Areas For Improvement Research Articles

Initial evaluation exercise of a Higher Education Unit: In response to the guidelines of a National System

This article addresses the importance of assessment and accreditation in higher education, highlighting its crucial role in ensuring quality and relevance. It focuses on the methodology used in a specific analysis of a Higher Education Unit in Northern Mexico, to evaluate academic programs through the requirements posed by the National System of Evaluation and Accreditation of Higher Education in terms of social responsibility, equity. . , inclusion, excellence, social innovation, avant-garde and interculturality. The results reveal strengths and areas for improvement, especially in aspects such as social equity and inclusion. The analysis concludes by highlighting the need for evaluation and accreditation to not be mere bureaucratic requirements, but rather dynamic processes that drive the constant evolution of higher education at a global level.

Evaluating and Predicting Overall Equipment Effectiveness for Deep Water Disposal Pump using ANN- GA Analysis Approach

This study proposes the Artificial Neural Network with a Genetic Algorithm analysis approach to investigate the Overall Equipment Effectiveness of the deep-water disposal pump system. The ANN-GA model was developed based on six big losses over eighteen successive months of the operating period to evaluate the current and future performance of the DWD system. 70% of the data was used for training and 15% for each data validation and testing. The DWD system faces frequent failure issues, significantly impacting its performance, so it is important to reveal the main causes of these failures to manage them properly. ANN-GA is applied to make a linear trend prediction and assesses the confidence and accuracy of the results obtained. Analysis of ANOVA (variance) was adopted as an additional decision tool for detecting the variation of process parameters. ANN-GA results showed that the current OEE value ranges between 29% to 54%, whereas the predicted future system performance average is approximately 49%, which reflects the poor performance of the DWD pump system in the future compared to the world- class target (85%). ANN-GA analysis results indicated were very close and matched with the actual values. The model framework and analysis presented are used to develop a decision support tool for managers for early intervention to minimize system deterioration, reduce maintenance costs and increase productivity. Furthermore, it allows early identifying the potential area ofimprovement to support continuous improvement (CI) objectives by identifying and eliminating unnecessary maintenance activities. The proposed model framework uses the ANN approach to identify the current state and predict the future of the system performance to ensure confidence in the results. The contribution of the paper will be helpful for experts like managers, reliability engineers, and maintenance engineers to identify the state of the system's performance in advance.

Design Thinking in a Professional Nursing Course – Its Effectiveness and Unearthed Lessons

Historically, learning was strictly confined in a typical brick-and-stone classroom with the sole purpose to enable knowledge transmission from the teacher to the learners. The traditional classroom has been but highly teacher-centric where students act as obedient receptors of knowledge until massive technology disruptions emerged during the fourth industrial revolution. One strategy that has been used exponentially in education is design thinking (DT), a human-centered approach in problem solving. In this pre-test and post-test experimental research, DT enabled randomly paired nursing informatics (NI) students to construct their conceptual papers or frameworks addressing significant challenges that affect healthcare. Pre- and post-surveys were conducted after the completion and oral presentations of their conceptual papers. Key informant interviews were also conducted to generate qualitative data, which were believed to expand understanding about the perceptions and expectations of the students in NI through DT. The findings revealed that design thinking was an effective strategy in developing students’ conceptual papers or frameworks. The nursing students valued design thinking as a tool that enhances team diversity, collaboration, patience to listen, openness to honest feedback mechanisms, openness to learning new things, social awareness and sensitivity, inquisitiveness, and keenness to details. Furthermore, it was found out that the students used mistakes as opportunities to learn. Certain areas for improvement, however, were discovered which include data analysis, time management, technical writing, problem-solving, conducting literature review using online platforms, reading comprehension, concentration, critical thinking, cultural sensitivity, innovations, adaptability, following prescribed formats, and creativity.

Positive Behavior and Perceptions of Safety Culture in Academic Research Laboratories

In academic labs, organizational culture is an important consideration for safety compliance. This studyexamined perceptions of risk and safety behavior to target training improvement. College of Science lab person-nel (n = 1,066) were invited participate in a web-based survey with the number of respondents (n=97) and theresponse rate (9.1%). Analysis included descriptive statistics and thematic evaluation. The majority of respondentsrated safety as important and agreed training was sufficient, but believed there was room to improve safety culture.Encouraging use of lab-based safety and risk discussions related to new research procedures was identified as areafor improvement. Perceptions of safety among leadership is important to overall lab culture.

How We Did It: Creating Virtual Interviews for Postgraduate Medical Trainee Recruitment and Keeping it Personal.

How We Did It: Creating Virtual Interviews for Postgraduate Medical Trainee Recruitment and Keeping it Personal.

