Uri Gabbay and Michael Bukchin
Nurse shortage and rising healthcare resource burdens mean that appropriate workforce use is imperative. This paper aims to evaluate whether daily nursing staffing meets ward…
Abstract
Purpose
Nurse shortage and rising healthcare resource burdens mean that appropriate workforce use is imperative. This paper aims to evaluate whether daily nursing staffing meets ward workload needs.
Design/methodology/approach
Nurse attendance and daily nurses' workload capacity in three hospitals were evaluated. Statistical process control was used to evaluate intra‐ward nurse workload capacity and day‐to‐day variations. Statistical process control is a statistics‐based method for process monitoring that uses charts with predefined target measure and control limits. Standardization was performed for inter‐ward analysis by converting ward‐specific crude measures to ward‐specific relative measures by dividing observed/expected. Two charts: acceptable and tolerable daily nurse workload intensity, were defined. Appropriate staffing indicators were defined as those exceeding predefined rates within acceptable and tolerable limits (50 percent and 80 percent respectively).
Findings
A total of 42 percent of the overall days fell within acceptable control limits and 71 percent within tolerable control limits. Appropriate staffing indicators were met in only 33 percent of wards regarding acceptable nurse workload intensity and in only 45 percent of wards regarding tolerable workloads.
Research limitations/implications
The study work did not differentiate crude nurse attendance and it did not take into account patient severity since crude bed occupancy was used. Double statistical process control charts and certain staffing indicators were used, which is open to debate.
Practical implications
Wards that met appropriate staffing indicators prove the method's feasibility. Wards that did not meet appropriate staffing indicators prove the importance and the need for process evaluations and monitoring. Methods presented for monitoring daily staffing appropriateness are simple to implement either for intra‐ward day‐to‐day variation by using nurse workload capacity statistical process control charts or for inter‐ward evaluation using standardized measure of nurse workload intensity. The real challenge will be to develop planning systems and implement corrective interventions such as dynamic and flexible daily staffing, which will face difficulties and barriers.
Originality/value
The paper fulfils the need for workforce utilization evaluation. A simple method using available data for daily staffing appropriateness evaluation, which is easy to implement and operate, is presented. The statistical process control method enables intra‐ward evaluation, while standardization by converting crude into relative measures enables inter‐ward analysis. The staffing indicator definitions enable performance evaluation. This original study uses statistical process control to develop simple standardization methods and applies straightforward statistical tools. This method is not limited to crude measures, rather it uses weighted workload measures such as nursing acuity or weighted nurse level (i.e. grade/band).
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Uri Gabbay, Noga Yosef, Neta Feder‐Krengel and Joseph Meyerovitch
The developing generic market has huge advantages of availability and affordability of therapy. The question of whether a therapeutic equivalent substitute under an unfamiliar…
Abstract
Purpose
The developing generic market has huge advantages of availability and affordability of therapy. The question of whether a therapeutic equivalent substitute under an unfamiliar name may cause confusion that leads to medical errors has not been sufficiently studied. This paper seeks to answer this question.
Design/methodology/approach
The study was triggered following sporadic reports according to which patients mistakenly consider therapeutic equivalents as unrelated medications rather than substitutes. Family physicians and pharmacists in one of eight districts of Clalit, Israel's largest healthcare provider were surveyed. The survey's questions recall episodes of medication uncertainty, confusion, misidentification, and medication mistakes associated with switching from one therapeutic equivalent to another. A total of 66 physicians and 63 pharmacists responded to the surveys (61 percent and 45 percent, respectively).
Findings
The results recall uncertainty, confusion, misidentification, and mainly cases of medication mistakes in which patients consumed both therapeutic equivalents simultaneously as was reported by 81 percent of physicians and 70 percent of pharmacists.
Research limitations/implications
There are two limitations in this work, the first is the study type, which is recall survey; the second is the response rate which is not unusual among health care professionals. However, the high face‐validity and the consistency of the findings in both physicians and pharmacists surveyed indicates high validity of the study conclusions.
