Key Performance Areas Research Articles

Compliance with nice guidelines for management of depression in a community mental health team

AimsTo evaluate compliance within a Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) to the NICE guidelines for the management of depression.BackgroundReducing the prevalence of depression continues to be a major public health challenge.Given the complexity and recurrent nature of the condition, the NICE guideline CG90 is an invaluable resource to aid the effective management of depression. Here we present an audit of adherence to this guideline within a CMHT.MethodA retrospective electronic casenote review of all patients diagnosed with depression between January 2016 and October 2019 under the care of a Birmingham CMHT (n = 35), assessing key performance areas including: quality of assessment and coordinated care, risk assessment, choice of pharmacological and psychological treatment using the stepped care model and appropriate crisis resolution planning.ResultKey results include: The majority of patients were Caucasian (63%). Ages ranged from 27 to 69 (mean age 48 years old).Severity of disorder was typically moderate (46%) or severe (48%). Of those with a diagnosis of severe depression, 41% had associated psychotic symptoms.Psychiatric comorbidity was high (49%), of which generalised anxiety disorder was the most common (59%).Referrals were typically from primary care (77%). Approximately half (51%) had reported suicidal thoughts according to the referral.A quarter of patients (26%) were seen by CMHT within 8 weeks of referral; 20% of referrals however waited over 12 months before being assessed.Risk assessments were out of date for 71% of patients.100% of patients had a crisis plan noted within their most recent clinic letter; however, none of these met the required standards.Polypharmacy was common (60%), with 34% prescribed two antidepressants. Use of lithium augmentation was uncommon, with only one patient prescribed this. 43% were prescribed an antipsychotic; of which, 29% had appropriate physical health monitoring completed.Over half of patients (60%) had been referred to psychology services; of these, 38% had either completed or were in ongoing treatment at the time of review.ConclusionCMHTs manage the care of individuals with depression who have high levels of active symptoms and disability, psychiatric comorbidity, care requirements, and complex treatment plans. Pharmacological management was broadly in line with guidelines, and rates of referral to psychology were satisfactory. Risk assessment and crisis planning are clear areas in need of urgent attention in order to comply with guidelines and ensure patient safety.

A comparative measure of inclusive urbanisation in the cities of Africa

Africa has the swiftest rate of urbanisation in the world and with it varying possibilities of improved quality of life or the entrenchment of poverty and inequality in the cities of the continent. In this paper an instrument that measures and compares African urban development from the perspective of inclusive urbanisation is specified, tested and refined. The theoretical model for the instrument is generated from the literature on inclusive urbanisation and developed to assess the potential inclusivity of cities as much as their current state. The instrument is applied to a cluster of cities across the continent and a small number of comparison cities in Asia and Latin America with baseline data from the 2014 period to form a ranking of cities by their potential for inclusive urbanisation. The city ranking that it yields is then assessed in numerous correlation tests with data on achieved performance in key areas of inclusive urbanisation from a period five years later, and the instrument revised in three areas for efficacy and parsimony. The first revision lies in its constitution of variables, the second in the model of the instrument, and the third in its statistical construction. The study finds that the revised instrument, the Inclusive Urbanisation Index, yields better results in predicting inclusive urbanisation than the original instrument. It shows that the dominant factors determining inclusive urbanisation may be limited to a narrow range of infrastructure, human development, economic and governance indicators rather than the broad range originally identified in the literature. Most significantly the study also finds that rapid population growth over the 2014–19 period – a key driver of urbanisation in Africa – correlates very poorly with the expansion of inclusive conditions among African cities as a class, acting more as a burden than the positive dividend that had been widely anticipated to flow from that growth.

Predictive modelling of individual well-being among professional engineers

Engineers have a crucial role in furthering Malaysia’s technological advancements. Besides, engineers are important in creating wealth and they assist the nation in becoming an active player in the global market. They possess special knowledge and expertise and are known to be driven to climb the career ladder. However, sometimes the engineers’ vision, ambition, goals, and expectations do not align with those of their employers. As a result, the conflict between being ambitious and the work demand structured by employers has affected engineers’ well-being (WB). In this study, the effect between protean career orientation (PCO) [self-directed (SD) and values-driven (VD)] and individual WB [career satisfaction (CS) and psychological WB (PWB)] was investigated using a sample of 261 male and 126 female professional engineers (PEs) with the mean age of 42 years old. The research model was examined via the protean career theory. Partial least square (PLS) regression findings revealed that PCO (VD) positively influenced CS. Besides, PCO (SD) also positively affected PWB. Based on the findings, this research suggests that organisations perform necessary amendment to the PEs’ key performance areas, for them to know that their goals and expectations are parallel with their employers’. Moreover, employers need to offer opportunities and allow the PEs to maximally utilise their skills or to grow their abilities to full potential. Consequently, PEs will have an increased level of CS and PWB. Keywords: career satisfaction, engineers, individual well-being, SmartPLS, protean career orientation, psychological well-being

