In Hong Kong, the application of information technology (IT) in both the public and private sectors is essential to maintaining Hong Kong’s position as one of the world’s leading…
Abstract
In Hong Kong, the application of information technology (IT) in both the public and private sectors is essential to maintaining Hong Kong’s position as one of the world’s leading financial and commercial centres. IT or IS (information systems) professionals working in the IT industry, with technical know‐how and business acumen, are key elements to the success of most IT projects. A major concern is that there are not enough of these IS professionals to cope with the growing demand. The Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Information Systems (BAIS) was implemented at City University of Hong Kong (CityU) to meet this shortfall. The programme aims to produce a new breed of IS people who are experts in areas of IT and IS; those who realize the importance of business functions and understand how to fit IT and IS into a business, helping it to gain strategic advantages over its competitors. Looks at IS professional requirements in Hong Kong, and presents an introduction and an initial report on the BAIS programme currently being offered at CityU.
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Peter Sidorko, Ruth Wong, Alice Tai and Eva Wong
To describe the introduction of a collaborative, user‐initiated, unmediated, interlibrary loan service for returnables between initially three and then all eight universities in…
Abstract
Purpose
To describe the introduction of a collaborative, user‐initiated, unmediated, interlibrary loan service for returnables between initially three and then all eight universities in Hong Kong.
Design/methodology/approach
Historical narrative combined with user and staff evaluation.
Findings
The introduction of the service has been a great success.
Originality/value
This article describes in detail the introduction of a service that will be of interest and relevance to many other libraries facing declining budgets and the need to share resources in an efficient and effective way.
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Theresa Kwong, Eva Wong and Kevin Downing
The purpose of this paper is to exhibit the integration of learning and study strategies inventory (LASSI) with the City University of Hong Kong information systems to promote…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to exhibit the integration of learning and study strategies inventory (LASSI) with the City University of Hong Kong information systems to promote teaching and learning within the university.
Design/methodology/approach
From the 2006 entry cohort, all undergraduate freshmen at City University of Hong Kong are required to complete LASSI online through Administrative Information Management System (AIMS). Each student is required to take LASSI at three specific times during their undergraduate careers. With the cooperation of H&H publishing, City University has developed a program within AIMS to upload LASSI results of individual students so that the students can view their scores whenever they wish to. In addition to helping the students develop their learning and study strategies, the integration between LASSI and the university's information system provides academic staff with aggregated LASSI scores for their students.
Findings
The integration of LASSI with the university's information systems is found to be useful as students have the possibility of reviewing their progress in terms of learning and study strategies while teachers can design appropriate teaching and learning activities according to the relative strengths and weaknesses in learning of their own classes to assist students. In addition, the input of LASSI data to the City University AIMS helps administrative personnel correlate LASSI results with the other detailed information available in the AIMS.
Originality/value
This paper provides other institutions with insights into the integration of LASSI with the university's information systems to enhance the teaching and learning environment within the university. It aims to inform decision makers of issues in centralizing and accessing students' data to improve teaching and learning.
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Peter Lau, Theresa Kwong, King Chong and Eva Wong
This paper aims to apply the inventory – Comprehensive Assessment of Team Member Effectiveness (CATME) to examine the development of teamwork skills among freshmen from the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to apply the inventory – Comprehensive Assessment of Team Member Effectiveness (CATME) to examine the development of teamwork skills among freshmen from the Chinese Mainland through a cooperative learning activity (group project) in the context of Hong Kong.
Design/methodology/approach
The questionnaire survey was conducted twice, at the beginning (pre) and end (post) of the group project; qualitative interviews were undertaken after their project completion.
Findings
It was found that, except for Category 5 (having relevant knowledge, skills and abilities), the post mean scores in all items of other four categories declined, because students’ Chinese Mainland backgrounds led to their different understanding toward teamwork, as unveiled by the qualitative interviews. However their project completion enabled them to acquire the relevant competencies, causing the rise in the mean scores of Category 5.
Research limitations/implications
Limited by the small sample size and American-driven CATME, this study did not observe the significant improvements in students’ self-reported evaluation of teamwork. There should be more applications of this instrument into the Asian and Chinese contexts for having it adapted to different national and cultural situations.
