Board Performance Research Articles

Governance of healthcare quality: exploring the relationships between hospital board performance and healthcare quality outcomes.

This paper aims to contribute to the existing literature in the field of hospital governance by exploring the relationship between the attributes and performance of hospital boards and hospital performance in terms of quality of healthcare. A survey of board performance in public hospitals in Morocco was carried out, in which we surveyed all board members of the 13 hospitals in the Casablanca-Settat region. A total of 82 members responded (82% response rate) to the previously adapted and validated self-evaluation questionnaire on board self-assessment questionnaire (BSAQ) board member performance. On average, the hospital boards studied had eight members. In terms of clinical expertise, half the members were physicians and 17% were nurses. In addition, positive correlations were found between certain board characteristics, notably age, seniority, members' perceptions of their impact on the quality of healthcare and several dimensions of board performance. In parallel, the results showed strong and significant associations between turnover rate and BSAQ score. Negative correlations were also found between average length of stay and BSAQ score. With regard to mortality parameters, it should be noted that we were unable to establish a strong empirical correlation between hospital boards' self-assessed performance and other hospital mortality indicators. The present study offers a rigorous rationale for the use of the French-translated BSAQ in the hospital context, and we hope that others will use this tool in future work within the framework of evidence-based research. In addition, the BSAQ tool's focus on board competencies (and not just structure, composition or processes) provides valuable insights into what boards need to learn in order to function effectively. However, despite the insistence of the authors of this study on the need for a comprehensive census of public hospital board members in the region, several obstacles were encountered. Firstly, there were difficulties related to vacancies within the hospitals, which had the effect of restricting the representativeness of the sample. Secondly, access to hospital board members proved complex due to their busy schedules and the confidential nature of their meetings. Finally, it is important to note that national performance indicators in Morocco may not be as reliable as in other countries, which could complicate the identification of high-performing hospital systems and, consequently, make inference difficult. This study provides large-scale empirical evidence of processes related to the governance of quality of healthcare and elucidates the existence of an association between hospital board performance and clinical performance. The use of validated tools such as the BSAQ should therefore help improve the performance of boards and governance in public hospitals.

A Function of Board Diversity? Does Diversity Equip Nonprofit Performance

Nonprofit boards receive plenty of advice about what they “should” do, but many fail to heed the guidance—perhaps due to limited resources, a failure to prioritize, or not realizing the critical linkage between board performance and organizational performance. This research examines diversity in board membership by linking board diversity to organizational performance. We utilize data from a large, representative national survey of nonprofit executives in the United States to examine the diversity of nonprofit boards in terms of visible diversity and inclusive behaviors and practices. Using regression analysis, we find diverse boards have more inclusive governance practices, and board diversity practices are positively related to nonprofit performance. These findings offer fresh evidence about why diversity matters relative to how boards function and their impact on fulfilling their organizational mission. This research contributes to how we think of diversity and inclusion in the nonprofit sector and why it matters beyond representational value.

Board Performance of Fisheries Graduates: Logistic Regression Analysis for Curriculum Enhancement

This study investigates the factors affecting the board performance of Bachelor of Science in Fisheries (BSFi) graduates in the fisheries technologists licensure exams in a specific region of the Philippines. The impetus for this research arose from observed variations in exam performance among graduates, prompting an examination of educational and institutional influences on success. The study used a purposive sampling technique to gather data from 138 respondents across State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) who took their first licensure exam from October 2018 to October 2023. A validated online survey questionnaire assessed academic performance, teaching methods, curriculum, faculty qualifications, library resources, laboratory facilities, and student characteristics. Logistic regression analysis was employed to analyze the relationship between these independent variables and licensure exam performance. The findings of this study are of profound importance, as they reveal strong correlations between faculty qualifications and exam outcomes, emphasizing the need for continuous professional development. Moreover, the study identifies improved laboratory facilities and a robust curriculum as critical factors contributing to student success. These insights have the potential to significantly impact stakeholders, informing them about essential areas for intervention and improvement. Ultimately, they aim to elevate the educational experience and licensure performance of BSFi graduates, thus supporting their professional trajectories in the fisheries sector.