Practical implications
A practical implication is unique medication error of consuming both therapeutic equivalents simultaneously. The authors wish to raise awareness of the potential of such error, which may be difficult to disclose as each of the therapeutic equivalents is apparently the intended medication but consuming them simultaneously results practically in doubling the intended dose. Given the forecast for generic market growth, awareness is not enough and worldwide regulatory cooperation should be made otherwise these types of medication errors will inevitably emerge.
Originality/value
The study is original as a literature search revealed no studies evaluating potential medication mistakes attributed to a switch between therapeutic equivalents.
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Alexis Louis Roy and Christelle Perrin
The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the impact of organizational culture on the conflict handling style in non-profit organizations. Conflicts in non-profit organizations…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the impact of organizational culture on the conflict handling style in non-profit organizations. Conflicts in non-profit organizations and especially in associations are more numerous, mainly because of the search for compromise in the decision-making phases and the high level of loyalty in mission that strongly stimulates the voice of one’s opinion. The authors observe that a modification of the organizational culture, through symbolic changes, can resolve the conflicts sequence.
Design/methodology/approach
Culture is measured through the organizational culture profile tool and the culture deciphering technique. The authors detail two cases of non-profit organizations, in which conflicts sequence resolution was handled through organizational culture change while conflicts resolution at the individual level could not bring an end to the conflicts sequence.
Findings
These cases highlight how organizational culture shapes behaviors and conflicts handling styles. These cases also give insights on how an organizational culture can be changed to setup new default conflict handling styles in an organization. The cultural change management only worked when it was planned on critical cultural change readiness factors with a strong enforcement of the change by the governing bodies.
Research limitations/implications
This study complements research studies on how organizational culture shapes attitudes and behaviors and shows how and under which conditions a cultural change could resolve a conflict sequence. This study also presents a conflict resolution method when the roots of conflicts are embedded in the existing organizational culture. In such conflicts situation, interpersonal conflict resolution technique did not solve the conflicts sequence and only cultural change finally brought an end to the sequence.
Practical implications
A combined search on two levels, the individual level and the organizational culture level, will thus show convergent conflict sources and get a great deal of knowledge before solving individual-level conflicts.
Social implications
The non-profit sector is sometimes subject to high-conflict situation and this research contributes to more efficient conflict resolution protocols with an applicable method of conflict analysis, change management and conflict resolution.
Originality/value
The work showed how the organizational culture is a key element in the explanation of conflict sources and conflict handling in case of high and repeated conflict situation. It is thus possible to resolve conflict sequence by changing a carefully chosen cultural trait. Nevertheless, the culture change management program is complex and risky. In a high-conflict situation, the authors identified several key conflict resolution factors: the careful identification of the organizational culture traits explaining conflict handling style; the alignment of the management team on the cultural change plan to raise up the intensity of the new set of behaviors; and the selection of the most efficient symbolic change decision.
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The purpose of this study is to present how the library’s information literacy (IL) sessions and research support programmes can change students' perceptions towards their…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to present how the library’s information literacy (IL) sessions and research support programmes can change students' perceptions towards their research practice.
Design/methodology/approach
To reach the aim of this study, the author carried out survey through the structured questionnaire before (pre-test) and after (post-test) the session of instructions. Then, the author compared the scores statistically using paired sample t-test to see the differences.
Findings
The findings and review suggested that the need for the continued development and implementation of IL and research support sessions should not be ignored. The students may be benefitted from a well-designed programme. This sort of training session improved learners' attitudes significantly towards research practice and behaviour.
Originality/value
IL and research support have not been addressed much in the country where the study took place. Though not new, however, these initiatives may make the educators rethink concerning their curriculum. Moreover, a collaborative effort between librarians and faculty members may result in an active driving force for effective learning.
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Rayra Brandão, M. Reza Hosseini, Alcebíades N. Macêdo, André C. Melo and Igor Martek
Reverse logistics (RL) is a waste revaluation process aimed at reintroducing once-used materials back into the production cycle. Public administration (PA) plays a strong role in…
Abstract
Purpose
Reverse logistics (RL) is a waste revaluation process aimed at reintroducing once-used materials back into the production cycle. Public administration (PA) plays a strong role in influencing the implementation of RL in the construction industry through policy and laws. While much research identifies PA as an important driver in RL, no research yet describes how this occurs.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic literature review was conducted on the theme PA in RL with 93 relevant publications retrieved.
