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1 – 10 of 149The Government White Paper “Working for Patients” asks new District Health Authorities to identify core services which must be provided locally for the benefit of the District′s…
Abstract
The Government White Paper “Working for Patients” asks new District Health Authorities to identify core services which must be provided locally for the benefit of the District′s resident population. South Tees Purchasing Steering Group has developed a list of criteria which could be employed in this task and has proposed a methodology using these criteria to identify which medical conditions must be provided for locally and which could be catered for elsewhere on a best value for money basis. Using this methodology it then becomes possible to establish what proportion of conditions in any specialty require core service provision. The additional problem of sub‐regional specialties is also addressed and a solution offered.
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Wing Ki Leung, Grace Ho and Rosanna Leung
The servicescape model has been widely adapted in various service industries, but this model may not be applicable if the exhibition is transformed from physical to online…
Abstract
Purpose
The servicescape model has been widely adapted in various service industries, but this model may not be applicable if the exhibition is transformed from physical to online. Moreover, there is only a handful of research on online exhibitions; studies focusing on visitor behaviors from various types of online exhibitions and the differences between genders are still lacking. This study aims to examine the different variables in the e-servicescape model and discuss how e-servicescape affects visitor behavior based on the exhibition types and gender differences.
Design/methodology/approach
The e-servicescape model is adapted in this study. Qualitative interviews were conducted prior to a quantitative online survey to examine by regression analysis the relationships among the dimensions in e-servicescape and how it affects visitor subsequent behavior. Data analyses are based on the differences between exhibition types and gender differences in response to the three environmental dimensions, namely, aesthetic appeal, layout and functionality, and security concern.
Findings
The findings show that visitors pay more attention to artistic enjoyment in art-related exhibitions and focus on informative issues in other types of exhibitions. “Aesthetic appeal” and “layout and functionality” are important to both genders, but little concern is shown to computer security issues. Female visitors are concerned with aesthetic design and male visitors stress layout and functionality elements. In terms of the security concerns, females have no concern about cookies function, while males have no concern on leaving search history on the website.
Originality/value
There is no previous relevant research on the relationships and influence between e-servicescape and online exhibition; this study focuses on the application of e-servicescape to the online exhibition industry and helps fill this research gap.
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Shriram Pandey and Pramod Kumar
This paper aims to understand the Return on Investment (ROI) of academic libraries. It shows different aspects of returns on investment from academic libraries (ROI concept…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to understand the Return on Investment (ROI) of academic libraries. It shows different aspects of returns on investment from academic libraries (ROI concept, components, calculating ROI). The study helps the academic libraries to know the efficiency, performance and achievement in terms of students, research scholars, teachers and staff should be enhanced to increase returns on library investment.
Design/methodology/approach
This research paper discusses various formulas for calculating ROI from the academic library, like the general ROI formula, the concept of origin ROI's formula and models. However, the study set forth some of the limitations. The study is limited to the ROI analysis of academic Libraries. It is believed that study may be helpful to the libraries to understand the concept of return on investment to offer better library services.
Findings
The study helps understands the concept of return on investment from academic libraries and services. In times of economic crisis and budgetary constraints, Library Advocacy needs to determine the economic value of resources in institutions to assist in decision-making. This paper presents more extensive study aimed at recognizing the importance of academic libraries. The economic and social pressure to affirm the position of libraries in academic libraries depends on demonstrating their importance, especially in terms of return on investment. Though it is important to get insight into returns, it has several challenges which are outlined and discussed.
Originality/value
This research can also be useful in decision-making, library collection development and system analysis of the institutional library. ROI presents an essential parameter for increasing the ranking system of the institution. ROI is considered the most important metrics for evaluating the value of libraries is the return on investment.
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Shibaji Gupta and Arup Chakraborty
India has over half a million diabetics, with many others at risk. The Indian Diabetes Risk Score (IDRS) is a simple and validated tool used for mass screening of diabetes…
Abstract
Purpose
India has over half a million diabetics, with many others at risk. The Indian Diabetes Risk Score (IDRS) is a simple and validated tool used for mass screening of diabetes mellitus type 2 at the community level. This study assessed the vulnerability of developing diabetes in adults of a rural community of West Bengal using the IDRS and finds out the relationship of the risk of developing diabetes with socioclinical variables.
