Joanne Lord and Peter Littlejohns
We have developed and tested a questionnaire to assess staff perceptions of the impact of clinical audit within hospital and community trusts. The aim is to provide a tool for…
Abstract
We have developed and tested a questionnaire to assess staff perceptions of the impact of clinical audit within hospital and community trusts. The aim is to provide a tool for audit departments to assess the progress of their audit programmes, alongside other monitoring methods, and to identify perceived problems, and resistant or neglected groups of staff. Desirable attributes of audit programmes were identified through a qualitative analysis of policy documents from key national bodies. After pre‐testing, 24 items were included in the questionnaire, along with an overall question on the value of audit, and space for written comments and suggestions. The questionnaire was piloted with health professionals in three trusts in South Thames. 371 out of 566 (66%) questionnaires were returned completed. After omitting two items the scale showed good internal consistency. The scale also performed well against the three tests of validity. The survey showed interesting differences between staff groups in the trusts.
Joanne Lord and Peter Littlejohns
In 1989, a programme of clinical audit was introduced throughoutthe UK National Health Service (NHS), in an attempt to improve carethrough the application of quality methodology…
Abstract
In 1989, a programme of clinical audit was introduced throughout the UK National Health Service (NHS), in an attempt to improve care through the application of quality methodology to clinical issues. However, the role of clinical audit in the new NHS “internal market” is unclear. Reviews evidence on the development of audit and concludes that it has operated largely in isolation, under professional control. Central policy is now advocating greater purchaser and provider management involvement in audit, enabling feedback from and to service provision and management decisions. Where there are constructive local relationships the opening up of audit should be beneficial, but these do not always exist. Discusses a range of models for the interaction of clinical audit with wider NHS management systems. Recommends a split system of professionally controlled background audit and collaborative shared audits to balance conflicting goals.
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Can one describe the ‘natural’ process of pregnancy as ‘harm’, even when negligently brought about? What does that harm consist of? Offering a contextual analysis of the English…
Abstract
Can one describe the ‘natural’ process of pregnancy as ‘harm’, even when negligently brought about? What does that harm consist of? Offering a contextual analysis of the English judiciary's characterisation of wrongful pregnancy, this paper demonstrates from a feminist perspective that the current construction of pregnancy as a ‘personal injury’ is deeply problematic. Forwarding an alternative account, this paper argues for law to embrace a richer notion of autonomy that will better resonate with women's diverse experiences of reproduction, and articulate the importance of autonomy in the reproductive domain: notably, women gaining control over their moral, relational and social lives.
Chandana (Chandi) Jayawardena, Andrew Horsfield, Joanne Gellatly, Paul Willie and Altaf Sovani
This paper aims to analyse literature relevant to four imperative aspects of hotel marketing, to discuss current challenges and opportunities, and to make suggestions for…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to analyse literature relevant to four imperative aspects of hotel marketing, to discuss current challenges and opportunities, and to make suggestions for marketing Canadian hotels in the future.
Design/methodology/approach
The foundation for this paper was laid during a well‐attended Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes (WHATT) roundtable discussion between industry leaders and hospitality educators in May 2012. The subject of marketing hotels is discussed in the context of the theme for the 2012 Canadian WHATT roundtable and the strategic question: “What innovations are needed in the Canadian hotel industry and how might they be implemented to secure the industry's future?”.
Findings
The paper identifies innovation as the main ingredient for success in marketing Canadian hotels in the future. In the conclusion suggestions for strategic shifts in hotel marketing and tactics, which would help Canadian hoteliers in marketing their hotels in the future, are identified.
Practical implications
The paper reviews past concepts and industry practices as well as current practices to identify practical, effective and innovative approaches for the future.
Originality/value
As the team of authors represents both the industry and academia, this paper will be of immense value to students, educators, and researchers, as well as industry leaders. The paper captures significant strategy shifts, lists the top integrated digital awareness systems, and presents a new model in innovative hotel pricing empowerment for hotels.
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Zilia Iskoujina and Joanne Roberts
This paper aims to add to the understanding of knowledge sharing in online communities through an investigation of the relationship between individual participant’s motivations…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to add to the understanding of knowledge sharing in online communities through an investigation of the relationship between individual participant’s motivations and management in open source software (OSS) communities. Drawing on a review of literature concerning knowledge sharing in organisations, the factors that motivate participants to share their knowledge in OSS communities, and the management of such communities, it is hypothesised that the quality of management influences the extent to which the motivations of members actually result in knowledge sharing.
