Advancing the use of performance evaluation in health care

2014 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 422-436 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Traberg ◽  
Peter Jacobsen ◽  
Nadia Monique Duthiers

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework for health care performance evaluation that enables decision makers to identify areas indicative of corrective actions. The framework should provide information on strategic pro-/regress in an operational context that justifies the need for organizational adjustments. Design/methodology/approach – The study adopts qualitative methods for constructing the framework, subsequently implementing the framework in a Danish magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) unit. Workshops and interviews form the basis of the qualitative construction phase, and two internal and five external databases are used for a quantitative data collection. Findings – By aggregating performance outcomes, collective measures of performance are achieved. This enables easy and intuitive identification of areas not strategically aligned. In general, the framework has proven helpful in an MRI unit, where operational decision makers have been struggling with extensive amounts of performance information. Research limitations/implications – The implementation of the framework in a single case in a public and highly political environment restricts the generalizing potential. The authors acknowledge that there may be more suitable approaches in organizations with different settings. Practical implications – The strength of the framework lies in the identification of performance problems prior to decision making. The quality of decisions is directly related to the individual decision maker. The only function of the framework is to support these decisions. Originality/value – The study demonstrates a more refined and transparent use of performance reporting by combining strategic weight assignment and performance aggregation in hierarchies. In this way, the framework accentuates performance as a function of strategic progress or regress, thus assisting decision makers in exerting operational effort in pursuit of strategic alignment.

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Rami Raad Ahmed Al-Ani ◽  
Basim Hussein Khudair Al-Obaidi

Sewer system plays an indispensable task in urban cities by protecting public health and the environment. The operation, maintenance, and rehabilitation of this network have to be in a sustainable and scientific manner. For this purpose, it is important to support operators, decision makers and municipalities with performance evaluation procedure that is based on operational factors. In this paper, serviceability and performance indicator (PI) principles are employed to propose methodology comprising two enhanced PI curves that can be used to evaluate the individual sewers depending on operational factors such as flowing velocity and wastewater level in the sewers. In order to test this methodology; a case study of al-Rusafa in Baghdad city is studied in which two combined trunk sewers are serving (Zeblin and ET-trunks). Hydraulic analysis for two scenarios (average and peak dry weather flows) is performed; afterward, performance evaluation showed a sub-index ranging from 0.5 (minimum level of performance) to one (excellent performance) which implicate that these two trunks, if well maintained will provide sufficient service to the catchment. By applying the serviceability and PI principles; a prioritizing tool is provided which help decision makers towards better management of the sewerage system.  


2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (10) ◽  
pp. 61-70
Author(s):  
Rami Raad Ahmed Al-Ani ◽  
Basim Hussein Khudair Al-Obaidi

Sewer system plays an essential task in urban cities by protecting public health and the environment. The operation, maintenance, and rehabilitation of this network have to be sustainable and scientifically. For this purpose, it is crucial to support operators, decision makers and municipalities with performance evaluation procedure that is based on operational factors. In this paper, serviceability and performance indicator (PI) principles are employed to propose methodology comprising two enhanced PI curves that can be used to evaluate the individual sewers depending on operational factors such as flowing velocity and wastewater level in the sewers. To test this methodology; a case study of al-Rusafa in Baghdad city is studied in which two combined trunk sewers are serving (Zeblin and ET-trunks). Hydraulic analysis for two scenarios (average and peak dry weather flows) is performed; afterward, performance evaluation showed a sub-index ranging from 0.5 (minimum level of performance) to one (excellent performance) which implicate that these two trunks, if well maintained will provide sufficient service to the catchment. By applying the serviceability and PI principles; a prioritizing tool is provided which help decision makers towards better management of the sewerage system.  


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hala M. Amin ◽  
Ehab K.A. Mohamed ◽  
Mostaq M. Hussain

Purpose This study aims to explore corporate governance (CG) practices that can lead to firms’ better performance in different organizational life cycles. The authors propose a configurational approach to explore how a set of CG practices combine in bundles to achieve high performance outcomes for firms across their corporate life cycles. Design/methodology/approach Fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis was used to analyze a sample of data of 21 countries and 9 industries. Data referred to the period of 9 years extending from the year 2005 to the year 2013. Findings This study reveals that there are multiple CG practices that exist through firms that can achieve high firm performance. Moreover, CG practices combine in different ways for firms in their growth, maturity and declining stages. Research limitations/implications This study demonstrates the value of using a configurational analytical approach to explore both the firm and country-specific CG practices (together) that engage firms to achieve the desired level of performance across the corporate life cycles. Practical implications The current study draws attention to the policymakers’ need to assess the current level of regulatory and competitive development of their countries and form policy accordingly. The approach used in the current research study not only offers the linkages between CG and performance to managers as incentives to comply with regulation but also to view CG-related activity as a strategic move. Social implications The approach used in the current research study not only offers the linkages between CG and performance to managers as incentives to comply with regulation but also to view CG-related activity as a strategic move. Originality/value This study broadening the focus of CG studies to include a rigorous explanation of the global CG phenomena and to provide effective solutions for the practitioners. Contribution to Impact This study demonstrates the value of using a configurational analytical approach to explore both the firm and country-specific CG practices (together) that engage firms to achieve the desired level of performance across the corporate life cycles.


