bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strategic Alignment Impacts on Organizational Performance in Indonesian Banking IndustrY
Authors: Iman Nofie , Hartono Jogiyanto
Published: September 2018

Strategic alignment has attracted the attention of researchers and practitioners for the last 15 years. This paper reports findings from a survey on the impacts of strategic alignment on organizational performance in the Indonesian banking industry. The survey was conducted through internet-based and postal questionnaires sent to selected companies.Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) is utilized to apprehend the strategic alignment concept as an emergent variable derived from the co-variation of  level of business strategy and level of IS/IT strategy. Hence, we explore the role of this emergent concept as a determinant of organizational performance. Analysis of the data reveals a generally positive impact towards the organizational performance.
The Response of Corporate Dividend Policy to The Abolition of Tax Credit in the United Kingdom (U.K.)
Authors: Basuki Hardo
Published: September 2018

By abolishing the tax credit on dividends received by tax-exempt financial institutions in 1997, the effective rate of tax for share-holders such as pension funds increases significantly, and the tax preference for dividends is significantly reduced. The tax-exempt shareholders mainly consist of pension funds and insurance companies with respect to their pension business. This tax-exempt community is the most influential shareholders in many U.K. companies, and their tax preference for dividends may have an important impact on corporate dividend policy.The objective of this study is to examine whether the aggregate dividend payment changes following the 1997 abolition of the tax credit. Using aggregate data in time series from 1974 to 1999, this study finds that the percentage of forecast error in Lintner’s model does not change significantly between the pre- and post-abolition periods. Hence, there is no evidence that aggregate dividend payment decreases following the abolition of tax credit. This could be interpreted that the aggregate sample of U.K. firms indicates a little intention of changing their dividend policies in response to the abolition of tax credit.This study also investigates whether individual U.K. companies respond to the 1997 abolition of tax-credit. The test results show that the majority of companies in the sample do not change their dividend policies after the abolition of tax credit. It is possible that companies are reluctant to cut their dividend payment since the existing dividend payout could be sustained in the long-run. They also avoid sending negative signals to the market. Thus, companies typically chose to keep a dividend level relatively stable following the tax change in 1997. Only the minority of the U.K. companies experience a decline in their dividend payment. This evidence supports the hypothesis that the abolition of tax credit on dividends results in a decrease in aggregate dividend payment in order to satisfy a tax clientele.
An Analysis of Think Globally-Act Locally Strategy Implementation in Developing Relationship of Headquarters and Subsidiaries: Case Study of John Clements Consultants Inc., Philippines & Indonesia
Authors: Noverita Dilla
Published: September 2018

John Clements Consultants Inc. (JCCI) is a long established and the largest consulting company in Philippines. Its main business focuses on human resource development, especially recruitment and training. Headquarters is in Philippines and its business has grown throughout the world, especially in the Asia-Pacific, Middle-East and United States. As a multinational company, JCCI has to maintain and develop the relationship with all subsidiaries efficiently. In this case, using qualitative approach and focusing on the relationship with Indonesian subsidiary, this research assesses how headquarters of JCCI formulates and implements company policies governing the relationship between headquarters and subsidiaries. It explores how the headquarters controls, communicates, makes decisions, plans strategy, and gives authority to the subsidiaries.  Moreover, this research analyses how JCCI applies “think globally – act locally” strategy in its global operations and developing relationship with subsidiaries. It brings the issues of all challenges and obstacles the company has in dealing with subsidiaries. Finally, this research recommends alternative strategies to leverage the relationship between headquarters and subsidiaries more efficiently and to minimize the obstacles in cross-cultural management so that the company will be able to strengthen its position in global service market.
Bank Mergers Performance and the Determinants of Singaporean Banks’ Efficiency: An Application of Two-Stage Banking Models
Authors: Sufian Fadzlan , Abd. Majid Muhamed-Zulkhibri
Published: September 2018

An event study window analysis of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is employed in this study to investigate the effect of mergers and acquisitions on Singaporean domestic banking groups’ efficiency. The results suggest that the mergers have resulted in a higher post-merger mean overall efficiency of Singaporean banking groups. However, from the scale efficiency perspective, our findings do not support further consolidation in the Singaporean banking sector. We find mixed evidence of the efficiency characteristics of the acquirers and targets banks. Hence, the findings do not fully support the hypothesis that a more (less) efficient bank becomes the acquirer (target). In most cases, our results further confirm the hypothesis that the acquiring bank’s mean overall efficiency improves (deteriorates) post-merger resulted from the merger with a more (less) efficient bank. Tobit regression model is employed to determine factors affecting bank performance, and the results suggest that bank profitability has a significantly positive impact on bank efficiency, whereas poor loan quality has a significantly negative influence on bank performance.
Efficiency and Productivity Performance of the National Private Banks in Indonesia
Authors: Omar Mohd. Azmi , Abd. Majid M. Shabri , Rulindo Ronald
Published: September 2018

