Value For Money Research Articles

The Impact of Implementing the Learning through Play Method on Fostering Interest, Participation, and Achievement among Preschoolers in Early Mathematics: The Topic of Money Value

The Impact of Implementing the Learning through Play Method on Fostering Interest, Participation, and Achievement among Preschoolers in Early Mathematics: The Topic of Money Value

Automation and the Importance of Reskilling Workers: A Case Study in the Automotive Industry

Rapid technological developments, especially the spread of automation and artificial intelligence (AI), have been transforming the world of work, raising some concerns about the future of employment. Automation presents both opportunities and challenges for the labor market. While we can expect productivity to grow with automation, and with-it economic growth, the fear of job loss linked to automation is also present. This paper aims to study the impact of automation on employment, with a special focus on the automotive industry, which stands out as one of the sectors most affected by automation. A second objective is to examine the reskilling procedures implemented by companies in this context, with a view to identifying effective strategies that bring benefits to both the employer and the workforce. To analyze the implications of automation in the automotive industry and the strategies adopted by companies to face these implications, we carried out an exploratory case study, using interviews, with the participation of four companies located in the districts of Minho, in the North of Portugal. The results show that, considering the impact of automation on employment, there is no negative impact since the destruction of some jobs was compensated by the creation of new ones. As for the reskilling procedures implemented by companies, results indicate that reskilling and upskilling are important strategies to prepare workers to transition to new jobs and tasks. Automation has been present in the automotive sector for many years and it has been gaining greater relevance over time. Businesses gain from several benefits provided by automation, including improved value for money, increased productivity, and increased worker safety. At the same time, they also face some challenges, such as high investment costs and workers' apprehension about transforming workplaces. Nonetheless, the investment pays off since companies invest heavily in reskilling their employees, and thus have a more qualified workforce that is prepared for any change that may arise. This paper contributes to a deeper understanding of the implications of automation in the labour market in the automotive sector and highlights the importance of workforce reskilling for the sustainability of companies. These findings are relevant for both employers and employees.

Protecting Emergency Responders with Evidence-Based Interventions (PEREI): protocol for a randomized controlled trial for early career emergency responders, significant others, and supervisors

ABSTRACT Background: Emergency service personnel perform roles associated with high levels of trauma exposure and stress, and not surprisingly experience greater risk for poor mental health including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and substance use relative to the general population. Although programs exist to minimise the risk of developing mental health problems, their efficacy to date has been limited or untested. We will test the efficacy of the three programs which form PEREI: Protecting Emergency Responders with Evidence-Based Interventions. PEREI consists of modified versions of internet-delivered cognitive training in resilience (iCT-R) for early career first responders, PEREI-S for supervisors, and Be Well for Significant Others (BW-SO). Method: Up to 450 members in their first 5 years of service across multiple agencies will be recruited, with their adult supports (significant others, friends) invited to participate. Up to 180 supervisors in the agencies will be recruited. Participants will be randomized to their respective program or to receive the standard practice for mental health offered by the service (or usual mental health support for significant others). Assessments will be conducted pre- and post-program, and at 6- and 12-month follow-up. Primary outcome is PTSD and depression severity and probable-diagnosis. Secondary measures will index hypothesized mediators and moderators of outcome and determine whether the programs are cost-effective. Conclusions: The results will provide evidence as to efficacious methods for reducing risk of mental health problems in high-risk occupations, a better understanding of how such interventions may work, and whether they are good value for money. Trial registration: www.anzctr.org.au (ACTRN12622001267741)

What would environmental impact assessment look like if we started from scratch today? Designing better EIA for developed neoliberal nations

ABSTRACT After more than five decades of practice, environmental impact assessment (EIA) has failed to convince sceptics that it represents value for money. It increasingly overlaps with constantly emerging sustainability requirements. The completed assessments are extremely long, exceed the cognitive capacities of decision makers to assimilate information, cannot address motivated reasoning, and therefore inevitably lead to trade-offs that threaten the very environmental components EIA was designed to protect. In this paper, for the minority of nations with highly developed existing environmental legislation and management only, we propose three radical approaches that include: (1) the adoption of ‘satisficing’, to deliver a streamlined assessment that is good enough; underpinned by (2) better application of ‘acceptable harmrules’ embedded in existing environmental legislation in many jurisdictions to prevent significant harm to environmental media; and (3) an ‘externalities charge’ on developers (irrespective of whether EIA is required) to force more aggressive scoping through market incentives and to fund a shift towards adaptive environmental assessment and management that manages environmental outcomes. Better environmental protections could be delivered using a far more streamlined EIA process, associated with the creation and maintenance of more accurate and comprehensive datasets that can provide better evidence for emerging artificial intelligence tools.