Modeling the Interactions Among Critical Criteria of a Cellular Manufacturing System

The aim of this article is to investigate the interactions between the critical criteria of implementation of the cellular manufacturing system (CMS). In this article, 15 critical criteria are chosen on the basis of literature review and opinion of experts from the manufacturing industry, which was analyzed for their interactions and dominant relationships using the interpretive structural modeling (ISM) methodology and interpretive ranking process (IRP) methodology, respectively. These distinct modeling approaches have been employed to study the appropriate relationship among the CMS implementation criteria and their ranking considering key performance areas. The study marks is an attempt to fulfill the gap in the literature, as the literature majorly focuses on CMS implementation, but pays no attention to models considering such critical criteria. The ISM model particularly highlighted the importance of employee training over other critical criteria, which will in turn ensure the success of CMS implementation, while the IRP model revealed CAD/CAM as the most important criterion when evaluated against various performance areas. The study, thus, paves a new way for manufacturing organization's management to be aware of critical criteria and analyze those that might be important for the future survival of the organization.

Whose interest does it serve? A confucian community engagement

It is incontestable that universities assumed the so-called “third mission” which means that they include community engagement in their activities in order to be financially viable. This paradigm shift begs the question: In terms of whose interest does community engagement serve? It has been difficult to separate community engagement from traditional research as community engagement projects can emerge from new research ideas. As an emerging property, community engagement should be holistic rather than reductionist, in order to afford universities opportunities to function as sites of citizenship, as well as to contribute to the knowledge society and knowledge economy, and generate mutual benefits. However, there are no instruments used to gauge the benefits for communities, while the benefits for academics and universities are outputs, promotions and revenue. The epistemologies and methodologies used in community engagement activities are often foreign to the communities and neither appreciate nor understand their problems. Instead of universities being communities of scholars, they have become workplaces. The communities are often pawns and objects in the hidden agendas of researchers and institutions. Some of these agendas include but are not limited to, university entrepreneurialism, dispossession of indigenous knowledge of local communities, advancement of commercialisation and capitalism, and meeting academic key performance areas to be eligible for promotion. This conceptual article argues that community engagement is a complex phenomenon that requires a systemic non-linear approach.

Assessment of the Leadership Styles and Its Deployment in Indian Organisations

Leadership is a key performance area at work and it drives the bottom line of every firm. Leadership style is a method that leaders practise to direct and motivate people to achieve set goals. This research work is trying to get a deep focus and analysis of leadership styles practised in India and to evaluate the deployment of these leaders in the different work areas in the same organisation context. The secondary data collected through direct observations of different work background leaders in India and their leadership styles, also primary data collected with 50 respondents as a sample through a survey instrument, based on a structured survey questionnaire to understand leadership effective deployment in the different work areas in the same organisation. The hypothesis was formulated and a one-way ANOVA F-test carried out to analyse the data specifically to assess the leadership styles and its deployment. Findings showed based on hypothesis test formulated that mainly three significant leadership styles exist in Indian organisations; also, different work background requires different leadership styles out of these three. Based on this research, I proposed a name to these three leadership styles model in the context of Indian organisations as ‘Brahma-Vishnu-Mahesh Theory of Leadership Styles’.

Philippines Diagnostic Pathology Laboratory Benchmarking

Introduction To ensure continuous quality improvement, laboratories need to obtain data about best practice from peers. Data about analytical EQA is available but far less is available about other important aspects of laboratory performance. There is a Roche Diagnostics Survey of laboratories which provides benchmarking in key areas of laboratory performance. Methodology The Roche Diagnostics Survey included 1058 laboratories from 14 countries in the Asia Pacific Region with both developing and developed nations. The data were collected in 2017 but the survey has been collecting data each second year since 2011. Data was collected in the areas of quality, speed and cost. Results The results for the Philippines was compared with other countries in the Asia Pacific Region. Broadly it was found that 42% of all laboratories in the Region were accredited to ISO 15189 or ISO 9001 and that 50% of laboratories were in an External Quality Assurance (EQA) program. Compared to other countries in the survey, the Philippines laboratories had fewer sites with ISO 15189 and with Lean Six Sigma improvement deployment. There are six laboratories in the Philippines that are accredited to ISO 15189. There was a greater emphasis on customer satisfaction related Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) such as turnaround time monitoring, cost reduction and employee productivity. Conclusion Benchmarking can highlight the differences in the apparent quality of laboratory services compared to their peers and may lead to improvement. The benchmarking comparison has identified opportunities for Philippine laboratories to improve including obtaining ISO 15189 accreditation, implementing laboratory information systems and concentrating on Lean practices to improve productivity. The Roche scheme provides an ongoing (growing) large sample of benchmarks that can be used by participants to improve their performance and the performance of individual countries.

