Using a Nursing Productivity Committee to Achieve Cost Savings and Improve Staffing Levels and Staff Satisfaction

2011 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 55-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin McKenna ◽  
Kristina Clement ◽  
Elizabeth Thompson ◽  
Kathy Haas ◽  
William Weber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nurse Managers ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Staff Satisfaction ◽  
Labor Costs ◽  
Frontline Staff ◽  
Staff Morale ◽  
Staffing Levels ◽  
Creative Solutions ◽  
Vacancy Rates

Challenged by rising costs, higher registered nurse vacancy rates and declining staff morale, a Nursing Productivity Committee was formed to analyze productive and nonproductive hours and seek improvements in our staffing models and scheduling processes. The changes implemented led to lower nurse to patient ratios, better control of labor costs, elimination of agency staff, greater staff satisfaction, and introduction of new technologies. Nurse managers, nursing supervisors, and frontline staff are now more knowledgeable and empowered to use creative solutions to manage their budgets and schedules in these times of fluctuating census and varying vacancy rates.

Technology and marketing: a multidisciplinary outlook

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Billi Sam
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Autonomous Vehicles ◽  
Recommendation System ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Personalized Recommendation ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Service Firms ◽  
Labor Costs ◽  
Ride Sharing

New technologies have revolutionized nearly every aspect of human existence, including the ways that firms market products and services to consumers. Along with now familiar innovations like the Internet, greater computing capacity, mobile devices and applications, and social media, more radical innovations are emerging. Related to artificial intelligence (AI) (Davenport 2018), the Internet of things (IoT) (Hoffman and Novak 2018), and robotics (Mende et al. 2019), these technological advances are exerting profound effects on the practice of marketing. Thus, it should come as no surprise that firms across nearly every business sector (e.g., retailing, manufacturing, healthcare, financial) keep steadily increasing their technology spending, driven to reach various objectives. For example, many manufacturing firms seek cost savings through mechanized and robotic production processes, which both limit labor costs and increase production efficiencies. Retailers and service firms devote more spending to online, mobile, and social media platforms in attempts to better communicate and connect with customers (both current and potential), thereby increasing their revenues. Early adopters of each new technology change the rules of the game (e.g., Grewal 2019). Consider Amazon as an example: It leads the pack in adopting a host of technological innovations. Its fulfillment centers feature robotic technologies to assist workers, increase efficiencies, and drive down costs. Amazon is actively experimenting with drone delivery (a service it calls Prime Air). Furthermore, it is known for its predictive analytic capabilities, uses AI to establish and maintain its sophisticated personalized recommendation system, and has developed an innovative, patented, one-click ordering system. Ride-sharing firms like Uber and Lyft similarly have revolutionized traditional taxi and limousine industries, as well as providing novel work opportunities and greater customer control over their rides. Such groundbreaking shifts also depend heavily on the available technology, including geofencing and social media ratings capabilities. Newer options, such as autonomous vehicles, are on the horizon and likely to shake up the ride-sharing industry and ultimately the entire transportation industry. Waymo (Google’s self-driving vehicle), Tesla, and Volvo are all racing to introduce the first driverless test vehicles to create value for consumers and business customers.

scholarly journals How Do Firms Respond to Reduced Labor Costs? Evidence from the 2007 Swedish Payroll Tax Reform

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sven-Olov Daunfeldt ◽  
Anton Gidehag ◽  
Niklas Rudholm
Keyword(s):  
Tax Reform ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Labor Cost ◽  
Policy Instrument ◽  
Extensive Margin ◽  
Labor Costs ◽  
Payroll Tax ◽  
Payroll Taxes ◽  
Wage Effect ◽  
Marginalized Groups

AbstractOne way for policymakers to reduce labor costs and stimulate the recruitment of marginalized groups of labor in a highly unionized economy is to lower payroll taxes. However, the efficiency of this policy instrument has been questioned, and previous evaluations have mostly found small employment effects for such reforms. We investigate the effects of a payroll tax cut in Sweden that decreased firms’ labor costs in relation to the number of young employees that they had employed when the reform was implemented in 2007. We find that most firms received small labor cost savings as a result of the reform, but those that received larger cost savings increased their number of employees significantly more than firms that received no, or minor, labor cost savings. Our findings also suggest that the payroll tax cut increased the total wages paid to incumbent workers, but the wage effect was too small to offset the positive extensive-margin employment effect of the reform. In total, we find that the Swedish payroll tax reform created 18,100 jobs over the period 2006–2008; most of these jobs were within the targeted group of young employees.

