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1 – 7 of 7Helmut Hildebrandt, Timo Schulte and Brigitte Stunder
The purpose of this article is to share emerging evidence about the qualitative and economic benefits of integrating care, based on an innovative population‐based approach across…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to share emerging evidence about the qualitative and economic benefits of integrating care, based on an innovative population‐based approach across a small region of Germany. The article aims to discuss the features that have similarities to the international discussion around managed care and accountable care, e.g. the use of a “gain share” model to incentivise all the main partners, and the quite unique approaches derived from a public health background. The operation of Gesundes Kinzigtal could be considered as a benchmark for the “Clinical commissioning groups” that are in development as a result of the Health and Social Care Act 2012 in the UK.
Design/methodology/approach
A regional health management company in cooperation with the physicians' network in the region and two health insurance providers has reorganized the delivery of care across all sectors towards improving the health of the population. The key features of the approach are summarised in the paper. Administrative and medical data obtained from the health insurance providers and from routine management monitoring are used to evaluate the benefits of the approach compared to control groups.
Findings
The project is beginning to demonstrate that this model of integrated care can be effective, with cost benefits and savings for the partners, and improved health outcomes for the population.
Research limitations/implications
The project started in 2006, and only early results of the first three to four years are reported here because of the use of claims data of health insurers.
Originality/value
The approach is an innovative model of integration in its combination of logistical re‐engineering of care processes, IT integration, public health and prevention measures. Its evaluation through an ambitious series of studies may have long‐term relevance for the organisation and management of care services internationally.
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Timo Kortsch, Eva-Maria Schulte and Simone Kauffeld
In competitive labor markets, promoting employees’ learning becomes a key challenge for companies. However, in small German craft companies, employee development is always…
Abstract
Purpose
In competitive labor markets, promoting employees’ learning becomes a key challenge for companies. However, in small German craft companies, employee development is always connected with worries about employee turnover. This study aims to investigate the current informal learning strategies of craft workers and how they use the strategies, the effect of learning on employees’ internal and external marketability and beneficial workplace characteristics (autonomy, feedback).
Design/methodology/approach
An online prestudy (N = 131) explored current informal learning strategies. In the main study (N = 526), cluster analysis was applied to identify patterns of informal learning strategies. The relations of these patterns to workplace characteristics and marketability were investigated.
Findings
Four informal learning strategies were found (informal learning from oneself, from others, from other sources and from new media). Craft workers used combinations of the strategies (i.e. patterns): three learning patterns (balanced high, person-oriented and balanced low) differed in intensity and combination with the learning strategy use. More intense learning patterns were positively related to internal marketability but were not related to external marketability. Higher autonomy and feedback availability were related to higher learning engagement.
Research limitations/implications
Studies should have a broader view of informal learning strategies concerning different learning patterns. The use of new media is a learning strategy that might increase in the future.
Practical implications
Craft companies could promote different informal learning strategies without worries about employee turnover.
Originality/value
The study reveals how German small- and medium-sized enterprise employees use informal learning strategies in digitalized times and how human resources development can use informal learning strategies.
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Laura Häkkilä, Piia Seppälä, Juulia Hietamäki and Timo Toikko
The study covers two different forms of financial support for households, income support for single parents and reimbursements for depression medicines, and explores their…
Abstract
Purpose
The study covers two different forms of financial support for households, income support for single parents and reimbursements for depression medicines, and explores their relationships with the demand for child protection services.
Design/methodology/approach
The data were retrieved from the Sotkanet, the Finnish Indicator Bank, and included 292 Finnish municipalities. It was hypothesised that the effect of income support for single-parent households on the need for child protection is mediated by reimbursements for depression medicines. The hypotheses were tested by using a conditional process analysis program, PROCESS (Model 4).
Findings
It was found that income support reduces the proportion of reimbursements for depression medicines in a municipality, which in turn reduces the need for child protection services. At the level of social policy, the study tentatively suggests that the social welfare system may affect the demand for child protection by investing in income support for single-parent households.
Research limitations/implications
The choice of variables does not fully explain the effect of the mechanism. The relationships that are found in this study can have hidden factors which affect them. Further, the data have only 292 cases, which is quite a small sample, and is limited to Finland.
Originality/value
The study suggests that the social welfare system may affect the demand for child protection by investing in income support for single-parent households.
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Yuqing He, Xintian Liu and Xiaoqing Wang
This study aims to build a global environmental quality protection convention to jointly address the problems of environmental pollution governance worldwide.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to build a global environmental quality protection convention to jointly address the problems of environmental pollution governance worldwide.
Design/methodology/approach
From the perspective of environmental pollution of the air, ocean, forest, water and solid waste, the authors summarize the main important measures and mechanisms of environmental pollution governance in various countries.