Objectives without Compromise

AbstractA new proprietary lens polishing technique has broken through the technological barrier that is limiting the optical performance of microscope objectives. Until now, the optical performance of objectives has been limited by a trade‐off between image flatness, numerical aperture and chromatic correction. The new lens polishing technique produces ultrathin lenses, which allows more lenses to be packed into each objective housing unit and deliver an improvement in all three key areas of optical performance.

Performance measurement in developing countries

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings Traditional performance evaluation looks at cost, time and quality. Public private partnerships (PPPs) are complex and need broader measures of evaluation, especially in developing countries. An analytical hierarchy process method was used in Bangladesh to investigate key performance areas (KPAs) and indicators of PPPs. Weightings were used to find performance scores. Financing was the most significant KPA and feasibility analysis was the most significant indicator. Different indicators and weightings can be seen to be different for different countries. Originality The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Architected materials for advanced electrochemical systems

Abstract

Probing Low Productive area in Steel Re-Rolling Mills

Steel Re-Rolling mill is the second most important steel forming industry in India. The manufacturing process of steel re-rolling from ingots to finished products has high energy consumption and it directly affects productivity and manufacturing cost. Measuring the productivity of the process can unleash the low productive process, which leads towards rectification for increasing the productivity of lean area. The productivity of Steel Re-Rolling mill is measured by Performance Objective – Productivity model. Key performance areas were identified by intensive survey and process of prioritization was carried out. The actual values of the Key performance Areas of the system were compared with the objectivated values of the system. The outcomes lead to Productivity Index of the system, sub-system and key performance areas of the process revealing the areas with low-performance index which have the highest impact on productivity of the process. The energy subsystem is having the lowest performance index and is the main source of loss and recommendations are made to increase the productivity of energy sub-system.

A New Event-Based PI Controller Using Evolutionary Algorithms

This paper firstly tries to address the issue of high computational load of a PI controller and secondly tries to find the best method among three existing methods for tuning the PI controller. The three existing methods are Ziegler–Nichols (Z–N), genetic algorithm (GA), and particle swarm optimization (PSO). To address the first issue, that is reducing the computational load of a PI controller, the event-based approach is proposed. To find the best tuning method of the three, three PI controllers, each using one of the methods, are simulated; the data is collected and comparison of results is made. The paper first introduces the event-based approach, PI controller tuning, GA, and PSO. Next, three different controllers, each tuned using one of the methods, are investigated. To assess each controller, two benchmarks are used. Furthermore, data for each controller is collected at first without implementing the event-based approach and then with the event-based approach implemented in the controllers. The controlled system in this experiment is the simulated model of a DC motor; therefore, all the data and figures generated are based on this model. Finally, the results are analyzed and discussed in all the event-based controllers; a significant reduction in computational effort is observed. Moreover, compared to the conventional Z–N method, a noticeable improvement in key performance areas, especially with the use of PSO, is observed and the data indicates the superiority of the PSO method over Z–N and GA.

Virtual Reality Assessment of Classroom - Related Attention: An Ecologically Relevant Approach to Evaluating the Effectiveness of Working Memory Training.

Computerized cognitive interventions to improve working memory also purport to improve ADHD-related inattention and off task behavior. Such interventions have been shown to improve working memory, executive functioning, and fluid reasoning on standardized neuropsychological measures. However, debate continues as to whether such programs lead to improvement on ecologically relevant outcomes, such as classroom behavior. This study sought to propose a novel, ecologically relevant approach to evaluate the effectiveness of working memory training on real-world attention performance. Participants included 15 children, aged 6–15, identified as having attention problems were assessed via the virtual classroom continuous performance task (VCCPT) before and after completing 5 weeks of Cogmed working memory training. The VCCPT is a validated measure of sustained and selective attention set within a virtual reality (VR) environment. Several key areas of attention performance were observed to improve, including omission errors, reaction time, reaction time variability, and hit variability. Results suggest that working memory training led to substantial improvements in sustained attention in a real-life scenario of classroom learning. Moreover, the use of psychometrically validated VR measurement provides incremental validity beyond that of teacher or parent report of behavior. Observing such improvements on ecologically relevant measures of attention adds to the discussion around how to evaluate the effectiveness of working memory training as it pertains to real-life improvements and serves to inform consumer awareness of such products and their claims.

