bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Do Australian companies report environmental news objectively?
Authors: Deegan Craig , Rankin Michaela
Published: July 2002

Within Australia there is ageneral absence of professional or legislative rules requiring companies to provide information relating to their environmental performance or any environmental initiatives undertaken. Previous research studies have shown that many firms present environmental information, but only tend to present information which is favourable to their corporate image. Investigates the environmental reporting practices of a sample of 20 Australian companies which were subject to successful prosecution by the New South Wales, and Victorian Environmental Protection Authorities, during the period 1990‐1993. Indicates a significant increase in the reporting of favourable environmental information surrounding environmental prosecution. Further, the amount of positive environmental information significantly outweighed the negative environmental information presented, which was interesting given that it is clear that the firms studied did have bad news to report. The existence of a proven environmental offence was reported by only two of the companies within the sample. Raises issues as to whether information about a proven environmental offence is “material” to account users and, if so, whether financial statements could be construed as being misleading in the absence of such information.
Comprehensive and incremental budgeting in education
Authors: Edwards Pam , Ezzamel Mahmoud , Robson Keith , Taylor Margaret
Published: July 2002

Examines the construction of the funding formula, following the 1988 Education Act, used to determine the levels of devolved budgets in three English local education authorities (LEAs). Explains that, in each LEA, a team was formed to determine the funding formula. Also explains that, as most schools pre‐local management of schools (LMS) only kept aggregate records showing the cost of education at the levels of primary/secondary sectors rather than individual school level, the LMS teams faced serious problems in defining budget parameters, identifying cost elements and attributing costs to functions. More critically, points out that while the 1988 Education Act made it clear that the new budgeting system should be comprehensive in the sense of not merely reflecting past expenditure patterns but being based on perceived education needs, the LMS teams developed funding formulae which predominantly preserved the status quo established by historical expenditure patterns. Explores both the arguments and the mechanisms which each LMS team deployed in order to produce an incrementalist budgeting system and the constraints that operated on incrementalism.
The influence of underlying metaphysical notions on our interpretation of accounting
Authors: Velayutham S. , Perera M.H.B.
Published: July 2002

Notes that recently there has been growing evidence to suggest the existence of fundamental differences in the thinking behind Eastern and Western accounting systems and techniques. Observes, for example, that Western accounting practices, when implemented in an Eastern environment, do not seem to produce the expected results, and vice versa. Argues that the metaphysical notions of the self and freedom prevalent in society provide the basis for the development of cultural values and are central to the understanding of the role of accounting in organizations and society. Uses this analysis to provide explanations for the differences that appear to exist between Eastern and Western management and accounting thoughts.
A ring fence for the profession: advancing the closure of British accountancy 1957‐1970
Authors: Walker Stephen P. , Shackleton Ken
Published: July 2002

Explores the genesis of a plan to erect a statutory “ring fence” around the accountancy profession in Britain during the 1960s. Focuses on two elemental problems in actualising a closure strategy: defining a basis for inclusion and exclusion; and, gaining the sanction of the state. Reveals that the complexities of devising an exclusionary code permitted opportunities for “inclusionary usurpation” by “outside” practitioner groups. Examines the quest by accountants to elicit government support for monopolisation during a period in which restrictive practices were outlawed and the professions were “under fire”. The achievement of de jure closure is shown to be dependent on the predilections of senior bureaucrats and the capacity of the profession to negotiate an “informal contract” with the state. Contends that the profession‐state interface primarily engages the apex of the organisational élite and mandrinate Civil Servants.
Speculations on barriers to the transference of Japanese management accounting
Authors: Jones Michael John , Munday Max , Brinn Tony
Published: July 2002

The Japanisation of British industry has been much debated. This paper speculates on the role of the UK management accountant as a barrier to the adoption of Japanese management accounting techniques, highlighting professional and cultural differences which could make UK management accountants reluctant converts to Japanisation. Such a reluctance in a key functional area might, in turn, hinder the importation of closely related Japanese production techniques, adversely affecting the competitiveness of UK manufacturing.
Men in white coats … men in grey suits
Authors: Boden Rebecca , Gummett Philip , Cox Deborah , Barker Kate
Published: July 2002

The technology of so‐called new public management (NPM) in the UK encompasses a broad range of approaches to the reform of public services based loosely around notions of downsizing the State, cost‐cutting, marketisation, competition and emphasis on the reform of accounting within the Government. NPM has been utilised in the reform of the old public sector science and technology laboratories. This paper sets out the reasons why the provision of science and technology services may be a discrete area of public service, not necessarily amenable to NPM. It then charts the development of policy and practice in this area, using actual examples of agencification and privatisation. Finally it offers a tentative evaluation of the manifestations of NPM in this area concentrating on ownership, control and accountability; markets and customers; and financial costs and rewards.
Understanding the evolution of government financial control systems
Authors: Olowo‐Okere Edward , Tomkins Cyril
Published: July 2002