Findings
Six strategies used by PA to promote RL were extracted: (1) legislation, (2) government subsidies, (3) landfill disposal fee, (4) government inspection, (5) use in public construction works and (6) penalties and fines. Moreover, a typology built on these six strategies was developed, mapping 15 interactional relationships between strategies, according to three levels of influence: (1) encouragement (2) requirement and (3) regulation.
Practical implications
It was found that legislation and government subsidies prove to be the more effective strategies, with the remaining strategies greatly neglected. Importantly, however, this study reveals that a combination of strategies are most effective when appropriately combined.
Originality/value
This study confirms the importance of PA in RL, in construction, while documenting the extent of current research. The resulting proposed typology, along with 15 identified future research priorities, is expected to be of value to academics and policy makers looking to advance understanding in this domain.
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Alessandra Tanda and Daniela Vandone
This paper aims to provide an overview of the current state of debt advisory services and good practices in Europe.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to provide an overview of the current state of debt advisory services and good practices in Europe.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors examine how debt advisory services are organised in different European countries and how they can be used to address the phenomenon of over-indebtedness.
Findings
Debt advisory services seem to be varied and fragmented. There are few good practices that stand out, whereas in some countries there are no services available at all.
Originality/value
This study provides an updated and comprehensive review of good practices and suggests some measures for evaluating the effectiveness of debt advisory services.
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Shimelis Kebede Kekeba, Abera Gure and Teklu Tafesse Olkaba
The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of using a jigsaw learning strategy integrated with computer simulation (JLSICS) on the academic achievement and attitudes…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of using a jigsaw learning strategy integrated with computer simulation (JLSICS) on the academic achievement and attitudes of students, along with exploring the relationships between them in the process of learning about acids and bases.
Design/methodology/approach
The research design used in the study was quasi-experimental, using non-equivalent comparison groups for both pre- and post-tests. A quantitative approach was used to address the research problem, with three groups involved: two experimental and one comparative group. The treatment group, which received the JLSICS intervention, consisted of two intact classes, while the comparison group included one intact class. Data collection involved achievement tests and attitude scale tests on acid and base. Various statistical analyses such as one-way analysis of variance, one-way multivariate analysis of variance, Pearson product-moment correlation, mean and standard deviation were used for data analysis.
Findings
The study’s results revealed that the incorporation of the JLSICS had a beneficial influence on the academic achievement and attitudes of grade 10 chemistry students towards acid and base topics. The JLSICS approach proved to be more successful than both conventional methods and the standalone use of the jigsaw learning strategy (JLS) in terms of both achievement and attitudes. The research demonstrated a correlation between positive attitudes towards chemistry among high school students and enhanced achievement in the subject.
Research limitations/implications
The study only focused on one specific aspect of chemistry (acid and base chemistry), which restricts the applicability of the findings to other chemistry topics or subjects. In addition, the study used a quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest comparison group, which may introduce variables that could confound the results and restrict causal inferences.
Practical implications
This study addresses the gap in instructional interventions and provides theoretical and practical insights. It emphasizes the importance of incorporating contemporary instructional methods for policymakers, benefiting the government, society and students. By enhancing student achievement, attitudes and critical thinking skills, this approach empowers students to take charge of their learning, fostering deep understanding and analysis. Furthermore, JLSICS aids in grasping abstract chemistry concepts and has the potential to reduce costs associated with purchasing chemicals for schools. This research opens doors for similar studies in different educational settings, offering valuable insights for educators and policymakers.
Originality/value
The originality and value of this study are in its exploration of integrating the jigsaw learning strategy with computer simulations as an instructional approach in chemistry education. This research contributes to the existing literature by showing the effectiveness of JLSICS in improving students’ achievements and attitudes towards acid and base topics. It also emphasizes the importance of fostering positive attitudes towards chemistry to enhance students’ overall achievement in the subject.
