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Abstract

Details

The Cryopolitics of Reproduction on Ice: A New Scandinavian Ice Age
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83867-043-6

Book part
Publication date: 27 November 2023

Cristina Vaz de Almeida

Humanized digital solutions that provide better access, understanding and use of health services enable better decisions and better patient’s experience focused on humanization of…

Abstract

Humanized digital solutions that provide better access, understanding and use of health services enable better decisions and better patient’s experience focused on humanization of care. This translates into better health literacy in the digital area.

Currently health care is inseparable from digital health, and this evidence was highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. For this analysis, a cross-sectional study was carried out, with 335 valid answers in a quantitative and qualitative research to evaluate the opinion of the respondents regarding their digital health use and the means used, as well as the perception of emotions generated before and during the pandemic. A qualitative content analysis was also performed on the open question about the future of health.

The results showed a humanization in digital is essential and that it is necessary to prioritize the human relationship and find the meaning of space, communication and proximity of health face-to-face, respecting as differences.

This chapter will also propose the presentation of challenges and results from the application of health literacy on patient empowerment in the health system, based on humanized digital solutions.

Details

Technology-Enhanced Healthcare Education: Transformative Learning for Patient-centric Health
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83753-599-6

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 2005

O. Groene, S.J. Jorgensen, A.M. Fugleholm, L. Møller and M. Garcia‐Barbero

To describe the process of development of standards for health promotion in hospitals, including pilot study, method and results.

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Abstract

Purpose

To describe the process of development of standards for health promotion in hospitals, including pilot study, method and results.

Design/methodology/approach

A set of standards for health promotion in hospitals was developed by a task force of the International Network of Health Promoting Hospitals, following the recommendations of the ALPHA programme. The standards were pilot tested and assessed qualitatively and quantitatively in 36 hospitals in nine European countries. Subsequently, standards were reviewed by representatives from the piloting hospitals. A self‐assessment tool was produced to evaluate whether hospital managers and professionals perceive the standards to be relevant and applicable and whether they are currently met. Participants provided comments from their national health system perspective and rated the standards.

Findings

General comments and specific comments were provided for each standard regarding its relevance, applicability and current level of compliance. A total of 35 standards' criteria were assessed and 86 per cent (30/35) were rated >80 per cent relevant and applicable, while 14 per cent (5/35) were rated >60 per cent relevant. The degree of current fulfilment of the criteria, however, was low.

Research limitations/implications

While the standards should be applicable to other regions (South America, Africa, Asia) additional testing may be required to adapt them to prevailing health care challenges.

Practical implications

The pilot test revealed that the standards are applicable and were considered relevant, and showed that current compliance is low. It also showed that there is a clear need to facilitate continuous monitoring and improvement of compliance. The standards are regarded as being public domain, are applicable to other organisations and can be incorporated into existing quality systems.

Originality/value

Standards are a common tool for quality assurance in health care, but so far have considered health promotion activities only partly, if at all. The standards for health promotion in hospitals developed by WHO fill this important gap.

Details

International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, vol. 18 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0952-6862

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 May 2017

Kai Xiong and Chunling Wei

This paper aims to present a multiple-model adaptive estimator (MMAE) to calibrate the star sensor low frequency error (LFE). The star sensor LFE, which is caused primarily by the…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to present a multiple-model adaptive estimator (MMAE) to calibrate the star sensor low frequency error (LFE). The star sensor LFE, which is caused primarily by the periodic thermal distortion, has a great impact on spacecraft attitude determination accuracy.

Design/methodology/approach

The unfavorable effect of the LFE can be partly eliminated by using the calibration algorithm based on the augmented Kalman filter (AKF). However, the AKF may be worse than the traditional Kalman filter (KF) in the absence of the LFE. To cope with this problem, the MMAE is applied first time for combining the AKF and the KF in the spacecraft attitude determination system, such that satisfactory performance can be achieved in different operating scenarios.

Findings

The convergence of the presented MMAE is demonstrated through a formal derivation. A novel method is proposed to tune the MMAE design parameter, such that the convergence rate of the estimator is increased. It is shown via numerical studies that the presented algorithm outperforms the AKF and the KF.

Practical implications

The calibration algorithm is applicable for spacecraft attitude determination.

