Significant risk factors associated with facilities management (FM) outsourcing

2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 771-796 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dubem I. Ikediashi ◽  
Stephen O. Ogunlana

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to extend the body of knowledge on healthcare facilities management (FM) by investigating the risks associated with outsourcing of FM services in hospitals. Design/methodology/approach – The paper relied on two strands of methodology common with pragmatic research. Questionnaire survey (QS) used data from 208 respondents representing ten hospitals while three out of the ten hospitals involved in the QS were selected based on their willingness to enter the case study (CS) interview. Data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics for QS and using narrative techniques by discussing themes, sub-themes for the CS. Findings – Findings established 24 out of the 35 risk factors as critical, four factors as somehow critical, and five factors as not critical. Besides, nine risk factors were found to be significantly loaded on the five risk categories. The rank analysis also revealed that the top five critical risk factors are: inexperience and lack of requisite skills; possibility of fraud by vendor; financial failure of chosen vendor; vendor opportunism; and fall in morale of employees. Originality/value – The study provides an unambiguous contribution to exiting body of knowledge on outsourcing risks as it relates to healthcare FM. It reinforces the theory that risks exist in any form of relationship but developed a distinct body of factors associated with outsourcing of FM services particularly from the context of Nigeria’s public healthcare sector.

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.R. Vishnu ◽  
R. Sridharan ◽  
P.N. Ram Kumar ◽  
V. Regi Kumar

Purpose Risk management in the healthcare sector is a highly relevant sub-domain and a crucial research area from the humanitarian perspective. The purpose of this paper is to focus on the managerial/supply chain risk factors experienced by the government hospitals in an Indian state. The present paper analyzes the inter-relationships among the significant risk factors and ranks those risk factors based on their criticality. Design/methodology/approach The current research focuses on 125 public hospitals in an Indian state. Questionnaire-based survey and personal interviews were conducted in the healthcare sector among the inpatients and hospital staff to identify the significant risk factors. An integrated DEMATEL–ISM–PROMETHEE method is adopted to analyze the impact potential and dependence behavior of the risk factors. Findings The analysis asserts the absence of critical risk factors that have a direct impact on patient safety in the present healthcare system under investigation. However, the results illustrate the remarkable impact potential attributed to the risk factor, namely, staff shortage in inducing other risk factors such as employee attitudinal issues, employee health issues and absenteeism altogether resulting in community mistrust/misbeliefs. Maintenance mismanagement, monsoon time epidemics, physical infrastructure limitations are also found to be significant risk factors that compromise patient satisfaction levels. Practical implications Multiple options are illustrated to mitigate significant risk factors and operational constraints experienced by public hospitals in the state. The study warrants urgent attention from government officials to fill staff vacancies and to improve the infrastructural facilities to match with the increasing demand from the society. Furthermore, this research recommends the hospital authorities to start conducting induction and training programs for the hospital employees to instill the fundamental code of conduct while working in hectic, challenging and even in conditions with limited resources. Originality/value Only limited papers are visible that address the identification and mitigation of risk factors associated with hospitals. The present paper proposes a novel DEMATEL–ISM–PROMETHEE integrated approach to map the inter-relationships among the significant risk factors and to rank those risk factors based on their criticality. Furthermore, the present study discloses the unique setting of the public healthcare system in a developing nation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 1340-1355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Nii Addy ◽  
Stephen Akunyumu ◽  
Barbara Simons

Purpose Sustained access to efficient electricity plays an essential role in improving living conditions of people and contributes to the economic development of the nation as a whole. Volta River Authority (VRA) mainly manages the generation plants (hydropower sources and thermal plants) alongside independent power producers (IPPs). Power generation in the country has been influenced by myriads of factors. Thus, the purpose of this study is to assess the key risk factors affecting renewable energy of IPPs set-up project in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach Quantitative approach was adopted for the study. Empirical investigation was carried out using the survey approach. The likelihood of occurrence of the risk and the degree of impact of same motivated the use of risk significance index to analyze the data and make deductions from the results. Findings From the study, three key risk factors have high level of severity, which include long and complex procedures for authorization of project activities, stability of the policy environment and ease of obtaining rights to land. These risks could be found in the business/strategic risks and policy/regulatory risks categories, respectively. A total of 25 key risk factors had moderate level of severity and 12 key risk factors have low level of severity on renewable energy IPP set up projects. Practical implications Top-ranked risk factors require maximum attention. The identified risks should be alleviated with strategies to reduce levels of severity by targeting either the likelihood of occurrence or the level of impact. This will serve as a catalyze to promoting renewable energy IPP set-up projects in Ghana. Originality/value Key contribution of the paper to the body of knowledge is demonstrated by the empirical evidence of the risks IPPs are likely to encounter in setting up renewable energy plants in Ghana. The distinctive attribute of this study is further demonstrated by the fact that it focused on the set-up stage, which is a critical stage in the renewable energy provision value chain.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sumeet Reddy ◽  
Falah El-Haddawi ◽  
Michael Fancourt ◽  
Glenn Farrant ◽  
William Gilkison ◽  
...  

