An Empirical Study on the Impact of Individual Local Political Elites and Decision-Making Collective on Educational Fiscal Expenditure in China

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 961-985
Author(s):  
Ru Cai ◽  
Xinping Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Political Elite ◽  
Political Elites ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Change Of Variables ◽  
Democratic Centralism ◽  
Fiscal Expenditure ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Local Party

Under the current decentralization system in China, individual characteristics of the local political elites and collective characteristics of the standing committees of the local party have an impact on local education fiscal policy. Yet published research on the similarities and differences between the collective influence of the Standing committee and the individual influence of the political elite are lacking. To address this gap in the literature, our study discussed the impact of local political elites represented by the mayor and the secretary and the collective of standing committees of the local party on education fiscal expenditure. We construct multiple regression models and analyze the R2 Change of variables is based on the cross-sectional data from 2015 of 283 prefecture-level administrative units in China. We find that both political elites and the standing committees have significant impacts on fiscal expenditure in education, and that the influence of the latter is greater than that of the former. The effect of individual characteristics and collective characteristics on education fiscal expenditure is not completely consistent across prefectures. China's prefectural governments implement China's unique principle of democratic centralism when they make decisions on local spending for education and the collective decision-making under the leadership of the committee plays an important role in education fiscal expenditure. Based on this, we put forward policy suggestions to further develop the principle of democratic centralism and to optimize optimizing the local government education supply and evaluation mechanism.

Standardized Synoptic Cancer Pathology Reports — So What and Who Cares?: A Population-Based Satisfaction Survey of 970 Pathologists, Surgeons, and Oncologists

2013 ◽  
Vol 137 (11) ◽  
pp. 1599-1602 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Lankshear ◽  
John Srigley ◽  
Thomas McGowan ◽  
Marta Yurcan ◽  
Carol Sawka
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Physician Satisfaction ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cancer Pathology ◽  
Report Turnaround Time ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Pathology Reporting ◽  
The Impact

Context.—Cancer Care Ontario implemented synoptic pathology reporting across Ontario, impacting the practice of pathologists, surgeons, and medical and radiation oncologists. The benefits of standardized synoptic pathology reporting include enhanced completeness and improved consistency in comparison with narrative reports, with reported challenges including increased workload and report turnaround time. Objective.—To determine the impact of synoptic pathology reporting on physician satisfaction specific to practice and process. Design.—A descriptive, cross-sectional design was utilized involving 970 clinicians across 27 hospitals. An 11-item survey was developed to obtain information regarding timeliness, completeness, clarity, and usability. Open-ended questions were also employed to obtain qualitative comments. Results.—A 51% response rate was obtained, with descriptive statistics reporting that physicians perceive synoptic reports as significantly better than narrative reports. Correlation analysis revealed a moderately strong, positive relationship between respondents' perceptions of overall satisfaction with the level of information provided and perceptions of completeness for clinical decision making (r = 0.750, P < .001) and ease of finding information for clinical decision making (r = 0.663, P < .001). Dependent t tests showed a statistically significant difference in the satisfaction scores of pathologists and oncologists (t169 = 3.044, P = .003). Qualitative comments revealed technology-related issues as the most frequently cited factor impacting timeliness of report completion. Conclusion.—This study provides evidence of strong physician satisfaction with synoptic cancer pathology reporting as a clinical decision support tool in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of cancer patients.

scholarly journals Conducting quantitative studies with the participation of political elites: best practices for designing the study and soliciting the participation of political elites

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Vis ◽  
Sjoerd Stolwijk
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Response Rates ◽  
Political Elite ◽  
Political Elites ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Quantitative Studies