Design/methodology/approach
Multi-stage sampling was employed to select one eligible nondiabetic adult from selected families residing in the rural field practice area of a medical college in West Bengal. They were interviewed with a predesigned and pretested data collection schedule and examined.
Findings
Among 197 participants, 83.8% were female, 51.8% were illiterate and 57.4% came from Class IV of Prasad's socioeconomic scale. Of participants, 22.8% had existing known morbidities, and 23.9% had some form of substance addiction. In total, 46.8% of the participants on whom the IDRS could be applied (n = 175) were at high risk of developing diabetes (Score = 60). Gender and existing comorbidities significantly predicted a high risk of diabetes.
Originality/value
A large proportion of the Indian population yet to be diagnosed with diabetes are at a high risk of having the disease. Early detection of the disease can help curtail its complications and reduce its clinical, social and economic burden. Mass screening tools like the IDRS thus become a very important tool in India's attempts to fight diabetes.
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Vivekanand Venkataraman, Syed Usmanulla, Appaiah Sonnappa, Pratiksha Sadashiv, Suhaib Soofi Mohammed and Sundaresh S. Narayanan
The purpose of this paper is to identify significant factors of environmental variables and pollutants that have an effect on PM2.5 through wavelet and regression analysis.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify significant factors of environmental variables and pollutants that have an effect on PM2.5 through wavelet and regression analysis.
Design/methodology/approach
In order to provide stable data set for regression analysis, multiresolution analysis using wavelets is conducted. For the sampled data, multicollinearity among the independent variables is removed by using principal component analysis and multiple linear regression analysis is conducted using PM2.5 as a dependent variable.
Findings
It is found that few pollutants such as NO2, NOx, SO2, benzene and environmental factors such as ambient temperature, solar radiation and wind direction affect PM2.5. The regression model developed has high R2 value of 91.9 percent, and the residues are stationary and not correlated indicating a sound model.
Research limitations/implications
The research provides a framework for extracting stationary data and other important features such as change points in mean and variance, using the sample data for regression analysis. The work needs to be extended across all areas in India and for various other stationary data sets there can be different factors affecting PM2.5.
Practical implications
Control measures such as control charts can be implemented for significant factors.
Social implications
Rules and regulations can be made more stringent on the factors.
Originality/value
The originality of this paper lies in the integration of wavelets with regression analysis for air pollution data.
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This bibliography was originally compiled for the purpose of a Doctoral degree submitted to Loughborough University of Technology in March 1993. The information in this…
Abstract
This bibliography was originally compiled for the purpose of a Doctoral degree submitted to Loughborough University of Technology in March 1993. The information in this bibliography, which was started in the last quarter of 1989, was continuously updated by collecting data from all the important current journals and abstracting and indexing sources. It covers all of hypertext, including HyperCard and other hypertext/hypermedia systems which are being used for teaching and training. These systems are also used for conducting research in this field. Full efforts were made to cover all the publications such as periodical articles, conference papers/Proceedings, books and reports that were published until the first quarter of 1993.
The purpose is to bring together all bibliographic references of the published literature on electronic books (e‐books) and related technologies in one source so that it will save…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose is to bring together all bibliographic references of the published literature on electronic books (e‐books) and related technologies in one source so that it will save time for others in conducting literature searches and reviewing the developments.
Design/methodology/approach
The information included in this bibliography is collected systematically from all the published sources in the world such as journal articles, conference papers, conference proceedings, books, reports and PhD theses on e‐books until the last quarter of 2004. Mainly it covers e‐books, e‐books publishing, the impact of e‐books on different types of users, e‐book publishing techniques and trends, e‐book user interfaces and other technologies related to e‐publications.
Findings
As computer usage continues to grow exponentially, the desire of users to use electronic publications (e‐publications) has also increased tremendously. This has led to the publication of materials in electronic form as e‐publications on both CD‐ROMs and web. The e‐book is one of the several forms of e‐publications and its popularity has been growing steadily for the past decade.
Originality/value
This bibliography will be useful to all researchers conducting research in any areas related to e‐books and e‐book publishing.