The allure of rarity: investigating the impact of consumers’ perceived scarcity in AI-designed clothing on purchase intentions

ABSTRACT In light of the emerging use of AI in design, we investigate consumer responses to clothing marketed as AI-designed. We examine how the perceived scarcity of AI-designed clothing influences purchase intentions, with perceived monetary value acting as a mediator, and consider the moderating effects of fashion involvement. Data was collected via an online survey (n = 311) and analysed using SPSS 28.0. Participants were presented to an image of a jacket described as being created by AI technology and then answered a series of questions about the AI-designed jacket and about themselves. Results indicated that the scarcity of AI-designed clothing by itself may not significantly boost purchase intentions. However, fashion brands can capitalise on the perception of scarcity if the product is seen as offering good value for money. This effect is especially pronounced among consumers who have low involvement in fashion.

Are local government accounts trusted? Exploring the UK Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee verdict

IMPACT This article examines why local government accounts are often not trusted. It is therefore important for finance professionals in local authorities, policy-makers who deal with local authority accountability, politicians involved in central and local government, and citizens. The article argues, first, that the accounts are not trusted because they are not trustworthy, for example lacking alignment to the democratic process and data to inform scrutiny of value for money. Second, the users of the accounts are vulnerable because they do not have the expertise to interrogate them and the accounts are not audited on a timely basis, meaning that figures are untested. Third, they are not used sufficiently to hold local government to account. The article recommends that practitioners use the conclusions of the committee to bring the accounts closer to their users and create and implement a proper audit regime for England which can audit the accounts on a timely basis.

Market Introduction and Sensory Evaluation of a Traditional, Revitalized “Back to the Future” Greek Cheese (Kashkaval Pindou)

Kashkaval Pindou is a traditional semi-hard cheese produced in Greece since the beginning of last century. Its production was halted in the last decades but has recently been revitalized using modern techniques. In this study, the quality and organoleptic criteria for this “recently introduced to the market” cheese in the dishes of selected restaurants and hotels was studied. Research was conducted in the city of Ioannina, Greece using two types of questionnaires via a survey which was carried out in person between September and December 2023, distributed to 18 experts, chefs, and owners of restaurants utilizing the Kashkaval Pindou cheese. The statistical analysis used was an approach of the Delphi methodology, which seeks consensual agreement within a group of experts. Following the two rounds of survey, the experts evaluated the 11 quality criteria for the use of the cheese in order of their preference (10–9 mean values): “Greek Tradition”, “ease of consumption”, “quality, healthy and safe properties”, “easy to be used product” and “ease of integration in the menu”. Of medium preference (9–8 mean values) was the cheese’s “geographic origin”, “producers’ and suppliers’ capacity”, “enhancement of the kitchen’s creativity”, and “value for money”. Last in the order of selection (8–7 mean values) was the cheese “reputation in the market” and “attractive packaging”. Regarding the organoleptic evaluation, the experts indicated the cheese’s pleasant taste, creamy texture, uniformity of the color, and buttery, milky foam aroma as high in their preference. These results, in agreement with findings in the existing literature, prove that Kashkaval Pindou fulfils the required quality and organoleptic criteria to become an appealing new cheese in the global market.

Broadening equitable access to solar: renters, non-adopters and the impact of consumption values on attitudes and installation intentions

ABSTRACT Addressing inequities in rooftop solar access is crucial to achieving decarbonisation and energy justice goals. This study contributes to the literature by applying an adapted consumption values model to the rooftop solar context and by examining renters’ perceptions of factors that would reduce barriers to solar uptake. An online survey (n = 331) of Australian households reveals that value-for-money perceptions are the only significant difference between adopters and non-adopters of solar. Structural equation modelling shows that, while idealistic values influence attitudes towards rooftop solar, pragmatic values drive installation intentions, which is aligned with prior research. Logistic regression shows that the higher the functional value (defined as the perceived utility of a product based on value for money, performance or quality perceptions) and the higher the conditional value (defined as the perceived utility of a product based on the circumstances faced by the decision maker), the higher the odds of installing solar. The findings are consistent with studies reporting significant cost barriers to solar adoption. Several recommendations for policy makers and practitioners are made to support equitable access to rooftop solar and help address the negative effects of past policies that favoured homeowners over renters.