This study investigates the efficiency and productivity performance of the national private banks in Indonesia during the period of 2002-2004. The data consist of 21 national private banks including two Islamic banks. Productivity is measured by the Malmquist Index using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) technique. Overall, the result shows that the Total Factor Production (TFP) Index of the national private banks has considerably increased for the whole industry, in which technical change is found to be a more important source of productivity growth to the Indonesian Banking Industry compared to efficiency change. Furthermore, the result also shows that the efficiency of two Islamic banks is above the average efficiency of the national private banks.
Test FOR Dynamic Relationship between Financial Development and Economic Growth in Malaysia: A Vector Error Correction Modeling Approach
Authors: Amiruddin Rosilawati , Mohd Nor Abu Hassan Shaari , Ismail Ismadi
Published: September 2018

This paper purports to study the effectiveness of financial development to Malaysian economic growth utilizing quarterly data. In view of the priority given to dynamic relationship in conducting this study, Vector Autoregressive (VAR) method which encompasses Johansen-Juselius’ Multivariate cointegration, Vector Error Correction Model (VECM), Impulse Response Function (IRF), and Variance Decomposition (VDC) are used as empirical evidence. The result reveals a short-term and long-term dynamic relationship between financial development and economic growth. The importance of financial sector in influencing the economic activity is proven as a clear policy implication.
An Examination of Perceived Quality, Satisfaction, and Loyalty Relationship: Applicability of Comparative and Noncomparative Evaluation
Authors: Darsono Licen Indahwati , Junaedi C. Marliana
Published: September 2018

This paper evaluates alternative measurement approaches to investigating the relationship amongst perceived quality, customer satisfaction, and loyalty. The authors define and measure the constructs within a relative attitudinal framework and compare these results to a noncomparative or individual evaluation of brands. In addition, loyalty is measured by and defined as a behavioral and attitudinal loyalty. The object of this research is teh botol whilst the subjects are undergraduate students in Surabaya and Yogyakarta. The proposed model, with satisfaction as a mediator between quality and loyalty, is found to be an acceptable representation of data across three brands of teh botol and for both comparative and noncomparative evaluation. The use of relative attitude, however, indicates a much stronger relationship amongst perceived quality, satisfaction, and loyalty than the attitude towards a brand when they are performed in individual evaluation. With respect to predictive ability, this study’s findings suggest that comparative evaluation has higher degree of applicability than does noncomparative evaluation.
Competitive Intensity as a Quasi-moderator of the Relationship between Innovative Efforts and Performance
Authors: Johnny Johnny
Published: September 2018

This study empirically investigates the moderating effect of competitive intensity on the relationship between innovative efforts and performance. The study proposes that a firm’s competitive intensity acts as a quasi-moderator of the relationship between innovative efforts and performance.The results support the predictions of the study. The results indicate that competitive intensity moderates the relationship between innovative efforts and performance such that when competitive intensity is high, the relationship between innovative efforts and performance is positive, and vice versa, when the competitive intensity is low, the relationship between innovative efforts and performance is negative. Furthermore, the results reveal that competitive intensity has a positive relationship to the level of innovative efforts but has a negative relationship to performance.
Voluntary Disclosure in the Annual Reports of Financially Distressed Companies in Indonesia
Authors: Wijantini Wijantini
Published: September 2018

This paper examines voluntary disclosure in the annual reports of financially distressed companies in Indonesia. The disclosure score range is between 3 percent and 49 percent with the mean and median score of 25 percent and 26 percent, respectively, at the onset of distress. The score is measured as the ratio of the total items disclosed to the maximum possible items score applicable to the firm. The most disclosed items are in the category of financial highlights and general corporate information whereas the three least disclosed items concern projections, liquidity, and research and development. Moreover, the results of this study reveal that the level of voluntary disclosure in the financially distressed firms is higher than that in non-financially distressed firms. There is no significant difference between the types of information disclosed by the 2  groups. The statistical tests are applied for various years. Consistent with findings in previous studies, the size of the firm appears to be a positive variable significantly affecting the disclosure level.
ASSESSING FACTORS AFFECTING the REPAYMENT RATE OF MICROFINANCE INSTITUTIONS: A Case Study of Village Credit Institutions of Gianyar, Bali
Authors: Arsyad Lincolin
Published: September 2018

