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1 – 10 of over 83000
Article
Publication date: 21 May 2020

Nikolaos Efstathiou, Anna Lock, Suha Ahmed, Linda Parkes, Tammy Davies and Susan Law

Following the development of a service that consisted of a “single point of contact” to coordinate end-of-life care (EoLC), including EoLC facilitators and an urgent response…

Abstract

Purpose

Following the development of a service that consisted of a “single point of contact” to coordinate end-of-life care (EoLC), including EoLC facilitators and an urgent response team, we aimed to explore whether the provision of coordinated EoLC would support patients being cared or dying in their preferred place and avoid unwanted hospital admissions.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a realist evaluation approach, the authors examined “what worked for whom, how, in what circumstances and why”. Multiple data were collected, including activity/performance indicators, observations of management meetings, documents, satisfaction survey and 30 interviews with service providers and users.

Findings

Advance care planning (ACP) increased through the first three years of the service (from 45% to 83%) and on average 74% of patients achieved preferred place of death. More than 70% of patients avoided an emergency or unplanned hospital admission in their last month of life. The mechanisms and context identified as driving forces of the service included: 7/7 single point of contact; coordinating services across providers; recruiting and developing the workforce; understanding and clarifying new roles; and managing expectations.

Research limitations/implications

This was a service evaluation and the outcomes are related to the specific context and mechanisms. However, findings can be transferable to similar settings.

Practical implications

Single point of contact” services that offer coordinated EoLC can contribute in supporting people to be cared and die in their preferred place.

Originality/value

This paper provides an evaluation of a novel approach to EoLC and creates a set of hypotheses that could be further tested in similar services in the future.

Details

Journal of Health Organization and Management, vol. 34 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7266

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 24 August 2011

Morten H. Abrahamsen

The study here examines how business actors adapt to changes in networks by analyzing their perceptions or their network pictures. The study is exploratory or iterative in the…

Abstract

The study here examines how business actors adapt to changes in networks by analyzing their perceptions or their network pictures. The study is exploratory or iterative in the sense that revisions occur to the research question, method, theory, and context as an integral part of the research process.

Changes within networks receive less research attention, although considerable research exists on explaining business network structures in different research traditions. This study analyzes changes in networks in terms of the industrial network approach. This approach sees networks as connected relationships between actors, where interdependent companies interact based on their sensemaking of their relevant network environment. The study develops a concept of network change as well as an operationalization for comparing perceptions of change, where the study introduces a template model of dottograms to systematically analyze differences in perceptions. The study then applies the model to analyze findings from a case study of Norwegian/Japanese seafood distribution, and the chapter provides a rich description of a complex system facing considerable pressure to change. In-depth personal interviews and cognitive mapping techniques are the main research tools applied, in addition to tracer studies and personal observation.

The dottogram method represents a valuable contribution to case study research as it enables systematic within-case and across-case analyses. A further theoretical contribution of the study is the suggestion that network change is about actors seeking to change their network position to gain access to resources. Thereby, the study also implies a close relationship between the concepts network position and the network change that has not been discussed within the network approach in great detail.

Another major contribution of the study is the analysis of the role that network pictures play in actors' efforts to change their network position. The study develops seven propositions in an attempt to describe the role of network pictures in network change. So far, the relevant literature discusses network pictures mainly as a theoretical concept. Finally, the chapter concludes with important implications for management practice.

Details

Interfirm Networks: Theory, Strategy, and Behavior
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78052-024-7

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 May 1998

Caroline Hogue

When simulating the behaviour of granular assemblies and multi‐body systems using a discrete element analysis, the shape representation of the bodies and the contact detection…

1569

Abstract

When simulating the behaviour of granular assemblies and multi‐body systems using a discrete element analysis, the shape representation of the bodies and the contact detection algorithm greatly influence the flexibility, accuracy and efficiency of the simulation. Several geometrical shape descriptors of two and three dimensional arbitrary rigid bodies are reviewed and a flexible 3‐D descriptor introduced. The aim is to identify appropriate shape descriptors which allow a variety of types of bodies to be investigated while ensuring accurate and efficient detection of inter‐particle contacts. Polygons/polyhedrons, and continuous and discrete function representations are examined. The investigation favours discrete representations due to their efficiency and flexibility, but illustrates the elegance and efficiency of using a continuous function representation, e.g. a superquadric, to generate the discrete representation and simplify the contact detection process.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 15 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 December 2004

Nick Antonopoulos and James Salter

Presents a new model for resource discovery in grids and peer‐to‐peer networks designed to utilise efficiently small numbers of messages for query processing and building of the…

Abstract

Presents a new model for resource discovery in grids and peer‐to‐peer networks designed to utilise efficiently small numbers of messages for query processing and building of the network. Outlines and evaluates the model through a theoretical comparison with other resource discovery systems and a mathematical analysis of the number of messages utilised in contrast with Chord, a distributed hash table. Shows that through careful setting of parameter values the model is able to provide responses to queries and node addition in fewer messages than Chord. The model is shown to have significant benefits over other peer‐to‐peer networks reviewed. Uses a case study to show the applicability of the model as a methodology for building resource discovery systems in peer‐to‐peer networks using different underlying structures. Shows a promising new method of creating a resource discovery system by building a timeline structure on demand, which will be of interest to both researchers and system implementers in the fields of grid computing, peer‐to‐peer networks and distributed resource discovery in general.

