Time orientation in complex B2B service relationships

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 451-464 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rocio Rodriguez ◽  
Göran Svensson

Purpose The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, to examine, on the basis of a teleological time orientation, the differences and similarities between actions that take place before and after the sales and purchases of advanced service solutions; and second, to stress that an active consideration of time facilitates the development of satisfactory service solutions to the service provider (SP) and service receiver (SR) (both) and maintenance of the long-term and complex business-to-business (B2B) service relationships in contrast to a passive consideration of time. Design/methodology/approach The authors have applied a multi-method design based on: in-depth interviews with key informants at software providers and their customers; analysis of textual documents and structured observations of customer-software provider actions; and follow-up interviews. This study is based on four phases in an industry to examine different views to enable data triangulation. Findings Complex B2B service relationships are affected by time in an active way, namely, time in the present is linked to customer expectations and their perceptions through two points: the experience (from past) of the SP and the SR and the service solution, previsualized (from future) before the service is implemented. Each interaction between the seller and the buyer progressively changes the mindset of both from the initial position of each (active consideration of time). Research limitations/implications The paper highlights the importance of an active treatment of time and cross-functional SP teams, since the individual salesperson may not possess the knowledge or resources to successfully deal with SR demands in complex B2B service relationships. Practical implications SPs should train, support, supervise and evaluate the whole team so that it interacts properly and performs appropriate and timely actions toward a successful outcome with their SRs. Originality/value The paper contributes to enhance the understanding of time-oriented sales and purchases in complex B2B service relationships based on advanced service solutions, all of which have rarely been addressed in either previous studies or in theory.

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. 1665-1675
Author(s):  
Maëlis Kauffmann ◽  
Mickaël Bobot ◽  
Thomas Robert ◽  
Stéphane Burtey ◽  
Grégoire Couvrat-Desvergnes ◽  
...  

Background and objectivesKidney impairment of ANCA-associated vasculitides can lead to kidney failure. Patients with kidney failure may suffer from vasculitis relapses but are also at high risk of infections and cardiovascular events, which questions the maintenance of immunosuppressive therapy.Design, setting, participants, & measurementsPatients with ANCA-associated vasculitides initiating long-term dialysis between 2008 and 2012 in France registered in the national Renal Epidemiology and Information Network registry and paired with the National Health System database were included. We analyzed the proportion of patients in remission off immunosuppression over time and overall and event-free survival on dialysis (considering transplantation as a competing risk). We compared the incidence of vasculitis relapses, serious infections, cardiovascular events, and cancers before and after dialysis initiation.ResultsIn total, 229 patients were included: 142 with granulomatous polyangiitis and 87 with microscopic polyangiitis. Mean follow-up after dialysis initiation was 4.6±2.7 years; 82 patients received a kidney transplant. The proportion of patients in remission off immunosuppression increased from 23% at dialysis initiation to 62% after 5 years. Overall survival rates on dialysis were 86%, 69%, and 62% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. Main causes of death were infections (35%) and cardiovascular events (26%) but not vasculitis flares (6%). The incidence of vasculitis relapses decreased from 57 to seven episodes per 100 person-years before and after dialysis initiation (P=0.05). Overall, during follow-up, 45% of patients experienced a serious infection and 45% had a cardiovascular event, whereas 13% experienced a vasculitis relapse.ConclusionsThe proportion of patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis in remission off immunosuppression increases with time spent on dialysis. In this cohort, patients were far less likely to relapse from their vasculitis than to display serious infectious or cardiovascular events.PodcastThis article contains a podcast at https://www.asn-online.org/media/podcast/CJASN/2021_11_08_CJN03190321.mp3


2003 ◽  
Vol 99 (3) ◽  
pp. 251-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naohisa Miyakoshi ◽  
Yoichi Shimada ◽  
Tetsuya Suzuki ◽  
Michio Hongo ◽  
Yuji Kasukawa ◽  
...  

