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1 – 10 of 154Efficiency and quality are primary factors for the survival of health systems. The evaluation of the efficiency of the healthcare system is a crucial component of promoting…
Abstract
Purpose
Efficiency and quality are primary factors for the survival of health systems. The evaluation of the efficiency of the healthcare system is a crucial component of promoting long-term health policy actions. Healthcare capacity indicators provide a basis for evaluating and comparing the performance of different healthcare organizations. Intrinsic quality indicators are Donabedian (1980)’s structural and process elements of quality of healthcare. This study aims to integrate capacity and intrinsic quality indicators of healthcare while measuring the efficiency of provinces by using radial and non-radial efficiency measurement techniques.
Design/methodology/approach
Efficiency analysis performed in Turkey from 2015 to 2020 by performing input-oriented radial, nonradial, and super-efficiency estimates for 81 provinces of Turkey by incorporating capacity and intrinsic quality indicators into the different model specifications.
Findings
Radial and nonradial efficiency results have an increasing trend over the study years obtained from the efficiency models showing high average scores obtained from the models that include intrinsic quality of care indicators. Statistically significant mean rank differences are observed between different radial efficiency models for all study years (p < 0.001). Negative and moderate level correlations were observed between radial efficiency results and quality of care indicators (r < 0.70).
Originality/value
Under long-term centralized health policies, increases in efficiency result in decreased intrinsic quality of care indicators. A better synthesis of health system capacity and intrinsic healthcare quality indicators is necessary to generate evidence-based health systems.
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Yasmeen Abu Sumaqa, Manar Abu-Abbas, Omar Khraisat, Ahmad Rayan and Mohammad Othman Abudari
This study aims to identify the reasons for unmet health-care needs and related barriers among the Roma population with chronic diseases in Jordan.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to identify the reasons for unmet health-care needs and related barriers among the Roma population with chronic diseases in Jordan.
Design/methodology/approach
A descriptive survey with a cross-sectional design was conducted, involving a sample of 347 Jordanian Roma participants. Data collection was performed using a structured questionnaire based on the Canadian Community Health Survey.
Findings
The analysis revealed that within the three categories of reasons for unmet health-care needs (accessibility, availability and acceptability), “Transportation issues” under the accessibility category constitute the most reported reasons: (mean = 90.4%, SD = 22.6%), followed by “Cost” (mean = 89.0%, SD = 26.2%) and “Care not available in the area” (mean = 85.8%, SD = 23.6%). Predictors of unmet health-care needs were being married, having health insurance and self-perception of mental health (OR = 0.215, p = 0.044), (OR = 0.391, p = 0.008) and (OR = 0.302, p = 0.002) respectively.
Originality/value
Unmet health-care needs are highly prevalent among Jordanian Roma, rendering them a vulnerable group susceptible to other diseases. To address this pressing issue, concerted and comprehensive efforts should be made to improve the utilization and accessibility of health-care services within this community. Furthermore, efforts should be made to elevate their social standing and status. facilitate their integration into the broader community.
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Samah Ibrahim Jarbou, Ana Irimia-Diéguez and Manuela Prieto-Rodríguez
The purpose of this study is to assess and contrast the impact of various factors, including both bank-specific and macroeconomic factors, on the financial performance of Islamic…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to assess and contrast the impact of various factors, including both bank-specific and macroeconomic factors, on the financial performance of Islamic and conventional banks (I&CB) in countries with a dual banking system.
Design/methodology/approach
A general least square model is applied to a large data set of 103 I&CB operating in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, comprising unbalanced annual panel data spanning the period from 2015 to 2020. The financial performance index (FPI) derived from capital adequacy, asset quality, management efficiency, earnings, and liquidity (CAMEL) ratios is used as the dependent variable.
Findings
Key factors, such as overhead expenses, gross domestic product (GDP) and retained earnings, exert a substantial influence on the financial performance of both I&CB. Moreover, the findings suggest that certain parameters, including deposits, inflation and cellular banking usage, significantly impact on the financial performance of conventional banks, while bank size specifically affects the financial performance of Islamic banks.