Preparedness for ASEAN Economic Community (AEC): a case study of Malaysian SME manufacturing sector

PurposeThe ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) initiative poses both significant opportunities and difficult challenges to the Malaysian SME communities. This study aims to investigate the preparedness of the local SMEs to compete and exploit opportunities in a post-AEC era. The aim is to contribute to existing literature and knowledge base on SMEs’ practices in the ASEAN region. The manufacturing sector has been selected for study, and the research efforts focus on procurement competencies. SME procurement practices in the two largest manufacturing sub-sectors in Malaysia – resource-based (RB) and electrical and electronics (E&E) – are explored.Design/methodology/approachPreparedness for AEC is gauged from four key performance areas summarized from literature review. Six key research activities are also identified for each performance area from the findings of previous works. Data were collected using a survey instrument and face-to-face interviews. Research methodology is primarily qualitative with quantitative data for robustness check.FindingsThe findings reveal peculiar procurement practices in Malaysian SME manufacturers that have significant implications on their preparedness to compete effectively post-AEC. The findings also highlighted the key influences that have contributed to variations in Malaysian SMEs’ attitude toward trade liberalization challenges and business process improvements in comparison with practices in foreign firms and more advanced economies.Originality/valueTheoretical models have been adopted across business settings and environments by managers. This study reveals managerial practices in Malaysian SME manufacturers run counter to developed theories. The peculiarities and business attitudes of this resilient economic sector can be an important input to managerial decision-making when analyzing business activities in the region.

The tax risk management system conceptualization: strategic goals and directions of reforming the State Tax Service of Ukraine

The article is devoted to actual issues of the State Tax Service of Ukraine reforming for creation a comprehensive tax risk management system in view of the basics of risk theory, risk management standards, global trends and specific features of domestic tax administration. The article focuses on the concretization of specific areas of work with tax risks, taking into account the expert evaluation by the TADAT methodology. The strategic approaches of tax authorities to increase the level of compliance by taxpayers with tax rules, as well as the interdependence of instruments to counteract of the tax risks are presented. It is proved that the differential approach application requires the creation and functioning of tax risk monitoring, the level of taxpayer risk determining, as well as a high level of communication with taxpayers to minimize tax risks in order to be able to minimize the number of tax violations through non-audit measures and service functions. The ways of responding to the risks of non-compliance with tax legislation are defined. Performed analysis of relevant indicators for key areas of tax risk management performance assessing allowed determining the priority directions for integrated tax risk management system development regarding non-compliance by taxpayers with tax legislation in the State tax service of Ukraine activity in accordance with modern international best practice. It is noted that the level and effectiveness of tax risk management largely depends on the level of analytical work and provides for identification stages, analysis, evaluation (measurement), and ranking. Recommendations for the TADAT assessment are presented, which indicate that the main steps for working with risk information are: environmental testing, analysis of audit data, third-party data, taxpayer behavior, cross-border trade research on the application of tax evasion schemes, the shadow economy.

Hindu nationalism in power: Making sense of Modi and the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government, 2014–19

ABSTRACTAs the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance returns to power in India, it is appropriate to reflect on the coalition’s first term in office. This paper provides an overview of the government’s performance in key areas, especially vis-a-vis religious minorities, and of the competing approaches through which its policies have been understood. It argues for a need to move away from conventional explanations that have failed to predict the popular appeal of Hindu nationalism. Instead, an interpretive understanding anchored in social constructionism offers a more meaningful perspective on the seismic changes that are reflected in contemporary Indian politics.

Government contribution to housing delivery challenges in Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality: An exploration

Background: This article examines the government’s contribution to housing delivery challenges encountered in Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM). Aim: It acknowledges housing shortage, unavailability of land, housing distribution, population growth, corruption, unaffordability and poverty as causes of housing delivery challenges; explores government’s contribution to housing delivery challenges in EMM; and seeks to demonstrate government as a key contributory factor in housing delivery. Setting: The study was conducted in the EMM region. Methods: The study is exploratory in nature and used qualitative methodology. Results: Key findings suggest that the government is the dominant cause of the challenges, largely through promises of free housing, economic policies and housing policies that are not conducive to directly tackle existing housing challenges. The findings also suggest that the government plays a major contributory role in each of the causes and that the resolution of the crisis in housing delivery has profound implications for future political stability in the urban areas – EMM to be specific. Conclusion: The article recommends that there should be a stronger and more concentrated focus on the process of allocation of housing and that the government must play the major role of formulating an effective, and workable coherent housing policy which would trickle further down to municipal levels through provincial and local governments, and having the municipalities adopt targets attached to them as key performance areas on which they would be measured and held accountable.