The principle of legality in the activities of the police during the use of technical means of recording administrative offenses

The article covers the analysis of the basic legal principles, in particular the principle – legality. In modern conditions, lawenforcement police cannot be successfully carried out without proper application of advances in science and technology. The role andpurpose of science – the search for problem areas, their research and suggestions for ways to eliminate shortcomings and areas forimprovement. Among the basic principles that contribute to the quality implementation, development and use of technical means are:legality; efficiency; ethics; scientificity; security; preservation of evidence, etc.In the context of understanding principles, it is a means to ensure the integrity of the legal system and the effectiveness of law asa social regulator. Considering the scope of the use of technical means for fixing offenses, the principles that are specified to this objectof legal regulation, can contribute to the effectiveness of police law. Effectiveness in this sense is considered as a resultant influence ofthe law with the achievement of the most expedient for society and the state of results.The main features of the principles: objectively predetermined by the social environment, the nature of social relations and havea reverse effect on them; is an ideological creature, the result of the development of the legal consciousness of society, and at the sametime aimed at promoting the growth of the legal consciousness of society, its culture; is an ideological basis for objective law, expresslyexpresses the laws of its development, essence and social purpose; describe (specify) the established right, make uniformity in the systemof legal norms; serve as the basic principles of legal regulation of social relations, provide coherence to all of its mechanism, actas guidelines for the formation and improvement of the legal system, its framework, support, reflect the objectively existing tiesbetween the elements of the legal system and the social system; accumulate world experience in the development of law, embody democraticand humanistic traditions and at the same time constitute the legal values that are part of the world legal treasury.

On the quality of outsourced interpreting services in criminal courts in Spain

Abstract Globalisation, cross-border human mobility and international migration flows have prompted cross-linguistic and cross-cultural services (e.g. translation and interpreting) in all spheres of current societies, including a sector as sensitive as justice. In Spain, as in many other countries, in the last two decades, despite fierce criticism from practitioners and academics, there has been a trend for the authorities to meet these needs by outsourcing these services to private companies rather than hiring qualified professionals individually, on the grounds that this system allows for cheaper and more efficient services. This article presents the most relevant results of a research project based on the analysis of a corpus of authentic interpreter-mediated criminal proceedings, the first project of this kind in Spain. After briefly explaining how the project was carried out and how the corpus was transcribed, annotated and analysed, special attention is paid to the findings in relation to the interpreters’ performance in terms of fidelity and accuracy, and some illustrative examples are provided. The aim is to address the quality of outsourced interpreting services in Spanish criminal courts as well as to indicate areas for improvement.

Направления совершенствования законодательства о синдицированном кредите

Направления совершенствования законодательства о синдицированном кредите

Evaluation of an individualized vs non-specific standardized patient activity in improving communication skills amongst pharmacy students

Background and purposeTo evaluate the impact of two standardized patient (SP) approaches on student communication skills and self-perceived confidence. Educational activity and settingSecond professional year pharmacy students were assessed on overall and area of improvement (AOI) communication skills and self-perceived confidence. Students were invited to participate in a SP intervention activity, following a fall and before a spring class assessment, where they were randomized to an individualized or non-specific SP group. Communication skills were assessed using a four component 64-point rubric; confidence was assessed using an 11-question Likert-type survey. FindingsNineteen students participated in the SP intervention activity; 11 students comprised the individualized group and eight students comprised the non-specific group. Students in the individualized group demonstrated a significantly higher median change in AOI communication scores compared to the non-specific group [five points vs. three points, respectively (p = 0.033)]. There was a significantly higher median change in overall communication skills in the individualized compared to the non-specific group of 12 points and 6.5 points, respectively (p = 0.017). Student self-perceived confidence in the individualized and non-specific group showed similar improvements overall from pre- to post assessment [seven points vs. eight points, respectively (p = 0.62)]. SummaryThe use of SPs in pharmacy curricula can improve student communication skills. However, tailoring the activity to students' needs significantly improves their communication AOI and overall communication skill scores more than a non-specific activity. Student self-perceived confidence improved similarly in both groups, although no statistically significant differences were found between groups.