Practical implications
As a gap observed in Chinese Mainland students’ understanding to teamwork, overseas education institutions can incorporate this for curriculum development.
Originality/value
As a pioneer work in applying the CATME in the Chinese Mainland situation, this study implied a significant room for such kind of inventories mainly originated from west to incorporate the diverse national and cultural characteristics.
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Theresa Kwong, Hing‐Man Ng, Kai‐Pan Mark and Eva Wong
The purpose of this paper is to compare students' and faculty members' perceptions of academic integrity; their understanding of experiences pertaining to different aspects of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to compare students' and faculty members' perceptions of academic integrity; their understanding of experiences pertaining to different aspects of academic misconduct (e.g. plagiarism); and to examine the underlying reasons behind academic integrity violations in a Hong Kong context.
Design/methodology/approach
A mixed methods approach comprising quantitative and qualitative methodologies was used. First, a quantitative survey was conducted with students and faculty. Results from the survey were used to generate interview questions for an interview‐based qualitative study, which consisted of individual interviews for faculty members and focus group interview for students.
Findings
Results from both the survey and interviews showed that faculty members and students do not share a consensus on the definition of the seriousness of plagiarism and collusion. Students, in general, commit misconduct due to academic work, pressure for grades, and teachers' unclear instructions of academic integrity. Faculty members rarely report cases of misconduct to the university and handle the cases according to their own standard.
Originality/value
The topic of academic integrity has received increased attention in the past decade from college and university teachers and administrators around the world. Plagiarism is amongst the most widely studied acts of dishonesty in the area of academic behavior in universities world‐wide. Not many studies have investigated other acts of academic dishonesty and teachers' perception of academic integrity, especially in the Chinese context. The findings from this study provide useful insights for educators to implement academic honesty education programs, especially within the Chinese context, and especially in Hong Kong. The results also provide the foundations in developing an online academic integrity tutorial for the sampled institution.
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Harnesh Makhija, P.S. Raghukumari and Anuja Sethiya
This study explores the moderating effect of board gender diversity (BGD) between a firm's Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance and Economic value added (EVA…
Abstract
Purpose
This study explores the moderating effect of board gender diversity (BGD) between a firm's Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance and Economic value added (EVA) using NSE-listed 331 companies' data from 2015 to 2020, forming 1986 firm-year observations.
Design/methodology/approach
Our study is based on panel data; hence, we use a system GMM panel regression model to confirm whether the BGD moderates ESG and EVA. We also address the endogeneity issues.
Findings
Overall, our study reported a positive moderating effect of BGD between ESG and EVA. Similar results were observed across the chemical and financial services industries. However, in the case of the healthcare and consumer goods industries, we did not find support for the moderating effect.
Practical implications
The implications of our results are considerable and relevant for regulators, governing bodies, and corporate managers. It helps them understand how BGD plays a vital role in influencing the effect of ESG on a firm's EVA.
Originality/value
No existing research has explored the moderating effect of BGD between ESG and EVA, to the authors' best knowledge. Therefore, our study extends the existing literature and further supports resource dependency, agency, and stakeholder theories of corporate governance.
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Yvonne Ufitinema, Rex Wong, Eva Adomako, Léonard Kanyamarere, Egide Kayonga Ntagungira and Jeanne Kagwiza
The purpose of this paper is to describe the quality improvement project to increase the medical record documentation completion rate in a district hospital in Rwanda. Despite the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe the quality improvement project to increase the medical record documentation completion rate in a district hospital in Rwanda. Despite the importance of medical records to support high quality and efficient care, incomplete documentation is common in many hospitals.
Design/methodology/approach
The pre- and post-intervention record completion rate in the maternity unit was assessed. Intervention included assigned nurse to specific patients, developed guideline, provided trainings and supervisions.
Findings
The documentation completion rate significantly increased from 25 per cent pre-intervention to 67 per cent post-intervention, p < 0.001. The completeness of seven out of the ten elements of medical records also significantly increased.