Proposal of a multidimensional strategic-management dashboard for use in a rehabilitation respiratory unit.

Health information systems are the core support to decision-making in health organizations. Economic and clinical managements often function separately, while a governance system for quality and safety functions with quality checks and performance accountability, could improve efficiency. The aims of this study were, within a respiratory rehabilitation unit (RRU), to: develop a management-strategy dashboard based on key performance areas (KPAs), identify key performance indicators (KPIs) for each KPA which allow multidimensional assessment; estimate the expected results from the implementation of this dashboard using the balanced score card (BSC) method.In December 2017, a working group was set up at the RRU to develop the dashboard by selecting criteria for KPA and determining the KPIs with their rationale, weight, calculation method, measurements, supply system, target values, and working rules.After 3 meetings, 6 KPAs and 12 KPIs for the financial area, 3 KPAs and 15 KPIs for internal processes, 6 KPAs and 8 KPIs for innovation and growth, and 4 KPAs and 5 KPIs for the Clients’ Perspective were approved. A strategic map showing the cause/effect relations between the different KPAs was drawn.A BSC-based quality measurement integrating economic and clinical management dimensions is possible also in an RRU. The proposed dashboard can improve communication, strategy, information dissemination, information communication technology management, budget negotiations, organizational quality, and accountability to stakeholders.

Port sustainability and performance: A systematic literature review

Motivated by a lack of research on port sustainability performance and assessment, this paper uses a systematic literature review to identify trends, measurement methods, and mechanisms for the implementation of strategy and policy in this area. The paper provides a comprehensive and critical evaluation of port operational sustainability, focusing on ascertaining the impact of its implementation. The study analysed and synthesised established characteristics in the current literature regarding the performance of port sustainability and its evaluation in terms of operations and management. Successful performance measurement in port sustainability is driven by the dependence on establishing accurate indicators as the basis for measurement. Our clustering of analytical sustainability indicators reveals that environmental research is focused on pollution, social research is mainly focused on human resource management, while economic research is mainly on port management and borderline investment. Findings are discussed in four key areas of port sustainability performance and assessment: existing trends, implementation of measures, mechanisms for implementation, and assessment gaps and challenges. For existing trends, attempts to evaluate the applicability and practicality of green operations have improved the awareness and promotion of governmental green policies. Implementation measures relate to the utilisation of techniques that reveal optimal practices for practical sustainable operations while mechanisms largely relate to establishing indicators which increase understanding of performance. Finally, challenges in this field include achieving consistency among ports in how sustainability is measured. Future research should incentivise improvements in port operational practice and encourage self-examination in order to reprioritise activity.

Building information modelling (BIM) capability and delivery success on construction projects

Purpose In spite of emerging research on building information modelling (BIM) capability assessment, there is a general dearth of knowledge about the links between often pre-emptive capability measurement attributes and actual delivery success. More so, current studies have not considered success from the wider construction supply chain (CSC) perspective. So far, the perceived importance of capability metrics is not based on post-project evaluations of their contribution to BIM delivery success. This paper aims to identify relevant BIM capability attributes used for qualifying CSC organisations for projects and further aims to investigate their relative importance and influence on some key aspects of BIM delivery success. Design/methodology/approach Based on heretofore validated set of BIM capability attributes from semi-structured interviews and a Delphi study, a survey of CSC firms on BIM-enabled projects was used to model the influence of BIM capability attributes on BIM delivery success. Multiple regression modelling was performed to ascertain the nature of the relationship between BIM capability attributes and the key aspects of BIM delivery success as identified from the literature. Findings BIM staff experience and the suitability of proposed methodology prior to project commencement were identified as the most influential on BIM delivery quality, as well as delivery within schedule and on budget. Conversely, the administrative and strategic-level capacities were found as the most influential in leveraging collaboration, coordination or integration of the CSC on projects through BIM. Originality/value This study provides a step change in prioritising BIM capability criteria based on evidence of their contribution to delivery success in key performance areas, rather than their perceived importance as capability metrics as widely practised.