Business Staff Research Articles

Business continuity, bureaucratic resilience and the limitations of neoliberal survival logics in international organisations

Abstract This article contends that investigating relationalities between business continuity management (BCM), staff behaviours, and bureaucratic resilience advances understandings of the survival of international organisations (IOs). Drawing on in-depth interviews, a global staff survey, and a discourse analysis of United Nations (UN) reports and applying a post-colonial feminist theoretical approach foregrounding care ethics to the study of IOs, the article examines how the UN Secretary-General’s Alternative Working Arrangements directive to close physical offices and open ‘virtual offices’ was implemented in the first 18 months of the Covid-19 pandemic. It is contended that BCM is necessary for IO survival, since if the IO bureaucracy is unable to be productive and maintain its spheres of influence during a crisis, it risks losing power and authority. Between March 2020 and August 2021, staff facilitated IO survival organically, from the bottom up, in four ways: demonstrating good performance and productivity; being adaptable and resilient; maintaining personal spheres of influence; and building communities of care within the UN. However, the UN’s neoliberal, technocratic approach to business continuity and bureaucratic resilience-building neglected staff care needs. Consequently, IO survival is predicated on staff performing as exploited gendered and racialised ‘neoliberal subjects’, revealing a chronic structural crisis rooted in the UN bureaucracy’s hierarchical composition and unequal employment regime.

The Quality Improvement Review Board: An Innovative Approach to Oversight of Projects That Do Not Meet Criteria of Human Subject Research.

This article describes the development of an institutional quality improvement review board (QIRB) as an effective and efficient method for reviewing and overseeing institutional quality improvement (QI) initiatives. QI projects involve the systematic collection and analysis of data and the implementation of interventions designed to improve the quality of clinical care and/or educational programs for a distinct population in a specific setting. QI projects are fundamentally distinct from human subjects research (HuSR); however, the differences between them are subtle and highly nuanced. Determining whether a project meets the definition of QI or qualifies as HuSR, thus requiring institutional review board (IRB) review, can be confusing and frustrating. Nevertheless, this distinction is highly consequential due to the heavy regulatory requirements involved in HuSR and IRB oversight. Making the correct determination of a project's regulatory status is essential before the project begins. Project leaders may not realize that their work meets the definition of HuSR and, therefore, might conduct the project without appropriate IRB review. Therefore, best practices dictate that project leaders should not decide which type of institutional review is appropriate for their projects. In addition, when QI project teams attempt to disseminate the results of their work, documentation of formal review and approval is generally required by peer-reviewed journals and professional organizations. However, institutional review mechanisms are rarely available. Projects that do not meet the definition of HuSR fall outside the purview of IRBs and most institutions do not have an alternative review body. This creates frustration for both project leaders and IRB administrators. Apart from IRB review, a separate process for reviewing QI projects offers several benefits. These include (1) relieving the burden on busy IRB staff; (2) promoting scholarly activity; (3) protecting the institution, project leaders, and participants from HuSR conducted outside of appropriate IRB review; and (4) promoting rigorous QI methods.

Analisis Evaluasi Kualitas Pelayanan di K3 Mart Graha Pena Surabaya: Pengalaman Konsumen

K3 Mart is a minimarket that markets various kinds of Korean products and from other countries as well as MSME products with a lifestyle theme. The products marketed at the minimarket are halal products. This research was conducted with the aim of finding out the quality of service provided by employee staff to consumers based on the consumer's experience after visiting. This research is qualitative research with a focus on analyzing consumer experiences regarding service quality. This research uses descriptive research. The research method used is a qualitative method with interview and observation data collection techniques. The indicators used in this research are physical evidence, reliability, empathy, responsiveness and assurance. The research results show that the five indicators have been well implicated by business owners and staff employees. Even though it is considered quite good, the business owner and staff are still trying to improve the quality of service at K3 Mart Graha Pena.