A Comparative Analysis of Board Qualities and Performance of Listed Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria and Ghana

Disclosure of board information is crucial for good governance, risk management, and stakeholder relations in the banking sector. The board of directors’ quality is crucial in setting strategic direction and ensuring effective governance. This study comparatively examined the qualities of the board of directors of listed deposit banks in Nigeria and Ghana and assessed the effects of the board qualities on the financial performance of banks in the two countries. The study used an ex post facto research design, involving 19 deposit money banks listed on the Nigerian Exchange Limited and Ghanaian Stock Exchange. Data was collected from audited annual reports and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The descriptive analysis includes mean, median mode, minimum, and maximum among others while the inferential analysis includes independent t-tests and panel regression. The study reveals that the board of listed deposit money banks in the Nigerian exchange group meets more frequently and is more independent than those in the Ghanaian stock exchange, and their board size is larger than in Ghana. Board female gender diversity of listed deposit money banks on the Nigerian exchange group is not significantly lower than the board female gender diversity of firms listed on the Ghanaian stock exchange. The study reveals that board gender diversity doesn’t significantly impact the financial performance of listed deposit money banks in Nigeria and Ghana. However, board independence has a negative effect in Nigeria, while board meetings negatively affect performance in Nigeria. Board size also has a positive effect in Nigeria. The study recommends that directors of listed banks in Nigeria should reduce the number of their meetings or expenses of the meeting because it is reducing the profitability of the companies. The study also recommends that the banks in Ghana should provide regular training for independent directors to enhance their understanding of the industry.

How to Boost Your Board's Performance

How to Boost Your Board's Performance

Relationship between corporate governance and audit quality in the industry sector: Moderating role of firm performance

This study explores the relevance of corporate governance mechanisms in determining audit quality, with a specific focus on the moderating role of firm performance in the Jordanian industrial sector. Audit quality is essential for ensuring transparency and accountability in financial reporting, making this analysis highly relevant for stakeholders aiming to strengthen corporate governance. The study sample included 64 manufacturing companies listed on the Amman Stock Exchange for the study period (2014–2022), with a total of 474 firm-year observations. The regression analysis is used to investigate the study hypotheses, including the key variables related to corporate governance, board performance, and audit quality. The findings show that company size has a significant positive effect on audit quality. There is no significant impact of CEO duality, independent directors, and ownership concentration on audit quality within the Jordanian industrial sector. The R² value of 0.067 indicates that approximately 6.7% of the variance in audit quality is explained by the study variables, while the F-value of 6.633, with a significance level of 0.00, suggests that the overall model is statistically significant, even though the explanatory power is relatively low. The study shows that company size is important to improve audit quality; other governance mechanisms may not have the same impact in the Jordanian industrial sector.

Evaluation of insulation effectiveness for thermal comfort in summers: experimental and CFD numerical study

We evaluate the thermal performance of PUF-insulation boards embedded in the roof of an office-sized room. Two rooms were constructed: one with and the other without insulation. The thermal comfort was evaluated by performing an experimental study according to ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 55-2017. The inside air temperature, humidity, wall and ceiling temperatures, air velocities and thermal flux were measured for the summer April–June 2023. Using these measurements, the PMV and PPD values were computed. The effectiveness of the insulation material with regard to thermal comfort is judged by the reduction in values of these indices. During a typical day, a reduction of around 30% is achieved just by adding the insulation. Nusselt number correlations are proposed to predict the convective heat transfer from the walls. Detailed CFD simulations were performed and a parametric study to understand the effect of insulation thickness, wall insulation, roof thickness and room dimensions on thermal comfort was undertaken.

Effect of Two Types of Chitosan Thermochromic Microcapsules Prepared with Syringaldehyde and Sodium Tripolyphosphate Crosslinking Agents on the Surface Coating Performance of Basswood Board

In order to investigate the effect of thermochromic microcapsules on the surface coating performance of basswood board, two types of microcapsules prepared with syringaldehyde and sodium tripolyphosphate crosslinking agents were added to a UV primer and coated on the surface of basswood board. The color-change effect of the surface coating on basswood board with microcapsules added with syringaldehyde as the crosslinking agent was better than that with microcapsules added with sodium tripolyphosphate as the crosslinking agent, and the color difference varied more significantly with temperature. The effect of the two types of microcapsules on the glossiness of the surface coating on basswood board was relatively weak. The glossiness of the surface coating on basswood board with microcapsules containing syringaldehyde as the crosslinking agent showed an overall increasing trend with the increase in microcapsules, and the change trend was relatively gentle. The glossiness of the surface coating on basswood board with microcapsules containing sodium tripolyphosphate as the crosslinking agent increased first and then decreased as the amount of microcapsules added increased. The addition of microcapsules with syringaldehyde as the crosslinking agent had no significant effect on the reflectance in the visible light band of the surface coating on basswood board. Among the two groups of samples, the hardness increase in the surface coating on basswood board with syringaldehyde as the crosslinking agent was more significant. The adhesion level of the coating on the surface of the basswood board with the two microcapsules did not change. Neither of the microcapsules had a significant effect on the impact resistance of the surface on basswood board. In the comprehensive analysis, the surface coating on basswood board with microcapsules added with syringaldehyde as the crosslinking agent at a content of 4.0% had better comprehensive performance, better surface morphology, better color-change effect, and moderate mechanical properties. The color difference was found to be 21.0 at 25 °C, the reflectivity was found to be 57.06%, the hardness was found to be 3H, the adhesion was found to be five, and the impact resistance was found to be three.