Compliance to Ethical Procurement Practices in Tanzania: A Case of Geita District Council

The main focus of the study was to investigate public compliance with ethical procurement practices in Tanzania. Three specific objectives guided the study were; to evaluate the extent to which compliance with regulations affects the procurement process; to identify the challenges faced in achieving full compliance with ethical procurement practices and to propose recommendations and strategies for enhancing compliance with ethical procurement practices based on best practices. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The target population constituted 71 procurement officers, and a stratified random sampling method was adopted to obtain 60 sampled respondents from the target population. A structured questionnaire was employed to collect primary data from the respondents. The collected data were analyzed through descriptive statistics and SPSS software. The study findings revealed that, there is a positive relationship between compliance with regulation and ethical procurement practices, and that procurement officers are competent and skilled to enhance procurement compliance. Suppliers also stressed improving the tendering system and clearer item specifications. The study recommends that the Government, procurement policymakers, and procuring entities should adhere to the procurement laws and regulations set up by the PPRA which finally leads to the appreciation of the value of money within the institution. In conclusion, it was emphasized that prioritizing ethical conduct in procurement practices is vital and enhances compliance with procurement regulations and procedures

Cost-effectiveness of falls prevention strategies for older adults: protocol for a living systematic review

IntroductionOne-third of adults aged 65+ fall annually. Injuries from falls can be devastating for individuals and account for 1.5% of annual healthcare spending. With the growing ageing population, falls place...

School food policy in secondary schools in England and its impact on adolescents' diets and dental health: the FUEL multiple-methods study.

School food standards are a legal requirement for state-funded schools in England and are designed to promote healthy eating in pupils. However, state-funded academies/free schools established between 2010 and 2014 are exempt from this legislation. To complement the school food standards, the government launched the School Food Plan in 2013, which outlines voluntary actions that schools can take to support healthy eating and increase school meal uptake. There has been little evaluation of the school food standards and School Food Plan in secondary schools. To compare implementation and costs of the school food standards and School Food Plan, and pupil dietary and dental outcomes in two groups of secondary schools: those mandated and those not mandated to comply with the school food standards legislation. An observational, multiple-methods study. We sampled state-funded secondary school academies/free schools, pupils aged 11-15 years, and school staff/governors with a role in food provision/education from the Midlands. We collected qualitative data in four schools. The primary outcome was pupil free sugar intake at lunch; across the school day; and during 24-hours. Secondary outcomes were additional nutritional outcomes and dental caries measures. We assessed school food standards/School Food Plan implementation and costs using researcher observation, document analysis, and surveys with staff/governors, schools and pupils. Dietary intake and dental outcomes were measured online using 24-hour dietary recall and surveys, respectively. In the qualitative study we conducted staff/governor interviews and pupil focus groups in a subsample of schools. We used multilevel analyses to explore variation in pupil outcomes across the school food standards-mandated and school food standards-non-mandated school groups. Data were analysed using the Framework approach. Thirty-six schools (13 school food standards-mandated, 23 school food standards-non-mandated), 2453 pupils and 151 staff/governors participated. On average, schools were compliant with 64% of school food standards and implemented 41% of School Food Plan actions, with no differences across school food standards-mandated/non-mandated schools. There was a wide variation in annual costs of the school food standards and School Food Plan reported by schools (mean of £195 per pupil). Pupils in school food standards-mandated schools had lower lunch intakes of free sugar than those in school food standards-non-mandated schools (adjusted mean difference = -2.78 g, 95% confidence interval -4.66 to -0.90 g). After further adjustment for total energy intake, there was no significant difference in free sugar intake, but the school food standards-mandated group had lower fruit and vegetable intake at all time points, and higher consumption of confectionery during the school day and sugar-sweetened beverages over 24 hours. There were no differences in dental outcomes between the two groups. Twenty-one staff/governors and 137 pupils participated in the qualitative study. Staff described balancing school food standards compliance with conflicting priorities related to financial viability. Some pupils felt that school food did not meet their needs for convenience, speed, value for money and taste, and disliked the lunchtime experience. Little time was afforded to healthy-eating education within the curriculum. There were large numbers of missing data for some study elements, including assessment of some School Food Plan actions and cost data. In the secondary school context, the current school food standards are difficult to comply with and the School Food Plan has not achieved the desired outcomes. We found no evidence to show that school food standards legislation has positively influenced nutritional intake. We need to develop healthy secondary-school food provision models that meet pupils' preferences, and better understand how to situate the food and healthy-eating agenda in secondary schools. This trial is registered as ISRCTN68757496. This award was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Public Health Research programme (NIHR award ref: 17/92/39) and is published in full in Public Health Research; Vol. 12, No. 12. See the NIHR Funding and Awards website for further award information.

