Chalmer E. Labig and Kenneth Zantow
Managed care organizations use physician incentives to control costs and ensure their financial viability. While the efficacy of incentives may be questioned, substantial…
Abstract
Managed care organizations use physician incentives to control costs and ensure their financial viability. While the efficacy of incentives may be questioned, substantial challenges exist for physicians who must balance the well-being of their patients and the focus of their professional training with organizational financial concerns. Many physicians experience difficulty in discussing incentive pay with patients (Pearson & Hyams, 2002), even though patients want to know (Pereira & Pearson, 2001) and tend to trust physicians more who are forthright about the issue (Levinson, Kao, Kuby, & Thisted, 2005). Of interest here are patients’ perceptions of the ethicalness of commonly used physician pay incentives. The results of our findings suggest that patients may view these incentives from a different perspective than health policy experts and physician executives. Specifically, our findings indicate that patients perceive incentives based upon patient satisfaction and clinical efficiency more ethically than incentives based upon revenue generation. These views are significantly related to physician visits. We offer suggestions for future research in light of recent pay disclosure regulations.
Qiang Wang, Kenneth Zantow, Fujun Lai and Xiaodong Wang
To examine the strategic posture of third‐party logistics (3PLs) providers in mainland China.
Abstract
Purpose
To examine the strategic posture of third‐party logistics (3PLs) providers in mainland China.
Design/methodology/approach
A sample survey, obtained by mail, of 3PLs firms in mainland China. Key informant data are used to operationalize Porter's competitive strategy and provides a framework to identify logistics strategies pursued by 3PLs providers. Various aspects of 3PLs providers are compared by different strategy types.
Findings
Identified four logistics strategies pursued by 3PLs providers in mainland China. Differentiation strategy outperforms cost leadership strategy. Companies pursuing cost leadership are shifting towards differentiation strategy to cope with the intense competition faced in mainland China's immense logistics markets.
Research limitations/implications
Bias may exist due to the mail survey. In‐depth studies on strategy formulation of 3PLs providers could be carried out to examine what factors influence the strategy formulation and explore the strategy evolution path.
Practical implications
This study is a very insightful source of information about 3PLs in mainland China for logistics managers, investors and policy‐makers. It provides guidance for 3PLs executives to formulate logistics strategy, adjust business objectives and prioritize operations, and for logistics users to select appropriate logistics providers. There are also suggestions for government to improve the business environment for the logistics industry. The study provides a basis for research on logistics management in mainland China.
Originality/value
This study is a pioneer and comprehensive study of mainland China's 3PLs providers. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to examine 3PLs providers in mainland China.
Details
Keywords
Chang-Yeoul Choi and Joo-Young Lee
Since the declaration of reform and market opening from China in 1990, China has drawn much attention from the world thanks to its rapid economic growth and its emergence as the…
Abstract
Since the declaration of reform and market opening from China in 1990, China has drawn much attention from the world thanks to its rapid economic growth and its emergence as the world's major consumer market and the center of the global economy. Moreover, it established the new trade order, making East Asia the center of the new trade trend as it becomes a manufactural and sales stronghold of multinational companies. The Chinese distribution market is expected to show a high growth rate by 2010 and it draws attention as a new business sector which can bring huge profits. However, advancement of the Chinese distribution industry now faces systemic problems and research on such problems is insufficient. Therefore, in this study we will conduct SWOT analysis based on previous studies on the Chinese distribution industry and use it as a ground to propose strategic solutions for development.
Details
Keywords
Patrick Flanagan, Patrick D. Primeaux and William L. Ferguson
The insurance industry has been marked by exponential growth over the recent decade with more and more individuals and corporations appealing to the long-term security, which this…
Abstract
The insurance industry has been marked by exponential growth over the recent decade with more and more individuals and corporations appealing to the long-term security, which this service sector provides. As facts about ethical lapses and outright fraud emerge; however, the refuge that insurance companies were entrusted to provide may not be as embracing as first appears. As insurance CEOs and management teams are paraded before cameras into courtrooms, details about payoffs and kickbacks are disseminated, and financial reporting practices are scrutinized by authorities, public trust in this industry wanes. At best, public perception is tentative in light of recent scandals.