Digitalizing Access to Care: How Self-Check-In Kiosks Shape Access to Care and Efficiency of Hospital Services

Responding to labor shortages and rising healthcare expenses, hospitals increasingly turn to self-check-in kiosks to streamline service delivery and improve patients’ experiences. The purpose of this study was to reflect on the implementation of these self-check-in kiosks in a Dutch university hospital, particularly in relation to access to care for more vulnerable patients and intended efficiency goals. We followed a technology-in-practice approach to better understand how new technologies shape care practices in relation to in/exclusion and carried out an ethnographic action study involving desk research, participatory observations, semi-structured interviews, and reflection sessions with developers and hospital staff. Data were analyzed through ethnographic content analysis. Our results show that although self-check-in kiosks work well for some patients, many people experience practical and psychosocial difficulties, especially those who go through a complex care pathway, are low-literate, experience a distance the online world, or have sensory, motor, or cognitive impairments. Kiosks are not yet attuned to these patients and typically leave little flexibility and room for negotiation and personal support in what is, for many, a foreign environment. Therefore, patients frequently seek confirmation and assistance from already downsized or busy staff. In conclusion, we find that digitalization under the banner of efficiency within a healthcare system already under pressure carries risks, as it can unintentionally generate extra (invisible) work for patients and care professionals and threaten access to and quality of care for patients most in need. A more concentrated effort on refining the digitalization of healthcare processes using an inclusive-technology-in-practice approach has the potential to contribute to fairer and more efficient care for all patients.

Organisations’ and employees’ perceptions of the impact of activity-based working on the organisational culture

Purpose Challenged by the effects of organisational flexibility and high corporate real estate (CRE) costs, organisations increasingly seek flexibility and operational efficiency in their physical office layouts. This paper examines and compares how the existing organisational culture of organisations changed with the introduction of activity-based working (ABW) from the perspectives of organisations and their employees. Design/methodology/approach The research focused on large organisations that had introduced ABW during the period of 2012–2019 and their employees. Two surveys were implemented with the management of organisations and employees. In-depth interviews with the management were also undertaken. The research focused on three different industry sectors in Australia – financial, IT and public. The competing value framework was used to measure the dimensions of organisational culture. Findings Findings identify major finance, internal business, learning and growth and staff and client-oriented motives affecting organisations’ decisions to introduce ABW. Findings illustrate that the nature of workplace design has a considerable impact on organisations’ culture and can be used to leverage and change it. However, a noticeable discrepancy between the perceptions of the organisation and employees in the public and private sectors was identified, where public sector employees felt that standardised procedures still governed their actions even in ABW. Originality/value This research highlights that workplace designs directly influence the culture of organisations. It emphasises the importance of an in-depth examination of the behavioural and attitudinal characteristics of organisations and their employees to obtain a better understanding of how they perceive and interact in ABW layouts.

Analysis of Curriculum Policy Implementation Freedom to Study at State Vocational High School in Batubara Regency

This research aims to analyze the implementation of the curriculum policy of the Merdeka Study in the State vocational high school of Batu Bara District, concerning Ristek Permendikbud No. 56 Year 2022 and No. 262 Year 2022. The research theory trail uses the framework of Edward III's policy implementation theory. The research method used is descriptive with a qualitative approach. Data was collected through interviews, documentation, and observations, involving respondents consisting of the Head of the Department of Education of Region V, the Head of School, Business Staff, and the State vocational high school Teacher in Batu Bara District. The results of the research show that the implementation of the curriculum policy Merdeka Learning in the State SMC of Batu Bara County is running well, supported by clear communication transmission processes, adequate resources, positive disposal, and an effective bureaucratic structure.

Optimizing Workforce Stability: Unraveling the Influence of Talent Management Strategies on Employee Retention

This research examines the complex connections among talent management strategies, employee engagement, and retention in the information and technology industry in Selangor. The study endeavours to reveal distinct tactics and practices that foster a dedicated and enduring staff in an ever-changing business, using a combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches. This study focuses on assessing the efficacy of talent management techniques and explores the consequences and significance of different talent management approaches in modern company settings. The research aims to get a thorough knowledge of how various methods might effectively achieve organisational objectives by conducting a detailed evaluation of existing literature and analysing empirical data. The research examines case studies, industry analysis, and expert opinions to understand the intricate processes that lead to a resilient and dedicated workforce. The objective of the research is to provide guidance to organisations on how to enhance the stability of their personnel by implementing strategic talent management activities.