Abstract Conducting quantitative research (e.g., surveys, a large number of interviews, experiments) with the participation of political elites is typically challenging. Given that a population of political elites is typically small by definition, a particular challenge is obtaining a sufficiently high number of observations and, thus, a certain response rate. This paper focuses on two questions related to this challenge: (1) What are best practices for designing the study? And (2) what are best practices for soliciting the participation of political elites? To arrive at these best practices, we (a) examine which factors explain the variation in response rates across surveys within and between large-scale, multi-wave survey projects by statistically analyzing a newly compiled dataset of 342 political elite surveys from eight projects, spanning 30 years and 58 countries, (b) integrate the typically scattered findings from the existing literature and (c) discuss results from an original expert survey among researchers with experience with such research (n = 23). By compiling a comprehensive list of best practices, systematically testing some widely held believes about response rates and by providing benchmarks for response rates depending on country, survey mode and elite type, we aim to facilitate future studies where participation of political elites is required. This will contribute to our knowledge and understanding of political elites’ opinions, information processing and decision making and thereby of the functioning of representative democracies.

scholarly journals Impact of 123I-MIBG Scintigraphy on Clinical Decision-Making in Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma

2019 ◽  
Vol 104 (9) ◽  
pp. 3812-3820 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dipti Rao ◽  
Anouk van Berkel ◽  
Ianthe Piscaer ◽  
William F Young ◽  
Lucinda Gruber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Diagnostic Value ◽  
Mibg Scintigraphy ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
First Choice ◽  
Cross Sectional Imaging ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Context Cross-sectional imaging with CT or MRI is regarded as a first-choice modality for tumor localization in patients with pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL). 123I-labeled metaiodobenzylguanidine (123I-MIBG) is widely used for functional imaging but the added diagnostic value is controversial. Objective To establish the virtual impact of adding 123I-MIBG scintigraphy to CT or MRI on diagnosis and treatment of PPGL. Design International multicenter retrospective study. Intervention None. Patients Two hundred thirty-six unilateral adrenal, 18 bilateral adrenal, 48 unifocal extra-adrenal, 12 multifocal, and 26 metastatic PPGL. Main Outcome Measures Patients underwent both anatomical imaging (CT and/or MRI) and 123I-MIBG scintigraphy. Local imaging reports were analyzed centrally by two independent observers who were blinded to the diagnosis. Imaging-based diagnoses determined by CT/MRI only, 123I-MIBG only, and CT/MRI combined with 123I-MIBG scintigraphy were compared with the correct diagnoses. Results The rates of correct imaging-based diagnoses determined by CT/MRI only versus CT/MRI plus 123I-MIBG scintigraphy were similar: 89.4 versus 88.8%, respectively (P = 0.50). Adding 123I-MIBG scintigraphy to CT/MRI resulted in a correct change in the imaging-based diagnosis and ensuing virtual treatment in four cases (1.2%: two metastatic instead of nonmetastatic, one multifocal instead of single, one unilateral instead of bilateral adrenal) at the cost of an incorrect change in seven cases (2.1%: four metastatic instead of nonmetastatic, two multifocal instead of unifocal and one bilateral instead of unilateral adrenal). Conclusions For the initial localization of PPGL, the addition of 123I-MIBG scintigraphy to CT/MRI rarely improves the diagnostic accuracy at the cost of incorrect interpretation in others, even when 123I-MIBG scintigraphy is restricted to patients who are at risk for metastatic disease. In this setting, the impact of 123I-MIBG scintigraphy on clinical decision-making appears very limited.

scholarly journals Firm Uncertainty Cycles and the Propagation of Nominal Shocks

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 276-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isaac Baley ◽  
Andrés Blanco
Keyword(s):  
Adjustment Costs ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Real Effects ◽  
Learning Speed ◽  
Pricing Behavior ◽  
Nominal Shocks ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Idiosyncratic Uncertainty ◽  
Low Uncertainty

We develop a framework to study the impact of idiosyncratic uncertainty on aggregate economic outcomes. Agents learn about individual characteristics, which receive infrequent, large, and persistent shocks. In this environment, idiosyncratic uncertainty moves in cycles, fluctuating between periods of high and low uncertainty; with additional fixed adjustment costs, the frequency and size of agents' actions also fluctuate in cycles. We apply our framework to study pricing behavior and the propagation of nominal shocks. We show, analytically and quantitatively, that idiosyncratic uncertainty cycles amplify the real effects of nominal shocks by generating cross-sectional dispersion in firms' adjustment frequency and in learning speed. (JEL D21, D81, D83, E31, E32, E52)