2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (9) ◽  
pp. 1164-1184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haley Allison Beer ◽  
Pietro Micheli

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the influences of performance measurement (PM) on not-for-profit (NFP) organizations’ stakeholders by studying how PM practices interact with understandings of legitimate performance goals. This study invokes institutional logics theory to explain interactions between PM and stakeholders. Design/methodology/approach An in-depth case study is conducted in a large NFP organization in the UK. Managers, employees, and external partners are interviewed and observed, and performance-related documents analyzed. Findings Both stakeholders and PM practices are found to have dominant institutional logics that portray certain goals as legitimate. PM practices can reinforce, reconcile, or inhibit stakeholders’ understandings and propensity to act toward goals, depending on the extent to which practices share the dominant logic of the stakeholders they interact with. Research limitations/implications A theoretical framework is proposed for how PM practices first interact with stakeholders at a cognitive level and second influence action. This research is based on a single case study, which limits generalizability of findings; however, results may be transferable to other environments where PM is aimed at balancing competing stakeholder objectives and organizational priorities. Practical implications PM affects the experience of stakeholders by interacting with their understanding of legitimate performance goals. PM systems should be designed and implemented on the basis of both their formal ability to represent organizational aims and objectives, and their influence on stakeholders. Originality/value Findings advance PM theory by offering an explanation for how PM influences attention and actions at an individual micro level.


Kybernetes ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 706-727 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Ertugrul Karsak ◽  
Melis Almula Karadayi

Purpose This paper aims to address performance measurement in the health-care sector, which gains increasing importance for most countries because growing health expenditures and increased quality and competition in the health sector require hospitals to use their resources efficiently. Health policy-makers and health-care managers stress the need for developing a robust performance evaluation methodology for health-care organizations. Design/methodology/approach This paper presents an imprecise data envelopment analysis (DEA) framework for evaluating the health-care performance of 26 districts in Istanbul, a metropolis with nearly 15 million inhabitants. The proposed methodology takes into account both quantitative and qualitative data represented as linguistic variables for performance evaluation. Moreover, this study reckons that weight flexibility in DEA assessments can lead to unrealistic weighting schemes for some inputs and outputs, which are likely to result in overstated efficiency scores for a number of decision-making units (in here, districts). To overcome this problem, a weight restricted imprecise DEA model that constrains weight flexibility in DEA is proposed. Findings The proposed imprecise DEA approach sets forth a more realistic decision methodology for evaluating the relative health-care performance and also enables to determine the best district in terms of health-care performance in Istanbul. Originality/value This paper includes the quality dimension, which has been overlooked in previous studies, into the health-care performance evaluation of districts. Moreover, it circumvents unrealistic weight flexibility which may distort the relative evaluation of health-care performance.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
Andrea Tomo ◽  
Lucio Todisco

Literature is increasingly recognizing that organizations must combine themes of care and concern with more established economic objectives. This conceptual study will expand on this literature by considering how expressions of organizational care toward employees, by improving their well-being, may influence their motivation, work involvement and, in turn, improve performance. In more detail, by extending the conceptual framework developed by Bonner & Sprinkle (2001), it is argued that managers should take into account the impact, not only of monetary and non-monetary incentives, but even of other caring policies, on employee motivation and performance outcomes. On this ground, this study develops a theoretical model on how organizational care may help employees in expressing their work potential and enhancing their performance. The model is developed within the health care context since its particular setting that strongly affects employees’ well-being.