SWOT ANALYSIS AS A CULINARY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FOR BAKSO KONDANG IN SOUTHEAST ACEH

The culinary industry is growing in several regions. Famous meatballs are a regional gastronomic highlight. The Kutacane meatball company in Southeast Aceh will be assessed using SWOT analysis in this study. SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) finds internal and external aspects that can affect corporate success. In-depth interviews with business owners, staff, and customers are used in this qualitative case study research. This research found that the EFI Matrix score is 3.14 and the EFE Matrix score is 2.92. The famous Southeast Aceh Regency meatball business's SWOT Analysis, based on internal and external factors, yields four strategies: SO, WO, ST, and WT

Digital Health Challenges in Social Entrepreneurship:

Ensuring dignified care for needy populations worldwide is a collective responsibility that transcends geographical and environmental conditions. Modern entrepreneurs and businesses should incorporate social responsibility into their core objectives and success plans, recognizing the influence of underprivileged communities on their operations. However, not all organizations possess the internal capacity to actively practice social responsibility due to factors such as business type or staff profile. Consequently, many companies support other institutions dedicated to social causes, viewing it as a business opportunity that can yield modest profits. This article presents a case study of Diagnext.com, a small company that has devoted 14 years to technological innovation in digital health and has made significant contributions to public healthcare. Their initiatives have had a remarkable impact on the Amazon Rainforest's remote populations, including indigenous communities and river dwellers, facilitating hundreds of thousands of medical consultations annually. The case study aims to understand the main factors that drove Diagnext.com's promoters to invest their knowledge in social innovation and how they are proactively building their future. Key aspects explored include the leadership profile of Diagnext.com, ethical and sustainability concerns, transparency, and social responsibility. By analyzing these factors, the article highlights the importance of integrating social responsibility into business practices and the positive outcomes that can be achieved through technological innovation in addressing the healthcare needs of underprivileged populations.

Laundromats in Bangkok Real Estate Centric Services an Industry Emerging in Response to Covid-19

Aims: This study tried to capture the perception of laundromat customers in Bangkok, Thailand towards the end of the historic and unsettling Covid-19 crisis for washing and drying purposes in terms of process, physical evidence, and people components of the service marketing mix, in addition to product, price, place, and promotion.
 Study Design: This is a grounded theory study in nature that explored the users’ perceptions of coin-operated laundries through structured interviews that were captured on questionnaires.
 Place and Duration of Study: Various types of automated laundries in Bangkok, Thailand during the end phase of the Covid-19 pandemic between March 2022 and December 2022.
 Methodology: We included a random sample of 200 respondents (33% male and 67% female; age range 11 to over 80 years), students, housewives, employees, and retirees who used self-service laundries of various types for washing and drying as well as other services.
 Results: Very important for the process are comfort and atmosphere together with cleanliness and safety (Mean 3.48, SD 1.31, r = 0.529). The physical evidence mentioned location in terms of access and the facility itself (Mean 3.54, SD 1.11, r = 0.650). The customer mix was the most important people component with few and only occasional staff in the vending business. (Mean 3.31, SD 1.27, r = 0.619).
 Conclusion: The study concluded that the COVID-19 pandemic was the initial spark needed to start Bangkok's rapidly growing laundromat businesses. The industry grew so fast in Bangkok that the next target is the remainder of Thailand. Successful entrepreneurs in this industry will have a keen awareness of the location, process, physical evidence, and social components of their customer service-oriented highly automated SME.

Cooperative Tourism Marketing in Accessible Tourism Development: The Case of the Cross-Border Area of Greece–Republic of Northern Macedonia

Cross-border cooperation is an important factor for the sustainability of border areas, while the accessibility of tourism businesses enhances inclusiveness in tourism. This article presents the results obtained from the comparative analysis of the accessibility of tourism businesses in the cross-border area of Greece and the Republic of North Macedonia. The results show room for improvement, but also a great willingness to invest in business accessibility and staff training. Similarities and differences were also identified between the statuses of accessibility in the two countries. These results are particularly useful for the development of cooperation between the two countries, in order to create a single accessible tourist product, with the ultimate goal of differentiating the destinations and obtaining a competitive advantage, in the context of sustainable tourism development.