This paper attempts to assess the influence of several factors on the repayment rate of the Village Credit Institutions (Lembaga Perkreditan Desa or simply LPDs) in Gianyar district in Bali. Using a quantitative approach (logistic model) the findings of this study indicate that the Balinese social custom, including social values, norms, and sanctions (informal institutions) have an influence on sustaining the high repayment rate of the LPDs. This finding conforms to the some previous studies using institutional approach that reveal the high repayment rate of the LPDs in Gianyar district is influenced by their institutional arrangement that based on custom regulation which includes social norms, sanctions, and involvement of custom village leader in screening process and contractual enforcement of loan (informal institutions), by regulations set up by the Central Bank (formal institutions), and by the mechanism of collecting loan repayments applied by the LPDs management.
The Impact of the Abolition of tax credit on ex-dividend day abnormal returns in the united kingdom (uk) market
Authors: Basuki Hardo
Published: September 2018

The ex-dividend day returns are composed of the capital gains component and the dividends component. This study mainly examines the relationship between the 1997 abolition of the tax-credit and the ex-dividend day abnormal stock returns in the UK market (London Stock Exchange). The 1997 abolition of the tax credit on dividend effectively reduced the income of pension funds and other tax-exempt shareholders who had a strong preference for dividends. This study finds that the ex-day abnormal returns (AR) declined from +0.0580 percent during the pre-abolition periods to -0.1459 percent during the post-abolition periods. This decline is statistically significant with a t-value of 2.0431. From these results it would appear that the ex-dividend day AR changed following the 1997 abolition of tax credits on dividends. Moreover the comparison tests of ex-day drop-off ratios between pre-and post-abolition periods show that drop-off ratios for all dividend yield groups increased significantly from 0.519 in the pre-abolition periods to 0.574 over the post-abolition periods with a t-value of 2.183. Thus, the decrease on ex-day AR was further supported by a significant increase in the average price-drop to dividend ratios.The decline in the ex-day AR for the post-abolition periods seems to be driven primarily by quintile 5 (the highest dividend yield quintile). Quintile 5 exhibits strong dividend preference and this preference is likely caused  by the  imputation system that provides a tax advantage to the tax exempt shareholders. This finding appears to suggest that the highest dividend yield securities are likely to be held by tax-exempt investors such as pension funds that were affected by the abolition of the tax credits on dividend.
Effective Information Technology Governance Mechanisms: An Australian Study
Authors: Ali Syaiful
Published: September 2018

Growing importance of information technology (IT), as a strategic factor for organizations in achieving their objectives, have raised the concern of organizations in establishing and implementing effective IT governance. This study seeks to empirically examine the individual IT governance mechanisms that influence the overall effectiveness of IT governance. The data were obtained by using web based survey from 176 members of ISACA (Information Systems and Audit Control Association) Australia. This study examines the influences of six proposed IT governance mechanisms on the overall effectiveness of IT governance. Using Factor Analysis and Multiple Regression techniques, the current study finds significant positive relationships between the overall level of effective IT governance and the following four IT governance mechanisms: the existence of ethics/ culture of compliance in IT, corporate communication systems, an IT strategy committee, and the involvement of senior management in IT.
AN INVESTIGATION INTO FACTORS INFLUENCING INTERNATIONAL STRATEGIC ALLIANCE PROCESS
Authors: Wahyuni Sari , Postma Theo J.B.M.
Published: September 2018

Empirical research indicates that strategic alliances, like other organizational forms, emerge as an adaptive mechanism to market uncertainty, and their developments over time reflect the co-evolution of distinctive firm capabilities and of industry and market activities. Interestingly, most strategic alliances go through similar revolutionary cycles in terms of their motives and capabilities toward the cooperative relationship. Studies in this areas how that alliance failure is an outcome of the co-evolutionary adjustment to changes in the market, the competitive dynamics between partners, and assessment of efficiency of the alliance as an alternative governance structure. It is thus critical to adopt a dynamics perspective and historical observations of cooperative process. This paper attempts to distil, derive and integrate theories across different perspectives into a unified framework that offers a better understanding of alliance process development. Our analysis shows that we can divide strategic alliance development into three phases of development: formation, operation and evaluation. We further endeavor to seek the important factors that should be taken into account in each stage of their life.
FORMALIZING PRODUCT COST DISTORTION: The Impact of Volume-Related Allocation Bases on Cost Information
Authors: Jermias Johnny
Published: September 2018

The purpose o f this study is to formally analyze product cost distortions resulting from the process of allocating costs to products based on Activity-Based Costing (ABC) and the conventional product costing systems. The model developed in this paper rigorously shows the impact of treating costs that are not volume related as if they are. The model demonstrates that the source of product cost distortion is the difference between the proportion of driver used by each product in ABC and the proportion of the base used by the same product in the conventional costing systems. The difference arises because the conventional costing systems ignore the existence of batch-related and product-related costs. The model predicts a positive association between volume and size diversity with product cost distortions. When interaction between volume and size diversity exists, the distortion is either mitigated or exacerbated. The magnitude of the distortion is jointly determined by the size of the differences and the size of the total indirect costs.
PRICE ANDVOLUME EFFECTS ASSOCIATED WITH CHANGES IN THE LQ 45 INDEX AND THE MSCI EQUITY INDEX LISTS
Authors: Harijono A.
Published: September 2018

