David K. Whynes, Katherine Clarke, Zoë Philips and Mark Avis
To identify women's sources of information about cervical cancer screening, information which women report receiving during Pap consultations, information they would like to…
Abstract
Purpose
To identify women's sources of information about cervical cancer screening, information which women report receiving during Pap consultations, information they would like to receive, and the relationships between perceived information needs, personal characteristics and information sources.
Design/methodology/approach
Logistic regression analysis of questionnaire data obtained from 408 screen‐eligible women resident in east central UK.
Findings
Programme documentation and the Pap consultation represent the main sources of information, although a sizeable proportion rely on other sources (e.g. mass media). The range and frequency of information services which women report receiving during their Pap consultations are variable, and around one‐sixth of women report never receiving information. “Always wanting information” is predictable from subject characteristics, which do not map precisely, owing to the variation in frequency of information being supplied. Age and women's main sources of information are significant predictors of perceived information shortfall, and such shortfalls are associated with dissatisfaction with the screening programme.
Originality/value
Covers all aspects of women's attitudes towards satisfactory or unsatisfactory availability of external information in the matter of screening for cervical cancer in the UK.
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The purpose of this paper is to report the findings of a contingent valuation (CV) survey of health care services, designed to illuminate self-interest and benevolence on the part…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to report the findings of a contingent valuation (CV) survey of health care services, designed to illuminate self-interest and benevolence on the part of one sex for the other.
Design/methodology/approach
In a constructed scenario, men and women recorded how much they would be willing to contribute to each of three different types of cancer screening, one of which would be available only to members of the opposite sex.
Findings
Over two-thirds of individuals, amongst whom men were more heavily represented, chose an identical CV for all three services. Amongst those who nominated dissimilar values, a willingness to contribute to own-sex screening coupled with an unwillingness to contribute to opposite-sex screening was more common amongst women than amongst men. Both sexes valued own-sex screening more highly than opposite-sex screening yet, compared with men, women were prepared to offer proportionately less for the latter relative to the former. In an associated person trade-off task, women were considerably less likely than men to choose opposite-sex screening at the expense of a type from which they could benefit personally.
Originality/value
To date, very little research has been undertaken on differential responses to health valuation of care provision by sex. The results suggest a degree of asymmetry between the sexes, with respect to self-interest and benevolence.
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This register of current research in social economics has been compiled by the International Institute of Social Economics. The register does not claim to be comprehensive but is…
Abstract
This register of current research in social economics has been compiled by the International Institute of Social Economics. The register does not claim to be comprehensive but is merely an aid for research workers and institutions interested in social economics. The register will be updated and made more comprehensive in the future but this is largely dependent on the inflow of information from researchers in social economics. In order to facilitate this process a standardised form is to be found on the last page of this register. Completed forms, with attached sheets as necessary, should be returned to the compiler: Dr Barrie O. Pettman, Director, International Institute of Social Economics, Enholmes Hall, Patrington, Hull, N. Humberside, England, HU12 OPR. Any other comments on the register will also be welcome.
Guy Houghton and Mark S. Gihhorpe
Monthly prescribing behaviour is assessed over a 3‐year period, 1 April 1992 to 31 March 1995. Total monthly number of items prescribed and overall net ingredient cost are…
Abstract
Monthly prescribing behaviour is assessed over a 3‐year period, 1 April 1992 to 31 March 1995. Total monthly number of items prescribed and overall net ingredient cost are analysed for 263 general practices, serving the 1 million residents of Birmingham, UK. Patients aged over 65 years play an important role in elevated prescribing activity. Practice composition varies considerably between training and non‐training practices, and between fundholding and non‐fundholding practices. Accounting for these differences, fundholders expend less and prescribe fewer items than their non‐fundholding counterparts. This is observed against a steady increase in prescribing activity over the study period. There are, however, marked downward shifts in both the number of items prescribed and overall monthly expenditure occurring with every new wave of fundholding. The magnitude of these changes raises doubts about the efficacy of the transition to fundholding and the impact of such large changes upon patient care.
To examine the different discourses put forward on how the value of a public library can be measured and question their efficacy.
Abstract
Purpose
To examine the different discourses put forward on how the value of a public library can be measured and question their efficacy.
Design/methodology/approach
Discusses some of the methodologies used to evaluate public libraries and offers a viewpoint on the desirability of valuing public libraries from an economic standpoint.
Findings
The paper argues that focussing on the economic value of an institution like the public library runs the risk of demeaning its social and intellectual foundations. Additionally that obsession with issue statistics leads to an incorrect focus for libraries about their potential impact on their community.
Practical implications
The paper should be of interest to anyone researching the topic of public libraries and how they are perceived, as it offers a viewpoint on how libraries should be valued by society.