Developing an economy based on knowledge and innovation in the context of the middle income trap

2015 ◽  
Vol 60 (10) ◽  
pp. 56-74
Author(s):  
Paweł Wieczorek
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Current Model ◽  
Growth Theory ◽  
Labor Costs ◽  
Average Income ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Endogenous Growth Theory ◽  
Middle Income Trap

The article is a contribution to the discussion on the necessity to change the current model of economic growth of Poland for model of economy based on knowledge and innovation. In this way, our country will be able to overcome the threats that might push the economy into the trap of the average income, expressed in long-term slowdown in GDP growth. The endogenous growth theory, formed after 1989 and characterized by duplication of Western technology, enabled relatively rapid growth by over 20 years. Currently, Poland to ensure an economic growth is facing the need for innovative technologies and innovation. Risks associated with middle income trap are very real because of the disappearance of comparative advantage, which results from relatively low labor costs. The creation in Poland conditions to accelerate economic growth requires action to increase the propensity of entrepreneurs to reach for new technologies and innovation and attractive market offer from the national centers for research and development.

Review of recent developments on improvement of estimated regulatory documentation for road works

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (23) ◽  
pp. 31-42
Author(s):  
Anatolii Tsynka ◽  
◽  
Andrii Hrinchuk ◽  
Ivan Rakovych ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Work Performance ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Operation Time ◽  
Road Construction ◽  
Labor Costs ◽  
The Road ◽  
Regulatory Documents ◽  
Road Work ◽  
Investment Process ◽  
The Cost

Introduction. In the modern conditions of the pricing system in the construction of Ukraine, the key value have the estimated norms, which are presented in separate collections, the main purpose of which is to determine the standard quantity of resources required to perform a particular type of work as a basis for the transition to the cost indicators. In order to determine the cost of road work objectively and accurately, it is essential that the indicators of estimated norms meet the requirements of regulatory documents and modern methods of execution of road works.Problematics. In connection with the active improvement of the regulatory base of the road construction industry, permanent upgrade of road organizations technique fleet, the introduction of new technologies and materials in construction and operation of roads, improving the methods of work there is a discrepancy between the existing resource element of estimated norms and the actual conditions of work in terms of built-up labor costs, the operation time of machines and mechanisms and the range of materials. Accordingly, it affects the reliability and accuracy of determining the cost of road works.Purpose. Improvement and harmonization with actual working conditions and requirements of regulatory documents of industry regulatory and estimate base of resource elementary estimated norms for work performed during construction, reconstruction, repair and operational maintenance of roads and bridges to ensure reliable and valid technical, economic and estimated calculations.Materials and methods. During work performance the analysis of the regulatory documentation, establishing the requirements to the technology of road works and materials has been carried out. A number of chronometric observations with the measurement of time of road works in full-scale conditions was carried out. The obtained data were summarized, averaged and on their basis the indicators of the resource element of the estimated norms were estimated.Results. A review of the main amendments and additions, which came into force after the approval of Amendment No 2 SOU 42.1-37641918-035:2018 [1] and Amendment No 2 SOU 42.1-37641918-071:2018 [2], which were developed to improve the regulatory-estimate base for the calculation of road works, taking into account the requirements and provisions of existing regulatory documents taking into account the current state of scientific and technological progress in the road sector.Conclusions. The above analysis of the amendments that came into force with the approval of [1]. and [2] will systematize the innovations provided by the requirements of current regulatory documents on the calculation of the cost of road works and the development of relevant documents at all stages of the investment process, planning and organization of road works, as well as the writing-off of material resources. Review and systematization of recent improvements in the estimated regulatory documents for road works will provide an opportunity to optimally plan the use of available material, labor and financial resources, often limited.Keywords: public road, operational maintenance, investment documentation, overhaul and current repairs, machine, mechanism, regulatory document, resource element estimate norm, Standard of Organization of Ukraine.

scholarly journals Smart Retailing in COVID-19 World: Insights from Egypt

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 132
Author(s):  
Ismail Kotb ◽  
Riham Adel
Keyword(s):  
New Technologies ◽  
Supply And Demand ◽  
Response Strategy ◽  
Retail Sector ◽  
Labor Costs ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Medium Term ◽  
Financial Investments ◽  
The World ◽  
Smart Technologies

COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on business in general and the retail sector in particular which was hardly hit as sales fell by 20 percent during this period. The main challenges that face retailers nowadays during COVID-19 outbreak include: balance in supply and demand; safety of employees; trust between retailer and consumer; distribution - transportation capability; shortage of manpower and consumer behavior (Fernandes, 2020; Kumar et al., 2020; Pantano et al., 2020). Yet, retailers around the world started to understand the benefits and new opportunities offered by smart technologies (Inman and Nikolova, 2017; Renko and Druzijanic, 2014). New technologies like internet of things (IoT) can play a significant role in controlling the pandemic situation in the retail sector and are expected to bring substantial benefits such as lower labor costs, increased efficiency, attraction of new shoppers and the generation of new revenue channels (Roy et al., 2017; Vaishya et al., 2020; Wünderlich et al., 2013). However, only a limited number of retailers has adopted IoT due to the huge financial investments required and uncertainty of customers' acceptance (Alkemade and Suurs, 2012; Evans, 2011; Pantano et al., 2013). It is, thus, expected to see smart retailers taking a series of actions over the short to medium term to conserve cash and structure of their company for post-COVID-19 operations. This research aims to explore the retailers' perceptions towards the adoption of smart retail technologies in Egyptian retailing context throughout conducting a series of semi-structured interviews with mid-to-top level management in different retail organisations and discuss the advantages and challenges expected from smart retail technologies adoption. Moreover, the research explains how smart retail can help overcoming uncertainities and is considered a well managed response strategy by retailers to COVID-19.

Abstract 137: Efficacy and Cost Savings Realized through Validation of a Tool to Identify Low Risk STEMI Patients not Requiring CCU Care

2012 ◽  
Vol 5 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
William E Downey ◽  
Lara M Cassidy ◽  
Kerstin Liebner ◽  
Robyn Magyar ◽  
Angela D Humphrey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hospital Mortality ◽  
Risk Score ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
Hospital Death ◽  
Cardiac Care ◽  
Primary Pci ◽  
Risk Patients ◽  
Support Cost

Introduction In the early 1960s, the creation of Cardiac Care Units (CCUs) led to a 50% reduction in the in-hospital mortality of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Prompt application of closed chest cardiac resuscitation and external defibrillation -- then new technologies -- served to reduce the consequences of the event. Over the ensuing four decades, therapeutic advances in the treatment of AMI (e.g. prompt reperfusion strategies) have favorably altered its natural history, potentially obviating the need for CCU care. Since such care is expensive, identification of a low risk cohort of patients in whom this care is not necessary could allow substantial improvements in the cost of cardiac care. Hypothesis Existing risk models can be used to accurately identify low risk STEMI patients who do not require CCU care after primary PCI. Methods We performed a retrospective chart review of all STEMI cases from 2010 at Carolinas Medical Center. We then assessed them using the TIMI STEMI risk score and a risk assessment algorithm for uncomplicated STEMI developed at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH). The BWH STEMI Care Redesign defines low risk STEMI patients as those who are promptly revascularized via successful single vessel PCI with (1) no evidence of ongoing ischemia, (2) EF>40%, (3) absence of CHF, hemodynamic or electrical instability, and (4) who are awake without need of respiratory support. Cost data (fixed and variable) from Quality Advisor™, a product by Premier, was abstracted for each STEMI case, examining specific resources used in CCU and non-CCU units. Results Among 310 consecutive STEMI patients, in-hospital mortality was 3.9%. The BWH risk score identified 46.4% of these patients as low-risk. Among these patients, in-hospital mortality was 0%. Only one of these 144 low-risk patients required subsequent CCU care. None required CPR or defibrillation after revascularization. The TIMI STEMI risk score <2 classified 26.1% of the patients as low-risk. Among these patients, in-hospital mortality was 0%. However, 3.7% of these "low-risk" patients had ventricular arrhythmias or respiratory decompensation during or shortly after PCI. None of the 3.7% were classified as "low-risk" by the BWH model. CCU care added $723 in fixed costs and $340 in variable costs per hospital day. Conclusion The BWH model, but not the TIMI STEMI risk score, accurately predicted a sizable cohort of STEMI patients at very low risk of in-hospital death and complications. These patients may be appropriate for admission to non-CCU level care immediately following primary PCI. Doing so would be projected to yield a cost savings of >$1000 per patient.