Exploratory analysis of influential factors in the choices of using single-use or reusable cups in vending

PurposeThis study investigates the variables that play a role in the purchase intention of a hot beverage at a vending machine (1) served in a 100% recyclable plastic single-use cup, (2) served in a biodegradable paper single-use cup and (3) served in personal, reusable cups brought by customers. The variables considered are perceived environmental benefits (PEBs), perceived contamination risk (PCR), social norms (SNs), value for money (VM), gender and age. The secondary objective is to investigate respondents’ perceptions of these cups using the first four variables and to assess the existence of significant differences among them.Design/methodology/approachFor the first purpose, three separate logistic regression models on purchase intention were created, considering PEBs, PCR, SNs, VM, gender and age as independent variables. For the second purpose, the analysis relied on Friedman’s nonparametric test. The entire survey was conducted in Italy on a sample of 1,006 consumers.FindingsSNs and VM are the variables with the greatest influence on final purchase intention. PEBs seem to have an effect only in the case of the plastic and paper single-use cups, while PCR only in the case of the reusable cup. Neither gender nor age seem to play a significant role in final purchase intention. Friedman’s test revealed significant differences among the three cup types in terms of perceptions, but not in the case of the PCR variable.Originality/valueThe study is the first to compare new single-use cups with reusable cups from vending machines in terms of consumers’ perceptions and preferences.

Disclosure of Transparency, Accountability and Value for Money Concept in Public Sector Financial Management: A Systematic Literature Review

This study aims to examine the implementation of transparency, accountability, and the concept of value for money in public sector financial management. The method used is a Systematic Literature Review (SLR), selecting relevant articles from the Scopus database published, the research identifies these principles as crucial in enhancing efficiency, effectiveness, and public trust. The results indicate that transparency and accountability play a crucial role in improving public financial governance and significantly contribute to enhanced financial management efficiency and public trust. The concept of value for money, focusing on efficiency, economy, and effectiveness, is essential in ensuring that each budget expenditure provides maximum benefits and proves beneficial in optimizing budget use. However, challenges such as a lack of information transparency, public involvement, and regulatory constraints remain obstacles to its implementation. Therefore, improving the quality of financial information systems and strengthening human resources capacity are essential for achieving better public financial management and enhancing public service quality.

More than just consumers? Alternative representations of students when higher education becomes ‘free’

ABSTRACT The introduction of market mechanisms into higher education (HE) systems has profoundly reshaped the sector. One prominent aspect of such reforms has been the conceptualisation of the student as a consumer, ostensibly empowered by choice and seeking value for money from their tuition fees. In this article, we report the findings of an empirical study of student representations when HE becomes ‘free’, after four decades of marketisation. The analysis was conducted in Chile, where the HE sector has undergone a controversial reform that removed tuition fees for low and middle income undergraduate students known as Gratuidad. Considering the importance of the student-consumer subjectivity invoked by proponents of marketisation, how are HE students discursively constructed in a context of fee removal? Based on a discourse analysis of news media, we present three representations of undergraduate students during public discussion of Gratuidad that were common in their negative portrayal: students as (1) egocentric, (2) victims of discrimination, and (3) marionettes. Our work thus indicates that in a culture of marketisation, policy efforts designed to democratise can be overshadowed by strong media discourses opposing government efforts to publicly fund HE.

Analysis of Public Sector Financial Performance Using Value for Money in Tangerang Regency

Public sector financial performance requires evaluation as a form of evaluation so that financial performance is more optimal. The financial performance of the Tangerang Regency Government in this study uses the Value for Money (VfM) approach with factors from three main factors, namely economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in 2014 to 2023. Based on the analysis of the public sector financial performance of Tangerang Regency, it is very economical with an average of 101.33% and very efficient with an average of 112.93%, but its efficiency is still low with an average of 98.54%. The results of this analysis can be used as evaluation material for the Tangerang Regency Government to carry out efficiency in public sector financial performance, so that the Tangerang Regency Government can optimize the quality of service to the local community.

Budget Impact Analysis of Implementing Antenatal Care Recommendations for Positive Pregnancy Outcomes at Public Primary Facilities in Tanzania.