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Abdoulaye Kaba and Chennupati K. Ramaiah
The purpose of this research paper is to report about an investigation on the relationship between knowledge acquisition and knowledge creation to find out whether knowledge…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this research paper is to report about an investigation on the relationship between knowledge acquisition and knowledge creation to find out whether knowledge acquisition can predict knowledge creation. The study measures the concept of knowledge acquisition through the faculty use of knowledge acquisition tools and reading knowledge sources while measuring the concept of knowledge creation through the faculty use of knowledge creation tools and publishing knowledge sources.
Design/methodology/approach
The population of the study is faculty members in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The sample of the population consisted of 300 faculty members affiliated with 26 universities and colleges. Data was collected from the sample through questionnaire instrument. Stated hypotheses and Mathew’s theory of knowledge consumption–production correlation are tested and verified through correlation matrix and regression analysis.
Findings
Findings of the study revealed that the use of knowledge acquisition tools by faculty members has a positive effect on the use of knowledge creation tools and on publishing knowledge sources. Likewise, reading knowledge sources appeared to have a positive impact on the use of knowledge creation tools and publishing knowledge sources. Accordingly, the study confirmed the stated four hypotheses. Moreover, the results of the study supported the theory of knowledge consumption–production correlation and strongly confirmed the prediction of knowledge creation through the use of information and communication technology (ICT) tools for knowledge acquisition and reading knowledge sources.
Practical implications
Findings of the study appeal to the decision-makers and stakeholders of academic institutions to make effective investment in ICT facilities and knowledge sources to improve knowledge creation among faculty members.
Originality/value
Not many studies have investigated how knowledge acquisition can predict knowledge creation in the academic environment. This paper contributes to the understanding of the relationship between knowledge acquisition and knowledge creation in academic settings. Findings of the study can be an important reference for providing and improving knowledge sources, knowledge acquisition tools and knowledge creation tools in the academic environment.
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C.R. Raghunath, U. Raghunath, H.S. Yeshaswini and H. Rashmi
The purpose of this paper is to detail various aspects of laminates and their current developments in order to enable the selection and development of appropriate laminate systems…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to detail various aspects of laminates and their current developments in order to enable the selection and development of appropriate laminate systems for use in high performance avionics interconnection applications.
Design/methodology/approach
Electronic packaging must provide circuit support, heat dissipation, signal distribution, manufacturability, serviceability, power distribution and data for performance simulation over the required frequency range in avionics applications. Innovations in packaging technology have made a big impact on the types of laminates that can be used in printed circuit boards destined for these applications. The “environments” in which aircraft are required to operate have changed due to global security threats and the laminates traditionally used are not designed for this role. Aircraft systems are expected to withstand disturbances due to unexpected threats. Various factors which determine the performance of laminates are evaluated.
Findings
The safety of aircraft is critically dependent on the interconnection technology in which laminates have a major role. Under global security threats, passenger safety, emergency landing and timely information to the pilot is of paramount importance. Hence, research programs need to be initiated to develop new innovative laminate systems, since traditional laminates have limitations in these applications.
Research limitations/implications
The availability of data on the performance of laminates used in interconnection technology under various security threats is limited.
Originality/value
The paper describes how new laminates for high performance interconnection technology in avionics applications can be developed.
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Neeti Mathur, Satish Chandra Tiwari, T. Sita Ramaiah and Himanshu Mathur
This research paper aims to explore the relationship of financial performance and capital structure of Indian pharma firms of BSE 500, the impact of research and development (R&D…
Abstract
Purpose
This research paper aims to explore the relationship of financial performance and capital structure of Indian pharma firms of BSE 500, the impact of research and development (R&D) expenditure on financial performance and also explore the moderating role of competitive intensity between the existing relationship of capital structure and firm performance.
Design/methodology/approach
The balanced panel data of listed pharma firms of BSE 500 are used for the research study, and the present study adopts both the panel and ordinary least square (OLS) estimation techniques to draw the results.
Findings
The results exhibit that the high debt ratio is harmful for the accounting performance of the selected sample of pharma firms of BSE 500. Besides, market competition negatively moderates the relationship between capital structure and firm performance.
Research limitations/implications
The research findings provide evidence for the policymakers/regulators that the sample firms should discourage the high debt financing in the presence of competitive intensity in the product marketplace.
Originality/value
The core contribution of the current research is to examine impact of R&D expenditure on financial performance and the moderating role of market competition on the relationship of capital structure and firm performance to the best of the authors' knowledge, and no single study has previously explored this relationship in the context of BSE 500 pharma firms.
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