Originality/value

An effective star sensor LFE calibration algorithm based on the MMAE is developed. In addition, a novel method is proposed to increase convergence rate of the estimator.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 89 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 March 2009

Izabela Koładkiewicz

The purpose of this paper is to show the approach to the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Poland. It also intends to characterize the process of the…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show the approach to the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Poland. It also intends to characterize the process of the implementation of its assumptions subject to Polish economic conditions. At the same time, it aims to pay special attention to the role of small and medium‐sized enterprises.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach to the concept of CSR in Poland is outlined on the basis of the result of studies conducted over the years 2002‐2007 as published in the Responsible Business in Poland reports by the Responsible Business Forum.

Findings

In spite of the fact that this paper only shows a single segment of a greater whole, the picture of CSR in Poland that emerges from the reports, demonstrates continuous growth in awareness of this subject matter. In the case of companies, worth stressing is the fact that the balance is slowly shifting from expressing mere interest and declarations of undertaking actions in the future to real implementation of ventures and programs tied with responsible business. However, domestic companies are still plagued by a lack of knowledge and familiarity with instruments facilitating the effective implementation of the standards and principles of responsible business.

Research limitations/implications

A significant limitation of the picture of CSR in Poland, as presented in this paper, is the scope and character of sources used. They are restricted to six Responsible Business in Poland reports.

Practical implications

In spite of the fragmentary character of this analysis, its results demonstrate a need to undertake research into current implementations of the concept of responsible business in the small and medium‐sized enterprise sectors. In practice, this sphere remains untouched under Polish conditions.

Originality/value

The paper presents interesting information on the approach to CSR in Poland.

Details

Social Responsibility Journal, vol. 5 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1747-1117

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 7 July 2021

Lena Ansmann, Vera Vennedey, Hendrik Ansgar Hillen, Stephanie Stock, Ludwig Kuntz, Holger Pfaff, Russell Mannion and Kira Isabel Hower

Healthcare systems are under pressure to improve their performance, while at the same time facing severe resource constraints, particularly workforce shortages. By applying…

3019

Abstract

Purpose

Healthcare systems are under pressure to improve their performance, while at the same time facing severe resource constraints, particularly workforce shortages. By applying resource-dependency-theory (RDT), we explore how healthcare organizations in different settings perceive pressure arising from uncertain access to resources and examine organizational strategies they deploy to secure resources.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional survey of key decision-makers in different healthcare settings in the metropolitan area of Cologne, Germany, on perceptions of pressure arising from the environment and respective strategies was conducted. For comparisons between settings radar charts, Kruskal–Wallis test and Fisher–Yates test were applied. Additionally, correlation analyses were conducted.

Findings

A sample of n = 237(13%) key informants participated and reported high pressure caused by bureaucracy, time constraints and recruiting qualified staff. Hospitals, inpatient and outpatient nursing care organizations felt most pressurized. As suggested by RDT, organizations in highly pressurized settings deployed the most vociferous strategies to secure resources, particularly in relation to personnel development.

Originality/value

This study is one of the few studies that focuses on the environment's impact on healthcare organizations across a variety of settings. RDT is a helpful theoretical foundation for understanding the environment's impact on organizational strategies. The substantial variations found between healthcare settings indicate that those settings potentially require specific strategies when seeking to address scarce resources and high demands. The results draw attention to the high level of pressure on healthcare organizations which presumably is passed down to managers, healthcare professionals, patients and relatives.

Details

Journal of Health Organization and Management, vol. 35 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7266

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 September 2020

Xiaoyan Qian, Hao Yin and Xiaotong Li

This paper aims to explore the influence of marketing investment on drug diffusion processes, to analyze the heterogeneity of the diffusion characteristics and to understand the…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the influence of marketing investment on drug diffusion processes, to analyze the heterogeneity of the diffusion characteristics and to understand the drug diffusion patterns in the prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) markets.

Design/methodology/approach

The study introduces marketing investment into the Bass model. The authors use the Generalized Bass Model (GBM) to examine the influence of marketing efforts on drug diffusion in Chinese prescription and OTC markets.

Findings

The results of this study suggest that the imitation effect in the prescription drug market is greater than that in the OTC drug market; drug diffusion in the OTC market reaches saturation earlier in the diffusion process. Before reaching the critical state, the effect of marketing investment on drug diffusion in the OTC market is greater than that in the prescription market, and after the critical state, drug diffusion in the prescription market is more sensitive to marketing investment.

Originality/value

The study demonstrates the value of the GBM in empirical analyses of drug diffusion across two distinct markets, and the marketing regulation policies governments adopt have a powerful impact on the speed at which drugs become available in different markets. It enriches the extant product diffusion literature by highlighting the different diffusion patterns of the two segments of pharmaceutical market.

