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1 – 7 of 7Giovanni Fiori, Francesca di Donato and Maria Federica Izzo
The chapter builds on the literature of Agency and Signalling Theories to analyse the corporate governance factors associated with the voluntary decision to prepare an Integrated…
Abstract
Purpose
The chapter builds on the literature of Agency and Signalling Theories to analyse the corporate governance factors associated with the voluntary decision to prepare an Integrated Report according to the <IR> International Framework promoted by the IIRC.
Methodology/approach
The chapter is based on the results of a probit regression run with regard to a sample of 35 companies that joined the Pilot Programme in 2011 and 137 similar companies that did not.
Findings
The analysis of two samples of European companies reveals that adhesion to the IR Pilot Programme is positively related to the gender diversity and size of the board.
Research limitations
Further research is required in order to study the differences between listed and non-listed companies in terms of variables affecting the adoption of the <IR> Framework and to increase the time range of our study. In addition, it would be interesting to include other variables capturing different aspects other than corporate governance, since the decision to join the Programme, as the results of our analysis have shown, may also be influenced by other factors, such as strategy decisions and communication policies.
Originality/value
The chapter adds to the existing literature by showing the main governance characteristics that impact the decision to adhere to the IR Pilot Programme. It is also important to the existing literature regarding the role played by gender diversity in corporate governance mechanisms and CSR policies.
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Giulia Signorini, Nikolina Davidovic, Gwen Dieleman, Tomislav Franic, Jason Madan, Athanasios Maras, Fiona Mc Nicholas, Lesley O'Hara, Moli Paul, Diane Purper-Ouakil, Paramala Santosh, Ulrike Schulze, Swaran Preet Singh, Cathy Street, Sabine Tremmery, Helena Tuomainen, Frank Verhulst, Jane Warwick, Dieter Wolke and Giovanni de Girolamo
Young people transitioning from child to adult mental health services are frequently also known to social services, but the role of such services in this study and their interplay…
Abstract
Purpose
Young people transitioning from child to adult mental health services are frequently also known to social services, but the role of such services in this study and their interplay with mental healthcare system lacks evidence in the European panorama. This study aims to gather information on the characteristics and the involvement of social services supporting young people approaching transition.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey of 16 European Union countries was conducted. Country respondents, representing social services’ point of view, completed an ad hoc questionnaire. Information sought included details on social service availability and the characteristics of their interplay with mental health services.
Findings
Service availability ranges from a low of 3/100,000 social workers working with young people of transition age in Spain to a high 500/100,000 social workers in Poland, with heterogeneous involvement in youth health care. Community-based residential facilities and services for youth under custodial measures were the most commonly type of social service involved. In 80% of the surveyed countries, youth protection from abuse/neglect is overall regulated by national protocols or written agreements between mental health and social services, with the exception of Czech Republic and Greece, where poor or no protocols apply. Lack of connection between child and adult mental health services has been identified as the major obstacles to transition (93.8%), together with insufficient involvement of stakeholders throughout the process.
Research limitations/implications
Marked heterogeneity across countries may suggest weaknesses in youth mental health policy-making at the European level. Greater inclusion of relevant stakeholders is needed to inform the development and implementation of person-centered health-care models. Disconnection between child and adult mental health services is widely recognized in the social services arena as the major barrier faced by young service users in transition; this “outside” perspective provides further support for an urgent re-configuration of services and the need to address unaligned working practices and service cultures.
Originality/value
This is the first survey gathering information on social service provision at the time of mental health services transition at a European level; its findings may help to inform services to offer a better coordinated social health care for young people with mental health disorders.
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Stefania Chiappini, Alessio Mosca, Andrea Miuli, Francesco Di Carlo, Giacomo d'Andrea, Alessandra Napolitano, Monica Santangelo, Corradina Esposito, Anna Rosazza, Elena Haefele, Gilberto Di Petta, Mauro Pettorruso, Stefano L. Sensi and Giovanni Martinotti
This paper aims to investigate the role of aripiprazole once monthly as a maintenance treatment in a sample of patients with schizophrenia comorbid with alcohol and substance use…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the role of aripiprazole once monthly as a maintenance treatment in a sample of patients with schizophrenia comorbid with alcohol and substance use disorder (AUD/SUD).
Design/methodology/approach
A sample of 24 Italian adult patients has been recruited and treated with aripiprazole once monthly after clinical stabilization with oral aripiprazole during May 2021 and June 2022. Clinical evaluations have been performed at the baseline (T0) and after 12 (T1) and 24 (T2) weeks.
Findings
During the study period, an improvement of both the clinical condition and general health from baseline was observed, as well as a reduction of craving for alcohol/substances. However, from T0, the number of patients who continued with this study decreased at T1 (n = 8) and then at T2 (n = 4). No serious adverse events were reported, including changes in weight, lipid/glucose metabolism, electrocardiogram and extra-pyramidal side effects.
Originality/value
Although limited by the high number of drop outs, this observational real-world study provided insights into the use of aripiprazole once monthly among a sample of patients with schizophrenia and comorbid SUD/AUD. Further studies of longer duration and on a larger sample are needed.
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Mauro Cavallone, Francesca Magno and Alberto Zucchi
The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how geomarketing statical tools (notably, gravitational models) can support healthcare organisations to improve the quality of their…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how geomarketing statical tools (notably, gravitational models) can support healthcare organisations to improve the quality of their services.
Design/methodology/approach
Geomarketing tools were applied to the analysis of data (91,478 observations) concerning the performance of nuclear magnetic resonance.
Findings
Geomarketing models can support and enhance the planning of service provisions of healthcare organisations. Drawing the planning actions on the patient needs and actual behaviours allow the healthcare organisations to obtain better market performance.
Practical implications
The results support the health service planning activities related to covering the so-called “offer gaps”.
Originality/value
This is the first study to apply geomarketing to improve the quality of healthcare services.
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The study is carried out to analytically reconnoiter geotechnical index properties of subgrade soils as key variables that shape the cost profile of road infrastructure projects…
Abstract
Purpose
The study is carried out to analytically reconnoiter geotechnical index properties of subgrade soils as key variables that shape the cost profile of road infrastructure projects in a tropical geographic setting with starkly heterogenous ground conditions.
Design/methodology/approach
Using the Niger Delta region, as a point of reference, data on geotechnical index properties of subgrade soils at spatially dispersed locations for 61 completed highway projects are collated. Exploratory statistical tests were carried out to infer significant associations with final project costs before regression analysis. Regression analysis is principally deployed as an explanatory analytical tool, relevant to quantify the sensitivity of highway project costs to the individual and collective impact of geotechnical variables.
Findings
Several parameters of expansivity and compressibility exhibited significantly strong associations with the final costs recorded on the highway projects. The statistical analysis further established a cause-effect relationship, whereby small changes in the geotechnical properties of sub-grade soils at project locations, would result in disproportionately large changes in the cost of road construction.
Practical implications
The study findings provide insight into the sensitivity of road construction costs to geotechnical variables, which can serve as a useful input in financial risk analysis for development appraisal and the generation of location adjustment factors.
Originality/value
The study statistically demonstrates location-induced construction cost profiles, triggered in response to the spatial geotechnical variability and occurrence of problem subgrade soils in the humid tropics, which may be different from those traditionally established in studies of cold and temperate climate soils.
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