A classic paper on the development of governmental financial control systems argues that such developments occur within the framework of a three‐stage model of evolution. This paper examines the validity of Dean’s model of evolution and argues that the model represents such a general level of historical description that a much more comprehensive examination of historical and current context is required if the past development of current systems and the design of future changes in those systems are to be properly understood. Evidence to support this claim is provided in the form of summary evidence based on an exhaustive inquiry into changes in both the UK and Nigerian governmental financial control systems over the last 35 years. This leads to suggestions that a model based on evolution and experimentation in response to contextual changes offers a better route to future research and improved practice.
Structure or agency? Discourse or meta‐narrative? Explaining the emergence of the financial management initiative
Authors: McSweeney Brendan , Duncan Sheila
Published: July 2002

Considers why different explanations of the same event can be produced and discusses the characteristics of a good explanation. It identifies and analyses a wide range of different published explanations of a seminal public administration policy‐change. It separates those accounts of that event into families of explanations and describes their common underlying presuppositions. These shared presuppositions are used to construct four models of public policy‐making: sovereign policy‐makers; policy‐makers as relays; policy‐making as the personal; and the discursive construction of policy. Each explanation (and its conceptual model) is challenged by historically grounded counter‐evidence. Based on this analysis the paper suggest ways in which analysis of public management changes might be more fruitfully orientated.
Reporting on the state of infrastructure by local government
Authors: Walker R.G. , Clarke F.L. , Dean G.W.
Published: July 2002

The Australian accounting profession has advocated that infrastructure should be accounted for by reporting it at current written down replacement values, on the basis that these financial disclosures would provide relevant information to stakeholders. While local councils are required to apply the profession’s asset valuation and accrual standards in preparing general purpose financial reports, the State of New South Wales has gone further by requiring local councils to also present information about the physical condition of infrastructure, together with estimates of the cost of bringing that infrastructure to a satisfactory condition, and the annual costs of maintaining infrastructure at that standard thereafter. This paper examines how this information was reported for 1995‐96. Analysis of reporting practices suggest that while there are some anomalies and uncertainties surrounding the rating of physical condition and the concept of “satisfactory condition”, the disclosures provided by NSW local government are more informative and arguably more relevant to external stakeholders and those responsible for asset management in local government than the information currently prescribed by accounting standards.
Clinical governance and operations management methodologies
Authors: Davies Carol , Walley Paul
Published: July 2002

The clinical governance mechanism, introduced since 1998 in the UK National Health Service (NHS), aims to deliver high quality care with efficient, effective and cost‐effective patient services. Scally and Donaldson recognised that new approaches are needed, and operations management techniques comprise potentially powerful methodologies in understanding the process of care, which can be applied both within and across professional boundaries. This paper summarises four studies in hospital Trusts which took approaches to improving process that were different from and less structured than business process re‐engineering (BPR). The problems were then amenable to change at a relatively low cost and short timescale, producing significant improvement to patient care. This less structured approach to operations management avoided incurring overhead costs of large scale and costly change such as new information technology (IT) systems. The most successful changes were brought about by formal tools to control quantity, content and timing of changes.
Inpatient care quality: analyzing Swedish hospitals with stroke as a tracer
Authors: Svartbo Boo , Bucht Gösta , Eriksson Anders , Olov Bygren Lars
Published: July 2002

Mortality statistics are an important source of information concerning variations in time and place, identification of risk factors and the evaluation of treatment programs. In this study, a new death certificate was completed “blind” on the basis of hospital records from the last episode of care, across a random sample of 1,376 cases. The results showed that the overlap between the official register’s underlying cause of death and that of a panel was 72 per cent at the three‐digit level. The official underlying cause of death from cerebrovascular diseases (CVD) was 72 cases in this sample, while 93 were deemed to have CVD by a panel. Additionally, of the 1,233 cases originally reported as non‐CVD, the panel deemed non‐CVD to be the true underlying cause in 1,176 cases. The paper concludes that CVD was most often correctly reported as the underlying cause of death in the investigated ages up to 75 years but plain differences were found between specialities and in different hospital size.
The assessment of quality in medical diagnostic tests: a comparison of ROC/Youden and Taguchi methods
Authors: Taner Tolga , Antony Jiju
Published: July 2002