Details

Marketing Intelligence & Planning, vol. 39 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-4503

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 April 2021

Mohammad Javad Fotuhi and Zafer Bingul

This paper aims to develope a novel fractional hybrid impedance control (FHIC) approach for high-sensitive contact stress force tracking control of the series elastic…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to develope a novel fractional hybrid impedance control (FHIC) approach for high-sensitive contact stress force tracking control of the series elastic muscle-tendon actuator (SEM-TA) in uncertain environments.

Design/methodology/approach

In three different cases, the fractional parameters of the FHIC were optimized with the particle swarm optimization algorithm. Its adaptability to the pressure of the sole of the foot on real environments such as grass (soft), carpet (medium) and solid floors (hard) is far superior to traditional impedance control. The main aim of this paper is to derive the dynamic simulation models of the SEM-TA, to develop a control architecture allowing for high-sensitive contact stress force control in three cases and to verify the simulation models and the proposed controller with experimental results. The performance of the optimized controllers was evaluated according to these parameters, namely, maximum overshoot, steady-state error, settling time and root mean squared errors of the positions. Moreover, the frequency robustness analysis of the controllers was made in three cases.

Findings

Different simulations and experimental results were conducted to verify the control performance of the controllers. According to the comparative results of the performance, the responses of the proposed controller in simulation and experimental works are very similar.

Originality/value

Origin approach and origin experiment.

Details

Industrial Robot: the international journal of robotics research and application, vol. 48 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 September 2008

Ngo Van Long and Bodhisattva Sengupta

The purpose of this paper is to investigate conditions under which voters’ comparison of relative performance between adjacent jurisdictions can help reduce rent‐seeking by…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate conditions under which voters’ comparison of relative performance between adjacent jurisdictions can help reduce rent‐seeking by politicians.

Design/methodology/approach

A theoretical model was developed to examine the effectiveness of yardstick competition in restraining political corruption, first under a static setting, and then under a dynamic setting, using optimal control theory and differential games. It is assumed that voters compare the performance of their incumbent government with that of a neighboring jurisdiction. The incumbent can provide a public good and extract rent, which are financed by imposing a distortionary tax on the population. Politicians derive utility from rent as well as from popularity. The stock of reputation builds up or decays over time. Reputation is decreasing in rent appropriation.

Findings

Without assigning an ex ante type on the politician, the paper demonstrates the possibility that yardstick competition itself fails to restrict rent seeking. When the model is extended to a dynamic setting, it is shown that under unitary performance evaluation, dynamic incentives restrain the politician only if the shadow value of reputation (that measures current and future marginal benefits of increased reputation) is sufficiently high throughout the term. it is shown that, for such a high shadow value to exist, benefits of both instantaneous and end‐of‐period reputations have to be high enough. On the other hand, under relative performance evaluation, dynamic incentives impose more restrictions on rent appropriation in comparison to the static case.

Originality/value

This paper offers the first formal analysis, using differential games, of the role of the interaction between electoral considerations and neighborhood demonstration effects (with respect to relative rent extraction) in determining a politician's optimal rent‐seeking behaviour.

Details

Indian Growth and Development Review, vol. 1 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1753-8254

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 December 2019

Yi-Kai Juan, Hao-Yun Chi and Hsing-Hung Chen

The purpose of this paper is to develop a virtual reality (VR)-based and user-oriented decision support system for interior design and decoration. The four-phase decision-making…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a virtual reality (VR)-based and user-oriented decision support system for interior design and decoration. The four-phase decision-making process of the system is verified through a case study of an office building.

Design/methodology/approach

Different “spatial layouts” are presented by VR for users to decide their preference (Phase 1). According to the selected spatial layout, a “spatial scene” is constructed by VR and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) is used to determine the spatial scene preference (Phase 2). Based on the binary integer programming method, the system provides the optimal preliminary solution under a limited decoration budget (Phase 3). Finally, the consistency between the overall color scheme and pattern is fine-tuned by VR in order to obtain the final solution (Phase 4).

Findings

The questionnaire survey results show that decision makers generally affirm the operation and application of VR, and especially recognize the advantages in the improvement of VR-based interior design feasibility, communication efficiency and design decision-making speed. The optimization of the costs and benefits enables decision makers to effectively evaluate the impact of design decisions on subsequent project implementation during the preliminary design process.

Originality/value

The VR-based decision support system for interior design retains the original immersive experience of VR, and offers a systematic multiple criteria decision- making and operations research optimization method, thus, providing more complete decision-making assistance. Compared with traditional design communication, it can significantly reduce cognitive differences and improve decision-making quality and speed.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 28 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

1 – 10 of over 1000