Women who money: the impact of female board members and institutional ownership on firms’ financial performance

Purpose This study aims to explore the relationship between board diversity and financial performance, examining how the presence of women on corporate boards affects metrics such as profitability. In addition, this study investigates how corporate governance and ownership structure influence gender diversity policies and the appointment of women to boards. Design/methodology/approach Two hypotheses were proposed and following regression models were developed for data analysis. The sample for this study consists of companies listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange in five years (2015–2019). The data was extracted from the Taiwan Economic Journal Taiwan database with the final data set comprised 9,379 firm-year observations. Findings This study indicates a positive association between board diversity and financial performance. Moreover, the relationship between female directors on the board and financial performance is stronger for firms with a higher percentage of institutional investors. Originality/value By highlighting how gender-balanced boards and engaged institutional shareholders improve profitability, this study suggests that actively recruiting women directors and pursuing governance reforms that empower shareholders can pay dividends for Taiwanese companies. The results make an important contribution to the limited research on diversity's impact within Asian corporate settings.

The influence of flow field bottom effect and sand cloud effect on the hydrodynamic performance and stability of bottom trawling otter board under tilted attitudes

To explore how bottom and sand cloud effects influence the hydrodynamic performance and stability of bottom trawling otter board under tilted attitudes, this study combines numerical simulations by oval cambered otter board and flume tank experiments verification. By assessing drag and lift coefficients (CD,CL), center-of-pressure coefficients (Cpc, Cpb) and longitudinal moment (My) in different heel angles, the study evaluates the impact under the two effects on hydrodynamics and stability. Findings reveal that inward and outward tilting increases CD maximally under sand cloud effect, while minimizing it under broad-field only water conditions; CL is maximal under bottom effect and minimal under broad-field only water conditions. For forward and backward tilting, CD under sand cloud effect is greater than that under bottom effect, with minimal values in broad-field only water conditions; CL is maximal under bottom effect and minimal under broad-field only water conditions. Additionally, stability varies across different flow field conditions, deteriorating along the x-axis due to bottom and sand cloud effects, while maintaining relative stability along the y-axis and z-axis. This study demonstrates that the bottom effect and sand cloud effect alter the otter board's proximity to the seabed and the fluid viscosity, leading to differences in hydrodynamic performance and stability under inclined attitudes. The findings aim to provide insights for the use and design of bottom trawling otter boards, ensuring stability and safety under various operating conditions and attitudes.

Acoustic and thermal performance of wood strands-rock wool-cement composite boards as eco-friendly construction materials

With a growing emphasis on eco-friendly building materials, wood strands-rock wool-cement boards (WRCB) offer a promising solution due to their composition of renewable wood fibers and cementitious binder. This study delves into the intricate balance between sound absorption, thermal insulation, and cost-effectiveness of WRCB, all of which are crucial factors shaping indoor comfort, energy efficiency, and the economic viability of constructions. WRCB incorporating wood strands, Portland cement, rock wool, and calcium chloride were manufactured at various thicknesses (20–60 mm) and densities (400, 500, and 600 kg/m³). The WRCB exhibited sound absorption average (SAA) and effective thermal conductivity (Keff) values ranging from 0.28 to 0.56 and 0.285–0.381 W/(mK), respectively. These results underscore the remarkable SAA and Keff of the panels, showcasing their potential as sustainable construction materials. Notably, WRCB with thicknesses ranging from 30 mm to 50 mm and densities of 400–500 kg/m³ exhibited nearly ideal absorption levels between 1000 and 2000 Hz, indicating their practical suitability for speech-related scenarios in architectural environments. The utilization of the Response Surface Methodology allowed the optimal conditions for maximizing SAA while simultaneously minimizing Keff and cost to be identified through the optimization process. A density of 452.8 kg/m³ and a thickness of 37.8 mm were determined as the optimal parameters. Under these conditions, the resultant SAA reached 0.554, with a corresponding cost of 1724 IRR and Keff of 0.317 W/(mK). The results also demonstrated the significant impact of thickness and density on the acoustic and thermal performance of the WRCB. The acoustic performance of WRCB was further analyzed through predictive modeling using the Johnson-Champoux-Allard (JCA) and Delany-Bazley (DB) models. The results revealed that the JCA model exhibited superior predictive accuracy compared to the DB model.

