Dimensions Of Performance Research Articles

Efficient and Flexible Long-Tail Recommendation Using Cosine Patterns

With the increasing use of recommender systems in various application domains, many algorithms have been proposed for improving the accuracy of recommendations. Among various dimensions of recommender systems performance, long-tail (niche) recommendation performance remains an important challenge in large part because of the popularity bias of many existing recommendation techniques. In this study, we propose CORE, a cosine pattern–based technique, for effective long-tail recommendation. Comprehensive experimental results compare the proposed approach with a wide variety of classic, widely used recommendation algorithms and demonstrate its practical benefits in accuracy, flexibility, and scalability in addition to the superior long-tail recommendation performance. 1 History: Accepted by Ramaswamy Ramesh, Area Editor for Data Science & Machine Learning. Funding: This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grants 72031001, 72072091, 72242101]. Supplemental Material: The software that supports the findings of this study is available within the paper and its Supplemental Information ( https://pubsonline.informs.org/doi/suppl/10.1287/ijoc.2022.0194 ) as well as from the IJOC GitHub software repository ( https://github.com/INFORMSJoC/2022.0194 ). The complete IJOC Software and Data Repository is available at https://informsjoc.github.io/ .

Investigating the key success factors within business models that facilitate long‐term value creation for sustainability‐focused start‐ups

AbstractStart‐ups navigate complex challenges in today's business environment, requiring a delicate balance of economic, environmental, and social objectives for long‐term success. This study investigates the pivotal factors within business models that drive sustained value creation for sustainability‐focused start‐ups. Through a comprehensive literature review encompassing environmental, social, and performance dimensions, we identify resilience as a primary component of sustainable decision‐making, supported by adaptability and convenience. Emphasizing resilience and adaptability in decision‐making processes enables sustainable start‐ups to maintain competitive advantages while pursuing sustainability goals. We advocate for a collaborative decision‐making approach focused on long‐term value creation through sustainability measures, providing a framework for developing or refining sustainable business models. Future research may further explore the identified success factors within sustainable start‐ups.

Blockchain adoption and operational performance: A secondary data analysis on effects and contingencies

PurposeThis study analyzes the performance implications of adopting blockchain to support supply chain business processes. The technology holds as many promises as implementation challenges, so interest in its impact on operational performance has grown steadily over the last few years.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on transaction cost economics and the contingency theory, we built a set of hypotheses. These were tested through a long-term event study and an ordinary least squares regression involving 130 adopters listed in North America.FindingsCompared with the control sample, adopters displayed significant abnormal performance in terms of labor productivity, operating cycle and profitability, whereas sales appeared unaffected. Firms in regulated settings and closer to the end customer showed more positive effects. Neither industry-level competition nor the early involvement of a project partner emerged as relevant contextual factors.Originality/valueThis research presents the first extensive analysis of operational performance based on objective measures. In contrast to previous studies and theoretical predictions, the results indicate that blockchain adoption is not associated with sales improvement. This can be explained considering that secure data storage and sharing do not guarantee the factual credibility of recorded data, which needs to be proved to customers in alternative ways. Conversely, improvements in other operational performance dimensions confirm that blockchain can support inter-organizational transactions more efficiently. The results are relevant in times when, following hype, there are signs of disengagement with the technology.

Hospital selection decision in emergency medical services: a simulation-based assessment of assignment criteria

ABSTRACT Emergency Medical Services play a fundamental societal role since they provide pre-hospital care to patients in critical and time-constrained conditions. In this context, the hospital selection decision is vital to respond in a timely, effective and efficient way. By means of simulation experiments, the present study compares the effects of different assignment logics against a set of performance dimensions. To this end, we develop a Discrete Event Simulation model that covers the entire Emergency Medical Service process, from the ambulance transportation to final departure of the patient from the Emergency Department. Results demonstrate that the use of effectiveness-related criteria (e.g. expected waiting time, resource saturation) significantly enhances the overall performance and, at the same time, guarantees higher quality of care. Thus, the study contributes in enhancing hospital selection decisions by supporting decision-makers through a comprehensive decisional model, distancing from prior researches that predominantly considered efficiency-driven criteria (i.e. proximity).

Are serious games an alternative to traditional personality questionnaires? Initial analysis of a gamified assessment.

