bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of R&D investments on persistence of abnormal earnings
Authors: Asthana Sharad C. , Zhang Yinqi 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThis paper sets out to test the effects of firms’ and industry's R&D intensity on persistence of abnormal earnings.Design/methodology/approachOhlson's valuation model is used with pooled regressions along with Fama–Macbeth methodology on yearly regressions and partitioning on Herfindahl index to conduct the tests.FindingsIt was found that firms’ and industries’ R&D intensities are both positively correlated with persistence of abnormal earnings. The evidence suggests that the positive effect on earnings persistence caused by R&D's effectiveness in mitigating competition dominates the negative effect brought by more risk from R&D projectsPractical implicationsThe fact that the firm's own R&D investment leads to incremental earnings persistence beyond that of the industry suggests the importance of incorporating both industry and firm's R&D intensity in earnings persistence. While industry R&D investment leads to competition mitigation via creation of entry barriers, a firm's own investment in R&D differentiates its products from those of its competitors, and thereby results in further competition mitigation by creating replacement barriers.Originality/valueFinally, since R&D intensity is correlated with earnings persistence, inclusion of R&D intensity in future earnings persistence studies may lead to better model specification by reducing the problem of correlated omitted variables.
The motivation to care
Authors: Moody Roseanne C. , Pesut Daniel J. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to describe a model of nurses' work motivation relevant to the human caring stance of professional nursing work.Design/methodology/approachThe model was derived from selected theories of behavioral motivation and work motivation. Evidence‐based theory addressing nurses' work motivation and nurses' motivational states and traits in relation to characteristics of organizational culture and patient health outcomes is suggested in an effort to make a distinct contribution to health services research. An integrated review of selected theories of motivation is presented, including conceptual analyses, theory‐building techniques, and the evidence supporting the theoretical propositions and linkages among variables intrinsic to nurses' work motivation.FindingsThe model of the Motivation to Care for Professional Nursing Work is a framework intended for empirical testing and theory building. The model proposes specific leadership and management strategies to support a culture of motivational caring and competence in health care organizations.Originality/valueAttention to motivation theory and research provides insights and suggests relationships among nurses' motivation to care, motivational states and traits, individual differences that influence nurses' work motivation, and the special effects of nurses' work motivation on patient care outcomes. Suggestions for nursing administrative direction and research are proposed.
Decentralising the NHS: rhetoric, reality and paradox
Authors: Goddard Maria , Mannion Russell 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to examine the issues of decentralisation in the NHS.Design/methodology/approachEvidence was gathered from an empirical study in order to illustrate the effect of policy reform on relationships at both the central and the local level. In this paper issues were examined in the context of two reforms at the heart of the decentralisation agenda in the English NHS: earned autonomy and the introduction of foundation hospitals.FindingsPast and current policy in the NHS reflects elements of both centralisation and decentralisation. The tension created by such opposing forces has an impact not only on inter‐organisational partnership working but also on the balance of power within local health economies.Originality/valueAttempts to control the NHS exhibit unresolved contradictions and tensions. This research showed that the challenge for policymakers, managers and clinicians is to manage such tensions.
Predicting future healthcare costs: how well does risk‐adjustment work?
Authors: Cucciare Michael A. , O'Donohue William 
Published: July 2006

PurposeRisk‐adjustment is designed to predict healthcare costs to align capitated payments with an individual's expected healthcare costs. This can have the consequence of reducing overpayments and incentives to under treat or reject high cost individuals. This paper seeks to review recent studies presenting risk‐adjustment models.Design/methodology/approachThis paper presents a brief discussion of two commonly reported statistics used for evaluating the accuracy of risk adjustment models and concludes with recommendations for increasing the predictive accuracy and usefulness of risk‐adjustment models in the context of predicting future healthcare costs.FindingsOver the last decade, many advances in risk‐adjustment methodology have been made. There has been a focus on the part of researchers to transition away from including only demographic data in their risk‐adjustment models to incorporating patient data that are more predictive of healthcare costs. This transition has resulted in more accurate risk‐adjustment models and models that can better identify high cost patients with chronic medical conditions.Originality/valueThe paper shows that the transition has resulted in more accurate risk‐adjustment models and models that can better identify high cost patients with chronic medical conditions.