The global mobility decisions of professional sailors’ spouses

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 203-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne Mutter
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Longitudinal Research ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Conceptual Foundation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Global Mobility ◽  
The Family ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Stay Behind

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors informing spousal global mobility decisions within the context of sporting expatriation. Findings contribute to the non-corporate global mobility literature as well as providing an empirical enhancement to the family relatedness of work decisions framework. Design/methodology/approach In this qualitative study, in-depth interviews gave voice to 21 spouses of professional sailors who have experienced both trailing their spouse and staying behind. Findings Access to empathetic social support, the potential impact on children, and the spouse’s career were all found to influence the spouse’s dynamic global mobility decision making. Research limitations/implications The study is limited by the cross-sectional nature of the research. Future longitudinal research into the impact of spousal preferences would identify the on-going effect of their decision(s) to relocate or to stay behind. Practical implications Providing organisations with an understanding of the familial issues their global talent may factor into their work mobility decisions will allow them to implement appropriate family-focussed support, irrespective of the choice to engage, or not engage, in global mobility. Originality/value By grounding the study in the under-researched sporting arena, the author contributes to the emerging non-corporate expatriate conversation. Furthermore, the family relatedness of work-related decisions framework was found to provide a useful conceptual foundation for understanding decision making in an international context.

scholarly journals A Cross-Sectional Study to Explore Intimate Partner Violence and Barriers to Empowerment of Women in Armenia

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Russell Kabir ◽  
Hafiz T. A. Khan
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Impact

Background. Intimate partner violence is a major problem worldwide and it is one of the most social issues in Armenia. Empowerment is one of the important factors that helps women to break the cycle of violence by their husband/partner. The aim of this research is to explore the impact of intimate partner violence on empowerment of Armenian women of reproductive age group. Methods. This cross-sectional study used data Armenia Demography and Health Survey Data 2015-16. A total 6116 women were selected from 8749 households at both urban and rural places of Armenia for interview using multistage cluster sampling technique. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 24. Results. The respondents aged between 35 and 49 years are more likely to face violence compared to other age group (p≤0.001). The respondents who have no decision-making power, about 89% of them, are experiencing intimate partner violence, whereas only 11% are facing intimate partner violence among those who have decision-making power (p≤0.001). The logistic regression analysis reveals that age of the respondents, number of children in the households, wealth index, and empowerment status are significantly associated with intimate partner violence. Conclusion. Intimate partner violence has significant impact on the empowerment of women in Armenia. This study revealed that women with no empowerment are more likely to experience intimate partner violence compared to those women who are empowered in Armenian society.

Does joint decision making foster team creativity? Exploring the moderating and mediating effects

2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (8) ◽  
pp. 1590-1604
Author(s):  
Weixiao Guo ◽  
Duanxu Wang
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Psychological Safety ◽  
Moderating Effect ◽  
Laboratory Research ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Joint Decision ◽  
Team Creativity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Membership Change ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the potential moderating role of team membership change in the relationship between joint decision making and team creativity and to determine whether team psychological safety mediates the moderating effect. Design/methodology/approach Survey data from multiple sources on 78 teams were collected in the People’s Republic of China. Confirmatory factor analysis and hierarchical regression analysis were adopted to analyze the data. Findings The hypothesized mediated moderation model is supported. The results indicate that joint decision making is more positively related to team creativity under lower levels of team membership change and team psychological safety is a significant intermediate mechanism between the moderating effect and team creativity. Research limitations/implications The cross-sectional design of this study is insufficient to support the causal inferences in the theoretical model; therefore, further longitudinal or laboratory research is required. In addition, other possible boundary conditions and underlying mechanisms have yet to be tested. Originality/value The present paper complements the extant studies, which mainly focus on the implication of leadership empowerment behaviors for individual outcomes, by examining the impact of joint decision making on team creativity and, further, reveals when and how joint decision making is more likely to foster team creativity, which extends the literature on leadership and team creativity.

