bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Deep Needle Procedures: Improving Safety With Ultrasound Visualization
Authors: Peabody Christopher R. , Mandavia Diku 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Promoting patient safety and increasing health care quality have dominated the health care landscape during the last 15 years. Health care regulators and payers are now tying patient safety outcomes and best practices to hospital reimbursement. Many health care leaders are searching for new technologies that not only make health care for patients safer but also reduce overall health care costs. New advances in ultrasonography have made this technology available to health care providers at the patient’s bedside. Point-of-care ultrasound assistance now aids providers with real-time diagnosis and with visualization for procedural guidance. This is especially true for common deep needle procedures such as central venous catheter insertion, thoracentesis, and paracentesis.
There is now mounting evidence that clinician-performed point-of-care ultrasound improves patient safety, enhances health care quality, and reduces health care cost for deep needle procedures. Furthermore, the miniaturization, ease of use, and the evolving affordability of ultrasound have now made this technology widely available. The adoption of point-of-care ultrasonography has reached a tipping point and should be seriously considered the safety standard for all hospital-based deep needle procedures.
Rate dependence of poly(vinyl chloride), the effects of plasticizer and time–temperature superposition
Authors: Kendall Michael J. , Siviour Clive R. 
Published: April 2014

Four different poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) materials varying in plasticizer content were studied in a combined experimental and analytical investigation including uniaxial compression tests at strain rates ranging from 10
−3
to 10
4
s
−1
at room temperature, and temperatures ranging from −115 to 100°C at a rate of 10
−2
s
−1
. Additional tests using a dynamic mechanical and thermal analyser were conducted on each PVC material to give a more detailed analysis of temperature and rate dependence. Adjusting the plasticizer content allows the temperature at which transitions, specifically the α-transition, or ‘glass transition’, and β-transition, occur to be moved in order to better examine the interplay of temperature and strain rate dependence. This program of research is then extended to time–temperature superposition where a novel application and interpretation of an established superposition method is presented.
Studying teamwork and team climate by using a business simulation
Authors: Ceschi Andrea , Dorofeeva Ksenia , Sartori Riccardo 
Published: April 2014

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to investigate how dimensions related to teamwork and team climate can influence decision making and learning of teams (performance). In order to understand which factors are more effective, several relevant group and team characteristics drawn from classical literature on groups and more recent empirical team simulation research have been considered.Design/methodology/approach– The paper presents the results of a longitudinal study carried out during four months. A total of 183 Italian participants, divided into 50 teams of three (n=24), four (n=19) and five (n=7) members, have been involved in a business game developed by several European savings banks and simulating a real stock market environment. The aim of each team is not only to earn virtual money, but also learning long-term strategies to develop profitable investments without losing sight of economic factors.Findings– Based on literature review, the authors tested three group levels (intragroup relations level, self-member level and group-design level) by making three hypotheses concerning the teams involved in the simulation and investigated the communication and innovation (CI) dimension from the Italian version of the team climate inventory (TCI) by Ragazzoniet al.A correlation between team performance and CI was found (r=0.301p=0.048), which is in line with the hypothesis that such factors as communication and support for innovation can affect the decision-making performance.Originality/value– The results presented in the paper let practitioners understand which dynamics characterize teamwork activities and how such aspects as communication and support for innovation can lead to group learning and decision-making performance. The simulation used in this research is an empirical way to study team performance and group learning without other noise variables.
Competence development and performance among Swedish micro firms
Authors: Yazdanfar Darush , Abbasian Saeid , Hellgren Carina 
Published: April 2014