This paper examines price and trading volume behavior surrounding announcements of changes in the composition of the liquidity (LQ) 45 and the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) Equity Index at the Jakarta Stock Exchange. Unlike listing studies in the developed markets, the announcements of the LQ45 Index changes have no impact on share price and trading volume. This may be due to the small role of Indonesian domestic institutional investors and purely rule-based characteristics of the LQ45 Index. On the contrary, the markets do respond to the changes in Indonesian stocks composition of the MSCI Equity Index. It seems that global portfolio managers, who dominate trading at the Jakarta Stock Exchange, rebalanced their portfolio when the changes in the MSCI Equity Index occurred because their performances are generally benchmarks to the return on the Index.
THE INTERVENING EFFECTS OF PROCEDURAL FAIRNESS AND INTERPERSONAL TRUST ON THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN MULTIPLE MEASURES-BASED PERFORMANCE EVALUATION AND MANAGERS' JOB SATISFACTION
Authors: Sholihin Mahfud , Lau Chong M.
Published: September 2018

Criticisms directed at the use of financial measures alone for performance evaluation have led to much interest in the use of nonfinancial performance measures to balance the financial measures. Hence, much recent research has been directed to investigate the effectiveness sand behavioral consequences of a mix of financial and nonfinancial measures (e.g. the Balanced Scorecard approach) in contemporary settings. However, there is evidence from prior studies to suggest that the manner or how performance measures are used may affect the subordinates' behavior and work-related attitudes indirectly through the subordinates' perception of the justness of these measures and the interpersonal trust these measures promote. There is also evidence to indicate that it is the extent of the subordinates' agreement with the performance measures used in the evaluation, rather than the measures per se, which affects their behavior and work-related attitudes. Subordinates are more likely to agree with performance measures which they regard as fair and which enhance their trust in their superiors. This study therefore investigates if the effects of a mix of financial and nonfinancial measures (such as those used in the Balanced Scorecard approach) on subordinates' job satisfaction are indirect through the subordinates' perception of the greater extent of fairness (justness) in the evaluation process and the greater extent of trust such a mix of measures promotes. The results, based on a sample of 70 managers, support the expectation that a mix of financial and nonfinancial has no direct effect on subordinates’ job satisfaction. Instead, the effects of such a mix of performance measures on subordinates’ job satisfaction are indirect through the enhancement of the subordinates’ favorable perceptions of procedural fairness and interpersonal trust.
THE RELATIONSHIPS AMONG DIFFERENT PERFORMANCE MEASURES IN INDONESIAN RETAIL CONTEXT
Authors: Soehadi Agus W.
Published: September 2018

Despite research into the links between market orientation and firm performance, research into the detail different measures of performance has been limited. This study develops different measures of performance in retail business and examines their relationship with market orientation. The results suggest that market orientation positively relate to nonfinancial indicators.  Also, indirect nonfinancial indicator can be treated as dominant mediator for the relationship between market orientation and financial indicator. Further, the findings suggest that different types of performance measurement affect the magnitude of market orientation and performance association.
PARADIGMS IN CONSUMER BEHAVIOR
Authors: Sihombing Sabrina Oktoria
Published: September 2018

A paradigm influences what we see and conceive about certain facts. Paradigm can also influence what we accept as a truth. Yet, the debate over which paradigm and methodology is best suit for marketing and consumer behavior has begun since 1980s. Many researchers criticized the domination of logical empiricism paradigm and offered alternative paradigm to understand marketing and consumer behavior. This article discusses several paradigms and methodology, which are part of qualitative paradigm, and compares them with positivism paradigm. This article will also point to the importance of reconciliation between qualitative and quantitative paradigm in order to improve marketing and consumer behavior studies.
Author Index
Authors: In Chief Editor
Published: September 2018

Author Index
Antecedents to Intention to Engage in the Online Negative Word-of-Mouth Communication
Authors: Mardhiyah Dien , Dharmmesta Basu Swastha , Purwanto B. M.
Published: September 2018

Complaints delivered directly to a firm will not be a problem if they can be handled properly, while the ones that are not disclosed directly to the firm but to a third party or even warnings to others not to use particular products or services, will be negative word-of-mouth communication. It can damage the image of the firm and be very detrimental. The purpose of this study was to analyze the antecedents of intention to engage in negative online word-of-mouth communication that includes dissatisfaction, service importance, success of complaint, complaint benefit, self confidence, altruism, retaliatory intention, and complaint cost. Medical services were selected considering the impact caused by the negligence of the service provider possibly giving rise to negative word-of-mouth communication. The online environment has been considered because of the developments in technology which provide opportunities for consumers to communicate with ach other. In addition, the dissemination of information through online media can spread incredibly widely and rapidly. The samples in this study comprised consumers of medical services who had disappointing experiences in using those services either directly or indirectly. A total of 123 questionnaires were analyzed with multiple regression analysis to test the research hypothesis. The results showed that the factors influencing the intentions behind negative online word-of-mouth communication were success of complaint, altruism, retaliatory intention, and complaint cost.
THE INFLUENCE OF CHANGE AGENTS ON INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DIFFUSION IN FIRMS
Authors: Utomo Hargo
Published: September 2018