Home care outsourcing strategy
Authors: Drake Paul R. , Davies Bethan M. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThis paper aims to help public sector managers that are formulating strategies for outsourcing home care from the independent sector.Design/methodology/approachA review was performed of relevant literature on the outsourcing of home care and its political drivers in the UK. This indicates that the future of home care services, taking into consideration outsourcing and how Best Value will be achieved, has not been researched widely. Therefore, an exploratory approach to research was adopted here using in‐depth analysis of a small number of particularly informative local authorities and private providers selected by purposive/judgemental (extreme and critical case) sampling. Personal contact was deemed necessary in order to perform an intensive investigation to pursue in‐depth information.FindingsThe British Government's Best Value regime is driving local authorities towards increasing levels of outsourcing in the provision of home care. A local authority may choose to outsource all of its home care or maintain some in‐house provision based on capacity or capabilities that are complementary to those provided by the independent sector. The 100 per cent outsourcing strategy places enabling demands on the local authority, whereas the alternative strategy requires decisions to be made on what should be outsourced. Across the authorities surveyed, six strategies for creating a mixed economy of care have been identified, with the mix being based on complementary capacity and/or capabilities. With Best Value driving authorities to consider lower‐cost options, the outcome may be a reduction in the amount of complementary capacity provided in‐house, in favour of strategies involving complementary capabilities that deliver the Best Value possible. Re‐enablement is emerging as a common, complementary or core capability that is remaining in‐house. Outsourcing also requires decisions to be made on the number of independent providers to be used and the type of contracts to be employed. This paper considers the decisions that have been made in the local authorities surveyed and critiques the alternative home care outsourcing strategies so derived.Research limitations/implicationsTo date, the research has focused on Wales in general plus a few local authorities in England. The next stage will be to survey England in more detail along with other countries that are implementing substantial outsourcing of home care, such as Canada.Practical implicationsThis paper provides timely guidance to public sector and health care managers seeking Best Value in home care through outsourcing.Originality/valueLittle has been found in the literature on strategies for outsourcing home care, yet such strategies are needed urgently in the UK to achieve Best Value. The World Health Organization stresses that strategies should be drawn up for providing support to patients and carers at community level in order to avoid costly institutional care.
Hospital organization culture, capacity to innovate and success in technology adoption
Authors: do Carmo Caccia‐Bava Maria , Guimaraes Tor , Harrington Susan J. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeAbsorptive capacity has been defined as an organization's ability to recognize the value of new information, assimilate it, and apply it to productive ends. This study aims to examine the type of organization culture that influences the capacity of hospital organizations to innovate by absorbing new technology and the importance of this absorptive capacity in information technology (IT) implementation success.Design/methodology/approachBased on previous research, this study proposes a measure of absorptive capacity that includes managerial IT knowledge and communication channels and tests its relationship to the level of success implementing new systems. A sample of 192 hospital administrators shared their opinions about their organizations culture, ability to absorb new technology, and the extent to which their latest IT implementation operational for at least one year has been a success.FindingsThe results show the importance of organization culture as an important factor in developing absorptive capacity, and the latter's influence in the implementation of new technologies.Originality/valueThe study provides insights into the types of activities that management should undertake in order to enhance absorptive hospital capacity.
Safety and complexity
Authors: Waring J. , McDonald R. , Harrison S. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeCurrent thinking about “patient safety” emphasises the causal relationship between the work environment and the delivery of clinical care. This research draws on the theory of normal accidents to extend this analysis and better understand the “organisational factors” that threaten safety.Design/methodology/approachEthnographic research methods were used, with observations of the operating department setting for 18 month and interviews with 80 members of hospital staff. The setting for the study was the Operating Department of a large teaching hospital in the North‐West of England.FindingsThe work of the operating department is determined by inter‐dependant, “tightly coupled” organisational relationships between hospital departments based upon the timely exchange of information, services and resources required for the delivery of care. Failures within these processes, manifest as “breakdowns” within inter‐departmental relationships lead to situations of constraint, rapid change and uncertainty in the work of the operating department that require staff to break with established routines and work with increased time and emotional pressures. This means that staff focus on working quickly, as opposed to working safely.Originality valueAnalysis of safety needs to move beyond a focus on the immediate work environment and individual practice, to consider the more complex and deeply structured organisational systems of hospital activity. For departmental managers the scope for service planning to control for safety may be limited as the structured “real world” situation of service delivery is shaped by inter‐department and organisational factors that are perhaps beyond the scope of departmental management.
