Presents the concept of “entranets”, entrepreneurial partnerships enabled by computer networking. Compares the concept to the Japanese keiretsu model. Discusses the expanding role…
Abstract
Presents the concept of “entranets”, entrepreneurial partnerships enabled by computer networking. Compares the concept to the Japanese keiretsu model. Discusses the expanding role of technology in day‐to‐day business dealings. Presents case studies of successful employment of the entranet concept. Recommends actions for capturing the full benefits of the concept and the technologies.
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Achieving lasting, profitable growth is often a matter of maintaining “alignment”. Companies need to ensure that their strategy, organization, processes, culture and systems…
Abstract
Achieving lasting, profitable growth is often a matter of maintaining “alignment”. Companies need to ensure that their strategy, organization, processes, culture and systems remain mutually supportive ‐ i.e. “aligned” ‐ rather than in conflict. Information technology can be a powerful tool for helping complex companies stay aligned. Of particular promise is the relatively new set of technologies known as “knowledge technologies” ‐ networks, groupware like Lotus Notes, WWWebware, etc. ‐ that in combination provide a breadth, depth, and immediacy of communication and knowledge sharing not available in any other single medium. Describes a philosophy and an approach for improving business alignment through knowledge technologies.
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This paper collects together quotations and extracts from 19th and 20th century thinkers who were little-known for being supporters of workplace democracy.
Investigates the differences in protocols between arbitral tribunals and courts, with particular emphasis on US, Greek and English law. Gives examples of each country and its way…
Abstract
Investigates the differences in protocols between arbitral tribunals and courts, with particular emphasis on US, Greek and English law. Gives examples of each country and its way of using the law in specific circumstances, and shows the variations therein. Sums up that arbitration is much the better way to gok as it avoids delays and expenses, plus the vexation/frustration of normal litigation. Concludes that the US and Greek constitutions and common law tradition in England appear to allow involved parties to choose their own judge, who can thus be an arbitrator. Discusses e‐commerce and speculates on this for the future.
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Under this heading are published regularly abstracts of all Reports and Memoranda of the Aeronautical Research Council, Reports and Technical Notes of the United States National…
Abstract
Under this heading are published regularly abstracts of all Reports and Memoranda of the Aeronautical Research Council, Reports and Technical Notes of the United States National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics and publications of other similar Research Bodies as issued
Regis Terpend, Christian Rossetti and James Kroes
Physician review websites (PRW) and Medicare requirements are pressing administrators to measure, monitor and improve healthcare service delivery. Healthcare service attributes…
Abstract
Purpose
Physician review websites (PRW) and Medicare requirements are pressing administrators to measure, monitor and improve healthcare service delivery. Healthcare service attributes linked to patient satisfaction have received increased attention. Text analysis provides an alternative methodology to capture contemporaneous data on service delivery attributes. A Kano analysis based on these service attributes can help administrators prioritize service delivery and ultimately improve patient satisfaction.
Design/methodology/approach
Healthcare service attributes were defined from 4,000+ comments on a PRW using latent content text analysis. The resulting 15 attributes were validated by medical professionals using a q-sort methodology and analyzed using a Kano methodology.
Findings
The 15 attributes cover three domains of healthcare service – clinic operations, competency and care. The Kano analysis yields a hierarchy, or pyramid, of healthcare service attributes: (1) must-be’s: establish service operational capabilities and benchmark peer performance; (2) satisfiers: establish and increase trust through: (a) clinical competence, (b) careful management of young patients and (c) delivery of appropriate care and treatment (3) delighters: use service-dominant logic to provide patient-centered care.
Originality/value
This research bridges the gap between the “what” and “how” that is frequently missing in text analysis of online reviews. We provide a methodology coupled with a Kano analysis, a widely used quality improvement tool, which results in a hierarchy of service attributes that can guide administrators and researchers.