The role of change agents in technological diffusion and innovation at firm level has been addressed in published literature mostly within the context of the developed countries. However, the involvement of change agents in the diffusion and adoption of IT-based innovations by small and medium-sized firms in the developing countries is largely unexplored. The main research questions are why and how management decisions to adopt and use IT are influenced (if any) by the interactions of key people in firms with several identified change agents. Case studies are used as the preferred approach to answer the research questions and to understand the qualitative aspects of IT diffusion at the level of the firm. The study concludes that IT diffusion in small and medium-sized firms expose mixed institutional influences. The mechanism by which change agents are involved in IT diffusion is also unique and is claimed to be different from that is generally found in other studies in this area. Some policy implications are proposed by this study.
HEAT TRANSFER ENHANCEMENT AND PRESSURE DROP FOR FIN-AND-TUBE COMPACT HEAT EXCHANGERS WITH DELTA WINGLET-TYPE VORTEX GENERATORS
Authors: Ghazanfari Seyed Alireza , Abdul Wahid Malan
Published: September 2018

Heat transfer rate, pressure loss and efficiency are considered as the most important parameters in designing compact heat exchangers. Despite different types of heat exchangers, fin-and-tube compact heat exchangers are still common device in different industries due to the diversity of usage and the low space installation need. The efficiency of the compact heat exchanger can be increased by introducing the fins and increasing the heat transfer rate between the surface and the surroundings. Numerous modifications can be applied to the fin surface to increase heat transfer. Delta-winglet vortex generators (VGs) are known to enhance the heat transfer between the energy carrying fluid and the heat transfer surfaces in plate-fin-and-tube banks, but they have drawbacks as well. They increase the pressure loss and this should be considered. In this paper, the thermal efficiency of compact heat exchanger with VGs is investigated in different variations. The angle of attack, the length and horizontal and vertical position of winglet are the main parameters to consider. Numerical analyses are carried out to examine finned tube heat exchanger with winglets at the fin surface in a relatively low Reynolds number flow for the inline tube arrangements. The results showed that the length of the winglet significantly affects the improvement of heat transfer performance of the fin-and-tube compact heat exchangers with a moderate pressure loss penalty. In addition, the results show that the optimization cannot be performed for one criterion only. More parameters should be considered at the same time to run the process properly and improve the heat exchanger efficiency.
CLOUD-BASED EXPERT SYSTEM FOR SYNTHESIS AND EVOLUTIONARY OPTIMIZATION OF PLANAR LINKAGES
Authors: Mitrev Rosen , Tudjarov Boris , Todorov Todor
Published: September 2018

The present paper introduces a cloud-based expert system for synthesis and evolutionary optimization of planar linkages. The kinematic structure of the linkage is composed by the modular approach based on Assur’s groups. The dyads are represented as functional blocks with input and output variables. The applied approach for obtaining the geometrical relationships between the input and the output variables of the dyads is based on the use of homogeneous transformation matrices. The developed software system allows a dimensional synthesis of planar linkages by using genetic optimization algorithms. One feature is remote creation of the models of genetic algorithms as well as the receiving of the results by means of a user-friendly interface. By exploiting the application, the user can produce and edit the initial information about the synthesized or optimized linkage; thus he can receive the calculation results as a web page and/or as MS Excel file. An additional mutation of the best chromosome genes by scanning of every gene within its searching space improves the optimal solution. The analyzed numerical case studies show the applicability of the developed software system for mechanism analysis, synthesis and optimization. Because the number of genes is not limited, the linkages with a very big number of design variables can be synthesized by exploiting the developed approach.
NORMALIZED WEIGHTED GEOMETRIC BONFERRONI MEAN OPERATOR OF INTERVAL ROUGH NUMBERS – APPLICATION IN INTERVAL ROUGH DEMATEL-COPRAS
Authors: Pamučar Dragan , Božanić Darko , Lukovac Vesko , Komazec Nenad
Published: September 2018