Design/methodology/approach
To test the hypothesis, quantitative data were collected through an online questionnaire survey of OSS web developers with the aim of gathering respondents’ opinions concerning knowledge sharing, motivations to share knowledge and satisfaction with the management of OSS projects. Factor analysis, descriptive analysis, correlation analysis and regression analysis were used to explore the survey data.
Findings
The analysis of the data reveals that the individual participant’s satisfaction with the management of an OSS project is an important factor influencing the extent of their personal contribution to a community.
Originality/value
Little attention has been devoted to understanding the impact of management in OSS communities. Focused on OSS developers specialising in web development, the findings of this paper offer an important original contribution to understanding the connections between individual members’ satisfaction with management and their motivations to contribute to an OSS project. The findings reveal that motivations to share knowledge in online communities are influenced by the quality of management. Consequently, the findings suggest that appropriate management can enhance knowledge sharing in OSS projects and online communities, and organisations more generally.
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Peter Nugus, Geetha Ranmuthugala, Josianne Lamothe, David Greenfield, Joanne Travaglia, Kendall Kolne, Julia Kryluk and Jeffrey Braithwaite
Health service effectiveness continues to be limited by misaligned objectives between policy makers and frontline clinicians. While capturing the discretion workers inevitably…
Abstract
Purpose
Health service effectiveness continues to be limited by misaligned objectives between policy makers and frontline clinicians. While capturing the discretion workers inevitably exercise, the concept of “street-level bureaucracy” has tended to artificially separate policy makers and workers. The purpose of this paper is to understand the role of social-organizational context in aligning policy with practice.
Design/methodology/approach
This mixed-method participatory study focuses on a locally developed tool to implement an Australia-wide strategy to engage and respond to mental health services for parents with mental illness. Researchers: completed 69 client file audits; administered 64 staff surveys; conducted 24 interviews and focus groups (64 participants) with staff and a consumer representative; and observed eight staff meetings, in an acute and sub-acute mental health unit. Data were analyzed using content analysis, thematic analysis and descriptive statistics.
Findings
Based on successes and shortcomings of the implementation (assessment completed for only 30 percent of clients), a model of integration is presented, distinguishing “assimilist” from “externalist” positions. These depend on the degree to which, and how, the work environment affords clinicians the setting to coordinate efforts to take account of clients’ personal and social needs. This was particularly so for allied health clinicians and nurses undertaking sub-acute rehabilitative-transitional work.
Originality/value
A new conceptualization of street-level bureaucracy is offered. Rather than as disconnected, it is a process of mutual influence among interdependent actors. This positioning can serve as a framework to evaluate how and under what circumstances discretion is appropriate, and to be supported by managers and policy makers to optimize client-defined needs.
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The purpose of this paper is to analyse the regulatory and other responses to the recent credit crisis with particular emphasis upon likely regulatory reform.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the regulatory and other responses to the recent credit crisis with particular emphasis upon likely regulatory reform.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper is based upon an analysis of recent papers, speeches and articles to draw together common themes for regulatory reform across the European Union (EU). It pays particular attention to two key papers, that from the Chairman of the UK Financial Services Authority (The Turner Report) and from the senior EU Group, the de Larosiere Report.
Findings
It is suggested that some nine or ten common themes emerge for regulatory reform from the many authoritative writings on the subject and that the timeframe for change is very likely to be much shorter that is the norm for international action. However, some areas of debate are noted, for example, how the role of national vs international regulators is to be resolved.
Practical implications
All regulated financial services firms, whether banks or not, should expect a far higher level of regulatory intervention and with change occurring more quickly that would normally be expected.
Originality/value
In pulling together and analysing most of what has been written to date on the topic of regulatory reform the paper gives a unique overview of likely future developments. By identifying common themes it shows regulated firms the areas where more intervention is most likely to occur and highlights the timescale for that.
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Fran Piezzo, Barry Armandi and Herbert Sherman
An employee&s husband made violent threats to the store manager of a Las Vegas shop specializing in skin care, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products of an international…
Abstract
An employee&s husband made violent threats to the store manager of a Las Vegas shop specializing in skin care, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products of an international company. The manager wanted the employee terminated. The employee confessed that her husband also threatened her. The employee's personnel file contained no performance problems, but the store manager admitted that she had kept a separate file with such documentation. The Executive Director and the Director of Human Resource Management wondered what they should do.