Women’s Leadership in Fintech: Cross-Country Evidence

Abstract This paper provides key insights into women’s representation in the fintech industry, and descriptively examines the association between female leadership and firm performance in this industry. Using novel data from fintech firms in over 80 countries, we find that women leaders in this industry remain scarce. Our analysis reveals that firms founded by women are associated with lower firm performance as measured by their estimated revenue and funding acquired, especially for small firms. On the other hand, there is a positive association between gender diversity in executive board and firm performance, especially for mid-to-large sized firms.

Effect of Lignosulphonates on the Moisture Resistance of Phenol-Formaldehyde Resins for Exterior Plywood.

Phenol-formaldehyde (PF) resins remain the preferred adhesive for exterior plywood, as they confer these boards their extreme weather resistance. However, their high price and toxicity has made phenol alternatives, such as technical lignins, increasingly more attractive. While many works report the use of kraft lignin, the most commercially available form are lignosulphonates (LS). However, these lack industrial success and are associated with low moisture resistance. In the current study, lignosulphonate-phenol-formaldehyde (LPF) resoles were synthesized considering a phenol replacement of 30% (w/w). Two LS samples of softwood (SLS) and hardwood (HLS) origin were compared. These samples were previously methylolated to increase their reactivity. The effectiveness of the treatment was confirmed through the Automated Bonding Evaluation System. Plywood was manufactured and tested according to EN 314 class 3 for exterior conditions, which is seldom found in the literature. Although a 35% increase in shear strength is still necessary to comply with the standard, methylolated SLS was the most promising substitute, as it resulted in the highest board performance. Notably, when this sample was used without previous methylolation, the plywood boards suffered delamination during immersion in boiling water prior to shear testing. These results reinforce the need for the methylolation of LS to increase the weather resistance of plywood.

Effects of microencapsulated phase change materials on the thermal performance of gypsum board

Microencapsulated phase change materials (MePCMs) were fabricated via sol–gel synthesis, with nano-SiO2 acting as shell, lauric acid (LA) and myristic acid (MA) binary eutectic mixture as core materials, and then MePCMs were incorporated in gypsum. The thermal performances of LA-MA@nano-SiO2 MePCM as well as MePCM based gypsum board were systematically analyzed. The results show that the absorbed LA-MA is distributed uniformly in the pores and shows optimum homogenous morphology, which can significantly improve the thermal stability and durability. The heat absorption and release rate of the LA-MA/nano-SiO2 MePCM is enhanced compared with LA-MA eutectic mixture. When the core–shell ratio was 1:1, the encapsulation rate of LA-MA/nano-SiO2 MePCM is the highest, and relatively the melting heat as well as the solidification heat is the highest, with the leakage rate of LA-MA/nano-SiO2 MePCM controlled under less than 6 % after 200 times hot and cold cycle. Incorporating LA-MA@nano-SiO2 MePCM into gypsum acts properly in temperature control and postpones the temperature fluctuation.

Mock Board and Customs Broker Licensure Examination Performance of a Select Higher Education Institution: A Predictive-Correlational Approach

Mock Board and Customs Broker Licensure Examination Performance of a Select Higher Education Institution: A Predictive-Correlational Approach

Wobble Board Performance: A Practical and Useful Quantification in Balance Assessment

Balance is integral in ankle injury prevention and therapy, especially in high-risk sports like volleyball. For balance assessment, the recommended wobble board (WB) performance (i.e., time at equilibrium) has never been compared with the gold standard. The objective was to investigate the relationships of force-plate-derived center of pressure (CoP) with WB performance and the accuracy of WB-derived CoP estimates. Twelve high-level volleyball players completed six unipedal standing trials on a computerized WB. WB tilt angles and CoP were obtained simultaneously via tri-axis accelerometers on the WB (200 Hz) and a force plate (1000 Hz), respectively. WB performance, polynomial-transformed CoP estimates, and CoP fractal sway, sway area, and mean sway velocity were assessed via Pearson and concordance correlation, root mean square errors, and dependent t-tests. WB performance was related with CoP sway and sway area (|rlinear| = 0.714–0.842, |rnonlinear| = 0.833–0.910, p < 0.01). The strongest concordance (0.878–0.893, p < 0.001) and smallest errors (6.5–10.7%) were reported for anterior–posterior sway and sway area. Moderate to excellent relationships between the WB performance and force plate CoP variables supported the usefulness of WB performance and estimates (especially sway area) in balance assessment. Furthermore, this study presents recommendations for future analyses and modeling approaches to reflect the complexity of postural control.