This paper presents a new approach to the treatment of uncertainty and imprecision in multi-criteria decision-making based on interval rough numbers (IRN). The IRN-based approach provides decision-making using only internal knowledge for the data and operational information of a decision-maker. A new normalized weighted geometric Bonferroni mean operator is developed on the basis of the IRN for the aggregation of the IRN (IRNWGBM). Testing of the IRNWGBM operator is performed through the application in a hybrid IR-DEMATEL-COPRAS multi-criteria model which is tested on real case of selection of optimal direction for the creation of a temporary military route. The first part of hybrid model is the IRN DEMATEL model, which provides objective expert evaluation of criteria under the conditions of uncertainty and imprecision. In the second part of the model, the evaluation is carried out using the new interval rough COPRAS technique.
PARAMETERS FORECASTING OF LASER WELDING BY THE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TECHNIQUES
Authors: Nikolić Vlastimir , Milovančević Miloš , Petković Dalibor , Jocić Dejan , Savić Milan
Published: September 2018

Laser welding process is used in many industrial sectors. One of the most important aspects of the laser welding quality refers to the geometrical and mechanical properties of welding joints. In order to develop optimal conditions for the laser welding process it is desirable to know in advance which machining parameters to select. Though there are manuals which recommend specific parameters combinations for the desired laser welding quality it is difficult to cover all possible combinations because of the process nonlinearity. Therefore, in this study the main aim is to establish an algorithm for optimal parameters forecasting of the laser welding process. The algorithm is based on an artificial intelligence approach. The main goal is to forecast the geometrical parameters of the welding joints like front width, front heights, back width and back heights of the welding joints. Experimental process was performed in order to acquire training and testing data of the laser welding process. The obtained results could be of practical importance for engineers in industry.
Direct Posterior Restorations: A 13-Year Survey of Teaching Trends and Use of Materials
Authors: Zabrovsky A , Mahmoud R , Beyth N , Ben-Gal G
Published: September 2018

Objective:

The study aimed to evaluate teaching trends and use of materials in direct posterior restorations during a 13-year period in an Israeli dental school.

Methods:

Data registered in computerized files, relating to posterior restorations performed in the student clinic during the past 13 years (2004-2016), were collected. The restorative materials used (ie, amalgam vs composite), the type of tooth, and the number of surfaces restored were analyzed.

Results:

Data analysis included 26,925 restorations performed during 13 years. The number of one-surface composite restorations increased from 54.7% (n=330) to 81.9% (n=873). Two-surface restorations increased from 33.3% (n=254) to 64.3% (n=721). The percentage of amalgam restorations in three-surface restorations decreased from 72.08% to 51.34% (n=173). Analysis of tooth type showed that in 2016, the number of composite restorations performed in premolars reached 80.87% (n=723) and in molars 63.50% (n=1035). The percentage of composite restorations in the mandible and the maxilla was virtually equal.

Conclusions:

A clear trend in favor of composite resin restorations is evident in the 13-year survey and suggests a move toward an amalgam-free era.
Data Linkage and Data Quality Assessment for Congenital Anomalies Surveillance in Ontario
Authors: Miao Qun (Grace) , Miao Shelley , Dougan Shelley
Published: September 2018

IntroductionBORN Ontario is collaborating with the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) to enhance the surveillance of congenital anomalies (CA) in Ontario and participate in the national CA Surveillance Enhancement Initiative. Since 2013, BORN has provided Ontario CA cases and the birth population data to the PHAC annually.

Objectives and ApproachThe objectives include a description of CA data linkage methodology and a data quality assessment. Suspected and confirmed fetal anomalies were ascertained from regional sites entering data in the BORN Information System’s (BIS) Antenatal Specialty (AS) and the Prenatal Screening Follow-up (PSFU) encounters. Newborn anomalies are identified from aggregate infant data ascertained from the Birth Child, Postpartum Child and Neonatal Care encounters. Both fetal and newborn anomalies are collected in the BIS using an extensive pick list, allowing for precise and accurate ascertainment. Once entered, pick list values are converted to ICD-10-CA codes or ranges using a lookup table.

ResultsA few pick list values for minor congenital anomalies are not mapped to ICD-10-CA codes in the BIS. In this year’s cohort (CY 2016), 13 pick list values did not map to ICD-10-CA codes. This impacted 127 of 5,346 records (2.4%, one infant may have multiple records). In these cases, the CA chosen from the pick list did not have a corresponding ICD-10-CA code. Among 447 PSFU fetal anomaly records for singletons (one fetus may have multiple records), 16 records did not have a corresponding ICD-10 code. Of the AS fetal anomaly records for singletons, 109 of 3,302 records (3.3%, one fetus may have multiple records) had fetal anomalies identified in the pick list that did not have a corresponding ICD-10-CA code.