Object. Factors related to long-term surgical outcome of thoracic myelopathy caused by ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF) have not been fully investigated. To evaluate these factors, the authors reviewed medical records obtained in patients who had undergone decompressive surgery for thoracic OLF. Methods. Thirty-four patients in whom decompressive surgery was performed for thoracic OLF (mean follow-up period 8 years) were recruited. Fourteen patients underwent simultaneous decompressive surgery for cervical or lumbar lesions. Patient age, duration of symptoms, OLF type, dural adhesion, neurological status classified by the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scale before and after surgery (1 month postoperatively and at final follow up), and recovery rate were reviewed. The ossified ligamentum flavum was classified into five types according to Sato's classification by assessing preoperative computerized tomography scans. The mean preoperative JOA score (5) was significantly improved at 1 month after surgery (7.1) and at final follow up (7.9) (p < 0.05). Recovery rates at 1 month and at final follow up were 34.6 and 44.2%, respectively. No significant correlations were found between age, OLF type, and neurological status before and after surgery. In patients with dural adhesion, which was observed in cases of larger-type OLF (p < 0.02), lower JOA scores were observed compared with those in patients without dural adhesion both preoperatively and at 1 month after surgery (p < 0.05) but not at the final follow-up examination. Higher JOA scores and recovery rates were demonstrated in patients who had undergone simultaneous surgery than in those who had not undergone simultaneous surgery at 1 month (p < 0.05) but not at the final follow up. Using multiple regression analysis, the authors identified the duration of preoperative symptoms as the most important predictor of a high JOA score and recovery rate at the final follow up. Conclusions. Duration of preoperative symptoms represents the most important predictor of long-term surgeryrelated outcome in patients treated for thoracic OLF. The type of ossified ligamentum flavum, dural adhesion, and simultaneous surgery for coexistent cervical or lumbar lesions do not appear to influence the long-term postoperative prognosis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaorong Yan ◽  
Huiqing Wang ◽  
Cai Li ◽  
Yuanxiang Lin ◽  
Lin Lin ◽  
...  

Abstract Background To present a surgical technique for the treatment of intradural extramedullary (IDEM) tumors by using endoscopically controlled surgery with open hemilaminectomy technique. Methods In this study, 20 patients with 22 IDEM tumors were enrolled. An endoscopically controlled surgery with open hemilaminectomy was employed to remove the tumors. Data related to clinical symptoms and medical images before and after surgery were collected for perioperative evaluation and follow-up analysis. Results All the tumors in 20 patients were well removed. The clinical symptoms were significantly reduced in all the patients as well. The short-term follow-up data showed that there was no tumor recurrence or spinal deformity. Conclusion The endoscopically controlled surgery with open hemilaminectomy technique provided favorable exposure and satisfactory resection to the IDEM tumors. It may be an effective surgical method for treating IDEM tumors. Larger samples and longer follow-up data are needed to verify its long-term effectiveness.


2021 ◽  
pp. jnnp-2021-326043
Author(s):  
Alis Heshmatollah ◽  
Lisanne J. Dommershuijsen ◽  
Lana Fani ◽  
Peter J. Koudstaal ◽  
M. Arfan Ikram ◽  
...  

ObjectiveAlthough knowledge on poststroke cognitive and functional decline is increasing, little is known about the possible decline of these functions before stroke. We determined the long-term trajectories of cognition and daily functioning before and after stroke.MethodsBetween 1990 and 2016, we repeatedly assessed cognition (Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), 15-Word Learning, Letter–Digit Substitution, Stroop, Verbal Fluency, Purdue Pegboard) and basic and instrumental activities of daily living (BADL and IADL) in 14 712 participants within the population-based Rotterdam Study. Incident stroke was assessed through continuous monitoring of medical records until 2018. We matched participants with incident stroke to stroke-free participants (1:3) based on sex and birth year. Trajectories of cognition and daily functioning of patients who had a stroke 10 years before and 10 years after stroke and the corresponding trajectories of stroke-free individuals were constructed using adjusted linear mixed effects models.ResultsDuring a mean follow-up of 12.5±6.8 years, a total of 1662 participants suffered a first-ever stroke. Patients who had a stroke deviated from stroke-free controls up to 10 years before stroke diagnosis in cognition and daily functioning. Significant deviations before stroke were seen in scores of MMSE (6.4 years), Stroop (5.7 years), Purdue Pegboard (3.8 years) and BADL and IADL (2.2 and 3.0 years, respectively).ConclusionPatients who had a stroke have steeper declines in cognition and daily functioning up to 10 years before their first-ever stroke compared with stroke-free individuals. Our findings suggest that accumulating intracerebral pathology already has a clinical impact before stroke.