Public Perception—A Newspaper Medium Perspective

2011 ◽  
pp. 101-135
Author(s):  
Jing Gao
Keyword(s):  
Public Perception ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Manufacturing Industries ◽  
Security And Privacy ◽  
Business Strategies ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Interpretive Study ◽  
Integration Problems

This chapter will present evidence to show that there is an absence of informed, broad, media discussion on e-commerce initiatives in Australia. As pointed out by several authors (e.g., Gittins, 1995), the newspaper medium is one of the main vehicles through which advisers and policy makers seek to influence society. Thus this medium takes on the role of a public forum on national issues. However, it was found that newspapers in Australia have failed in their role of preparing manufacturing industries for the impact of new technologies. In this interpretive study, major Australian newspapers were examined for public discussions about e-commerce in manufacturing industries. The political-legal, economic, social, and technological (PEST) framework was used as a lens to subdivide issues, problems, and opportunities identified in the academic e-commerce literature. This lens was then used to examine 103 newspaper articles identified using the keywords Australian manufacturing and e-commerce in what was believed to be all the major Australian newspapers. It was found that some articles merely report vendors’ promises of potential cost savings while overlooking the need for investment in technology, training, and maintenance costs, while other discussions focused on “users as victims” issues such as security and privacy. In-depth issues such as reliability, communication protocols, bandwidth availability, and integration problems were overlooked. In particular, the problem of business strategies was ignored.

Survey of pharmacy staffing levels and vacancy rates in small and rural hospitals in Illinois

2013 ◽  
Vol 70 (16) ◽  
pp. 1392-1396 ◽  
Author(s):  
Surrey M. Walton ◽  
Iulia D. Ursan ◽  
Stephanie Y. Crawford ◽  
Andrew J. Donnelly ◽  
Glen T. Schumock
Keyword(s):  
Rural Hospitals ◽  
Staffing Levels ◽  
Vacancy Rates

Improving Manufacturing Management with Activity Based Costing

2012 ◽  
Vol 472-475 ◽  
pp. 2494-2501 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael L. Werner ◽  
Fu Yuan Xu
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Indirect Costs ◽  
Labor Cost ◽  
Activity Based Costing ◽  
Labor Costs ◽  
Product Cost ◽  
Manufacturing Enterprises ◽  
Product Costing ◽  
Product Costs

The calculation of product cost in modern manufacturing enterprises includes assigning direct costs and indirect costs (overhead) to products. Direct material and direct labor costs can be traced to individual products or batches of products. However, because overhead is an indirect cost and benefits more than one product, it is difficult if not impossible to determine the true overhead cost associated with the overhead resources consumed to manufacture individual products produced. The factory resources included in overhead are an important component of manufacturing product. Overhead costs have traditionally been allocated to products using allocation bases which are correlated to the incurrence of cost such as direct labor hours, direct labor cost, or machine hours using one or few plant-wide allocation base for this purpose. The resulting product costs are used for external financial reporting and are also often used internally as a source of information for management decisions. The information provided by traditional cost systems is often so inaccurate it causes managers to do the wrong things. Further, traditional product costing offers little help to managers in their efforts to reduce costs. Activity based costing is a technique that allocates cost based on activities and volumes that cause cost. The use of these cost causes, called cost drivers, significantly increases product cost accuracy and also encourages managers to take cost-cutting actions that result in true cost savings to the firm. This paper will explore activity based costing and how it can help manufacturers to increase product cost accuracy and to reduce costs.

scholarly journals Blueberry Producers’ Attitudes toward Harvest Mechanization for Fresh Market

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Karina Gallardo ◽  
Eric T. Stafne ◽  
Lisa Wasko DeVetter ◽  
Qi Zhang ◽  
Charlie Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Quality ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
The United States ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Primary Concern ◽  
Agricultural Labor ◽  
Labor Costs ◽  
Fresh Market ◽  
Specialty Crop

The availability and cost of agricultural labor is constraining the specialty crop industry throughout the United States. Most soft fruits destined for the fresh market are fragile and are usually hand harvested to maintain optimal quality and postharvest longevity. However, because of labor shortages, machine harvest options are being explored out of necessity. A survey on machine harvest of blueberries (Vaccinium sp.) for fresh market was conducted in 2015 and 2016 in seven U.S. states and one Canadian province. Survey respondents totaled 223 blueberry producers of various production sizes and scope. A majority (61%) indicated that their berries were destined for fresh markets with 33% machine harvested for this purpose. Eighty percent said that they thought fruit quality was the limiting factor for machine-harvested blueberries destined for fresh markets. Many producers had used mechanized harvesters, but their experience varied greatly. Just less than half (47%) used mechanical harvesters for fewer than 5 years. Most respondents indicated that labor was a primary concern, as well as competing markets and weather. New technologies that reduce harvesting constraints, such as improvements to harvest machinery and packing lines, were of interest to most respondents. Forty-five percent stated they would be interested in using a modified harvest-aid platform with handheld shaking devices if it is viable (i.e., fruit quality and picking efficiency is maintained and the practice is cost effective). Overall, the survey showed that blueberry producers have great concerns with labor costs and availability and are open to exploring mechanization as a way to mitigate the need for hand-harvest labor.

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