Paediatric surgery fluid management audit (January‐June 2004), John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford
Authors: Hall T. , Lakhoo K.K. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo ensure that paediatric surgery patients receive appropriate intravenous fluids post‐operatively.Design/methodology/approachRetrospective case‐series study of paediatric patients undergoing major abdominal surgery, comparing fluids received with a target regimen and noting the effect on urine output and serum sodium.FindingsPatients in the study received larger amounts of fluid than the target regimen. Urine outputs were normal to high. Post‐operative sodium levels were normal in all patients.Originality/valuePaediatric surgery fluid management is an ongoing and important subject for debate. Audit can help improve implementation of accepted fluid management protocols. Interdepartmental seminars, a national survey of practice, and revision of fluid management protocols have resulted from this survey.
Water demand management in the Middle East and North Africa
Authors: Magiera Philipp , Taha Suzan , Nolte Lothar 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo provide an overview of current trends and developments in water demand management (WDM) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).Design/methodology/approachA survey was conducted based on a questionnaire, approaching members of the German Technical Cooperation network in the Mediterranean and the EMWIS internet platform. Survey results were compiled, analysed, and compared, tabular data was compiled and visualised.FindingsPaper summarises main trends and issues related to water consumption, water pricing, water awareness, and water efficiency in the MENA, and derives changes compared to an earlier study. WDM efforts now focus more on drinking water supply than irrigation, the breadth of efforts has increased in the recent past.Research limitations/implicationsNo information for Israel and Lebanon could be provided. It is recommended to repeat this kind of research in, i.e. five year intervals to be able to track the further development of WDM in this water scarce region.Practical implicationsVery useful primer for WDM in the region, summarising current trends, facts and figures. Deduces fields of action for policy makers, development agencies and NGOs active in WDM in the region.Originality/valueMost recent overview on the topic available. Provides benchmarks for decision makers in the countries covered, encourages regional dialogue on best practices in WDM.
Toxicity of heavy metals to duckweed‐based wastewater treatment ponds with different depth
Authors: El‐Shafai Saber A. , Nasr Fayza A. , El‐Gohary Fatma A. , van der Steen N. Peter , Gijzen Huub J. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe main purpose of this study is to investigate the bioaccumulation pattern and fate of heavy metals in duckweed‐based wastewater treatment ponds with different depth.Design/methodology/approachThree replicates of four reactors were used in this experiment. The reactors were randomly distributed on the bench and filled with 50 percent diluted sewage for the control reactors whereas diluted sewage mixed with 5 mg Pb/l and 5 mg Zn/l was used for the treatment reactors. The reactors were stocked with Lemna gibba at 1,000 g fresh weight per each square meter. The culture tanks were exposed to temperature range of 21‐25°C and light regime of 16 hours light using halogen lamps and 8 hours dark. The light intensity was maintained around 200 μ E m−2 S−1. The experiment extended for 30 days. Regular monitoring of the growth performance of duckweed was carried out with subsequent analysis of dry matter, heavy metals, phosphorous and nitrogen content. Composite samples from the water phase were subjected to the analysis of ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, orthophosphate and sulfate concentration. The analysis of sediment and biofilm were carried out at the end of the experiment. Interpretation of results was carried out using one‐way analysis of variance.FindingsStatistical analysis showed a significant reduction in the growth rate of duckweed within the first five days exposure time. After five days exposure, the growth rate in the treatments returned to the normal growth till day 15 after which the growth became significantly lower in the small and medium scale ponds. The results revealed that zinc is more bio‐available than lead and both metals are mostly precipitated in the sediment probably as sulfides.Practical implicationsThe results help in enhancement of heavy metals removal in a small anaerobic pretreatment unit before entering to the pond system by sulfate addition.Originality/valueThe results of the study confirm the positive effect of pond depth in reducing the heavy metal toxicity to the duckweed‐based wastewater treatment ponds.
Implementation of dust control system using management and planning tools (MPT)
Authors: Ahmad Rosmaini , Kamaruddin Shahrul , Khan Zahid A. , Mokthar Mohzani , Putra Almanar Indra 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo introduce a research carried out in a real world for implementing a dust control system (DCS) for controlling the indoor air quality (IAP) on the production floor of one of the major electronics company in Malaysia.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is arranged as follows, a brief description of the significant of DCS in electronic industry and brief introduction to the electronic company as a case study company for introducing the DCS. The discussion on the characteristics management and planning tools (MPTs) that have been adopted as the analysing tools for assisting in the decision‐making process in identifying the problems and improvement strategies. It follows by the detail analysis phase regarding the implementation process that it as backbone for introducing the DCS. Finally a discussion about the result obtained from the MPT analysis on the techniques for identifying the root causes of the dust pollution problem as well as the best improvement strategies that can be adopted by the case study company.FindingsThree analysis techniques from MPT have been used; there are relation diagram, tree diagram and prioritization matrices analyses. These techniques are very powerful for analysing the specific problem using verbal data. The outputs (results) from these techniques have been used as the solutions to the dust pollution problem. As a result, the implementations of DCS successfully reduce the dust level and stabilise the dust distribution on the production floor.Practical implicationsThis paper offer a systematic way in identifying and controlling the IAP in industry.Originality/valueThis paper introduces very useful methods in decision making for identifying the solutions for environmental problem and implementation of DCS in a real world environment.