Conclusion/ImplicationsBORN’s CA pick list values were developed and enhanced by clinical experts. There is a discrepancy between clinical diagnosis and the ICD-10-CA classification for certain sub-types of CA posing a challenge for mapping. To enhance data quality, BORN will continue to improve matching of pick list values with ICD-10-CA classification.
Data linkage to build detailed return-to-work trajectories for work disability research
Authors: Maas Esther , Zhang Wei , Koehoorn Mieke , McLeod Chris
Published: September 2018

IntroductionMusculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the most prevalent chronic condition in Canada, and account for the highest disability costs. Gradual-return-to-work (GRTW) can improve health and labour market outcomes in an aging workforce at risk of MSDs. Linked longitudinal data enables us to generate evidence of GRTW to inform policy needs.

Objectives and ApproachThe objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness and cost-benefits of GRTW for workers with a work-acquired MSD in British Columbia, Canada. We linked workers’ compensation data, health services data, and prescription data from three governing bodies to 1) identify injured workers with an accepted MSD lost-time injury between 2010 and 2015; 2) identify trajectories of RTW states (injury, sickness absence, GRTW, RTW, and non-RTW) and the probability of transitioning between states; and 3) assess the association between workers characteristics and RTW trajectories, and analyze the cost-benefits of GRTW.

ResultsFinal results are expected early 2019. To our knowledge, this will be the first study linking workers’ compensation data (in particular detailed RTW data), health services data and prescription data from three different governing bodies for a comprehensive, population-based investigation of work disability experiences over a longitudinal time period and within the Canadian context. Also, using this data for the purpose of assessing the cost-benefits is new, and will help to prioritize prevention resources and strategies to limit the health and economic impact of work-related MSDs on employers, workers’ compensation boards and society.

Conclusion/ImplicationsEvaluating the effects of GRTW on work disability is essential to maximize the health and economic benefits for injured workers. The innovation of this project is that is links three population-based databases to capture multiple indicators of health and work status to build RTW trajectories over time.
Experiences with Coding using ICD-11: “The Codes Paint a Clearer Picture”
Authors: Eastwood Catherine , Southern Danielle , Boxill Alicia , Maciszewski Malgorzata , Quan Hude , Cullen Denise , Penchoff Margaret , Ghali William
Published: September 2018

IntroductionA high performing health data classification system requires clear, comprehensive code descriptions and user-friendly coding tools for effective coding. Coding specialists have essential specialized knowledge to contribute to the development and functionality of the 11th version of International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) that will be released in June of 2018.

Objectives and ApproachThe objective was to evaluate coding specialists’ experience of coding using ICD-11 for complete inpatient hospital charts. Mixed methods were employed for a survey and interviews. As part of a large field trial, 6 certified coding specialists underwent training to use the ICD-11 Beta Draft browser and ICD-11 Coding Tool. The coding team completed multiple coding exercises and coded over 60 charts each prior to evaluation of their experience. An electronic survey was used to evaluate ICD-11 knowledge, comprehension, and application of the coding training. Interviews explored the coders’ experience of learning and using the ICD-11 classification system.

ResultsThe coding team (3 to 10 years of experience) received 14 hours classroom training and 5-10 hours per week of coding practice over 3 months. After training, perceived confidence in coding with ICD-11 was satisfactory; moderate (n=4), high (n=1), and low (n=1). Coding short scenarios was the most useful resource (n=6) and lack of guidelines was the most frustrating. Learning ICD-11 was deemed moderately (n=2) to somewhat (n=3) difficult but each coder described satisfaction in learning the new system. From the interviews, coders expressed liking the ability to more fully describe health conditions and hospital harms with code clusters. “The codes paint a clearer picture of what happened than with ICD-10”. With practice they achieved speed with the coding tools.

Conclusion/ImplicationsCoding specialists learned and proficiently used the Beta Version of ICD-11 coding system with moderate perceived confidence. New ICD-11 codes and clustering functions allowed for more complete description of health scenarios and enhanced coder satisfaction.
How good are electronic health records and death certificates for identifying Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia?
Authors: Schliep Karen , Ju Shinyoung , Varner Michael , VanDerslice Jim , Smith Ken
Published: September 2018

IntroductionEffects of early life conditions on Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related dementia (RD) risk have been hypothesized. However, prospective study is potentially cost prohibitive. Retrospective studies using routinely collected health records in large cohorts may be a feasible way to carry out such research, but diagnostic accuracy should be determined.

Objectives and ApproachWe aim to determine accuracy of AD/RD diagnoses in electronic health records (EHR) (inpatient, ambulatory surgery, and Medicare) and death certificates (DC) compared to gold standard. The Cache County Study on Memory in Aging (CACHE, 1995–2008) enrolled 90% of the county’s residents age ≥ 65 years (N=5092). Over the course of 12 years/4 triennial waves of thorough dementia ascertainment, 942 persons (18.5%) were identified with dementia. Prevalence of AD or AD comorbid with other dementia (AD mixed) was 12.8% and for RD alone, 5.7%. We used the Utah Population Database, linking EMR/DCs (1995–2008) to CACHE participants (98% linkage). 