Vibration isolation performance of silica aerogel blankets and boards, fumed silica, polymer aerogel and nanofoams

Buildings are often constructed on a continuous layer of vibration isolation to reduce vibrations and structure-borne noise. There are many vibration isolation products (rubber mats, textiles, polymer foams), but none fulfils all requirements in terms of load-bearing capacity, performance, and cost. In previous work, we have shown that silica aerogel particle beds display a low resonance frequency and correspondingly high vibration isolation performance. Loose silica aerogel granules are not a practical vibration isolation solution. In order to guide the future development of dedicated vibration isolation products based on aerogels, we determine the vibro-acoustic properties of a variety of existing commercial and R&D stage mesoporous composites, that have been developed for thermal insulation applications. The sample set includes monolithic aerogels (polyurethane), silica aerogel composites (aerogel – fibers, aerogel impregnated foams, aerogel bound with polymer foam), glued fumed silica-fiber boards, and nanoporous polymer foam composite boards. The silica aerogel and fumed silica composites display low resonance frequencies (down to 8 Hz for 40 mm, strongly dependent on composite type) and a low dynamic stiffness and loss factor over a wide range of static loads. The polymer aerogel, nanoporous foam and polymer-bound silica aerogel granule board all display higher resonance frequencies, consistent with their higher static stiffness. Although optimized for thermal insulation rather than vibration isolation, many of the tested silica aerogel and fumed silica composites are competitive with the best vibration isolation products on the market in terms of vibration isolation performance. The diversity of materials tested informs on which approaches, materials, and materials combinations are most promising to target vibration isolation.

The Link between Corporate Board and Financial Performance: Evidence From Money Deposit Banks in Nigeria

The Link between Corporate Board and Financial Performance: Evidence From Money Deposit Banks in Nigeria

Board Structure and Financial Performance of Manufacturing Companies in Nigeria

This study examines the impact of board structure on corporate financial performance in Nigeria. It investigates the Diversity of boards of directors in Nigerian firms and analyses whether board structure has an impact on financial performance, as measured by return on equity (ROE) and return on capital employed (ROCE). Based on the extensive literature, four board characteristics (board Diversity, board size, board ownership and CEO duality) have been identified as possibly having an impact on corporate financial performance and these characteristics are set as the independent variables. The Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression was used to estimate the relationship between corporate performance measures and the independent variables. Findings from the study show that there is strong positive association between board size and corporate financial performance. Evidence also exists that there is a positive association between outside directors sitting on the board and corporate financial performance. However, a negative association was observed between directors’ stockholding and firm financial performance measures. In addition, the study reveals a negative association between ROE and CEO duality, while a strong positive association was observed between ROCE and CEO duality. The study suggests that large board size should be encouraged and the Diversity of outside directors as members of the board should be sustained and improved upon to enhance corporate financial performance.

Studi Alkalisasi Serat Tandan Kosong Kelapa Sawit Sebagai Penguat Komposit Material Akustik.

The use of empty oil palm fruit bunches as reinforcement in making composite boards has been carried out. Palm oil empty bunch fiber was obtained in the Kotabaru area, South Kalimantan. Palm oil empty fruit bunch fiber is hydrophilic which causes low adhesive properties between the fiber and the matrix so it is necessary to alkalize with 3% NaOH for 5 hours first. Alkalization has increased the cellulose content by 19.36% and reduced the lignin component by 9.04% and other components, such as hemicellulose, pectin, fat and others by 59.63%. Making composite boards uses the hand lay-up method and has succeeded in improving physical and mechanical properties. Water content according to SNI. The acoustic performance of composite boards shows significant results. The acoustic properties of composite boards without alkalization are sound absorbing, while with alkalization they are reflective. These results are supported by FTIR and SEM morphology results, which show that the interfacial bonding properties between the fiber and the matrix increase, thereby changing the acoustic performance of the TKKS composite board.Keywords: Alkalization, hand lay-up, acoustic performance, absorption, reflection.