Erica Falkenström and Anna T. Höglund
The purpose of this paper is to contribute knowledge on ethical issues and reasoning in expert reports concerning healthcare governance, commissioned by the Swedish healthcare…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to contribute knowledge on ethical issues and reasoning in expert reports concerning healthcare governance, commissioned by the Swedish healthcare system.
Design/methodology/approach
An in-depth analysis of ethical issues and reasoning in 36 commissioned expert reports was performed. Twenty-seven interviews with commissioners and producers of the reports were also carried out and analysed.
Findings
Some ethical issues were identified in the reports. But ethical reasoning was rarely evident. The meaning of ethical concepts could be devalued and changed over time and thereby deviate from statutory ethical goals and values. Several ethical issues of great concern for the Swedish public healthcare were also absent.
Practical implications
The commissioner of expert reports needs to ensure that comprehensive ethical considerations and ethical analysis are integrated in the expert reports.
Originality/value
Based on an extensive data material this paper reveals an ethical void in expert reports on healthcare governance. By avoiding ethical issues there is a risk that the expert reports could bring about reforms and control models that have ethically undesirable consequences for people and society.
Details
Keywords
Erica Falkenström and Anna T. Höglund
The purpose of this paper is to analyse ethical competence related to healthcare governance and management tasks at the county/regional level in Sweden. The paper also discusses…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyse ethical competence related to healthcare governance and management tasks at the county/regional level in Sweden. The paper also discusses conditions that support or constrain the development and application of such competence.
Design/methodology/approach
The study is based on original qualitative data from 13 interviews and 6 meeting observations. Three key groups of actors were included: politicians, civil servants and CEOs in publicly financed health-provider organizations. An abductive analysis was carried out by a stepwise method guided by thematic research questions.
Findings
The informants viewed themselves as having a high degree of ethical responsibility for healthcare practice. However, they did not integrate ethical reflection and dialogue into their work decisions (e.g. regarding budgets, reforms and care agreements). The current organization, control systems and underlying business principles, along with the individuals’ understanding of their own and others’ roles, tended to constrain the development and use of ethical competence.
Practical implications
Qualities of an appropriate ethical competence related to healthcare governance and management, and conditions to develop and use such competence, are suggested.
Originality/value
Hardly any empirical research has examined ethical competence related to healthcare governance and management tasks. The paper integrates ethics and theories on learning in organizations and contributes knowledge about ethical competence and the conditions necessary to develop and practise ethical competence in an organizational and inter-organizational context.
Details
Keywords
Erica Falkenström, Jon Ohlsson and Anna T Höglund
The purpose of this paper was to explore what kind of ethical competence healthcare managers need in handling conflicts of interest (COI). The aim is also to highlight essential…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper was to explore what kind of ethical competence healthcare managers need in handling conflicts of interest (COI). The aim is also to highlight essential learning processes to develop healthcare managers’ ethical competence.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative study was performed. Semi-structured interviews with ten Swedish healthcare managers from different care providers were carried out twice and analysed through step-wise categorisation.
Findings
Four categories of COI were revealed and two ways (passive and active) in which COI were handled. Ethical guidelines did not help the healthcare managers to handle the COI, and none of the managers made use of any sort of systematic ethical analysis. However, certain ethical competence was of great importance to identify and handle COI, consisting of contextual understanding, rational emotions, some theoretical knowledge and a suitable language. Organising work so that ethical analysis can be carried out is of great importance, and top management needs to clearly express the importance of ethical competence and allocate resources to allow adequate learning processes.
Originality/value
This paper highlights the management level and focuses on how work-integrated learning-processes can enable ethical competence. Ethical competence at the management level is essential both to comply with the constitution and legal requirements regarding healthcare, and so that managers are able to analyse COI and justify their decisions.
Details
Keywords
Helena Bulińska-Stangrecka, Anna Bagieńska and Anuradha Iddagoda
The issue of trust in Industry 4.0 is extremely important from an organization’s perspective. The dynamic development of 4.0 technologies implies wide-ranging changes, which, in…
Abstract
The issue of trust in Industry 4.0 is extremely important from an organization’s perspective. The dynamic development of 4.0 technologies implies wide-ranging changes, which, in order to be implemented effectively, require cooperation based on trust. The purpose of this literature analysis is to identify key research areas regarding trust in Industry 4.0 and to identify further research directions.
Based on a comprehensive literature analysis, the most prominent areas of research on trust issues in Industry 4.0 will be presented (k=36). This chapter will also identify and discuss directions for further research.
The results of the analysis enable to illustrate the trends of science development in the area of Industry 4.0, as well as to identify key issues related to trust. Moreover, the research problems for further studies on the analyzed issue will also be indicated.
The research presented here identifies key Industry 4.0 technologies that are based on trust.
The review provides a valuable resource for practitioners regarding the critical aspects of implementing Industry 4.0 with respect to trust.