Practical implications
The quality improvement project created a cost-effective intervention that successfully improved the documentation completion rate. Ongoing monitoring should be continued to learn sustainability.
Originality/value
The results are useful for hospitals with similar settings to improve completion of nursing documentation and increase nursing accountability on patient care.
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Naasson Gafirimbi, Rex Wong, Eva Adomako and Jeanne Kagwiza
Improving healthcare quality has become a worldwide effort. Strategic problem solving (SPS) is one approach to improve quality in healthcare settings. This case study aims to…
Abstract
Purpose
Improving healthcare quality has become a worldwide effort. Strategic problem solving (SPS) is one approach to improve quality in healthcare settings. This case study aims to illustrate the process of applying the SPS approach in implementing a quality improvement project in a referral hospital.
Design/methodology/approach
A project team was formed to reduce the hospital-acquired infection (HAI) rate in the neonatology unit. A new injection policy was implemented according to the root cause identified.
Findings
The HAI rate decreased from 6.4 per cent pre-intervention to 4.2 per cent post-intervention. The compliance of performing the aseptic injection technique significantly improved by 60 per cent.
Practical implications
This case study illustrated the detailed application of the SPS approach in establishing a quality improvement project to address HAI and injection technique compliance, cost-effectively. Other departments or hospitals can apply the same approach to improve quality of care.
Originality/value
This study helps inform other hospitals in similar settings, the steps to create a quality improvement project using the SPS approach.
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Adeline Nyiratuza, Rex Wong, Eva Adomako, Jean D’Amour Habagusenga, Kidest Nadew, Florien Hitayezu, Fabienne Nirere, Emmanuel Murekezi and Manassé Nzayirambaho
Hospitals are responsible for protecting the well-being of their patients and staff. To do so, accurate information is needed for the hospital to make appropriate decisions and…
Abstract
Purpose
Hospitals are responsible for protecting the well-being of their patients and staff. To do so, accurate information is needed for the hospital to make appropriate decisions and allocate resources efficiently. This study aims to describe the implementation process of a surveillance system to reduce hospital-acquired infection (HAI) reporting errors in the maternity unit of a district hospital in Rwanda.
Design/methodology/approach
The team adapted an evidence-based tool to identify and report HAI, provided training to staff and distributed reporting responsibilities equally between the maternity staff to improve accuracy in HAI reporting.
Findings
The intervention successfully reduced the reporting discrepancy of HAI from 6.5 to 1.9 per cent: p < 0.05.
Practical implications
This case study described the implementation process of a surveillance system using strategic problem solving to reduce HAI reporting errors. The results can inform hospitals in similar settings of the steps to follow to implement a cost-neutral HAI surveillance system to reduce reporting errors. The accurate data will enable the hospital to take corrective measures to address HAI in the future.
Originality/value
The results will inform hospitals in similar settings of steps to follow to implement a cost-neutral HAI surveillance system using the SPS approach to reduce reporting errors.
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Solange Umulisa, Angele Musabyimana, Rex Wong, Eva Adomako, April Budd and Theoneste Ntakirutimana
The purpose of this study is to improve the hand hygiene compliance in a hospital in Rwanda. Hand hygiene is a fundamental routine practice that can greatly reduce risk of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to improve the hand hygiene compliance in a hospital in Rwanda. Hand hygiene is a fundamental routine practice that can greatly reduce risk of hospital-acquired infections; however, hand hygiene compliance in the hospital was low.
Design/methodology/approach
A multiple-strategy intervention was implemented with a focus on ensuring stable water supply was available through installing mobile hand hygiene facilities.
Findings
The intervention significantly increased the overall hand hygiene compliance rate by 35 per cent. The compliance for all of the five hand hygiene moments and all professions also significantly increased.
Practical implications
By implementing an intervention that involved multiple strategies to address the root causes of the problem, this quality improvement project successfully created an enabling environment to increase hand hygiene compliance. The hospital should encourage using the strategic problem-solving method to conduct more quality improvement projects in other departments.
Originality/value
Findings from this study may be useful for hospitals in similar settings seeking to improve hand hygiene compliance.