The deployment of performance measurement system under the supply chain management environment: the case of Malaysian manufacturing companies

Performance measurement system in supply chain management (SCM) has been receiving increasing attention by business organizations as a way to evaluate efficiency in supply chain activities. Assessing the performance of supply chain uncovers the gap between planning and actual performance as to trace the potential problems thus ascertain necessary areas for improvement. This research aims to investigate the application of performance measurement system in SCM as well as exploring its relationship with organization’s performance among Malaysian manufacturing firms. By utilizing the questionnaire method, respondents involved were requested to indicate the extent to which they use a number of 24 selected performance measures that are related to SCM. The results show that the majority of the observed manufacturing firms utilize specific performance measurement tools in evaluating the supply chain performance. The current performance measurement techniques, the Balanced Score Card is adopted by around a quarter of the total responding firms followed by Supply Chain Operations References Model – SCOR, which attracts total users of only a fifth of the total respondents. In particular, performance measures under customer service category recorded the highest number of usage followed by cost-based performance measures and operations management. The results of this investigation also unveil few major points that are important to be highlighted. Firstly, the obtained outcomes of this study bring to light the significant relationships between the utilization of supply chain performance measures under customer service, operations management and organizational performance. In addition, this study discovered a significant correlation between the size of the organization and the extent of use of supply chain performance measures and how these two variables positively correlated. Lastly, the findings also suggested that the performance measures for SCM has been playing a crucial role in enhancing the performance of the organizations and is increasingly operated as the firms grow in size. Based on the brief highlighted points listed above, it is not an exaggeration to say that this research contributes new information to the body of knowledge in performance measurement system in SCM and its associations with organizational performance.

An Application of Lean Manufacturing Techniques in Paint Manufacturing Company: A Case Study

As a result of the recession in Saudi Arabia, the manufacturing companies start thinking to reduce the operational cost and increasing the productivity through lean manufacturing principles. This paper is focused on increasing the productivity of a paint manufacturing company through implementing some of the lean manufacturing techniques. First, Value stream mapping analysis carried on throughout the manufacturing process and the areas of improvements in the company has been identified using fishbone diagram. Second, Work Place Organization (5S), Single Minute Exchange of Dies (SMED), Work Standardization and Kanban are the lean manufacturing techniques selected to solve different problems facing the company in these areas of improvements. A systematic approach of each technique implemented to measure its effect on the company productivity. It is observed that, applying (5S) and (SMED) techniques in the filling process decreased the changeover time by 59% and increased the daily productivity. Pareto chart recommended using work standardization in the charging process led to reduce the defects batches by 57%. Kanban system eliminated the shortages of semi-finish product and increased the output of the pre-weighing batches by 57%. In addition, overtime hours reduced by 77% and waste handling reduced by 85% and 53% for the non-hazardous and hazardous waste respectively

Less is more? Results from a case study on improving the safety review process at a nuclear power plant

This paper focuses on technical safety reviews of plant modifications at a Swedish nuclearpower plant. The primary aims of the presented study include identifying the main areas forimprovement of t ...

<p>Following Engineering Graduates</p>

This study provides an in-depth analysis of recent graduates’ experience with completing an engineering technology program and entering the profession. It is unique because the study was conducted on a baccalaureate-level program and because it helps fill a gap in the literature. The phenomenological method was used to obtain qualitative data to understand the personal meaning of the process for the participants. Findings include positive perceptions about the curriculum and faculty, and some areas for improvement. The graduates found personal meaning especially in their capstone course and by being involved with the engineering student organization. There are implications for program evaluation and educational leadership.

A Decision Model for Selecting of Areas for Improvement in EFQM Model

To monitor the progress towards business excellence, thousands of organizations across the world use self-assessment on a regular basis. There are a few popular business excellence models that provide standard criteria against which an organization can measure its performances. European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) is the most popular ones. The EFQM Excellence Model was introduced at the beginning of 1992 as the framework for assessing organizations for the European Quality Award. It is now the most widely used organizational framework in Europe and across the world and it has become the basis for the majority of international, national and regional Quality Awards. It is a practical tool that can be used as a guide to identify areas for Improvement. However, the current EFQM model has some drawbacks and problems which are not able to identify the priorities in Area for Improvement (AFI). For organizations with limitations of time, budget and resources and cannot implement all the Area for Improvement, some standards or indexes and limitations should be defined for prioritizing and choosing the Area for Improvement. Using Topsis 1 method which is one of the multi-attribute decision making model, the Area for Improvement can be identified. Therefore, this work will develop a method of evaluating, assessing and determining the Area for Improvement in the EFQM model. The results showed that the developed model is more valid and acceptable and the experts verified the model for selecting of Area for Improvement in EFQM in practice. The proposed model was employed in a case study and drawn out results from it and were evaluated from different points of view.