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Matti Haverila, Russell Currie, Kai Christian Haverila, Caitlin McLaughlin and Jenny Carita Twyford
This study aims to examine how the theory of planned behaviour and technology acceptance theory can be used to understand the adoption of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs)…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine how the theory of planned behaviour and technology acceptance theory can be used to understand the adoption of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs). The relationships between attitudes, behavioural intentions towards using NPIs, actual use of NPIs and word-of-mouth (WOM) were examined and compared between early and late adopters.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey was conducted to test the hypotheses with partial least squares structural equation modelling (n = 278).
Findings
The results indicate that relationships between attitudes, intentions and behavioural intentions were positive and significant in the whole data set – and that there were differences between the early and late adopters. WOM had no substantial relationship with actual usage and early adopters’ behavioural intentions.
Originality/value
This research gives a better sense of how WOM impacts attitudes, behavioural intentions and actual usage among early and late adopters of NPIs and highlights the effectiveness of WOM, especially among late adopters of NPIs. Furthermore, using the TAM allows us to make specific recommendations regarding encouraging the use of NPIs. A new three-stage communications model is introduced that uses early adopters as influencers to reduce the NPI adoption time by late adopters.
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Charl De Villiers, Sile Chen, Chenxing jin and Yiner Zhu
– The authors aim to investigate the ability of a New Zealand university to rely on the CO2 sequestered in the trees on campus to mitigate the CO2 emissions caused by operations.
Abstract
Purpose
The authors aim to investigate the ability of a New Zealand university to rely on the CO2 sequestered in the trees on campus to mitigate the CO2 emissions caused by operations.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors count and measure the trees on the university's 68 hectare main campus, ignoring smaller trees that sequester very little CO2.
Findings
The authors estimate that the 4,139 trees the authors count contain 5,809 tonnes of CO2. The authors further estimate the additional CO2 sequestration over the next ten years to be 253 tonnes per year. The university's annual CO2 emissions were 4,086 tonnes in 2011. More than 70 per cent of this amount relates to overseas travel. Therefore, CO2 sequestration in trees promises to mitigate only about 6 per cent of total emissions over the next ten years.
Practical implications
This suggests that other initiatives will be needed if the university is serious about reducing its greenhouse gas emissions impact. An obvious avenue appears to be to reduce overseas travel, e.g. by finding different ways for academic staff to network and obtain feedback on their research. Other universities and other organisations starting to investigate their environmental impact are likely to similarly find that CO2 sequestration in trees can only provide limited mitigation opportunities.
Originality/value
The authors contribute to the ongoing debate around carbon emissions, exploring avenues to mitigate CO2 emissions.
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Cecilia Mercieca, Sara Cassar and Andrew A. Borg
This paper assesses the patients' healthcare information needs and expectations when they attend a rheumatology outpatient clinic. It proposes that obtaining the patients'…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper assesses the patients' healthcare information needs and expectations when they attend a rheumatology outpatient clinic. It proposes that obtaining the patients' perspectives about the services they use is an essential service-development tool. The aim of this paper is to expand the current domains used to evaluate these perspectives.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper is an exploratory study, looking at quality assessment and improvement based on Donabedian's quality model in a rheumatology outpatient setting. A structured interview schedule addressing care pathways was used and 70 consecutive patients were recruited.
Findings
The article provides insights about how relevant change can be brought about when service development is contemplated. It suggests that patients are important stakeholders in the ongoing service development process.
Research limitations/implications
Because rheumatological conditions tend to be chronic and require long-term follow-up, the results may lack generalisability. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test propositions in different clinical settings.
Practical implications
The article highlights healthcare delivery areas that are not meeting patient expectations. Some recommendations (such as informing waiting patients regularly about any delays) require minimal additional resources for successful implementation. Service providers need to obtain the patients' healthcare perspectives to ensure that services are built around their needs.
Originality/value
This article fulfils an identified need to study how patients perceive service quality.