The Effect of HR Quality on the Compensation System and Employee Performance at PT Primissima in Sleman Regency

The lack of quality human resources at work is the main problem highlighted by PT Primissima located in Sleman Regency, Yogyakarta. In order to have superior, resilient human resources, and be able to maintain the existence of competitiveness and brand equity in the market, the company must be able to guarantee the performance of its human resources while working in the company. With appropriate compensation, HR will be able to work optimally and company goals will be achieved efficiently and effectively. The purpose of this internship is to determine the effect of HR quality on the employee salary payment compensation system and find out the improvement of employee performance through the provision of compensation systems that have been implemented by the company at PT Primissima. PT Primissima which was formed on June 22, 1971 is a joint venture between the Indonesian Batik Cooperative Association (GKBI) and the Government of the Republic of Indonesia which aims to be able to produce fine batik raw materials, namely Primissima cloth (mori) to meet national needs, which were previously taken through production or imports from China, Japan, and India. The research approach carried out by the author is a qualitative approach. The author's achievement while undergoing an internship was working in the personnel division of PT Primissima. In addition, the author had the opportunity to observe and participate in employee coaching at PT Primissima, and follow a series of batik fabric making processes at PT Primissima. In the midst of uncertain HR quality, it is necessary to conduct careful and strict recruitment. Prospective workers or employees must meet the requirements of the PT Primissima company. One of the concerns when accepting prospective employees is in terms of soft skills and hard skills. Because it is an obstacle of the company PT Primissima at this time. Researchers in carrying out internships feel comfortable and smooth in carrying out work activities in the company where researchers do internships. Researchers received a good response and treatment from PT Primissima. A comfortable work environment makes researchers comfortable when undergoing the internship research process. The obstacles that researchers encounter in this internship activity include the busy staff of the company, so researchers find it difficult if they want to ask questions or discuss

The role of small, locally-owned businesses in advancing community health and health equity: a qualitative exploration in a historically Black neighborhood in the USA

ABSTRACT Multi-sector efforts to address the structural drivers of health inequities faced by racial and ethnic minority communities in the USA often ignore the potential of action by for-profit businesses, perhaps due to skepticism about the role of business in such efforts. However, given the need to harness diverse forms of capital to address structural harms, and recent calls to identify oft-ignored systemic pathways to health, we examined the role of business – specifically small, locally-owned businesses – in promoting community health and well-being. This study explored the role of small, locally owned businesses in community health, and local understandings of the value of such action, in the context of Roxbury, Massachusetts, a historically Black community with a substantial Latinx population. We conducted 20 semi-structured interviews between June and November 2021 with small business owners and staff, as well as leaders and staff from local non-profit organizations, anchor institutions, and one large business. Constructivist and critical perspectives guided the work. We used a team-based, thematic analysis approach; the team included residents and a small local business owner. Participants described pride in the neighborhood and emphasized small businesses’ contribution to long-term community well-being by investing social, cultural, human, and financial capital. Business owners saw their work as a way of giving back and did so in ways reflecting their deep understanding of community needs, aspirations, and identity. Public health efforts should engage pro-social small businesses embedded in marginalized communities, thereby supporting and amplifying businesses’ existing contributions to advancing equitable community health.

Evaluation of The Hygiene Procedures and Commitment to Food Safety of Calapan City Street Food Vendors

This study assessed the relationship between the hygiene practices and procedures of street food vendors and the level of food safety in Calapan City. The research addresses the need for a practical intervention to improve hygiene practices among street food vendors, ensuring the safety of consumers in Calapan City and promoting responsible business practices. The study utilized a descriptive-correlational research design, employing the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient as a statistical tool to determine the relationship between hygiene practices and food safety. The respondents consisted of 30 volunteer street food vendors and customers in Calapan City. Findings revealed that, in the new normal, street food vendors in Calapan City maintain a satisfactory level of hygiene practices and procedures, meeting cleanliness standards. Utensils and equipment are regularly cleaned and sanitized, reducing health risks and illnesses. Rresults also showed that there is a significant relationship between the status of hygiene practices and procedures of street food vendors and the level of food safety of the street food sold in Calapan City with computed r-value of 0.631. Based on the results, the researchers recommend that food business owners and staff acquire adequate knowledge and awareness of proper food safety practices and adhere to them consistently in their operations. By conducting this study, the authors contribute to the improvement of hygiene standards and food safety in the street food sector, enhancing the overall well-being of consumers and supporting the growth of responsible and safe street food businesses in Calapan City.