Kybernetes ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon-Arild Johannessen ◽  
Hugo Skaalsvik

Purpose – One problem that many organisations face today in the global economy is that too few ideas are turned into innovations. The purpose of this paper is to show how innovations in organisations may be obtained by means of creative energy fields. Design/methodology/approach – The design employed in the research represents a holistic, change oriented approach to innovation, and the methodology is conceptual where an analytical model is used. Findings – The paper provides arguments that organisations need to develop creative energy fields in order to enhance their innovative capacity and performance. In the paper the construct creative energy field is conceptualised as “a spot in an organisation where a Group of creative individuals collaborate and work together in order to bring to surface new ideas which may fuel innovation processes and Development in organisations”. The paper shows that creative energy fields are influenced by five distinct components; those of making a clear purpose, planning after the results have become apparant, an organisation’s rule breakers, drawing a map that changes the landscape, and igniting the flame of innovation. Furthermore, the findings encompass three conditions which need to be present in an organisation in order to make creative energy fields work. Research limitations/implications – The carried out focuses on the individual organisation which aims to enhance innovation performance. Practical implications – In relation to practical implications, the paper shows, in particular, how an organisation may move into areas of innovation by means of a Lego system of organising. Originality/value – To the authors’ knowledge, the creation and use of a novel construct, that of creative energy fields, represents newness and originality in innovation research at the level of the individual enterprise. Furthermore, the paper contributes to the extant management knowledge of innovation by showing how a Lego system of organising may foster innovation at the enterprise level.


2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 286-299
Author(s):  
Francisco Silva ◽  
José Vieira ◽  
António Pimenta ◽  
João Teixeira

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate low-wage retention using a survival analysis approach. Design/methodology/approach Variables explaining low-wage retention take into account the characteristics of the employee, such as education, age, tenure with the company, gender and nationality, and the characteristics of the job and the company such as industry affiliation, number of employees, age of the company and location. Findings Female workers and workers with low level of education, older ones, those with more seniority in the company and those of Asian origin remain longer in a low-wage situation. Also, workers in smaller and older companies located outside the Lisbon region are more likely to stay in a low-wage situation. Practical implications The policy implications are clear. Education plays a prominent role: the higher the level of education of the individual, the higher the probability of him/her leaving low pay. Training programs may help employees in Portugal to leave the low-wage situation. Furthermore, policies must address the different mobility rates of different nationalities and different activities. Training programs are more urgent for hotels and restaurants and transports and communication. The findings also indicate that those initially working in younger firms and larger firms have a higher probability of leaving the low-wage situation. This is a stimulus for decision makers to stimulate employment in the younger firms or in the larger firms. Originality/value Despite low-wage retention being a well-known field of research, to our knowledge this is the first research paper using survival analysis to explain the duration of a low-wage situation.


2018 ◽  
Vol 119 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 121-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Urquhart

Purpose This paper aims to examine the principles that underpin library assessment, methods used for impact and performance evaluation and how academic libraries should use the findings, and it discusses how value frameworks help. Design/methodology/approach This is a literature review covering aspects of value (value propositions, value co-creation), value frameworks (including the 2015 ACRL framework, Holbrook typology with worked example), data analytics and collaborative projects including LibQUAL+ initiatives and the use of balanced scorecard principles (including a values scorecard). Findings The use of data analytics in library assessment requires collaboration among library services to develop reliable data sets. Scorecards help ongoing impact and performance evaluation. Queries that arise may require a framework, or logic model, to formulate suitable questions and assemble evidence (qualitative and quantitative) to answer new questions about the value of library services. The perceived value framework of Holbrook’s typology, the values scorecard and the ACRL framework all support the deeper level of inquiry required. Research limitations/implications Includes examples of possible application of frameworks. Practical implications A value framework might help data analytic approaches in combining qualitative and quantitative data. Social implications Impact assessment may require assessing how value is co-created with library users in use of e-resources and open data. Originality/value The study contrasts the varying approaches to impact evaluation and library assessment in academic libraries, and it examines more in-depth value frameworks.


Author(s):  
Peter Gloor ◽  
Kai Fischbach ◽  
Julia Gluesing ◽  
Ken Riopelle ◽  
Detlef Schoder

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to show that virtual mirroring-based learning allows members of an organization to see how they communicate with others in a visual way, by applying principles of “social quantum physics” (empathy, entanglement, reflect, reboot), to become better communicators and build a shared “DNA” within their organization. Design/methodology/approach E-mail based social network analysis creates virtual maps of communication – social landscapes – of organizations, similar to Google Maps, which creates geographical maps of a person’s surroundings. Findings Applying virtual mirroring-based learning at various mulitnational firms has significantly increased their organizational efficiency and performance, for instance increasing customer satisfaction by 18 per cent in a large services organization, increasing retention, making sales forecasts, and improving call center employee satisfaction. Research limitations/implications To address concerns of individual privacy, the guiding principle is to give individual information to the individual and provide aggregated anonymized information to management. Originality/value Virtual mirroring-based learning offers a unique way of creating collective awareness within an organization by empowering the individual to take corrective action aligned with collective action, and improves their own communication behavior through analyzing and visualizing their e-mail archive in novel ways, while giving strategic insight to management and improving organizational culture.


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