Lower limb skin grafts are thought to have higher failure rates than skin grafts in other sites of the body. Currently, there is a paucity of literature on specific factors associated with lower limb skin graft failure. We present a series of 70 lower limb skin grafts in 50 patients with outcomes at 6 weeks. One-third of lower limb skin grafts went on to fail with increased BMI, peripheral vascular disease, and immunosuppressant medication use identified as significant risk factors.


2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dubem Ikediashi ◽  
Onuwa Okwuashi

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate and conceptualise significant factors influencing decision to outsource facilities management (FM) services in Nigeria’s public hospitals. Design/methodology/approach – Data for this study were collected using a cross-sectional questionnaire survey. A total of 85 responses were received from the six states comprising the study area while 11 of them were discarded due to missing data resulting in 74 usable responses. This gave an overall response rate of 61 per cent. Data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics as well as principal component analysis. Findings – Findings revealed that 25 of the 31 factors were significant in explaining the decision to outsource FM service in Nigeria’s public hospitals; while 15 of them grouped into six broad categories were selected based on their factor loadings during further analysis. Besides, it was also established from the study that “to improve performance standard”, “to improve quality of services” and “to improve timely delivery of services” are the top three rated factors. Research limitations/implications – The study complements the body of knowledge on “make or buy” decision theory by provided empirical insight into key attributes of outsourcing decision motives for FM services from the point of view of Nigeria’s public sector spectrum that can serve as benchmark for deciding on whether to outsource or not. Practical implications – The study also has practical implications. More is now known as a result of this research about what factors constitute drivers for outsourcing FM services within the context of Nigeria’s public hospitals. With an aggregate opinion from 74 public hospitals, the study provides hospital administrators and public managers with a list of prioritised factors for making rational informed decision about outsourcing of services in the hospitals. Originality/value – The study complements the body of knowledge on “make or buy” decision theory by providing empirical insight into key attributes of outsourcing decision motives for FM services from the point of view of Nigeria’s public healthcare.


2015 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dubem Ikediashi ◽  
Anyiekere M Ekanem

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to extend the body of knowledge on health care facilities management (FM) by investigating the extent to which public hospitals in Nigeria have fared in terms of outsourced FM services. Design/methodology/approach – The paper relied on two strands of methodology common with pragmatic research. Questionnaire survey (QS) used data from 74 respondents representing 74 hospitals, while 3 of the 74 hospitals involved in the QS were selected based on their willingness to enter the case study interview. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics (QS) and using narrative techniques by discussing themes, sub-themes and interconnecting themes through a chronology of events, as in grounded theory. Findings – Findings revealed that most public hospitals do not have a policy framework for outsourcing in general and FM services in particular, giving room for duplication of functions and non-establishment of functional FM units to handle FM activities, while six FM services are outsourced in all the hospitals. Cleaning, security and catering services received the highest satisfaction ratings, while plant maintenance services, however, received the least satisfaction rating. Originality/value – The paper provides the first ever survey based on empirical evidence about the state of FM services outsourced in Nigeria’s public hospitals. The survey suggests a relatively low level of usage of outsourcing for its services, as only a handful of FM services are outsourced in most of the hospitals.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 11-15
Author(s):  
Bikal Shrestha ◽  
Naveen Phuyal ◽  
Lee Budhathoki ◽  
Chiranjibi Pant ◽  
Raj Kumar

Introduction: Prevention is an important strategy to reduce the incidence of Exertional heat-related illnesses (EHRI) during training. It comprises a group of symptoms that occur in response to heat accumulation in the body caused by exercise or work in a hot and humid environment for a long period of time until the body is unable to regulate its temperature. The aim of the study is to find out associated risk factors and factors contributing EHRI especially in recruits of Nepal Army. Methods: A case-control study was conducted in  recruit training center of Nepal army from June to September of 2017 using a Semi- structured questionnaire after taking ethical approval from IRB. All EHRI cases were included during data collection. The risk factors were analyzed with controls from the same center. 36 cases and 84 controls were taken. We computed the odd ratio (OR), corresponding 95% confidence interval (95% CI), Chi-Square test and Binary Logistic Regression test with SPSS version 20 software. Results: 85% were wearing army uniform with camouflage vest during the exertional phase of training which was identified as noticeable risk factor with odd ratio (OR) of 13.26 with 95% CI: 5.05 – 34.84 in comparisons to controls. Fear from instructors and seniors in following rules were the protective factors for EHRI (P<0.05). Conclusions: Wearing camouflouge vests and previous history of EHRI were significant risk factors associated with EHRI during training period. Proper clothing protocol and identifying vulnerable groups by the commanders and trainees may prevent EHRI in future.