Tanzania recently changed its antenatal care (ANC) guidelines to reduce perinatal mortality and improve the experience of pregnancy care. The new guideline recommends increasing the number of ANC visits from four to eight and introducing one routine ultrasound scan, among other recommendations. We estimated the budget impact of implementing the new guideline compared to the previous focused ANC guideline at public dispensaries and health centers. In a dynamic Markov model, we prospectively followed annual cohorts of between 2.3 and 2.6 million pregnant women who will be attending ANC at dispensaries and health centers for 5years. We allowed a population of pregnant women into the model every year and women exit the model at delivery. We calculated the cost of medicines, medical supplies, and laboratory supplies required to produce services from a public health system perspective. Our model neither estimated condition-related costs nor health effects. The budget impact was calculated as the difference in the estimated costs between the two guidelines. We conducted scenario analyses to explore attending more visits and different assumptions to calculate the target population. We estimated that implementing the new ANC guideline would have a cumulative budget impact of around US$154 million over 5years. The budget required will increase from US$137 million under the focused ANC guideline to US$291 million under the new guideline. Laboratory supplies will consume 47% of the estimated budget under the new guideline. We expect the annual budget impact to be US$38 million in the first year of implementation and US$32 million in the fifth year. We assumed that by the fifth year, 82% of all pregnant women would have had four or more visits. The budget impact would increase to US$214 million, with the proportion of pregnant women attending four or more ANC visits reaching 90% within 5years. Scaling up the implementation of the new ANC guideline at public dispensaries and health centers may substantially increase the supplies required to produce ANC services, particularly laboratory supplies. Studies on the health impact of the new guideline are warranted to estimate the value for money.

Xiaomi: An Analysis of Market Strategy under the High Cost-Performance Ratio

Abstract: Xiaomi Corporation, which was established in 2010 in Beijing, is well-known for its smartphones along with other smart hardware as well as IoT devices. It is the second-largest manufacturer of smartphones in the world, behind Samsung, with a market share of about 12%, most of which run on the MIUI (now HyperOS) operating system. It mainly focuses on providing products that are of excellent quality and performance but still maintain affordability which attracts customers from around the world. This research delves into Xiaomi's adaptive marketing tactics as a reaction to evolving market dynamics and changing consumer demands, and examines Xiaomis market plan by looking at three clear instances. The first is how Xiaomi keeps its strong position in the smartphone market by bringing out improved models every year with a steady price tag. This helps to maintain their image of being very good value for money. Second, the choice of the company to put $300,000 for three years into remaking its logo with Japanese designer Kenya Hara. This highlights how redesigning has a strategic effect on brand image and worldwide identification. Thirdly, this study talks about Xiaomis start in the car industry when it introduced the first car model called Xiaomi SU7 in month April. It shows a major shift from making only smartphones to also producing electric cars.

Education and the spatial division of labour: further education and prospects for ‘Levelling Up’

ABSTRACT The educational solutions put forward in the 2019 Conservative Government's Levelling Up programme privileged higher-level skills training delivered through further education, sidelining traditional university degrees, reflective of broader critiques levelled at the higher education sector in terms of the value for money of some degrees. It goes without saying that further education provides crucial opportunities for many people and our analyses of Linked Educational Outcomes Data (LEO) presented here support previous research on the returns to further education study. However, it also underlines the way returns are contingent upon race, gender, socio-economic status, subject of study and, most importantly, geographic location of employment. This is reflective of the broader spatial division of labour that is the characteristic of the UK economy, which the educational components of Levelling Up did little to disrupt. We argue that the Levelling Up programme maintained the status quo with economically less prosperous localities seen as ‘places of labour’ – serving the controllers of capital in existing prosperous places, where the degree educated must continue to flock to take up the strategic control functions of economic production.

Robot-Assisted Surgery for Colorectal Cancer in Adults ≥ 75 Years Old: Value for Money?

Robot-Assisted Surgery for Colorectal Cancer in Adults ≥ 75 Years Old: Value for Money?

(Re)framing used goods: marketing strategies in second-hand retail

PurposeThis paper aims to identify marketing strategies incentivizing consumers to purchase used goods and explain how socio-material arrangements frame second-hand retail (SHR). The growing significance and professionalization of SHR underscore the pivotal role of marketing, necessitating an exploration of how second-hand stores can stimulate the consumption of used items.Design/methodology/approachEthnographically inspired fieldwork was conducted across a second-hand shopping mall with 17 stores in Sweden, utilizing actor-network theory (ANT) concepts to examine marketing activities and how these form strategies.FindingsThe findings reveal two marketing strategies: enrolling sustainability supporters and second-hand shoppers. Additionally, the findings provide examples of how SHR can be framed as environmentally friendly, socially sustainable, value for money, creatively experiential and facilitating sustainable consumer behavior.Practical implicationsUnderstanding the framing processes inherent in second-hand retailing presents opportunities to reinforce the transition to a circular economy. Second-hand retailers can leverage marketing to imbue used goods with greater significance for consumers, which necessitates marketing competencies.Originality/valueThe paper delves into activities that enhance the attractiveness of used goods, a research area that warrants increased attention.