Diagnostic tests are widely used in many areas of modern technological society, but they are of particular importance in medicine, where early and accurate diagnosis can decrease morbidity and mortality rates of disease. How the quality of diagnostic information and decisions should be measured in a meaningful way has become increasingly important in recent years as an abundance of new diagnostic tests have been introduced. A number of seemingly independent indices are studied for evaluating diagnostic performance such as the receiver operating characteristic curves and signal‐to‐noise ratios. Designing robustness into diagnostic tests can only be achieved by minimizing the variation in the total number of false diagnosis. This article has undertaken a comparison of signal‐to‐noise ratios developed by Taguchi in quality engineering and system performance in manufacturing industry. A hybrid is also computed and its relevance to physicians as an efficient assessment method is proposed and strongly encouraged.
Integrated systems design for customer focused health care performance measurement: a strategic service unit approach
Authors: Smith Allen E. , Swinehart Kerry D.
Published: July 2002

The health care industry can expect an expanding need to measure and report the quality of performance and related outcomes. This article presents a flexible application operationalizing the strategies of total quality management and continual and rapid improvement in the area of assessing patient satisfaction. Mountain States Health Alliance established seven strategic criteria for the Outcomes Assessment Strategy and Information System (OASIS) design based on its own strategic initiatives and quality improvement principals. These initiatives are supported by the software application referred to as ContAct. Substantial process improvements have resulted. As pressures from stakeholders continue to mount, it will become increasingly important that patient satisfaction information be used to improve processes. The system presented provides one piece of an overall approach that will result in a rise to world‐class status for the health care industry.
The role of quality management in pharmaceutical development: clinical trials analysis
Authors: McAdam Rodney , Barron Nigel
Published: July 2002

The aim of this paper is to investigate the role of quality management and how its implementation can be improved within the clinical trials area of the pharmaceutical industry, as part of the healthcare sector. The research study involves a case study of a clinical trials organisation (TSC). A total of 11 mini‐cases of TSC’s main suppliers, staff‐survey analysis, semi‐structured interviews and organisational and archive material were used in the data‐gathering. The results show how the application of total quality management (TQM) principles addresses some of the key challenges facing the organisation.
Equitable Service Provision:
Authors: Madhok R.
Published: July 2002

Long waiting lists are of concern to policy makers, professionals and
patients, and despite major initiatives to address the issue the problem
remains. Suggests that one partial solution may be chronologically
maintained common waiting lists for high‐volume routine surgical
procedures at the departmental level rather than by individual
consultants. Since case severity differences between the various
surgeons in a team may mitigate against such a model a pilot study of
two procedures: arthroscopic examination of knee and repair of inguinal
hernia was undertaken. Describes the study. Little statistically
significant difference was found in case severity between the patients
belonging to the different general and orthopaedic surgeons in South
Tees Health district, and a significant proportion of operations was
undertaken by middle grade doctors. At present waiting times vary
considerably depending on which consultant the patient is referred to by
their general practitioner, thus creating inequity. The problem has been
further exacerbated by the NHS reforms with fund‐holding general
practitioners receiving preferential treatment, thus creating a
two‐tiered service. Common waiting lists will ensure equitable
provisions and may increase efficiency, and hence need serious
consideration.
Establishing Continuous Quality Improvement in a Hong Kong Hospital
Authors: Hok Cheung Ma , Koch Hugh
Published: July 2002

Outlines and discusses the implementation plan and associated training
programme for establishing TQM in one of the hospitals in Hong Kong.
Gives examples of the training programme and outlines quality management
plans.
Care of the Elderly and Occupational Health for Staff in Local Nursing
Homes:
Authors: Patrick Hannah , Bennett Jennifer
Published: July 2002

Describes a questionnaire sent to 11 of the 66 nursing homes in the
Brighton Health Authority to compare the quality of care provided. These
homes care for 242 patients (representing 13 per cent of the 1,728
places in Brighton nursing homes). Questions dealt with residential
environment, occupational health, care and control of medicines,
clerical services, procedures for prevention and control of infection,
etc. Results are discussed and recommendations for further improvements
made.
Quality Improvement in General Surgery: Hong Kong Style
Authors: Hong Ong Beng , Koch Hugh
Published: July 2002

A second article describing the significant move of United Christian
Hospital towards “continuous quality improvement”. Describes the general
surgery CQI programme, its problems and successes.
Quality Costing
Authors: Sabugueiro John M.
Published: July 2002

Outlines the introduction of a “quality costing” perspective into quality
improvement of priority services. Illustrates cash‐releasing and
non‐cash releasing opportunities.
Effective Use of a Common Problem‐solving Process as an Integral Part of
TQM
Authors: Pescod W.D.T.
Published: July 2002