Originality/value
The paper offers an alternative viewpoint regarding the effectiveness of some of the mainstream evaluation methods used to justify the value of public libraries.
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Tasfiq E. Alam, Andrés D. González and Shivakumar Raman
The main objective of the paper is to develop an investment model using data envelopment analysis (DEA) that provides a decision-making framework to allocate resources…
Abstract
Purpose
The main objective of the paper is to develop an investment model using data envelopment analysis (DEA) that provides a decision-making framework to allocate resources efficiently, such that the relative efficiency is improved within an available investment budget.
Design/methodology/approach
Firstly, DEA models are used to evaluate the efficiency of the departments relative to their peers and providing benchmarks for the less efficient departments. Secondly, the inefficiencies in departments are identified. Finally, for the less efficient departments, a decision-support system is introduced for optimizing resource allocation to improve efficiency.
Findings
Five of the 18 academic departments were determined to be inefficient, and benchmark departments were found for those departments. The most prevalent causes for inefficiency were the number of undergraduate students per faculty and the number of graduate students. Results from the investment model for department 12 suggest increasing the number of faculty by 2 units and H-Index by 0.5 units, thereby, improving the relative efficiency of the department by 6.8% (88%–94%), using $290,000 out of $500,000 investment budget provided.
Originality/value
When an investment budget is available, no study has used DEA to develop a decision-support framework for resource allocation in academic departments to maximize relative efficiency.
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Claudine Kearney, Robert D. Hisrich and Frank Roche
While the term “entrepreneurship” is not exclusively a private sector phenomenon, it is usually associated with private sector business activity and more specifically with small…
Abstract
Purpose
While the term “entrepreneurship” is not exclusively a private sector phenomenon, it is usually associated with private sector business activity and more specifically with small to medium enterprises. However, over the last two decades it has appeared in the public administration literature with increasing frequency. The recent research in public sector entrepreneurial activity makes an exploratory comparative analysis of the key components that are applicable from private sector entrepreneurship timely as the topic is emerging as an area of academic inquiry and research. The purpose of this paper is to provide a comparative analysis of private and public sector entrepreneurship using an analytical model from private and public sector entrepreneurship.
Design/methodology/approach
A clear understanding of the research issues involved requires an appreciation of the nexus between private sector entrepreneurship and the more limited research field of public sector entrepreneurship. The paper identifies and examines the historical and evolutionary research on entrepreneurship as a basis for analysis of public and private sector entrepreneurship.
Findings
The paper provides a comprehensive analysis that highlights key similarities, differences or a combination between public and private sector entrepreneurship and develops an existing model and framework for a systematic approach to the public sector entrepreneurial process.
Originality/ value
Based on this exploration, new insights about public sector entrepreneurship are developed, practical implications for public sector entrepreneurs on how to approach public sector entrepreneurship more systematically and effectively are presented and opportunities for further research are identified.
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Gouda Abdel-Khalek, Mohammed Gamal Mazloum and Mohammed Ramadan Mohammed El Zeiny
The relationship between military expenditure and economic growth is complex. The purpose of this paper is to examine this relationship in India.
Abstract
Purpose
The relationship between military expenditure and economic growth is complex. The purpose of this paper is to examine this relationship in India.
Design/methodology/approach
The design of this study is descriptive in the theoretical part, and quantitative in the applied one. The study uses time series approach, and Hendry General-to-Specific (GTS) modeling methodology, to examine and analyze the relationship between military expenditure and economic growth in India, during the period 1980-2016.
Findings
The study shows the following: Absence of causal relationship between military expenditure and economic growth in India, during indicated period. The continuous regional tensions facing India represent the main factor for adopting Indian military strategy and emphasizing military capabilities. India has been able to build and develop links between civilian and military sectors. The Indian military scientific and manufacturing policies have achieved self-sufficiency in some of its military needs, a strong military industrial base and high levels of military exports. India participated with developed countries in military strategic industries. Such participation contributed to the integration of civilian and military sectors. India gave rights to private sector and foreign direct investment (FDI) for manufacturing in military industries, giving full marketing rights to the Indian government. These new policies considered a great move toward deep changes for Indian military manufacturing policy.
Social implications
The findings shed light on the importance of stimulating links between civilian and military sectors, particularly in the industrial sectors and scientific activities.
Originality/value
This study has a contribution to literature of military expenditures' economic effects. Theoretically, this study tries to fill the research gap regarding the impact of military expenditure in Indian case. Furthermore, to the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study that examines the relationship between military expenditure and economic growth in India using Hendry general-to-specific (GTS) modeling methodology and time series approach.