Details

Internet Research, vol. 14 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1066-2243

Keywords

Abstract

Details

Death in Custody
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83909-026-4

Article
Publication date: 1 August 1997

Melanie Crass and Martin Munro

Explains that considerable recent publicity has been given to the claim that around 70 per cent of business process re‐engineering exercises are unsuccessful, mainly because of

554

Abstract

Explains that considerable recent publicity has been given to the claim that around 70 per cent of business process re‐engineering exercises are unsuccessful, mainly because of failure to take human factors into account. Outlines the work undertaken in a single specialist surgical service, within an acute services National Health Service Trust, and the outcomes achieved. Suggests that there are points arising from the project to be learned both by the Trust and by other health‐care employers contemplating similar exercises: in particular, deciding objectives; the preparation undertaken prior to the project; and detailed post‐implementation benefit analysis.

Details

Health Manpower Management, vol. 23 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0955-2065

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 31 December 2010

The following is an introductory profile of the fastest growing firms over the three-year period of the study listed by corporate reputation ranking order. The business activities…

Abstract

The following is an introductory profile of the fastest growing firms over the three-year period of the study listed by corporate reputation ranking order. The business activities in which the firms are engaged are outlined to provide background information for the reader.

Details

Reputation Building, Website Disclosure and the Case of Intellectual Capital
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-0-85724-506-9

Article
Publication date: 1 June 2000

Walfried M. Lassar, Chris Manolis and Robert D. Winsor

Examines the effects of service quality on customer satisfaction from two distinct methodological perspectives. Specifically, a study utilizing a sample of international private…

11857

Abstract

Examines the effects of service quality on customer satisfaction from two distinct methodological perspectives. Specifically, a study utilizing a sample of international private banking customers is conducted wherein service quality is operationalized via two distinct and well‐known measures – SERVQUAL and Technical/Functional Quality. These two service quality measures are subsequently compared and contrasted as to their ability to predict customer satisfaction. To further assess the validity of these findings, two moderators of the service‐quality/customer‐satisfaction relationship are introduced and evaluated. Finally, this research examines the potential utility of employing separate measures for customer satisfaction from the perspectives of both technical and functional aspects of the service delivery process. Overall, our findings are of importance to service managers as they strive to identify efficient and effective approaches for improving quality. The paper explores the theoretical and practical insights of the findings, including potential strengths and limitations of current service quality models with regard to their ability to define and explain the quality/satisfaction relationship.

Details

Journal of Services Marketing, vol. 14 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0887-6045

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 August 2016

CJ de Jong

The purpose of this paper is to identify the value and benefits from newly developed relationships between the University of Alberta Libraries’ Interlibrary Loan Department and…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the value and benefits from newly developed relationships between the University of Alberta Libraries’ Interlibrary Loan Department and other institutions through the delivery of new services.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a descriptive review of the new services provided, including a centralized interlibrary loan service for members of the NEOS Consortium and an article delivery service for Can Tho University Library (Vietnam), an overview of the implementation of the services and a discussion of the value and benefits created.

Findings

A single-point of intake for interlibrary loan requests for a group of academic libraries can be implemented successfully with few drawbacks, providing benefits to all the participants. An article delivery service to an institution that provides no interlibrary loan services provides value through access to new resources and demonstrates not to be a burden on the provider; yet, this paper demonstrates that the primary value is in learning about their patrons’ needs.

Practical implications

Other institutions could replicate these services and relationships.

Originality/value

Single-point of intake for interlibrary loan in academic consortial environments has neither been demonstrated in the literature nor has any component of interlibrary loan been described to support international initiatives to assist libraries in disadvantaged countries.

Details

Interlending & Document Supply, vol. 44 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-1615

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 October 2005

Walter Leutz

This paper reviews, rethinks, expands and applies the author's ‘laws’ of integration, which were first published six years ago. This approach both introduces the laws to readers…

Abstract

This paper reviews, rethinks, expands and applies the author's ‘laws’ of integration, which were first published six years ago. This approach both introduces the laws to readers who don't know them, and tests their utility for those who do. In retrospect, real‐world integration efforts mix and match the original components of linkage, co‐ordination and full integration. But the message remains to work at all levels, keep it simple, make finances supportive and empower social care.

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