Many organizations implement TQM programmes, but it is estimated that
only 25 per cent of them can be classified as successful in terms of
delivering the benefits that should be expected from them. Failure to
create the conditions through systems and procedures which highlight
problems in the organization and provide common approaches to solving
them (such as an “in‐company” problem‐solving process) is often a main
reason for such a low success rate. The benefits of successfully
implementing the extensive use of a common problem‐solving process and
adopting a management style at all levels that supports, allows and
encourages employees to use it are enormous. The problem‐solving process
should be an integral part of the TQM initiative and supported by
ongoing training and facilitation, and used by management at all levels.
Redesigning a national health‐care system: the Israeli experience
Authors: Penchas Shmuel , Shani Mordechai
Published: July 2002

In 1988 the Government of Israel appointed a Commission of Inquiry
(of which the authors were members) to examine the state of its
health‐care services. Although relating to Israel, some of the problems
contributing to the crisis in the health services are shared by other
industrialized nations. In 1991 the findings and recommendations of the
Commission were adopted by the Government. They related to the major
problem areas analysed by the Commission: poor standard of service to
the public; health ministry structure and performance; funding and
budgeting; poor labour relations in the public health sector; surplus of
physicians; mix of public and private health care; shortage of qualified
health‐care managers. The main recommendations adopted were: legislation
for compulsory health insurance (due to be effective on 1 January 1995),
establishing a National Health Authority, running of hospitals by
autonomous corporations and reform in salary structure.
Setting standards
Authors: Raynes Norma V.
Published: July 2002

A method of involving users and providers in residential care for
older people was used to develop standards of care and outcome
indicators. The standards were prioritized using the paired comparison
technique. Describes the method and the outcomes of the processes. These
include 28 standards relating to the quality of care developed by
providers and service users.
Improving out‐patient clinic waiting times: methodological and
substantive issues
Authors: Hart Mike
Published: July 2002

In The Patients’ Charter, a standard is laid down that all
patients who attend out‐patient clinics should be seen within 30 minutes
of their appointment time. Discusses how a statistical monitoring system
using a “low technology” approach was implemented at
Leicester General Hospital during 1992‐93. This was instrumental in
raising the proportion of patients seen within 30 minutes from under 50
per cent to over 80 per cent in 15 months. Points to the fact that
statistical monitoring alone is not sufficient to deliver quality
improvements. Suggests that only enlightened management action which
brings both management and clinicians into a quality improvement
programme is likely to be effective. Discusses some of the measurement
problems involved. Warns against the fact that over‐reliance on purely
quantitative measures (as indicated in “Charter” standards)
to the neglect of more qualitative measures may be counterproductive.
Suggests that qualitative approaches need to complement the normal
statistical monitoring.
Dealing with complaints – are we doing well?
Authors: Miller James A.
Published: July 2002

Investigates the views of complainants and how they felt that their
complaints had been handled. Complainants from a three‐month period were
sent a nine‐question questionnaire to which the response rate was 52.3
per cent. Shows that, on the whole, complaint‐response times were being
met; the complaints system was seen as user friendly; and, overall,
complainants were satisfied with the way in which their complaints were
handled.
Continuity of care on admission to hospital: an audit of Airedale NHS Trust’s transfer policy
Authors: Slater Beverley , Cornforth Joanne
Published: July 2002

Describes an audit of inter‐profession communications among hospital, community health and social services concerning hospital admission. Information from 150 patient admissions (50 from each of three general practices after a target date) was gathered from both community and hospital sources. The results were used to audit the transfer policy operated by Airedale NHS Trust. The audit design incorporated an element of research, the results of which were used to inform the interpretation of the audit results and to suggest appropriate recommendations for change. Recommendations included the introduction of a pre‐admissions checklist, specific changes to the nursing documentation, measures to improve the speed of information transfer, and the clarification of responsibilities for initiating contact across the hospital‐community interface when patients with existing contacts in community services are admitted to hospital. Concludes that the introduction of supplementary research to an otherwise traditional audit cycle strengthened the resulting recommendations.
Assessment of medical technology and the challenge for health reform in Africa
Authors: Quaye Randolph
Published: July 2002

Introduces an African perspective to existing research and scholarship on the relationship between western medical technology and health care planning in Africa. Examining the broader issues of development and underdevelopment, contends that the present health care system, fashioned after western medical systems (focusing on hospital and curative care), has failed to make significant impact by reducing mortality rates in Africa. Describes the already precarious health conditions in Africa and argues that, while Africa can benefit from the application of western medical technology, the irrelevance of current strategies to people’s needs and the widespread abuse of medical resources have rendered western technology ineffective in Africa. Concludes by calling for the creation of a council of technological assessment in Africa to review requirements and recommend to African governments appropriate and efficient medical technologies to meet the health needs of Africans.
Achieving effective service‐contracting results: the process is the key to success
Authors: Heinbuch Susan E.
Published: July 2002