Research limitations/implications
While this study provides valuable insights, it is essential to acknowledge its limitations. The research focuses on a specific region (MENA) and may not be universally applicable to other geographical areas or banking systems. The study’s findings are based on historical data and might not fully reflect current or future market conditions. Additionally, the choice of variables and methodology may introduce bias or limitations, as with any empirical study. The theoretical implications of the research paper lie in the distinct ethical principles that constitute the foundation of Islamic finance. The ethical opposition to Riba is poised to have extensive implications, influencing market stability, commercial and economic impact and contributing to responsible banking practices within the Islamic banking sector. The study suggests that adherence to these sacred principles not only aligns with ethical considerations but also fosters social responsibility within Islamic banking institutions. This holds significance for broader societal and economic impacts, as responsible banking practices contribute to sustainable and equitable economic development.
Practical implications
The study underscores the significance of efficient overhead cost management for conventional banks, particularly in the context of a rapidly evolving digital banking environment. The call for adaptation and innovation in operational strategies aligns with the broader principles of efficiency and effectiveness emphasized in Islamic finance.
Social implications
In essence, the theoretical and practical implications of the study surpass the narrow focus on financial performance, resonating with the broader societal and economic landscape within the Islamic banking sector. The integration of ethical principles not only reinforces the unique identity of Islamic finance but also positions it as a model for responsible and sustainable banking practices in the MENA region and beyond.
Originality/value
CAMEL ratios are used to build an FPI to evaluate bank performance, providing a more precise and comprehensive assessment compared to traditional return ratios like return on assets or return on equity. Second, the authors conduct a thorough analysis covering factors across bank-specific, financial and macroeconomic dimensions. Thus, the study stands out by not only examining bank-specific factors but also by considering external factors such as GDP, interest rates and the development of the financial sector. The focus on the MENA region allows us to offer generalizable findings, highlighting distinctions between I&CB and considering a period with boom years (2015–2019) and a recession year (2020).
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Abhyudaya Anand Mishra, Mridul Maheshwari and William E. Donald
Drawing on a framework of sustainable career theory, this paper aims to understand the interplay of agentic and contextual factors for digital micro-entrepreneurs to lead…
Abstract
Purpose
Drawing on a framework of sustainable career theory, this paper aims to understand the interplay of agentic and contextual factors for digital micro-entrepreneurs to lead sustainable careers.
Design/methodology/approach
Eighteen YouTube content creators in India participated in semi-structured interviews, offering coverage of digital content creators across acting, cosmetics, finance, fitness, food, law, modelling, music, teaching, travel, and video games.
Findings
The findings showed three agentic and three contextual themes associated with the career sustainability of a digital micro-entrepreneur. Additionally, four paradoxes were identified, capturing the interplay between the agentic and contextual themes.
Practical implications
The career of a digital micro-entrepreneur is a dichotomy of promising hope, stardom, and flexibility while concealing challenges like precarity, hate comments, and financial instability. Knowing this can help individuals make better-informed career decisions.
Originality/value
The study advances sustainable career theory by capturing insights from digital micro-entrepreneurs in India to understand the interplay of agentic and contextual factors that create a series of paradoxes for such individuals to navigate over time.
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Muhammad Qamar Zia, Muhammad Sufyan Ramish, Iram Mushtaq, Syeda Tayyaba Fasih and Muhammad Naveed
This study aims to theoretically discuss and empirically test the mediating mechanism of psychological distress and the moderating effects of Islamic work ethics (IWE) in the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to theoretically discuss and empirically test the mediating mechanism of psychological distress and the moderating effects of Islamic work ethics (IWE) in the relationship between despotic leadership and adaptive performance.
Design/methodology/approach
A three-wave survey was used to gather the data from middle managers and their supervisors of construction firms in Pakistan. The final sample consisted of 304 respondents and data analysis was performed through SEM analysis.
Findings
Despotic leadership enhances employees’ psychological distress which results in a negative impact on adaptive performance. In addition, IWE played a buffering role in mitigating the harmful impacts of despotic leadership on adaptive performance.