2005 ◽  
Vol 102 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone A. Betchen ◽  
Jane Walsh ◽  
Kalmon D. Post

Object. Vestibular schwannomas (VSs) are now amenable to resection with excellent hearing preservation rates. It remains unclear whether immediately postoperative hearing is a durable result and will not diminish over time. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of long-term preservation of functional hearing following surgery for a VS and to examine factors influencing hearing preservation. Methods. All patients eligible for hearing preservation (Gardner—Robertson Class I or II) who had undergone resection of a VS by a single surgeon were reviewed retrospectively. Follow-up audiograms and magnetic resonance images were obtained. Of 142 patients deemed eligible for hearing preservation surgery, 38 had immediate postoperative hearing confirmed by an audiogram. In these patients with preserved hearing, the audiographic results demonstrated functional hearing in 30 (85.7%) of 35 patients who underwent repeated testing at a mean follow-up time of 7 years. Delayed hearing loss occurred in five (14.3%) of the 35 patients and did not correlate significantly with the size of the tumor. Hearing improved one Gardner—Robertson class postoperatively in three (7.9%) of the 38 patients. Conclusions. Long-term functional hearing was maintained in 85.7% of patients when it was preserved immediately postoperatively and the result was independent of tumor size. The results of this study emphasize that long-term preservation of functional hearing is a realistic goal following VS surgery and should be attempted in all patients in whom preoperative hearing is determined to be Gardner—Robertson Class I or II.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 926
Author(s):  
Max Philipp Brinkmann ◽  
Stephan Michels ◽  
Carolin Brinkmann ◽  
Mario Damiano Toro ◽  
Nicole Graf Johansen ◽  
...  

Background: Previous studies have shown that epiretinal membranes (ERMs) may be associated with abnormal outer retinal anatomy. However, long-term morphological and functional results of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with ERM and internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling in eyes with central bouquet (CB) alterations have not yet been investigated. Methods: In a retrospective, consecutive study all patients underwent best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) testing and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) before and after a mean of 20 months (range 3–70 months) postoperatively. CB abnormalities and ERMs were classified according to Govetto’s staging systems. Results: Of the 67 eyes, 22 (34%) showed CB abnormalities at baseline. The mean BCVA increased from 0.42 at baseline to 0.20 LogMAR at final follow-up (p < 0.001). Neither ERM stage (p = 0.06) nor CB stage (p = 0.939) at baseline were significant predictors of vision improvement following surgery. Conclusions: Our results show that baseline BCVA, but not classification of CB changes and ERM at baseline, seems to be a useful predictor for functional outcomes following PPV with ERM and ILM peeling in the long-term.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Syed Ali Raza ◽  
Nida Shah ◽  
Muhammad Tahir Suleman ◽  
Md Al Mamun

Purpose This study aims to examine the house price fluctuations in G7 countries by using the multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis (MF-DFA) for the years 1970–2019. The study examined the market efficiency between the short-term and long-term in the full sample period, before and after the global financial crisis period. Design/methodology/approach This study uses the MF-DFA to analyze house price fluctuations. Findings The findings confirmed that the housing market series are multifractal. Furthermore, all the markets showed long-term persistence in both the short and long-term. The USA is identified as the most persistent house market in the short run and Japan in the long run. Moreover, in terms of efficiency, Canada is identified as the most efficient house market in the long run and the UK in the short run. Finally, the result of before and after the financial crisis period is consistent with the full sample result. Originality/value The contribution of this study in the literature is fourfold. This is the first study that has examined the house prices efficiency by using the MF-DFA technique given by Kantelhardt et al. (2002). Previously, the house market prices and efficiency has been investigated using generalized Hurst exponent (Liu et al., 2019), Quantile Regression Approach (Chae and Bera, 2019; Tiwari et al., 2019) but no study to the best of the knowledge has been done that has used the MF-DFA technique on the housing market. Second, this is the first study that has focused on the house markets of G7 countries. Third, this study explores the house market efficiency by dividing the market into two periods i.e. before and after the financial crisis. The study strives to investigate if the financial crisis determines the change in the degree of market efficiency or not. Finally, the study gives valuable insights to the investors that will help them in their investment decisions.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1985 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-63
Author(s):  
Cesare T. Lombroso ◽  
Yoichi Matsumiya