Focuses on the contract process as a source of information for managers seeking to contract more effectively. Draws on the findings of a multiple‐case comparative study undertaken to understand service‐contracting processes and the factors that influence them. Offers specific ideas for ways to manage contracting processes more effectively. Includes case examples to clarify the points raised.
A glossary of terms encountered in quality and customer service
Authors: Moores Brian
Published: July 2002

A glossary of terms and definitions relating to the fields of quality and customer care, exemplified by reference to health care.
Disease management: from sand table exercise to local achievement
Authors: Bosanquet Nick
Published: July 2002

Presents an outline of a local pilot project on disease management in Ollerton, Nottinghamshire, UK. Disease management has been a staff college exercise at a national level: the alliance for health in Ollerton involved a purchaser, an acute trust and a practice. Secondary care expertise was used earlier in the disease process to identify patients and to treat them with a more continuous care programme. Disease management began with gastric illness ‐ in examination, review and treatment for H Pylori eradication; extensions are planned to glaucoma and epilepsy. The project involved co‐ordinated investment in building extensions, staff skills and records.
Non‐medical predictors of quality of care of hypertension in elderly patients
Authors: Fleishman Rachel
Published: July 2002

Describes a study designed to develop instruments for examining the quality of routine care of hypertension among the elderly and, using non‐medical predictors of quality ‐ such as elderly patient and doctor variables and doctor‐patient interaction variables ‐ to explain the variance in the quality of care. The study population comprised 352 elderly people (92 per cent) in one Jerusalem neighbourhood who were members of Israel’s largest sick fund. Interviews, screening, observation and examination of records were the sources of information. Multivariate analysis was performed. The findings indicated a plethora of deficiencies in the quality of routine care, mostly in the quality of surveillance and the control of hypertension. It was found that the outcome of care is primarily a result of the physician‐patient interaction, rather than of a lack of patient compliance. Proposes a national programme using the instruments developed.
Achieving hospital operating objectives in the light of patient preferences
Authors: Ramirez Valdivia Martha T. , Crowe Thomas J.
Published: July 2002

Patient satisfaction is becoming increasingly important for the successful operation of private and public hospitals. The quality of the service provided can be improved if internal and external customers’ opinions are taken into account during the definition of hospital operating objectives. This research presents a new methodology, called the simulation service quality system (SSQS), developed to improve operating performance measures in the light of customer preferences. The motivation for the development of the SSQS methodology arose from the need to achieve timeliness standards at United States Veterans’ Hospitals. The Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital in Columbia Missouri served as the validation and initial application site for the SSQS methodology. Details one such project: the objective of reducing customer waiting times to 30 minutes or less at an outpatient treatment clinic. Through the identification of relationships and interactions, discrete‐event simulation techniques are applied to model and experiment with the system to ultimately arrive at recommended changes in hospital operating policies which achieve the objective.
Outpatient clinic’s staffing: a case study
Authors: Raouf Abdul , Ben‐Daya M
Published: July 2002

Suggests that the traditional approach for establishing staffing levels in hospital systems is not feasible. Presents steps taken to study the staffing levels in an outpatient clinic of a central hospital. Puts forward recommendations for a periodic evaluation of staffing levels.
The challenges of assessing outcome in chronic pain
Authors: Haines Rebecca , Blair Alan , Osborn Michael
Published: July 2002

Clinicians in chronic pain services are facing the need to develop meaningful and methodologically adequate measures, not only to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions and to assure quality, but also to support the continued funding and future development of such services. Explores the problems inherent in assessing outcomes in chronic pain. These include the complexity of the chronic pain syndrome itself, the multidimensional nature of interventions and the challenges of defining outcomes in the chronic illness syndrome. The complexity and challenges of assessing outcomes may lead to some reticence in facing the challenges but it is the responsibility of the clinicians to continue developing measures and to communicate to purchasers and other stakeholders the complexity of assessing outcomes in chronic pain.
Papers not patients? ‐ unlocking resources, paying for quality
Authors: Hughes John Richard
Published: July 2002

Reviews the present contracting arrangements in general practice. Outlines recent Government White Papers, leading to a discussion of the future opportunities for general practice. Demonstrates the reality of primary‐care‐ led NHS with quality of care plus cost containment.
Practices of excellent companies in the managed health care industry
Authors: Wade Jim , Kleiner Brian H.
Published: July 2002