Purpose– This study examines the association between performance and competence development among Swedish micro firms, measured as number of hours per person a company allocates annually to competence development.Design/methodology/approach– A panel dataset consisting of around 395 firms will be analyzed using seemingly unrelated regression-model (SUR-model) for relationships between the hours allocated to competence development and various proxies for business performance, and the relationship between attending a business training program and various proxies for business performance.Findings– The empirical results are mixed showing a positive association between owners' attendance on a business training program and company performance merely with regard to four performance variables: better job satisfaction within a company, increased number of employees, organizational improvements and increased exports. However, the findings provide no evidence to suggest that there is a link between competence development and other performance variables.Practical implications– The present study provides a better understanding of the relationship between company performance and competence development. An investment in entrepreneur training and education could ensure the improvement of the performance of micro firms. This implication is especially relevant to firms in such industries as the service sectors, which are highly competitive.Originality/value– This study is based on a unique sample including many relevant variables, compared to previous researches. To the authors' best knowledge, this study is the one of the first empirical investigations focusing on this issue in the Swedish context.
KPIs for facility's performance assessment, Part II: identification of variables and deriving expressions for core indicators
Authors: Lavy Sarel , A. Garcia John , K. Dixit Manish 
Published: April 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to identify key variables that affect the quantifiable key performance indicators (KPIs) and to derive equations to measure these indicators. Qualitative KPIs are also discussed in terms of the aspects that need to be covered while carrying out qualitative performance assessment.

Design/methodology/approach
– A combination of literature and an industry opinion-based qualitative approach is applied to develop equations to calculate the quantifiable KPIs. A facility asset management consulting firm is included in the process of deriving the equations. Key aspects of a facility's qualitative performance assessment are categorized and discussed by performing a literature review.

Findings
– Mathematical expressions for core performance indicators are presented and discussed along with key variables. In addition, the information needed to quantify these core indicators is also discussed.

Research limitations/implications
– This paper represents the second step towards establishment of a relevant list of quantifiable and measurable core KPIs, which were identified and categorized in Part I of this paper. In Part II, the authors derive equations to quantify the core KPIs. Future research is needed to use relevant information from industry for validating these equations.

Practical implications
– A need for a concise and relevant list of KPIs was identified in Part I of this paper. Part II provides an approach to quantify the core KPIs based on information that is available in the industry. This research will help facility management professionals in not only selecting the indicators of choice, but also quantifying them based on available information yielding enhanced facility management decisions with measurable facility performance outcomes.

Originality/value
– This paper provides equations and variables to measure a facility's physical, functional and financial performance using both quantitative and qualitative performance assessments.
The role ofguanxinetworks in the performance of women-led firms in China
Authors: Matthew Scott Jonathan , T. Harrison Richard , Hussain Javed , Millman Cindy 
Published: April 2014

Purpose– This exploratory study aims to examine how knowledge acquired viaguanxi(networks and connections) is enabling women in China to overcome a number of significant barriers and challenges in order to start and grow successful businesses.Design/methodology/approach– The authors undertook two in-depth interviews to qualitatively investigate the use ofguanxias a means of overcoming various barriers faced by Chinese women in establishing and growing their businesses.Findings– The findings suggest that family background (and, in particular, support from parents and spouses), experience, training, education and finance are key success factors influencing the performance of women-led firms in China. The experiences of the two entrepreneurs in the study demonstrate the importance of mentors in helping to develop a woman's business acumen and providing the right contacts to help overcome potential barriers to developing a successful business.Research limitations/implications– While this study provides a useful first step to better understanding the role ofguanxinetworks in supporting women-led ventures in China, further research is needed to test the generalizability of the findings.Originality/value– This study contributes to the limited prior research focusing on the important role ofguanxinetworks in assisting Chinese women to successfully launch and grow new ventures.
Female entrepreneurship in rural Vietnam: an exploratory study
Authors: Nguyen Cuc , Frederick Howard , Nguyen Huong 
Published: April 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of governmental support policies and socio-cultural influences on female entrepreneurship in rural Vietnam. As such, the study addresses an important literature gap concerning female entrepreneurship within rural communities in South East Asia.

Design/methodology/approach
– Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with six female entrepreneurs and six female non-entrepreneurs in northern Vietnam to examine the influence of various environmental factors on female entrepreneurship in a rural setting.

Findings
– The results suggest that government pro-entrepreneurship policies, together with private sector interventions, have had an impact on rural Vietnam. Yet females in rural and remote Vietnam are still constrained by societal prejudices, financial limitations, and limited entrepreneurship educational opportunities.