Thirty-three full-term neonates were ranked blindly on a scale ranging from the least to the highest "risk" for future neurologic complications on the basis of available perinatal biographies, tests, and examinations performed during the newborn period. Four prolonged polygraphic-behavioral recordings were obtained one week apart beginning at ten days after birth. Five waking and sleep states were scored in each session as percentages of total observation time, giving a total of 20 scores for each baby to be subjected to analysis of variance. These measures also provided individual profile consistency or variability in maintaining waking-sleep states over the selected period of postnatal time. The whole cohort, except three infants who could not be followed adequately, was then reexamined periodically over a period ranging from 3 to 4 years (±6 months) for neurologic and developmental assessments. Except for two scores that produced a low level of statistical significance (P &lt; .05), the other 18 scores were found to be not associated with long-term outcomes. Even the first two scores were not satisfactory discriminators for the outcome of the individual babies. However, when coefficients of concordance (W) were computed from each individual baby profile, significant statistics (P &lt; .001) emerged to indicate good correlations between high or low W values in the newborn period and long-term outcomes. All 17 newborns who had W scores greater than 0.9 were found to be normal at follow-up regardless of the poor ranking given several of them during the newborn period. Among the 13 newborns who had W scores less than 0.9, 11 had a poor clinical outcome at follow-up, though several had been ranked initially as falling within the least "risk" group.


1995 ◽  
Vol 82 (5) ◽  
pp. 745-751 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Ebersold ◽  
Michel C. Pare ◽  
Lynn M. Quast

✓ The long-term outcome of cervical spondylitic myelopathy after surgical treatment was retrospectively reviewed and critically evaluated in 100 patients with documented cervical myelopathy treated between 1978 and 1988 at our institution. Eighty-four patients were available for long-term study. The median duration of follow up was 7.35 years (range 3 to 9.5 years). There were 67 men and 17 women; their ages ranged from 27 to 86 years. The duration of preoperative symptoms ranged from 1 month to 10 years. Preoperative functional grade as evaluated with the Nurick Scale for the group was 2.1. Thirty-three patients with primarily anterior cord compression, one- or two-level disease, or a kyphotic neck deformity were treated by anterior decompression and fusion. Fifty-one patients with primarily posterior cord compression and multiple-level disease were treated by posterior laminectomy. There was no difference in the preoperative functional grade in these two groups. The patients in the posterior treatment group were older (59 vs 55 years). There was no surgical mortality from the operative procedures; morbidity was 3.6%. Of the 33 patients undergoing anterior decompression and fusion, 24 showed immediate functional improvement and nine were unchanged. Of the 51 patients who underwent posterior laminectomy, 35 demonstrated improvement, 11 were unchanged, and five were worse. Six patients, one in the anterior group and five in the posterior group, demonstrated early deterioration. Late deterioration occurred from 2 to 68 months postoperatively. Four (12%) patients who had undergone anterior procedures had additional posterior procedures, and seven (13.7%) patients who had undergone posterior procedures had additional decompressive surgery. The final functional status at last follow-up examination for the 33 patients in the anterior group was improved in 18, unchanged in nine, and deteriorated in six. Of the 51 patients who underwent posterior decompression, 19 benefited from the surgery, 13 were unchanged, and 19 were worse at last follow up than before their initial surgical procedure. Age, severity of disease, number of levels operated, and preoperative grade were not predictive of outcome. The only factor related to potential deterioration was the duration of symptoms preoperatively. The results indicate that with anterior or posterior decompression, long-term outcome is variable, and a subgroup of patients, even after adequate decompression and initial improvement, will have late functional deterioration.


1981 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 414-419 ◽  
Author(s):  
Blaine S. Nashold ◽  
Elizabeth Bullitt

✓ Thirteen patients with intractable long-term pain following spinal cord injury and paraplegia were treated with dorsal root entry zone lesions placed at the level just above the transection. Pain relief of 50% or more was achieved in 11 of the 13 patients, with follow-up periods ranging from 5 to 38 months. A previous report showed that central pain from brachial plexus avulsion could be relieved by dorsal root entry zone lesions, and this technique has been extended to the central pain phenomena associated with spinal trauma and paraplegia.


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