The health care profession in the USA has traditionally attracted some of the best talent the country has to offer, with medical practitioners enjoying high incomes due to employer‐paid medical indemnity insurance plans. There was no oversight process or quality standards governing the health care delivery process and no motivating factors to contain costs. Prior to the introduction of the Knox‐Keene Act in the 1970s requiring employers to offer managed care as an alternative indemnity coverage, the only known managed care company was the Kaiser Permanente Medical Plan. Until just over a decade ago, the concept of managed care was stereotyped as a low quality method of health care delivery. Criticisms from providers themselves suggested managed care systems meant withholding medical care for the sake of profit; “production line” medicine, and compromise in the delivery of quality health care. In order to refute that notion and grow as an industry, managed health care companies were required to take steps to prove their integrity, high quality of care, and cost‐effective methods. Today the industry is fast growing, setting management practices that are becoming benchmark standards for other industries too.
Health care utilization by the elderly in HMOs: comparing risk and cost contracts
Authors: Siddharthan Kris , Reid W. Michael
Published: July 2002

Data are utilized collected from the American Association of Health Plans, a trade association representing HMOs, to study differences in utilization patterns between Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare risk and cost contracts with health plans. Utilization is measured by the number of ambulatory procedures performed, outpatient and emergency room visits, and acute and nonacute discharges. Compared to elders enrolled in risk plans, those in cost arrangements appear to exhibit higher inpatient and outpatient use. Members of for‐profit plans experienced greater outpatient visits, accreditation did not appear to influence utilization, and IPA arrangements resulted in a decrease in outpatient utilization. Financial and policy issues are discussed.
The outpatient experience: results of a patient feedback survey
Authors: McKinnon Katherine , Crofts Paul D. , Edwards Rhiannon , Campion Peter D. , Edwards Richard H.T.
Published: July 2002

Patient surveys can be used to enable hospital management to evaluate the services they provide. This study shows high levels of patient satisfaction with the quality of their consultations and the attitude shown to them by medical staff. Patient feedback shows that despite the introduction of the Patients’ Charter, waiting times from referral to appointment and delays in clinics are still identified as the main areas for improvement. Findings show that patients are, however, remarkably tolerant and understanding of the pressures and demands placed on outpatient staff.
Medicare risk contracting: analyzing managed care for the aging population in the USA
Authors: Asubonteng Rivers Patrick , Asubonteng Charles A. , Bumpus Minnette , Munchus George
Published: July 2002

This paper focuses on Medicare risk contracting in the USA. The issue of the current method of reimbursement versus Medicare risk contracting is explored. Risk sharing and payment mechanisms are described and analyzed. The strengths and weaknesses (score‐ card) of Medicare beneficiaries entering HMOs are reviewed. Finally, the issue of selection bias in Medicare HMOs is discussed regarding future implementation strategy.
EFQM approach and the Dutch Quality Award
Authors: Nabitz U.W. , Klazinga N.S.
Published: July 2002

Different approaches to improve quality are used in organizations delivering health care. Donabedian introduced structure, process and outcome, from which other approaches like self‐assessment, accreditation, visitation, International Standards Organisation (ISO) and European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) can be aligned. The EFQM model is one such approach that has been adopted and adapted by the Dutch Institute for Quality Management. This article describes the background and progress relating to the use of the EFQM business excellence model within Dutch health care organizations. In addition the process for applying for the European Quality Award and the Dutch Quality Award are described in detail. Finally, the reader is enlightened regarding the work of the European ExPeRT research group who are promoting the use of quality models within health care.
Towards routine user assessment of mental health service quality performance
Authors: Rea David M.
Published: July 2002

The need to incorporate mental health service users in routine measurement of service effectiveness is included among recent policy proposals. However, mental health services pose particular problems of measurement and may prevent the acceptance of measures that are both comparable and meaningful. This paper outlines some of the major difficulties to be faced in routinely measuring quality of mental health services and taking users’ views into account. It then proposes a minimum specification for any measure of quality that places mental health service users at the centre of the process.
Management Development
Authors: Davies Lloyd
Published: July 2002

Explores the factors which contributed to the development of 14 senior
managers in Yorkshire Water plc, who experienced temporary promotion for
periods of about three months in 1992. These promotions, which were the
result of planned absences of top managers, enabled each of the 14 to
work in “new” jobs in a relatively controlled situation. The writer
assisted the managers in various ways and at the end of the temporary
promotion explored in in‐depth interviews the factors which contributed
to their development. These were: the individual′s capacity to learn
(which in turn was a function of his/her expectations and
opportunities); the learning “gap” between the normal and the promoted
post; the support received from a range of colleagues; the length of the
promotion; and fortune in encountering “one‐off” events. Includes some
suggestions for making the best use of this type of learning
opportunity.
Data Management: Executive Aid
Authors: Vinten Gerald
Published: July 2002