ResultsThe prevalence of AD/AD mixed and RD in EHR/DCs was 12.2% and 35.8%. Among linked CACHE participants diagnosed with AD or AD mixed (n=628), 505 (80%) were captured by EHR/DCs as having some form of dementia (AD, AD mixed, or RD) with 301 (60%) correctly classified as having AD or AD mixed. Among those with RD (n=399), 275 (69%) were captured by EHR/DCs as having some form of dementia, with 163 (60%) correctly classified as having RD. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and area under the curve (AUC) were 48%, 93%, 49%, 93%, and 0.70 for AD or AD mixed; and 67%, 67%, 15%, 96%, and 0.67 for RD. Overall dementia agreement between CACHE diagnoses and EHR/DCs was fair (Cohen's κ = 0.34).

Conclusion/ImplicationsIn this will characterized cohort, routinely collected health record diagnoses of AD/AD mixed and RD have only fair correlation with carefully phenotyped diagnoses. Determining additional features of a person’s medical record that may be predictive of AD/RD via formal classification modeling is warranted.
Measuring the impact of transition on children aging out of child protective services
Authors: Chateau Dan , Brownell Marni , V Joykrishna , Prior Heather , Stevenson Dale
Published: September 2018

IntroductionOn their 18th birthday children in custody of provincial Child and Family Services (CFS) age out, and are adults in control of their own care. An additional extended transitional services program was introduced several years ago to address gaps in the provicion of, and access to, adult social services during this change.

Objectives and ApproachUsing linked population based data from the Manitoba Population Research Data Repository, children in the custody of CFS who turned 18 during a 10 year study period were compared to children not in custody. For those in custody of CFS, we also compared individuals who participated in the extended transitional care services to those who opted out. Outcomes included use of health services and prescription drugs, social assistance, involvment with the justice system, living in social housing, and mental health outcomes. For most outcomes, the two year period prior to the 18th birthday and the two year period after were measured.

ResultsDuring the study period, 4656 children in care of CFS turned 18 while in custody. There were 2811 permanent wards, of which 1663 participated in the extended transitional services program. An additional 1845 non-permanent wards also turned 18 during the study period. Permanent wards were much more likely to be long term wards (greater than six years, ~65\%) compared non permanent wards (~17\%). Opioid prescription rates more than doubled in the two years after their 18th birthday and were about 6 times greater than prescription rates for those not in care of CFS. Criminal accusation rates did not change after their 18th birthday, were about equal for permanent and non-permanent wards. For the majority of outcomes, the transitional services program appeared to have little impact.

Conclusion/ImplicationsCompared to children not in care of CFS, rates of most outcomes were considerably higher for wards. Not all outcomes demonstrated a significant change over the transition period. By linking data from so many different government departments, extra attention can be focused on areas likely to have the greatest impact.
Development and Characteristics of the Provincial Overdose Cohort in British Columbia, Canada
Authors: MacDougall Laura , Smolina Kate , Otterstatter Michael , Ko Margot , Godfrey David , Zhao Bin , Cheng Jing
Published: September 2018

IntroductionBritish Columbia has the highest rate of opioid overdose in Canada, driven by the use of illegal opioids such as fentanyl. In addition to ongoing surveillance, there is a need for more comprehensive data to identify risk factors, inform the development of interventions, and evaluate the public health emergency response.

Objectives and ApproachThe Provincial Overdose Cohort is a linked administrative dataset based on information from hospital admissions, physician visits, prescription dispensations, poison centre calls, ambulance, emergency department, coroner’s data, and First Nations Client File. Overdoses in the province were identified for the period January 2015-November 2016. Overdoses occurring within a 24 hour period across data sources were grouped as a single episode. For identified cases and for a control population (a 20% random sample of the BC residents), health care and prescribing history was appended dating back to 2010. Initial analyses were conducted based on a prioritization process with knowledge users.

ResultsIntegration of distinct data sources about overdose events provided a more complete understanding of the extent of the opioid crisis than use of a single dataset alone. Between January 1, 2015 and November 30, 2016 10,456 overdoses occurred in BC. Overdose deaths represented only 13% of individuals overdosing; 54% of all overdoses were captured through ambulance records and 46\% through emergency and hospital records, with some overlap between the datasets. Most cases had contact with the health care system in the year before overdose suggesting opportunities for intervention. Some demographic differences were noted when comparing fatal and non-fatal overdoses, but few differences in health or prescribing histories were identifiable using administrative data.

Conclusion/ImplicationsThe Provincial Overdose Cohort is a uniquely comprehensive dataset in a jurisdiction at the forefront of the opioid overdose response. Jurisdictions developing surveillance systems should consider the inclusion of ambulance, emergency room and hospital data in order to more completely characterize the population at risk.