sarah Nicholson, Three Faces of Saul: An Intertextual Approach to Biblical Tragedy
A subtle governance: ‘soft’ medical leadership in English primary care
Authors: Sheaff R. , Rogers A. , Pickard S. , Marshall M. , Campbell S. , Sibbald B. , Halliwell S. , Roland M.
Published: June 2003

Abstract In many countries governments are recruiting the medical profession into a more active, transparent regulation of clinical practice. Consequently the medical profession adapts the ways it regulates itself and its relationship to health system managers changes. This paper uses empirical research in English Primary Care Groups (PCGs) and Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) to assess the value of Courpasson's concept of soft bureaucracy as a conceptualisation of these changes. Clinical governance in PCGs and PCTs displays important parallels with governance in soft bureaucracies, but the concept of soft bureaucracy requires modification to make it more applicable to general practice. In English primary care, governance over rank‐and‐file doctors is exercised by local professional leaders rather than general managers, harnessing their colleagues’ perception of threats to professional autonomy and self‐regulation rather than fears of competition as the means of ‘soft coercion’.
Divided care and the Third Way: user involvement in statutory and voluntary sector cancer services
Authors: Tritter J.Q. , Barley V. , Daykin N. , Evans Simon , McNeill Judith , Rimmer James , Sanidas M. , Turton Pat
Published: June 2003

Abstract In health care, as in much of the public sphere, the voluntary sector is playing an increasingly large role in the funding, provision and delivery of services and nowhere is this more apparent than in cancer care. Simultaneously the growth of privatisation, marketisation and consumerism has engendered a rise in the promotion of ‘user involvement’ in health care. These changes in the organisation and delivery of health care, in part inspired by the ‘Third Way’ and the promotion of public and citizen participation, are particularly apparent in the British National Health Service. This paper presents initial findings from a three‐year study of user involvement in cancer services. Using both case study and survey data, we explore the variation in the definition, aims, usefulness and mechanisms for involving users in the evaluation and development of cancer services across three Health Authorities in South West England. The findings have important implications for understanding shifts in power, autonomy and responsibility between patients, carers, clinicians and health service managers. The absence of any common definition of user involvement or its purpose underlines the limited trust between the different actors in the system and highlights the potentially negative impact of a Third Way health service.
Support for non‐conventional medicine in Israel: cognitive and sociological coherence
Authors: Leiser David
Published: June 2003

Abstract This study investigated patterns of beliefs concerning CAM (complementary/alternative medicine) in 403 subjects in Israel. Multidimensional scaling and generalised linear model analyses of their answers to a questionnaire evidenced two sources of organising factors: (1) commitment to CAM approaches and techniques is dependent on the specific approach, and this differentiation may be related to corresponding explanatory principles such as powerful action, healthy living, and fighting stress; and (2) broad support for CAM in general, correlated with New Age ideological cultural themes (ecology, the paranormal, Eastern wisdom) which share an underlying framework of demedicalisation. It did not prove possible to cluster respondents into types, and factor analysis uncovered but a single factor. This suggests that subjects combine the organising factors in a pragmatic blend, a finding congruent with a postmodern interpretation that emphasises the blending of high and low, ideological and practical.
The meaning of complementary and alternative medicine practices among people with HIV in the United States: strategies for managing everyday life
Authors: Foote‐Ardah Carrie E.
Published: June 2003

Abstract The meanings of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practices in the everyday lives of people with HIV in the United States were investigated. Interviews of people with HIV revealed that two out of three interviewees (N = 62) used some form of CAM over the course of their ongoing HIV infection. Management of their everyday lives as ill persons was improved to the extent that CAM meanings addressed self‐regulation of treatment practices and strategies to cope with uncertainty. Four main strategies are dealt with: managing symptoms, medications and emotions; self experimenting to evaluate disease progression; gaining freedom from medical regimens; and managing AIDS stigma. It was shown that CAM practices are one way people with HIV can increase control over their illness and attempt to normalise health status. CAM practices were discussed in the context of self‐regulation in relation to other illnesses.
Pregnancy, illness and the concept of career
Authors: Thomas Hilary
Published: June 2003

Abstract This paper explores a neglected area of women's reproductive experience, namely major illness during pregnancy. It draws on a qualitative study of 15 women who had either a pre‐existing illness or developed a major health problem during pregnancy, and explores in detail the accounts of four contrasting case histories. Analysis is framed by the concept of career. It is argued, however, that an understanding of the women's experiences requires that pregnancy and illness are treated as separate, but co‐existent, career paths. Pregnancy and illness were more than a concatenation of contingencies for each other. Pregnancy and the subsequent birth were influenced by the preceding and envisaged course of the illness, and the experience of illness was partly configured by the events of pregnancy. The paper considers the conceptual implications of multiple career analysis, and argues that a multiple career analytic approach has relevance for an understanding of other areas of health care, such as the experience of patients suffering from two or more concurrent illnesses.