Data management is the preferred name for a technique that is known by
other names. It involves the rearranging of data until such point as it
is possible to make sense out of the confusion of raw data. Provides a
practical, worked example of data management in action. A mini case
study seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of various training methods
used to improve standards of numeracy among junior managers. Iterations
are provided to show, stage by stage, how data management operates. In
parenthesis the statistical approach is outlined, but it is clear that
data management has achieved a presentation of the data that is clearer,
complete and more compelling. Professor Ehrenberg′s six golden rules
conclude the demonstration, which executives will find useful in their
day‐to‐day work.
Action Learning
Authors: Bunning Richard L.
Published: July 2002

Describes a management development programme which has evolved to give
middle and upper managers a “bird′s eye view” of their own organization as
a total enterprise. Completed over ten to 12 months, the course employs
a variety of action learning techniques including a pre‐course workbook
(which can only be completed by interviewing key executives in the
organization), syndicate teams, a week‐long residential workshop and
project teams assigned to complete real‐life projects within the
organization with recommendations presented to a panel of top
executives.
Keeping Donkeys out of the Boardroom
Authors: McArthur Connie G. , Favero Phillips Janet L.
Published: July 2002

Points out that feedback is essential to improve continually the
performance and development of executives. However, executives rarely
receive specific, candid feedback about their work. Suggests that most
of these individuals are left to manage in relative isolation, wondering
if others support the direction they are headed and the methods they
employ. Describes how the childhood game “Pin the tail on the
donkey” was used with senior business leaders to illustrate how a lack of
performance feedback hinders their effectiveness and diminishes the
impact of the corporate succession planning process. This
non‐traditional, experimental intervention heightened these leaders′
awareness of the importance of providing performance feedback and
illustrated the confusion and discomfort perceived by those who work
without it.
Strategic Planning in Public Sector Organizations
Authors: Wilkinson Greg , Monkhouse Elaine
Published: July 2002

Examines strategy development in public sector organizations. Models
used in the private sector must be adapted to accommodate the
constraints of public and legal requirements.
The leadership challenge of changing to a culture of empowerment
Authors: Randolph W. Alan
Published: July 2002

Changing an organization′s culture to one of empowerment is a
tremendous leadership challenge. First, the process is long, as it
involves defining both the big picture and the little pictures, and
providing significant amounts of training. Second, the process can
easily result in a leadership vacuum that paradoxically becomes an asset
to the empowerment process. The experiences at the East Bay Region of
Pacific Gas & Electric offer several key learnings relative to this
leadership challenge.
Coaching your employees: applying sports analogies to business
Authors: McNutt Rod , Wright Phillip C.
Published: July 2002

Discusses nine successful managers; most are coaches or managers in various sports. Each has a recipe for getting the most out of people. These principles are then applied to the world of business in a section titled: “Implications for practising managers”.
What is a director’s role?
Authors: Kenton Branton
Published: July 2002

UK directors are presently engaged in cost‐cutting exercises in
order to improve the efficiency of their business. This is a necessary
part of their role which spans policy, strategy and operations. One
reason for this focus on efficiencies may be the recent recession,
another may be that directors no longer have the option to be effective
instead. For to be effective implies having a sense of somewhere to go.
This requires a strong sense of purpose. Strong purpose is based on the
personal values and beliefs of a leader. It requires a soul‐attachment
that is worlds away from the dispassionate scrutiny of cost‐cutting
initiatives.
The outplacement and marketing of executives in a changing
workforce
Authors: Zajas Jay J. , Cates Harold
Published: July 2002

In the business world, adversities come in all shapes, colours and
sizes. An example of such adversity is referred to as
“rightsizing”, which is another term for corporate
downsizing. In the 1990s, more white collar employees are being laid
off, retired early, or otherwise terminated so that firms can reduce
labour costs, downsize, and become “leaner”. With such
changes taking place in the workforce, the need for effective training
and outplacement is paramount. Discusses how a strategic career
marketing plan can be developed by an executive so as to target
strengths and weaknesses or minimize threats in the job market. Offers
suggestions to job seekers on overcoming the trauma of career or job
changes, on establishing a strategic marketing plan for their career,
and on reaching out for assistance via the development of a network and
support system.
Unfolding systemic ideas
Authors: Cockerill Steve K.
Published: July 2002