Designing fuzzy multi criteria decision making model for best selection of areas for Improvement in EFQM (European Foundation for Quality Management) model

In a growingly competitive business environment, numerous organizations adopt the total quality management (TQM) approach, to struggle for business excellence. To monitor the progress towards business excellence, thousands of organizations across the world use self-assessment on a regular basis. There are a few popular business excellence models, that provide standard criteria against which an organization can measure its performances. European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) is the most popular ones. The EFQM Excellence Model was introduced at the beginning of 1992, as the framework for assessing organizations for the European Quality Award. It is now the most widely used organizational framework in Europe and across the world and it has become the basis for the majority of international, national and regional Quality Awards. It is a practical tool that can be used as a guide to identify areas for Improvement. However, the current EFQM model has some drawbacks and problems which are not able to identify the priorities in Area for Improvement (AFI). For organizations with limitations of time, budget and resources and that cannot implement all the AFIs, some standards or indexes and limitations should be defined for prioritizing and choosing the AFIs. Using fuzzy multi criteria decision making model, the AFIs’ can be identified. Therefore, this work will develop a more comprehensive method of evaluating, assessing and determining the AFIs’ in the EFQM model. The results showed that, the new comprehensive developed model is more valid and acceptable and the experts verified the model for selecting of AFIs’ in EFQM in practice. The developed model was used in a case study and extracted results from it and were analyzed from different points of view. Key words: European quality award, EFQM, business excellence model, area for improvement, fuzzy logic, fuzzy multi criteria decision making.

Land Reclamation Works Used on Lands with Low Agrarian Potential from Timiş County

This paper presents the technical solutions takes t o the degraded area's improvements from the Timis County perimeter. The actual state of the agrarian lands is determinate by the vulnerability of their site, but also, by the management way, because of it isn't assure the improvement solutions that are nec essary and isn't used the correctly agricultural systems or the culture technology that are properly. The negative influences that are caused by these facts, according with the risk natural factors, amplificatory negative processes generated. The degradation of the lands t hat are located into the low plain from Timis County is determinate by the humidity excess. The multitude of the drainage systems solved this problem, but not completely. The floodi ng from 2005 affects a surface of hundreds or thousands kilometer. The agrarian lands lost the ir productive capacity because of their degraded or pollutions. All these areas were formed into the territorial agrarian fond ameliorative perimeter, where the land reclamation works is necessary. Another cause of the degradation processes is the grass land thickness t hat is lower, so the water stagnate tendency is higher. From these aspects, a soil levigation oc curs and their humus contents decrease, also the degradation process increase.

Utilización de los ejes transversales del modelo EFQM en el ámbito sanitario público

Objective To analyse the use of transversal axes (TA) of the EFQM Model in the self- assessment of the service organisations in an Autonomous Community and to describe the self assessment results for the health care system (HCS) as a whole. Material and methods Descriptive study divided in two phases: 1) evaluation of the use of the EFQM model in the HCS, and 2) analysis of the methodology using TA. All (37) of the self-assessment reports corresponding to Primary Care and Hospitals in 2007 were analysed. A quantitative analysis was performed on the strengths (S) and areas of improvement (AI) identified, stratifying them according to level of care, centre and EFQM criteria and TA. Results The use of the EFQM in the HCS reaches 84% of the organizations (32/37), and 94% deploy improvement plans (30/32). A total of 3543 S and 3573 AI were described for the HCS as a whole. From the total identified S, enablers reach 67.66%. Results according to TA the organization management axes are the dominant ones: people, clients, process and communication. Application difficulties derive from the organizations’ leadership in quality management, the training strategies for deployment, the innovation character of the model in certain settings and the potential workload generated. Conclusions TA are perceived as a feasible work method to gather and synthesize AI. However it requires appropriate training to optimize its use.

Vacuum Assisted Stereotactic Core Biopsy (Vacb): Impact on Surgical Management

Vacuum Assisted Stereotactic Core Biopsy (Vacb): Impact on Surgical Management

ValueMapping: Linking AFIs to strategy and stakeholder value

Organisations, public, private and voluntary are, worldwide, striving to increase performance through continuous improvement and efficiency drives. But what does this really achieve in practice? How can these organisations identify and manage the value that is achieved from continuous improvement activities each generating numerous Areas For Improvement (AFIs)? With more and more organisations assessing against Excellence Models the challenge is to truly integrate the AFIs that emerge with business planning and performance management. The authors provide a method and web based approach that brings AFIs to life within the organisation and enables consultants to work closely with the client to track and demonstrate value.

Performance monitoring in the Victorian health care system: an exploratory study

This paper reports on an exploratory study which aims to improve our understanding of how the Chief Executive Officers of Victorian health services monitor strategic and operational performance in their organisations. As a component of a large scale human resource management study, we surveyed 130 Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of Victorian health sector agencies. Our findings suggest that performance monitoring was more advanced among the larger Victorian health sector organisations, and that there were areas for improvement throughout the system. Overall, the CEOs reported limited use of performance indicators related to service and clinical perspectives, with financial and volume indicators most widely used. There was little evidence that these organisations had processes in place (such as benchmarking and linking required outcomes to staff performance management) to understand the implications of the performance information and translate them into management action. The findings suggest that the sector requires technical expertise and support in data reporting, benchmarking and quality improvement in order to improve performance monitoring and ensure its relevance to strategic control, but further study is required.