This is the first comprehensive literature review diagnosing research areas, technologies, and directions for future research on trust in Industry 4.0.
Details
Keywords
Gerry Larsson, Madelene Höglund and Jonas Henrysson
The Indirect Leadership Questionnaire (ILQ) is constructed to measure important parts of a theoretical model of indirect leadership to be used in leadership courses for high-level…
Abstract
Purpose
The Indirect Leadership Questionnaire (ILQ) is constructed to measure important parts of a theoretical model of indirect leadership to be used in leadership courses for high-level managers. The ILQ consists of 15 model-derived items plus extra space that provides for free-text comments. This study aims to evaluate the psychometric properties of the ILQ, its predictive power and practical usefulness in indirect leadership courses and to evaluate the indirect leadership model in the light of new data.
Design/methodology/approach
The study sample consisted of 225 higher managers and 6–10 of their subordinates (total: 1,703). The latter were working at least two hierarchical levels below their higher manager. The managers made self-ratings, and the subordinates rated their respective higher manager using the ILQ.
Findings
Results showed that the ILQ has acceptable psychometric properties in terms of dimensionality (two model-compatible factors were obtained), reliability, discriminability and predictive power. Previous problems with many “Don’t know” responses from subordinates working two or more hierarchical levels below their higher manager were considerably reduced. A qualitative analysis of the free-text responses showed that indirect leadership behaviors that can be seen as inspirational influence and communication skills should be more emphasized in future indirect leadership courses. The leaders’ personality, task-related competence and performance-orientation were also highlighted more than in the indirect leadership model.
Research limitations/implications
It was concluded that the ILQ is a useful tool in indirect leadership courses but that it is too limited to be used as a basis for theory development of indirect leadership.
Originality/value
The ILQ has acceptable psychometric properties and provides an easy-to-use tool to gain practical, usable knowledge of the “how’s” of indirect leadership.
Details
Keywords
Perry den Brok, Anna van der Want, Douwe Beijaard and Theo Wubbels
In this chapter, a model to understand teachers’ professional identity, appraisals and behaviours in the classroom is presented and illustrated with empirical data. It is argued…
Abstract
In this chapter, a model to understand teachers’ professional identity, appraisals and behaviours in the classroom is presented and illustrated with empirical data. It is argued that the comparison between interpersonal identity standards and interpersonal appraisals of classroom situations results in two types of emotions experienced by teachers. One type of emotion is the direct result of teachers’ interpretations of, and coping with, specific classroom events whereby their emotions are part of the appraisal process of situations and evaluated in the light of their interpersonal role identity standards. The second type of emotion emerges as a result of tensions or dilemmas of prolonged differences between appraisals and identity standards. It is argued that the Teacher Interpersonal Identity Role and Appraisal model is helpful for both researchers and practitioners to better understand, recognise and support beginning (and experienced) teachers with emotions that occur in the classroom, and to help stimulate both their personal as well as professional development.
Details
Keywords
FULL CIRCLE? The Danish public library service is one of the most developed systems in the world. From unlimited borrowings of books, loans of records and artworks, to concerts…
Abstract
FULL CIRCLE? The Danish public library service is one of the most developed systems in the world. From unlimited borrowings of books, loans of records and artworks, to concerts, filmshows and public meetings, the average Danish public library is genuinely a community centre. Danish authors receive a lending right payment for the use of their books in public libraries.
Bo Bergman, Bengt Klefsjö and Lars Sörqvist
The aim of this paper is to investigate the development of the quality movement in Sweden since the mid-20th century. The authors are convinced that a summary of the Swedish…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to investigate the development of the quality movement in Sweden since the mid-20th century. The authors are convinced that a summary of the Swedish quality journey so far will offer important lessons for further quality improvements in Sweden and elsewhere.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors study how the quality movement has been included in the industrial agenda and how it has been adopted in student curricula and in research. The authors have a focus on how business leaders have learnt, adopted, adapted and innovated with respect to quality development. often in collaboration with academia.
Findings
Although the quality movement has fit well with the Swedish culture and that successful corporate leaders have successfully used the specific cultural characteristics there is still a lot to be learnt with respect to the public sector, where the ideas from the quality movement have problem to overcome institutional barriers.
Research limitations/implications
The study is limited to the Swedish context.
Practical implications
There is a serious need to revitalize the public sector by getting leaders and politicians to understand the need for systematic quality improvement.
Social implications
If future Swedish achievements with respect to healthcare and other social welfare elements are to once again become world-class, the public sector needs to be open-minded and collaborate with the industrial sector and academia to find cost-effective strategies for making quality improvements. However, the private sector must also be alert not to be overtaken by some highly active Asian countries.
Originality/value
Swedish large companies have been very successful in applying quality leadership – however, in the public sector, this has not been the case. Suggestions for improvement are made.