Evaluating change in a pressured healthcare system: a cross-sectional study of implementation outcomes using routine data indicators and proxies

BackgroundImplementation evaluation should focus on implementation success, guided by theories and frameworks. With high staff vacancies in the health services, it is important to consider pragmatic methods of data collection for implementation evaluation. This paper presents a cross-sectional rapid evaluation of a handheld medical device designed for remote examinations, piloted in Northern England. By using downloaded device data and administrative records mapped to domains from the implementation outcomes framework, this evaluation offers a pragmatic example of assessing implementation success.MethodsThe pilot design was pragmatic: sites volunteered, decided which services to use the device in, and launched when ready. The pilot and evaluation together lasted 1 year. Data was downloaded from the devices, and administrative records for the pilot accessed. Variables were mapped to five of the implementation outcomes, after reviewing with the device manufacturer and pilot team to assess robustness.ResultsN=352 care episodes were recorded using the device with 223 patients. Out of 19 sites ‘signed up’ to the pilot, 5 launched and delivered 10 of 35 proposed projects: a site and project adoption rate of 26 and 29%, respectively. Six sites signed up to an extension period; three had launched and three had not during the original timelines, indicating some sustainability. Feasibility was high, with only one in seven care episodes needing to be repeated due to poor device quality or error (sound/audio/internet). Fidelity of device usage was low for two of the eight available device examinations. Device and staffing costs were high but potential cost savings were attributable to fewer in-person appointments.ConclusionsThrough using device and administrative data, this evaluation minimised burden on busy healthcare staff yet was still guided by an evaluation framework. Five out of the eight implementation outcomes were measured, including sustainability and costs. The findings give insight into implementation challenges, particularly around adoption. For future research, it is recommended to engage with staff to prioritise outcome measurements and to focus on meaningful interpretation of indicators.

Destinations’ environmental orientation: a symbolic cluster analysis based on hotel employees’ environmental knowledge, awareness, and concern

Environmental attitudes (environmental knowledge, awareness, and concern) are important drivers of pro-environmental behaviour for key destination stakeholder groups, including tourists, tourism business staff and residents. However, limited attention has been given to how individual attitudes within each role collectively contribute to the environmental sustainability of tourism destinations.The goal of the study is to fill this gap by conceptually and empirically linking the micro- and macro-levels of analysis, respectively focused on individuals and the destination. First, the concept of Destination Environmental Orientation (DEO) is proposed to indicate the collective attitude of a touristic place or destination towards the environment having micro-foundations in individuals’ cognition, evaluation and affect. Then, focusing on local hotels’ staff as a key destination stakeholder category, the study shows the methodological potential of Symbolic Data Analysis (SDA) to measure DEO based on underlying individual-level data about environmental knowledge, awareness, and concern. Survey-based data are collected among employees in thirty-three hotels located in eleven tourism municipalities of Naples, a province in the Campania region (Italy). The research identifies three groups of tourism municipalities with significant differences in the level of environmental orientation. The findings suggest that these groups exhibit different patterns of functioning and three models are identified based on context-related factors, i.e., the level of tourism developement, the reliance of tourism areas on natural resources, and geograhical and functional proximity among tourism municipalities: the “Mature tourism destination” model, the “Island tourism destination” model, and the “Strategically positioned touristic place” model. The implications to sustainable tourism theory and practice are discussed.

Identifying Essential Elements of Good Giraffe Welfare—Can We Use Knowledge of a Species’ Fundamental Needs to Develop Welfare-Focussed Husbandry?