Originality/value
– The paper's originality lies in its review of the circumstances confronting women in rural Vietnam and its findings concerning the impact of environmental factors on female entrepreneurship in this setting.
Exploring gender-related perceptions of SME success
Authors: Christopher Weber Paull , Geneste Louis 
Published: April 2014

Purpose– Small and medium enterprise (SME) research into the meaning and perception of success is now reaching beyond (the somewhat stereotypical) extrinsic success measures such as sales, number of employees, and profit. Researchers now identify the goals and expectations of the owner(s) of a business as central to their likely performance and preferred success metrics. Therefore, this paper aims to overlay perceptions of success and gender to establish whether success is conceptualised in the same way across genders.Design/methodology/approach– The study analyses the responses from 375 male and female SME owners to a range of quantitative success metrics and also explores the responses provided to a number of qualitative questions surrounding the owners' perceptions of success.Findings– Although the average female-owned business in the study is significantly smaller than the average male-owned business, they perform equally well on extrinsic measures that relate outputs (profit) to inputs (assets and hours worked). Further, the female SME owners appear to be more satisfied with both the success of their business and their lifestyle, than their male counterparts.Originality/value– The findings suggest that the social feminists hold sway (men and women have different perceptions of success) and there is value in incorporating a feminine perspective when examining what business owners are looking for from their ventures. That is, measures of SME success need to adopt a person-centered perspective.
Expanding a Canadian community health centre
Authors: T. Greening Stacy , Wild Cameron , Caine Vera 
Published: April 2014

Purpose
– The current study's purpose is to examine, through a case study, a community health centre board's governance during an expansion period with particular attention to the organizational and internal board relations that contribute to or inhibit expansion.

Design/methodology/approach
– All board members on the slate during the expansion were invited to participate in one semi-structured interview. Administrative data (board documentation and correspondence) were also used to inform the study. Discourse analysis was used to analyze the data.

Findings
– While board members agreed with the expansion they acknowledge that the expansion process should be examined. Board members identified missing board skill sets, comfort with governance and low organizational understanding as personal barriers to an enhanced process. External barriers included: absent decision support tools; documentation and information availability and historical decision making processes.

Research limitations/implications
– Half the board members agreed to participate in the interviews. Of those declining, 30 percent cited difficulties during the expansion period as their rationale for withdrawing.

Originality/value
– Findings add to: the limited publications regarding primary healthcare service expansion; and understanding expansion and volunteer board members' roles and their governance process during this time.
Implementing quality initiatives in healthcare organizations: drivers and challenges
Authors: Abdallah Abdallah 
Published: April 2014

Purpose
– Various quality initiatives seem to have successful implementation in some healthcare organizations yet fail in others. This paper sets out to study the literature trying to understand drivers and challenges facing quality initiatives implementation in healthcare organizations then compare findings from literature with those of a structured questionnaire answered by 60 representatives from 18 hospitals. Finally it proposes a framework that mitigates challenges and utilizes drivers to ensure best implementation results.

Design/methodology/approach
– Literature regarding implementing various quality initiatives in the healthcare sector was reviewed. Representatives from several healthcare organizations were surveyed. Results from both approaches are compared to highlight the key challenges and drivers facing implementers.

Findings
– This research reveals that internal factors related to leadership and employees greatly affect quality initiative success or failure. Design and relevance play a major role in successful implementation.

Practical implications
– This research offers healthcare professionals greater success when implementing certain quality initiatives by taking success/failure factors into consideration. A general framework for successful implementation in the healthcare sector is provided.

Originality/value
– This article uncovers reasons behind success or failure in a comprehensive and practical way. It also explores how most popular quality initiatives are applied in hospitals.
Concurrent implementation of quality improvement programs
Authors: Elisabeth Nyström Monica , Garvare Rickard , Westerlund Anna , Weinehall Lars 
Published: April 2014

Purpose– Competing activities and projects can interfere with implementing new knowledge and approaches. The purpose, therefore, was to investigate processes and impact related to implementing two concurrent quality initiatives in a Swedish hospital. These were a regionally initiated, system-wide organizational learning programme called the Dynamic and Viable Organization (DVO) and a national initiative on stopping healthcare-associated and hospital-acquired infections (SHAI). Both undertakings aspired to increase staff competence in systematic improvement approaches.Design/methodology/approach– Multiple methods were applied including surveys, observations, interviews, process diaries, documents and organizational measurements. Respondents were unit managers, change facilitators and improvement team members.Findings– Even though both initiatives shared the same improvement approach, there was no strong indication that they were strategically combined to benefit each other. The initiatives existed side by side with some coordination and some conflict. Despite absent management strategies to utilize the national SHAI initiative, positive developments in QI culture and communication were reported. The current study illustrates the inherent difficulties coordinating change initiatives, even in favourable circumstances.Orginality/value– This article addresses the lesser studied but common situation of coinciding and competing projects in organizations.
Group treatment in a male low secure mental health service: a treatment description and descriptive evaluation
Authors: Nagi Claire , Davies Jason , Shine Laura 
Published: April 2014