Originality/value
The study is among the pioneers that have investigated how despotic leadership impacts employees’ adaptive performance via the underlying mechanism of psychological distress through the conservation of resources and social exchange theory lens.
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In order to determine whether the factors affecting office worker well-being are location dependent, this exploratory study analyses the relative importance of different “building…
Abstract
Purpose
In order to determine whether the factors affecting office worker well-being are location dependent, this exploratory study analyses the relative importance of different “building well-being” factors for prime office workers in two leading but environmentally contrastive real estate markets: London and Hong Kong.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper adopts a mixed methods sequential explanatory design (follow-up explanations model), consisting of three phases: an exploratory phase to refine the building well-being factors, a quantitative phase utilising a questionnaire to assess the relative importance of these building well-being factors (N = 281: London = 171; Hong Kong = 110), followed by a final phase of follow-up interviews with respondents to explore the reasons behind the significant differences observed in the quantitative phase (N = 13: London = 7; Hong Kong = 6).
Findings
While London and Hong Kong share some highly-ranking factors in common, significant differences in importance are observed for 17 of the 31 identified factors as a result of contrasting physical, economic, and cultural environments.
Originality/value
Despite growing recognition of the importance of the built environment on well-being, to the authors’ knowledge there has been no previous research investigating how building well-being demands may vary systematically across geographies. Understanding these differences has important implications for interpreting building well-being research, effective business operations, real estate investment, building certification scheme design, and governance of the built environment.
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Serena Elms, David D. Clarke, Mark Briskey and David Keatley
Emergency service dispatchers perform a vital role in assisting callers by helping them through the emergency they are in and ensuring the delivery of first responders. If an…
Abstract
Purpose
Emergency service dispatchers perform a vital role in assisting callers by helping them through the emergency they are in and ensuring the delivery of first responders. If an emergency caller prematurely hangs up a call, before the arrival of first responders, it can impact a dispatcher’s ability to provide them with assistance. This paper aims to understand why staged callers, who are attempting to cover up a crime, and authentic callers hang up by identifying which linguistic and behavioural indicators occur prior to the end of a call.
Design/methodology/approach
A sample of 40 emergency calls (20 staged; 20 authentic) related to health and welfare emergencies were analysed with a temporal measure known as indicator waves. This provided a means to identify which indicators occurred above the level expected by chance near the end of authentic and staged calls.
Findings
The results of the current study show that the indicators that proceeded hanging up in authentic calls reflected the nature of the situation (e.g. nonurgency wherein the victim is deceased or is in a stable condition). Whereas the indicators that proceeded hanging up in staged calls focused on the “staging” aspect of the incident by accounting for forensic evidence that could be incriminating.
Originality/value
The identification of indicators that occur before the end of staged and authentic calls provides further insight into the differences between the two call types and offers opportunities for further research, potentially leading to application.
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Gabriela Giusti, Antonio Carlos Farrapo Junior, Daiane Vitória Silva and Diogo A.L. Silva
The study aims to explore the relationship between the SDGs and the environmental and social impacts of university classes. It evaluates the potential contributions of different…
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to explore the relationship between the SDGs and the environmental and social impacts of university classes. It evaluates the potential contributions of different teaching models to the SDGs, providing insights into sustainable teaching systems.
Findings
In-person classes exhibited hotspots in transportation and energy consumption. Scenarios I and II, involving virtual and hybrid classes, increased eutrophication potential and water scarcity due to higher food consumption, negatively impacting SDGs. However, all scenarios showed positive contributions to SDGs 2, 3, 6, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15.
Design/methodology/approach
This research integrates Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to assess the environmental and social impacts of classes at the Federal University of São Carlos, Sorocaba campus in Brazil. Three scenarios were analyzed: (I) virtual classes, (II) hybrid classes and (III) in-person classes with improved energy efficiency.
Research limitations/implications
The study primarily focuses on environmental and social impacts, excluding other factors like class quality. Integrating Life Cycle Costing and Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment could provide a more holistic evaluation in the future.
Practical implications
The methodology adopted offers valuable insights for managing the impacts of university performance and aligning teaching systems with the SDGs. It enables institutions to make informed decisions for sustainability in education.