Measurement of zoo animal welfare states enables improvement to husbandry and management to be evidence-based and implemented according to species’ needs. Theoretical welfare concepts are often discussed, and whilst it is helpful to ensure wide consensus across all stakeholders on what welfare comprises, practical application of such evidence-based information is as equally important. All species housed in zoos will have specific needs that must be met by their housing, husbandry, and care to enable them to thrive. Therefore, this paper examined how to identify key animal care needs and an animal’s responses to them to form a basis for species-specific welfare assessment approaches. There are examples of familiar-to-the-zoo species that still pose challenges regarding delivery of optimal husbandry and management. As such, the identification and evaluation of core concepts of the biology, behaviour, “needs and wants” of these species is required to support validation and refinement of physical, behavioural, and psychological welfare measures. This article evaluated the use of evidence to build capacity in welfare measurement for a familiar zoo-housed species, the giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis, Linnaeus 1758), by outlining seven key needs and requirements that must be provided in the zoo (“giraffe W-E-L-F-A-R-E” = Warmth, Enrichment, Leaves, Feeding, Alfalfa, Rumination, Exercise). Provision of these inputs, and opportunities for all giraffes in a herd to engage with them, provides the foundation for further welfare assessment to be implemented. Specifically, the validation and measurement of mental states that are more likely to be positive if key behavioural and ecological needs have already been met. This paper advocated for this evidence-based approach to “welfare-focussed husbandry”, with distillation of key information that supports species-relevant care, to be developed for other zoo-housed species as support for their welfare assessment protocols. Such welfare-focussed husbandry is layered on top of the basic animal care requirements of the species in the zoo to ensure all individuals have the best opportunity to attain positive welfare states. In this way, and once validated, foundational welfare assessment can be easily completed by busy animal care staff, capacity is built into zoo operations as all stakeholders are aware of exactly what each species needs, and deeper dive welfare assessment (especially concerning animal mental states) can be targeted more effectively. Further evolution of these seven steps for the giraffe is suggested and extrapolation of this approach, to aid identification of key welfare indicators across all zoo-housed species, is encouraged.

Discussion on the Integrated Development Path of Financial Accounting and Management Accounting

The gradual development of economy and rapid progress of science and technology have promoted human society to step forward into the era of digital economy, and then promoted the transformation of financial accounting function based on accounting and supervision to management accounting function based on value creation and value increment. However, both financial accounting and management accounting are branches of the accounting discipline, and the professional knowledge of a single branch is slightly insufficient to solve problems in a certain field. Only by combining and integrating the knowledge of multiple branches, and analyzing and solving problems from multiple perspectives can enterprises achieve sustainable development. Therefore, in combination with the background and direction of industry development in the era of digital economy, this paper analyzes the necessity of the integrated development of financial accounting and management accounting based on the functional positioning of enterprise financial accounting and management accounting, and discusses the integrated development mode of financial accounting and management accounting from the aspects of goal orientation, platform construction and content construction. And then put forward the two in the concept of mutual integration, content mutual penetration, system framework, technical personnel mutual integration and other aspects of the feasible path, in order to improve the accounting staff's business ability and comprehensive quality, conform to the market demand and the development of The Times.

The Effect of Follower Identity on Followership: The Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy.

Followership is as crucial as leadership for organizational success. Significant efforts have been made by numerous researchers to examine how leadership influences followership; however, not enough attention has been paid to the influence of internal factors of followers on followership from the followers' perspective. This study relies on identity theory to understand the relationship between the influence of followers' perceived self-following traits (FTP) and followership prototype (FP) on followership, and the mediation role of self-efficacy in the relationship between FTP-FP consistency and followership. In order to avoid common method bias and ensure good discriminant validity of the variables, a two-wave time-lagged data collection design was used to collect 276 valid questionnaires from front-line business staff and junior supervisors in private and public sector organizations of China. Polynomial regression and response surface analysis were used to investigate the effect of FTP-FP consistency on followership. The empirical findings indicated that (1) the more consistent FTP-FP, the stronger the followership; (2) compared to the 'low FTP-low FP', employees with 'high FTP-high FP' had stronger followership; (3) employees with 'high FTP-low FP' had stronger followership than 'low FTP-high FP'; (4) self-efficacy played a mediating role between FTP-FP consistency and followership. These findings contribute to management practice by revealing antecedents to followership from the perspective follower identity and the effect of follower identity on followership.

Lessons learned about policymaking: Moving an emergency department-initiated screening protocol to systemwide input in the development and implementation process.

Lessons learned about policymaking: Moving an emergency department-initiated screening protocol to systemwide input in the development and implementation process.