2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 006
Author(s):  
Hasan Reyhanoglu ◽  
Kaan Ozcan ◽  
Murat Erturk ◽  
Fatih İslamoglu ◽  
İsa Durmaz

<strong>Objective:</strong> We aimed to evaluate the risk factors associated with acute renal failure in patients who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery.<br /><strong>Methods:</strong> One hundred and six patients who developed renal failure after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) constituted the study group (RF group), while 110 patients who did not develop renal failure served as a control group <br />(C group). In addition, the RF group was divided into two subgroups: patients that were treated with conservative methods without the need for hemodialysis (NH group) and patients that required hemodialysis (HR group). Risk factors associated with renal failure were investigated.<br /><strong>Results:</strong> Among the 106 patients that developed renal failure (RF), 80 patients were treated with conservative methods without any need for hemodialysis (NH group); while <br />26 patients required hemodialysis in the postoperative period (HR group). The multivariate analysis showed that diabetes mellitus and the postoperative use of positive inotropes and adrenaline were significant risk factors associated with development of renal failure. In addition, carotid stenosis and postoperative use of adrenaline were found to be significant risk factors associated with hemodialysis-dependent renal failure (P &lt; .05). The mortality in the RF group was determined as 13.2%, while the mortality rate in patients who did not require hemodialysis and those who required hemodialysis was 6.2% and 34%, respectively.<br /><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Renal failure requiring hemodialysis after CABG often results in high morbidity and mortality. Factors affecting microcirculation and atherosclerosis, like diabetes mellitus, carotid artery stenosis, and postoperative vasopressor use remain the major risk factors for the development of renal failure.<br /><br />


Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 105
Author(s):  
Jatapat Hemapanpairoa ◽  
Dhitiwat Changpradub ◽  
Sudaluck Thunyaharn ◽  
Wichai Santimaleeworagun

The prevalence of enterococcal infection, especially E. faecium, is increasing, and the issue of the impact of vancomycin resistance on clinical outcomes is controversial. This study aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes of infection caused by E. faecium and determine the risk factors associated with mortality. This retrospective study was performed at the Phramongkutklao Hospital during the period from 2014 to 2018. One hundred and forty-five patients with E. faecium infections were enrolled. The 30-day and 90-day mortality rates of patients infected with vancomycin resistant (VR)-E. faecium vs. vancomycin susceptible (VS)-E. faecium were 57.7% vs. 38.7% and 69.2% vs. 47.1%, respectively. The median length of hospitalization was significantly longer in patients with VR-E. faecium infection. In logistic regression analysis, VR-E. faecium, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores, and bone and joint infections were significant risk factors associated with both 30-day and 90-day mortality. Moreover, Cox proportional hazards model showed that VR-E. faecium infection (HR 1.91; 95%CI 1.09–3.37), SOFA scores of 6–9 points (HR 2.69; 95%CI 1.15–6.29), SOFA scores ≥ 10 points (HR 3.71; 95%CI 1.70–8.13), and bone and joint infections (HR 0.08; 95%CI 0.01–0.62) were significant risk factors for mortality. In conclusion, the present study confirmed the impact of VR-E. faecium infection on mortality and hospitalization duration. Thus, the appropriate antibiotic regimen for VR-E. faecium infection, especially for severely ill patients, is an effective strategy for improving treatment outcomes.


2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 373-389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jurandir Peinado ◽  
Alexandre Reis Graeml ◽  
Fernando Vianna

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to assess the differences in importance assigned by manufacturing or service organizations to topics related to operations management and its attendant body of knowledge. Design/methodology/approach The authors did this by cataloguing and analyzing vacancy announcements related to operations management, presented by manufacturing and services companies in major Brazilian human resources websites. Findings The results show that manufacturing companies primarily hire personnel with skills in routine process management, quality management, lean manufacturing, ergonomics and work organization. Service companies generally seek professionals with knowledge and experience in logistics, supply chain management and project management. Research limitations/implications This study presents some limitations that reduce the power of its conclusions. There is some degree of subjectivity in the interpretation of the contents of the analyzed ads. In order to reduce this problem, the authors who did the tabulation of data marked the situations for which there were some doubts about the classification, discussing them with the other author, until they reached a consensus on the best way to classify each one. Originality/value The discussion about the importance assigned by manufacturing and service companies to the topics of operations management is crucial for not only the results obtained, but also to stimulate the debate on topics that comprise or should comprise the body of knowledge of operations management, and the way they are incorporated into business practice. This provides an additional opportunity to reflect on the potential of operations management in supporting business managers now and in the future.


2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 862-882 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fiona X. Yang ◽  
Sherry Xiuchang Tan

Purpose This paper aims to empirically investigate how event innovation may induce desirable corporate branding. Design/methodology/approach A survey yielded 280 complete responses from tourists who had attended an event in Macau. Structural equation modeling was used to test the innovation-corporate loyalty framework through perceived event value and corporate image, with a multi-group comparison to examine differences between first-time and repeat customers. Findings The results indicate that innovation is not only the key to value enhancement of the event but also an efficacious instrument of branding the parent company and building corporate loyalty; only product-related innovation has a significant impact on event value; both functional and emotional values induce a more favorable corporate image; and event-induced corporate branding is more effective in securing repeat business than attracting new clientele. Practical implications The findings help hospitality operators and event planners to leverage innovative events for corporate branding and cater to different customer segments by providing distinct marketing strategies. Originality/value The study contributes to the body of knowledge regarding event management and corporate branding and sheds light on future research to explore the initiative and benefit of pushing forward event innovation.


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