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Carla Curado and Sílvia Vieira
The purpose of this paper is to extend the knowledge on the underlying relation between trust, knowledge sharing (KS) and organizational commitment (OC) in small- and medium-sized…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to extend the knowledge on the underlying relation between trust, knowledge sharing (KS) and organizational commitment (OC) in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), by testing the mediator role of KS between trust and OC dimensions.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper addresses a sample of 582 top exporting Portuguese SMEs and it tests an original model using structural equation modeling following a partial least square approach.
Findings
Results show that trust positively and significantly influences KS and affective and normative OCs. KS partially mediates the relation between trust and affective OC.
Research limitations/implications
This study contributes to both the knowledge management and human resource development literatures, showing the relationship between variables from both bodies of literature. Some limitations apply, the study uses cross-sectional data that limit the conclusions about causality and some restrictions on the generalization of the results also apply due to the used sample.
Practical implications
Results show the importance of encouraging a trustful environment in SMEs on behalf of KS and OC dimensions. Human resource managers could profit from stimulating KS among employees that results in affective OC.
Originality/value
Findings show the relevancy of trust in SMEs and the role of KS that contributes to OC.
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Jingjing Lin, Jiayin Qin, Thomas Lyons, Hiroko Nakajima, Satoshi Kawakatsu and Tomoki Sekiguchi
The research effort on entrepreneurship education has been mainly for the higher education settings and on the individual level of analysis. On the contrary, this research urges…
Abstract
Purpose
The research effort on entrepreneurship education has been mainly for the higher education settings and on the individual level of analysis. On the contrary, this research urges scholars to expedite attention to the secondary education settings, especially in the emerging economies in Asia and Africa. This paper aims to reveal the existing landscape of literature development on the topic and promote ecological approaches of constructing entrepreneurship education programs in schools. It advocates the “incubator” role of schools for students and the necessity of establishing socially embedded entrepreneurship education as the playground for future entrepreneurs.
Design/methodology/approach
This study followed the systematic literature review as its research design. It obtained 1,555 publications from six academic databases and 60 more publications from expert consulting and backward snowballing technique. Data screening resulted in a total of 101 relevant publications with the upper secondary education as their research context. The qualitative integrative synthesis method was then applied to integrate research evidence to the five circles of systems according to Urie Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory.
Findings
This study contributes to the entrepreneurship education and youth career development literature, especially in the developing countries. Results discovered that entrepreneurship education programs, when interacting with ecological systems, resulted in training success. The most frequently studied systems were microsystems; here, there was a dominant focus on program-level reporting and analyzing. There was less focus on other systems such as mesosystems, exosystems or macrosystems. Moreover, only one study was associated with chronosystems, suggesting a significant research gap regarding the longitudinal studies. However, this review validated the different approaches to delivering entrepreneurship education in emerging and developed economies.
Research limitations/implications
One limitation of this research lies in the methodology. The inclusion criteria limited the studies to the context of upper secondary education and excluded those of secondary education in general. The sampling method limited the power of this research to analyze and discuss policy-level studies because policies most likely embrace the whole secondary education level as its target. Another limitation is associated with the lack of experimental studies in assessing the comparative advantages of following the ecological approach when constructing entrepreneurship education. It, therefore, remains an undiscussed matter within this study regarding whether following the ecological approach means empirically a better educational choice or not.
Practical implications
This study discusses the implications for policymakers, especially in emerging economies, and suggests that awareness, attention and funding are needed to empower youth entrepreneurship education from an ecological systems view.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is one of few studies that use the ecological systems theory in the context of entrepreneurship education with the purpose of focusing on environment-level analysis instead of individual-level analysis. Through the systematic literature review, this study proposes an ecological approach to comprehend, guide, evaluate and improve the design and implementation of entrepreneurship education programs in schools based on well-articulated research evidence. The research can inform both researchers and educators by offering a holistic perspective to observe and evaluate entrepreneurship education programs and their levels of social connectedness.