Findings
The results indicate that management research on biodiversity and natural resources must be strengthened, the relationship between economic development and environmental quality management needs to be balanced, the comparative study of domestic and international environmental governance theories and practices should be strengthened, empirical and applied research on environmental governance needs to be focused on, and complete system research on environmental governance and management should be explored. In the future, further strengthening environmental awareness, addressing environmental pollution and managing environmental quality are necessary.
Originality/value
The environment is the foundation of human survival and development. With the development of economy, contradictions between human and natural environment (e.g. air, ocean, forest and water) have become prominent. Environmental pollution governance cannot only help address existing environmental problems but also solve economic problems of various countries. The prerequisite for sustainable development is to lay a solid foundation for the coordinated development of economic growth and pollution management.
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Svenja Richter, Timo Kortsch and Simone Kauffeld
This study uses a holistic approach to learning at work to examine the role of reflection in the formal–informal learning interaction. The purpose of this study is to investigate…
Abstract
Purpose
This study uses a holistic approach to learning at work to examine the role of reflection in the formal–informal learning interaction. The purpose of this study is to investigate how the reflection on a formal training affects the subsequent informal learning activities. This study also aims to provide insights into the effects of national culture values (in terms of uncertainty avoidance) on learning in the context of a globalized world of work.
Design/methodology/approach
In a longitudinal study, 444 employees working for a global acting automotive company located in 6 countries were surveyed 2 times (4–6 weeks between both measurements). Participants reflected on a training they participated in (t1: satisfaction and utility) and indicated their informal learning activities (t2). Structural equation modelling was used to investigate the effect of the reflection of training (t1) on the proceeding use of informal learning strategies (t2) and how uncertainty avoidance affects the use of different learning forms.
Findings
Results show a spillover effect: when employees reflect a formal training and rate it as satisfying, more use of informal learning proceeds. No effects were found for utility. Uncertainty avoidance had direct effects: high uncertainty avoidance results in better evaluations and more informal learning. Furthermore, uncertainty avoidance had an indirect effect on informal learning via reflection.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to investigate the formal–informal learning interaction longitudinally and to introduce reflection as a mediator within this process. Furthermore, the study provides evidence that uncertainty avoidance is an important factor for formal and informal learning in the globalized world of work.
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Timo Dietrich, Sharyn Rundle-Thiele, Lisa Schuster and Jason P. Connor
Social marketing benchmark criteria were used to understand the extent to which single-substance alcohol education programmes targeting adolescents in middle and high school…
Abstract
Purpose
Social marketing benchmark criteria were used to understand the extent to which single-substance alcohol education programmes targeting adolescents in middle and high school settings sought to change behaviour, utilised theory, included audience research and applied the market segmentation process. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic literature review retrieved a total of 1,495 identified articles; 565 duplicates were removed. The remaining 930 articles were then screened. Articles detailing formative research or programmes targeting multiple substances, parents, families and/or communities, as well as elementary schools and universities were excluded. A total of 31 articles, encompassing 16 qualifying programmes, were selected for detailed evaluation.
Findings
The majority of alcohol education programmes were developed on the basis of theory and achieved short- and medium-term behavioural effects. Importantly, most programmes were universal and did not apply the full market segmentation process. Limited audience research in the form of student involvement in programme design was identified.
Research limitations/implications
This systematic literature review focused on single-substance alcohol education programmes targeted at middle and high school student populations, retrieving studies back to the year 2000.
Originality/value
The results of this systematic literature review indicate that application of the social marketing benchmark criteria of market segmentation and audience research may represent an avenue for further extending alcohol education programme effectiveness in middle and high school settings.
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Maureen Snow Andrade, Doug Miller and Jonathan H. Westover
This study offers a global comparative analysis of variables associated with job satisfaction, specifically work-life balance, intrinsic and extrinsic rewards, and work relations…
Abstract
Purpose
This study offers a global comparative analysis of variables associated with job satisfaction, specifically work-life balance, intrinsic and extrinsic rewards, and work relations on job satisfaction for hotel housekeepers.
Design/methodology/approach
The study analyzes these variants across 29 countries using International Social Survey Program data.
Findings
Findings indicate significant differences in job satisfaction for hotel housekeepers across countries, lower job satisfaction for hospitality occupations compared to all other occupational categories, lower job satisfaction for hotel housekeepers than employees in other hospitality occupations, and a statistically significant positive impact of some elements of work-life balance, intrinsic and extrinsic rewards, and coworker relations on job satisfaction.
Originality/value
The hospitality industry is characterized by poor work-life balance, high turnover rates and limited rewards. Hotel housekeepers report lower levels of satisfaction than other hospitality workers in terms of work-life balance, pay, relationships with managers, useful work and interesting work. Housekeepers play an important role in hotel quality and guest satisfaction. As such, understanding and addressing factors contributing to job satisfaction for hotel housekeepers is critical for managers
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