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to describe the development, content and structure of an intensive group-based intervention designed to address a range of needs common to individuals within low secure forensic mental health settings. Additionally, the feasibility, acceptability, resource implications and levels of participation and understanding are evaluated.Design/methodology/approach– This paper describes the development, content and structure of an intensive group-based intervention designed to address a range of needs common to individuals within low secure forensic mental health settings. Additionally, the feasibility, acceptability, resource implications and levels of participation and understanding are evaluated.Findings– Analysis showed that the intervention was well received by staff and participants and that those with low self-report knowledge at the start showed large improvements. Recorded levels of participation and understanding were lower than expected.Research limitations/implications– Group-based interventions in low secure settings can be developed from existing “what works” information. Such treatments can feasibly be delivered although participants may need support – something which is not reported in many intervention studies. Research is now needed to assess the impact of the General Treatment & Recovery Programme (GTRP) intervention on participants.Originality/value– The development of treatment programmes for offending behaviour within low secure forensic mental health settings is still in its infancy. This paper outlines and describes the development of such an intervention, namely the GTRP.
Female offenders who commit domestic violence: Aggression characteristics and potential treatment pathways
Authors: McKeown Annette 
Published: April 2014

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to inform understanding of female offenders who commit domestic violence. This contentious area of research is growing and there are strong indications that men and women perpetrate similar levels of domestic violence. This has resulted in increasing interest in understanding the characteristics of such offenders as well as considering treatment pathways.Design/methodology/approach– In this study, female prisoners (n=92) completed a measure of psychological and physical aggression (Revised Conflict Tactics Scales, Strauset al., 1996) to explore the types of domestic violence experienced and perpetrated in most recent and previous relationships.Findings– Results indicated high levels of psychological aggression and physical assaults both experienced and perpetrated by female offenders in current and previous relationships. Physical assaults tended to be severe and high levels of mutual violence were reported both in most recent and previous relationships.Practical implications– The findings suggest the importance of service provision and treatment pathways for female domestic violence perpetrators. On the basis of the findings, treatment needs of such offenders are considered and potential treatment pathways are reflected upon.Originality/value– There are little known publications exploring the prevalence and characteristics of female domestic violence perpetrators in prison. Research has also tended to focus on current relationships as opposed to considering both current and previous relationships. This paper explores these areas and will be of interest to practitioners working with this client group.
Assessing and treating sexual offenders with mental disorders
Authors: Lord Alex , Perkins Derek 
Published: April 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to increase our understanding of the role of mental disorder in sexual offending as well as identifying innovations in assessment and treatment with offenders who present with these typically complex risks and needs.

Design/methodology/approach
– The converging literatures on “good lives” and other developments in sexual offender treatment are compared with recovery from mental disorder and what is known about the particular needs and characteristics of sexual offenders with mental illness and severe personality disorder (PD).

Findings
– A key outcome of this review is that many mentally disordered sexual offenders have similar needs to those in prison and the community but there are particular challenges posed by severe PD, paraphilias and the relatively rare individuals whose offending is functionally linked to psychotic symptoms.

Practical implications
– Practical implications include the need for case formulation of complex needs related to mental disorder using direct and indirect measures of attitudes and interests. Treatment needs to be responsive to very different personality and mental health presentations as well as problems with offending and cognitive schemas. Direct functional links between mental health symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations are very rare in practice and are usually secondary to PD and sexual offending issues. In practice, treatment promoting recovery from mental disorder is highly compatible with the “good lives” approach to sexual offender treatment. Staff development, supervision and support are particularly important for staff treating mentally disordered sexual offenders.

Originality/value
– It is argued that mentally disordered sexual offenders are an under-researched sub-group within the wider sexual offender population. This paper brings together the relatively limited literature on treatment with examples of recent treatment innovations, multi-modal assessment approaches and reviews of research on the needs of this relatively uncommon but highly risky group.