Michael Schroeter, Igor Savitsky, Maria A. Rueger, Ludwig Kuntz, Verena Pick and Gereon R. Fink
The purpose of this study is to investigate the implementation of a novel organizational structure in a specialized hospital department. The key issue was to optimize the efficacy…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate the implementation of a novel organizational structure in a specialized hospital department. The key issue was to optimize the efficacy of the process “hospital treatment” in a patient‐oriented approach.
Design/methodology/approach
A new organizational concept, i.e. the Cologne Consultant Concept (CCC), was developed by and implemented at the Department of Neurology, Cologne University Hospital in August 2007. The outcome of this reorganization was evaluated via a number of critical performance parameters (effects on daily routines and performance data, feedback from quality control and house officers). Furthermore, the strengths and weaknesses of this novel system were compared to the traditional ward‐based system in Germany, the Anglo‐American consultant model and care provided by sub‐specialized teams.
Findings
The reorganization of the healthcare services by the CCC provided flexible medical care for inpatients. The independent assignment of patients to a ward, and to a team of physicians offered incentives for case‐oriented and efficient medical treatment. Importantly, the time‐consuming admission process could be distributed evenly between physicians in chronological order. Furthermore, beneficial effects on the department's overall performance compared to the traditional ward‐based system were observed.
Originality/value
The CCC constitutes a valuable new organizational structure that can provide medical care in any specialized hospital department.
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Matthias Rosenbaum-Feldbrügge, Stine Waibel, Herbert Fliege, Maria M. Bellinger and Heiko Rüger
Previous research indicates that accompanying partners often struggle to find employment upon international relocations. This study aims to highlight diplomat’s partners’…
Abstract
Purpose
Previous research indicates that accompanying partners often struggle to find employment upon international relocations. This study aims to highlight diplomat’s partners’ employment situation and to examine how unrealized professional aspirations affect their socio-cultural and psychological adjustment in the foreign environment.
Design/methodology/approach
This study applies OLS regression analysis to a sample of 220 partners of German Foreign Service diplomats who were surveyed regarding their locational adjustment, general stress and perceived quality of life using an online questionnaire. This study differentiates between working partners (19.5% of the total sample), non-working partners with a desire to obtain paid employment (65.5%) and partners who are unemployed by choice (15.0%).
Findings
The results demonstrate that partners’ employment situation and employment aspirations are important variables explaining differences in socio-cultural and psychological adjustment. Working partners reveal the highest levels of general stress, non-working partners with an employment desire report the lowest levels of locational adjustment and non-working partners without employment aspirations experience the highest quality of life.
Research limitations/implications
As this study has a cross-sectional design, the authors are not able to deal with potential issues of reverse causality.
Practical implications
Sending organizations should consider accompanying partners' unrealized employment aspirations by providing services with regard to job search and career development. Moreover, they should ensure the provision of services that support the work–life balance of working couples.
Originality/value
Previous research only sparsely examined the adjustment and well-being of partners accompanying foreign service employees, who are in contrast to business expatriates required to relocate every three to five years. Moreover, this study features the crucial role of partners' employment situation and discusses possibilities to promote spousal employment, as well as complementary measures to improve work–life balance for dual-earner couples.
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María Eugenia Cardenal, Octavio Díaz-Santana and Sara M. González-Betancor
The teacher role in the classroom can explain important aspects of the student's school experience. The teacher-student relationship, a central dimension of social capital…
Abstract
Purpose
The teacher role in the classroom can explain important aspects of the student's school experience. The teacher-student relationship, a central dimension of social capital, influences students' engagement, and the teaching style plays an important role in student outcomes. But there is scarce literature that links teaching styles to teacher-student relationship. This article aims to (1) analyze whether there is a relationship between teaching styles and the type of relationship perceived by students; (2) test whether this relationship is equally strong for any teaching style; and (3) determine the extent to which students' perceptions vary according to their profile.
Design/methodology/approach
A structural equation model with four latent variables is estimated: two for the teacher-student relationship (emotional vs educational) and two for the teaching styles (directive vs participative), with information for 21,126 sixth-grade primary-students in 2019 in Spain.
Findings
Teacher-student relationships and teaching styles are interconnected. The participative style implies a better relationship. The perceptions of the teacher are heterogeneous, depending on gender (girls perceive clearer than boys) and with the educational background (children from lower educational background perceive both types of teaching styles more clearly).
Originality/value
The analysis is based on the point of view of the addressee of the teacher's work, i.e. the student. It provides a model that can be replicated in any other education system. The latent variables, based on a periodically administered questionnaire, could be estimated with data from diagnostic assessments in other countries, which in turn would allow the formulation of context-specific educational policy proposals that take into account student feedback.
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Áurea Rodrigues and Sandra Maria Correia Loureiro
This study aims to explore the relationships among novelty, meaningfulness, hedonism and loyalty in the context of an astrotourism experience.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the relationships among novelty, meaningfulness, hedonism and loyalty in the context of an astrotourism experience.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected using a convenience sample at an astrotourism event in Portugal. A self‐administered questionnaire was designed using established scales. In total, 296 usable responses were analyzed using partial least square (PLS)-structural equation modeling.
Findings
The result of the structural model shows that novelty and meaningfulness affect hedonism, which in turn influences loyalty. Novelty and meaningfulness contribute 62.8% to the variance in hedonism and 31.3% to the variability in loyalty.
Originality/value
This study deepens knowledge of the tourist behavior of astrotourists. Destinations and managers that develop astrotourism activities can also benefit from deeper knowledge about the emotional process of the astrotourism experience and its impact on behavioral loyalty.