scholarly journals Awareness of Diagnosis and Decision-Making Preferences of Greek Cancer Patients

2020 ◽  
pp. 5-12
Author(s):  
Despoina G Alamanou ◽  
Konstantinos Giakoumidakis ◽  
Dimosthenis G Theodosiadis ◽  
Nikolaos V Fotos ◽  
Elissavet Patiraki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Medical Encounter ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The City

Objective: In Greece, the old phenomenon of hiding cancer diagnosis and depriving cancer patients of their right to participate in decisionmaking remains a reality. The aim of this study was to assess the decision-making preferences of Greek cancer patients and their awareness of diagnosis. Methods: It was a cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of 229 adult Greek patients diagnosed with cancer, attending the oncology outpatient department (outpatients) or being hospitalized (inpatients), in one general hospital in Athens. Patients who were aware of cancer diagnosis (n=209) were administered at the Control Preference Scale (CPS), a tool, designed to elicit decision-making preferences. The IBM SPSS program, version 21.0 was used for statistical analysis. Results: One hundred and one patients (52.8%) were males. The mean [±standard deviation (SD)] age was 64.8 (±11.2) years. The vast majority of patients knew they suffered from cancer (n=209, 91.3%). Older patients (p=0.003), those who lived in suburbs of the city (p=0.01), those who had lower educational level (p=0.001), those with lower personal income (p=0.001) and shorter disease duration (p=0.001) stated that were unaware of cancer diagnosis. Seventy five (36.2%) patients chose the shared-decision role in decision-making procedures. Lower age (OR 1.04, 95%, CI: 1.00-1.08, p= 0.05) and higher education level (OR 2, 63, 95%, CI: 1.11-6.29, p=0.03) were significantly associated with the preference of patients to actively participate in decision-making regarding treatment. Conclusions: Although Greek cancer patients are aware of cancer diagnosis and treatment, nowadays, they still seem to hesitate in playing a more active role in the decision-making procedures, which portrays the impact of the dominating paternalistic model of doctor-patient relationship in the Greek medical encounter

scholarly journals Perception and Usage of Point of Care Devices: A Cross-sectional Study Targeting Residents and Trainers in Oman

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. e213-e213
Author(s):  
Amna Al Harrasi ◽  
Laila Mohammed Al Mbeihsi ◽  
Abdulhakeem Al Rawahi ◽  
Mohammed Al Shafaee
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Mobile Technologies ◽  
Handheld Devices ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Impact

Objectives: The use of mobile technologies and handheld computers by physicians has increased worldwide. However, there are limited studies globally regarding training physicians on the use of such devices in clinical practice. In addition, no studies have been conducted previously in Oman addressing this issue among postgraduate medical trainees and trainers. The present study explores the practice and perception of resident doctors and trainers towards the use of mobile technologies and handheld devices in healthcare settings in Oman. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted using a validated questionnaire disseminated via email to all residents and trainers in five major training programs of the Oman Medical Specialty Board (OMSB). The questionnaire explored three main areas; perception, usage, and perceived barriers of handheld devices. Results: Overall, 61.4% of the residents and 28.3% of the trainers responded to the questionnaire. Both types of participants agreed that the use of such devices positively affects clinical decision-making. In total, 98.8% of the participating residents and 86.7% of the trainers frequently used handheld devices. Both OMSB residents and trainers agreed that lack of time, training, and applications were the most common factors limiting the use of these devices. Participants emphasized the need for constructive training regarding the use of handheld devices as healthcare resources. Conclusions: Point-of-care devices are positively perceived and frequently used by OMSB trainees and trainers. However, constructive training on the effective usage of these devices in clinical decision-making is needed. Further future studies to evaluate the impact of using such devices in patient care should be conducted.

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