Personality questionnaires stand as crucial instruments in personnel selection but their limitations turn the interest towards alternatives like game-related assessments (GRAs). GRAs developed for goals other than fun are called serious games. Within them, gamified assessments are serious games that share similarities with traditional assessments (questionnaires, situational judgment tests, etc.) but they incorporate game elements like story, music, and game dynamics. This paper aims to contribute to the research on serious games as an alternative to traditional personality questionnaires by analyzing the characteristics of a gamified assessment called VASSIP. This gamified assessment, based on an existing measure of the Big Five personality traits, incorporates game elements such as storyfication, immersion, and non-evaluable gamified dynamics. The study performed included 98 university students (77.6% with job experience) as participants. They completed the original personality measure (BFI-2-S), the gamified evaluation of personality (VASSIP), a self-report measure of the main dimensions of job performance (task performance, contextual performance, and counterproductive work behaviors), and measures of applicant reactions to BFI-2-S and VASSIP. Results showed that the gamified assessment behaved similarly to the original personality measure in terms of reliability and participants' scores, although the scores in Conscientiousness were substantially higher in VASSIP. Focusing on self-reports of the three dimensions of job performance, regression models showed that the gamified assessment could explain all of them. Regarding applicant reactions, the gamified assessment obtained higher scores in perceptions of comfort, predictive validity, and attractiveness, although the effect size was small except for the latter. Finally, all applicant reactions except for attractiveness were related to age and personality traits. In conclusion, gamified assessments have the potential to be an alternative to traditional personality questionnaires but VASSIP needs more research before its application in actual selection processes.

Hospital performance evaluation indicators: a scoping review.

Hospitals are the biggest consumers of health system budgets and hence measuring hospital performance by quantitative or qualitative accessible and reliable indicators is crucial. This review aimed to categorize and present a set of indicators for evaluating overall hospital performance. We conducted a literature search across three databases, i.e., PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, using possible keyword combinations. We included studies that explored hospital performance evaluation indicators from different dimensions. We included 91 English language studies published in the past 10 years. In total, 1161 indicators were extracted from the included studies. We classified the extracted indicators into 3 categories, 14 subcategories, 21 performance dimensions, and 110 main indicators. Finally, we presented a comprehensive set of indicators with regard to different performance dimensions and classified them based on what they indicate in the production process, i.e., input, process, output, outcome and impact. The findings provide a comprehensive set of indicators at different levels that can be used for hospital performance evaluation. Future studies can be conducted to validate and apply these indicators in different contexts. It seems that, depending on the specific conditions of each country, an appropriate set of indicators can be selected from this comprehensive list of indicators for use in the performance evaluation of hospitals in different settings.

The impact of environmental protection tax on corporate performance: A new insight from multi angles analysis

This study investigates the practical effects of adopting the environmental protection tax (EPT) policy on corporate performance in China. The analysis uses the Difference in Differences (DID) approach based on a quasi-natural experiment scenario. The findings indicate there is a negative impact of implementing the EPT policy on the financial performance of corporations, and the conclusion remains unchanged despite exhaustive robustness testing. The negative impact can be partly attributed to corporate technology innovation inputs. Meanwhile, enterprise property rights, pollution, and technical levels also substantially influence the implementation effect of the legislation. However, implementing this policy has improved corporations’ environmental performance and established its efficacy in enhancing their sustainable capabilities. This study comprehensively explores the impact of environmental control legislation on business performance, spanning financial, environmental, and social dimensions. Corresponding findings offer valuable insights into how firms react to environmental legislation and adjust to the external environment. Meanwhile, it also provides an objective reference for the comprehensive green transformation.

Foreign academic adaptation: Emotional intelligence and resilience perspectives

This research navigates the dynamic terrain of global academia, where an increasing number of scholars seek international opportunities for diverse academic growth. Recognizing a significant gap in the existing literature, this study proposes to delve into the often-overlooked dimension of adaptive performance among foreign academics. Building on the foundation of cross-cultural adaptation theory, the research empirically tests the interplay between emotional intelligence and psychological resilience in shaping the adaptive performance of foreign lecturers. In an effort to ground this exploration, a structured questionnaire was administered to 800 lecturers based in tier 1 cities, including new tier 1 cities, in China. These cities were strategically chosen due to their dense populations and being hubs for a majority of higher educational institutes. The ensuing analysis, conducted through PLS-SEM, yielded compelling evidence affirming the pivotal roles of emotional intelligence and psychological resilience as influential factors in determining adaptive performance. Crucially, the study unraveled the significant mediating role played by psychological resilience in linking emotional intelligence and adaptive performance. These findings not only contribute to the academic discourse but also offer actionable insights for practitioners.

Country image and medical tourist’s trust impact on intention to revisit India

Purpose This study aims to investigate the influence of cognitive and affective trust on the revisit intention of medical tourists to a developing country like India, focusing on the role of country image as a moderator. Design/methodology/approach This study used partial least square-based structural equation modelling to test the hypotheses using data from 297 medical tourists visiting India from abroad for treatment. Findings The findings of this study confirmed that all the dimensions of cognitive trust, namely, perceived expertise, performance and reputation of the health-care service providers, have a positive and significant impact on the revisit intention of medical tourists to India. In contrast, none of the two dimensions of affective trust have a significant effect on the revisit intention of medical tourists to India. This study also confirmed that country image significantly moderates the relationship between performance dimensions of cognitive trust and medical tourists’ revisit intention to India. Originality/value The study’s findings have significant theoretical and managerial implications as they explore the effect of cognitive and affective trust on medical tourists’ the revisit intention to visit an emerging economy, considering the country’s image as a moderator.