Which future urban scenarios can we construct?
Authors: Dischinger Marta , Marçal Jackson José 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo discuss and analyze models of urban design practice based on the examination of an accessibility project developed in Florianópolis, a medium‐sized capital city in the South of Brazil.Design/methodology/approachThe paper describes a design process of a new problem – how to improve access to public urban spaces for excluded groups, such as visually impaired citizens – and examines its development, successes and failures and the relationships between its participants. A reflective analysis is done in order to reach a relational comprehension of the economic, social and political factors involved.FindingsCritical examination of the project revealed three important aspects. The first is that at all stages it is fundamental to create channels of communication that give a voice to users. The second is that technical knowledge is not neutral, and incorporating multiple views can bring innovative technical solutions and also the external support that is necessary to solve complex problems. Third, the fragility of public institutions and the weakening of state services caused by neo‐liberal policies is a key determinant for the success of urban design processes.Originality/valueThe analytical effort needed to extend the boundaries beyond our own actions as architects (in a conflicting urban design project), demonstrated the importance of producing knowledge based on a reflective attitude towards practice.
Incorporating environmental concern in product development
Authors: Johansson Glenn 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe paper aims at providing empirically‐based insights into product development when environmental performance requirements are addressed. The purpose is to investigate characteristics of product development projects when environmental performance requirements are considered.Design/methodology/approachThe research was carried out as in‐depth case studies of two commercial product development projects. Data was primarily collected via open‐ended semi‐structured interviews. Other sources of data include written project material, such as minutes from meetings, project and product specifications, company‐internal education material, etc. A few project meetings were also attended.FindingsThe paper indicates that the characteristics of product development projects differ when environmental performance requirements are considered. On the basis of the identified differences a two‐dimensional model is suggested. It contains the dimensions “level of ecodesign experience” and “environmental complexity”. The model outlines a tentative contingency framework that can be used for positioning different organisations concerning their level of experience in ecodesign and the challenges they face concerning complexity in the interrelationships between the products and the environment.Practical implicationsThe findings presented in the paper provide some insights into the characteristics of projects carried out in organisations in which the “level of ecodesign experience” and “environmental complexity” differ. Aspects related to the two dimensions represented in the model are discussed in the paper. This should support companies to be better prepared for managing the challenges associated with the incorporation of environmental performance requirements into product development projects.Originality/valueAlthough different issues have been addressed in earlier ecodesign research, one problem is that ecodesign research often addresses the environmental impacts exclusively, whereas other aspects of product development are omitted or only briefly discussed. Taking the starting point in a number of elements that have been outlined in the literature as representing vital areas of concern in product development, this paper contributes to the understanding of how development organisations consider environmental performance requirements in the product development projects.
Application of biotechnology in waste management for sustainable development
Authors: Englande A.J. , Jin Guang 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper covers a perspective as related to sustainable development of natural resources with a focus on application of biotechnology in waste management.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents an overall view of industrial waste management practices as pertaining to substantiality of resources with emphasis on biodegradation of industrial pollutants. Methodologies employing biotechnology and striving towards the goal of sustainable development/production are discussed in this regard and particular attention is given to: regulatory consideration and trends; characterization of toxics for resource reuse; ecotoxicological assessment evaluations; treatment trends and innovative techniques, residual management.FindingsBiotechnology is an important component needed to successfully achieve the goal of sustainability. “Value‐added” products from by‐products/waste and novel technologies employing biotechnical principles represent areas where significant opportunities exist.Practical implicationsThe approach described here not only applies to water resource management but also includes multi‐media and multi‐disciplinary consideration.Originality/valueThe information presented herein hopefully will stimulate discussion and act as a catalyst for future direction. It perhaps may also serve as a point of reference for future evaluations of accomplishment.