Introduces the reader to some important aspects of systems
thinking. Begins by offering a historic context of systems ideas, taking
the reader on to concepts peculiar to systems and yet found in many
areas of interest. Describes and applies concepts such as the openness
of systems, the synergy of systems, systems complexity, the holistic
view of systems, the notion of hierarchy and so on, to problems of
interest to managers at all levels in an organization. Culminates in
reference to the current directions of systems thought and practice with
particular regard to systems dynamics and the soft systems methodology.
Career management at Nationwide Building Society using a soft
systems approach
Authors: Bolton Robert , Gold Jeffrey
Published: July 2002

Examines how a systemic model of managing career development was
developed to improve a messy problem at Nationwide Building Society. The
approach adopted was to apply soft systems methodology. Presents the
model and then examines actions to improve the situations.
Challenges and opportunities of teaching management in a
post‐socialist society
Authors: Marcic Dorothy
Published: July 2002

Post‐socialist countries have more challenges in the change process
than merely creating a market economy. Communism eroded the work ethic,
created organizations where employees considered it their right to steal
from the company, management as a profession was never understood, and
party loyalty and networks were the most important criteria of
advancement. Suggests that teaching management out of this context
creates its own challenges.
Coaching tomorrow’s top managers
Authors: Bloch Susan
Published: July 2002

Presents the findings of a recent survey on developing future top
managers. Coaching and mentoring are used to encourage managers to take
ownership of their own career development but results showed only
one‐third of companies surveyed carry this out. Reveals that there has
been a hardening of attitudes towards high‐flyers.
The future of the MCI Management Standards
Authors: Crawley Rick
Published: July 2002

Takes a dispassionate view of what the future holds for the
Management Standards drawing on a research study reviewing the
experiences of using the Management Standards. Takes the view that the
future of the Management Standards will be largely determined by user or
practitioner satisfaction on the one hand and government policy on the
other.
Translating a dream of immortality in a (con)temporary order
Authors: Porsander Lena
Published: July 2002

Discusses the process of imitation using the vocabulary of translation, taking as an example the temporary organization Stockholm – Cultural Capital of Europe 1998. Describes the process of change in an organizational order that can be characterized as (con)temporary. The description reveals several paradoxes typical of today’s organizing and focuses in particular on a temporary organization’s struggle for immortality.
Reflections on critical systems thinking and the management of change in rule‐bound systems
Authors: Clayton John , Gregory Wendy J.
Published: July 2002

Looks at a specific variant of systems thinking, called critical systems thinking, which is an approach that was developed in the UK during the 1980s. In particular, consideration is given to “rule‐bound” systems – scenarios where the possibilities for change have been found to be problematic. The characteristics of such situations will initially be set out, focusing on the power relations that appear to pervade such situations. A prison‐based change management initiative is used to show how critical systems thinking can be employed, and provide some reflections on the process of change management and the outcomes achieved. These reflections point to some difficulties experienced that emerged from the rule‐bound nature of the problem situation and ways in which such difficulties might be addressed in similar situations in the future are suggested. Insights for both private and public sector organizations are drawn throughout the paper.
France in the 1950s: Taylorian modernity brought about by postmodern organizers?
Authors: Besson Dominique
Published: July 2002

The success of the French Taylorist approach stems from the ability of the first generation of French Taylorist managers to formulate the Taylorist rules in a rhetoric that French workers of the 1950s could agree with. In a way, these Taylorist managers were “storytellers” able to translate their own rhetoric into the French workers’ culture. Thus it is possible to analyze a very “modern” period (i.e. Taylorism in France in the 1950s) with a postmodern methodology and, further, that “modern actors” (the French Taylorist managers) were able to act as postmodern ones. They accepted the possibility of autonomous discourses and stories from some groups within organizations and the necessity of using these discourses as a vehicle for articulating their own methodologies in order to actually manage the production in the workshops.
From Taylorism to post‐Taylorism
Authors: Peaucelle Jean‐Louis
Published: July 2002

Taylorism is well known, for the organizational techniques that it implements. Post‐Taylorism innovates with news ways of working but its initiatives, in many ways, resemble its predecessor. One may argue that these organizational techniques are inconsistent with corporate objectives. Over and above the simple aim of maximizing profit, the Taylorian enterprise works to produce more goods at low cost. In the post‐Taylorism enterprise, the objective of efficiency is complemented by those of short delivery times, quality, diversity and flexibility. In order to attain these new objectives, and still remain coherent with previous ones, enterprises have developed new techniques: just‐in‐time production, business process re‐engineering, call centers, simultaneous engineering, and asynchronous teamwork across networks. According to the hypothesis put forward, post‐Taylorism adds new objectives to Taylorism. The strength of today’s reorganizations lies in attaining these objectives simultaneously. The consequences for people, however, in terms of their relationship with work, do not necessarily change.