Social implications
The research emphasizes the importance of considering social impacts alongside environmental ones when assessing sustainability in educational institutions. It encourages universities to engage stakeholders in sustainability efforts.
Originality/value
This research innovatively combines LCA and the SDGs in the context of university education providing a replicable methodology for evaluating and enhancing sustainability in teaching systems and from a more quantitative perspective.
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Mads Solberg, Ralf Kirchhoff, Jannike Dyb Oksavik and Lauri Wessel
Norway, like other welfare states, seeks to leverage data to transform its pressured public healthcare system. While managers will be central to doing so, we lack knowledge about…
Abstract
Purpose
Norway, like other welfare states, seeks to leverage data to transform its pressured public healthcare system. While managers will be central to doing so, we lack knowledge about how specifically they would do so and what constraints and expectations they operate under. Public sources, like the Norwegian policy documents investigated here, provide important backdrops against which such managerial work emerges. This article therefore aims to analyze how key Norwegian policy documents construe data use in health management.
Design/methodology/approach
We analyzed five notable policy documents using a “practice-oriented” framework, considering these as arenas for “organizing visions” (OVs) about managerial use of data in healthcare organizations. This framework considers documents as not just texts that comment on a topic but as discursive tools that formulate, negotiate and shape issues of national importance, such as expectations about data use in health management.
Findings
The OVs we identify anticipate a bold future for health management, where data use is supported through interconnected information systems that provide relevant information on demand. These OVs are similar to discourse on “evidence-based management,” but differ in important ways. Managers are consistently framed as key stakeholders that can benefit from using secondary data, but this requires better data integration across the health system. Despite forward-looking OVs, we find considerable ambiguity regarding the practical, social and epistemic dimensions of data use in health management. Our analysis calls for a reframing, by moving away from the hype of “data-driven” health management toward an empirically-oriented, “data-centric” approach that recognizes the situated and relational nature of managerial work on secondary data.
Originality/value
By exploring OVs in the Norwegian health policy landscape, this study adds to our growing understanding of expectations towards healthcare managers' use of data. Given Norway's highly digitized health system, our analysis has relevance for health services in other countries.
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Gifty Adjei-Mensah, Collins G. Ntim, Qingjing Zhang and Frank Boateng
The objective of this paper is to synthesize and extend the existing understanding of social health accounting (SHA) literature within the perspectives of social health…
Abstract
Purpose
The objective of this paper is to synthesize and extend the existing understanding of social health accounting (SHA) literature within the perspectives of social health disclosures (SHAD) and the effect of social health problems on public and private sector accounting.
Design/methodology/approach
This study provides a comprehensive and up-to-date systematic literature review (SLR) of past studies on social health within the accounting literature. This is done by employing a three-step SLR research design to investigate a sample of papers, made up of 62 mixed, qualitative and quantitative studies conducted in over 23 countries, drawn predominantly from the extant accounting literature from 2013 to 2023 and published in 25 peer-reviewed journals.
Findings
Our SLR offers several findings. First, we find that existing SHA studies apply theories in SHAD studies, but hardly apply them to explain the impact of health problems on business outcomes. Second, we show that the extant studies have focused predominantly on rigorous empirical studies on SHAD, while this is scarce for studies examining the impact of diseases/health problems on both public and private sector accounting. Third, we identify several research design weaknesses, including a lack of primary data analysis, mixed-methods approach and rigorous qualitative studies. Finally, we present directions for future SHA research.
Originality/value
In contrast to the ever-increasing general social and environmental accounting (SEA) research, existing studies examining global health issues and challenges (e.g. diseases, epidemics and pandemics), especially from an accounting perspective are rare. Nonetheless, the past decade has witnessed a steady increase in research on corporate accounting for, and reporting of, health issues; although the emerging literature remains fragmented thereby impeding the generation of useful empirical and theoretical insights for policymakers, practitioners and researchers. Consequently, this paper offers extensive and timely SLR of the existing studies on SHA; critically reviewing past findings published in a wide range of peer-reviewed international journals that discuss the current state of global SHA research, their weaknesses and set future research agenda.
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