Prescribing Change: Unpacking Privatization's Impact on Government Teaching Hospitals in Punjab, Pakistan

Lack of financial support is one of the main causes of low-quality services in Government teaching hospitals of developing countries. Recent recommendations for privatization of government teaching hospitals were aimed at improving the services to that of private teaching hospitals. The strategy is expected to increase the efficiency & performance of government teaching hospitals and generate revenues for their continued improvements. The measuring dimensions   of hospital performance not only predict the financial performance of a hospital, but also provide assessment on steps required for betterment of the Government teaching hospital. The non-financial performance of a hospital setting is based on non-financial variables such as Reliability, waiting time, sanitary facility, hygiene and information unique to particular treatment. Good human resource practices are one of the key components that may predict the monetary & non-monetary performances of a hospital. This study demonstrated these variables along with their dimensions across the whole public teaching hospitals settings in Lahore Punjab with a sample size of 300 respondents. Respondents were highly qualified Doctors, Nurses and administration staff of public teaching hospitals Lahore, Punjab. Smart PLS-4 was used as a statistical tool and ran reliability, mediation analysis and linear correlation for research findings. The results have been found significant that hospital performance can be increased through privatization. Although there are some limitations such as it was limited to public teaching hospitals only. Public DHQs (District Head-quarters), THQs (Tehsil Head-quarters) & RHC (Rural Health Centers) were not part of study. The opted variables to assess the hospital performance were not total markers, so for future research there is a path for researchers to opt the rest variables to explore the further significance.

Integrating ESG into Corporate Strategy: Unveiling the Moderating Effect of Digital Transformation on Green Innovation through Employee Insights

With climate warming, the human living environment faces significant challenges, and global environmental protection and sustainable development are accelerating. As a result, ESG has become an essential area of research. This study explores the impact of employees’ perceptions of corporate ESG performance on green innovation, focusing on the moderating role of digital transformation. A survey was conducted among 316 employees from the wholesale, retail, IT, and computer services industries to validate this study. Research results show that employees’ cognitions of corporate ESG performance have a positive impact on green innovation. In addition, digital transformation plays a positive moderating role in the impact of the environmental (E) and social (S) dimensions of ESG performance on green innovation. These findings not only highlight the critical role of personal awareness and ESG management concepts in future corporate strategies but also indicate the importance of the extent of digital transformation in companies to improve innovation performance.

The effect of applying the internal control system COBIT5 framework on tax performance

        The purpose of this research is to analyze the effect of applying the internal control system according to the COBIT5 framework on tax performance. Data was collected from the research sample using the questionnaire form, and the number of distributed questionnaires was (55), distributed to each of the officials and workers in the Iraqi General tax authority, Professionals, and Academics at the University of Baghdad. A set of statistical methods were used to study the relationship between the two research variables, using the statistical program (SPSS) to analyze the data and calculate (the arithmetic mean, correlation coefficient, coefficient of variation, F test, R2 coefficient of determination, T test, Cronbach's alpha coefficient). The research has a significant positive relationship and influence between the framework (COBIT5) and the tax performance. The most influential dimensions of COBIT5 in tax performance dimension delivery, service and support (DSS), followed by evaluation, guidance and control (EDM), while the least influential dimensions in tax performance dimension compliance are planning and organization (APO). The research recommended adopting the COBIT5 internal control framework as a guide for auditors to advise senior management on the efficiency of the internal control system in the tax institution. This includes a governance framework for information technology, which is one of the most important pillars of the corporate governance system. This research also contributes by providing theoretical and practical implications for tax administration to improve the reality of tax performance.

A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY ON THE CHALLENGES FACED IN COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN THE PERFORMANCE OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN KASANDA TOWN COUNCIL, KASANDA DISTRICT.

  Background:  The study aims to establish the challenges faced by community involvement in the performance of secondary schools in Kasanda town council.  Methods:  The study was conducted among secondary schools in  Kassanda Town Council, the study adopted descriptive survey research designs based on an entirely quantitative research design. The data was collected from 50 respondents who were the parents and local leaders of Kassanda Town Council.  Results:  The study enrolled 35 males and 15 females between the ages of 20-50 and above. Low economic status among the people in the community, Low level of educative people in the community, Limited degree of parental awareness in the school management, Limited performance dimension in the management of the education sector, Lack of society mobilization by education institutions on community stakes in education are some of the challenges faced in the community involvement in the performance of the secondary schools. Therefore, the findings indicate that most of the respondents strongly agreed with 5 8.6%, 21.3% of the respondents agreed while 6.6% were not sure as 8.3% of respondents disagreed and 6% strongly disagreed.  Conclusion:  There is a limited degree of parent awareness in school management, a lack of policy requiring or supporting community involvement, a lack of society mobilization by education institutions, and a limited performance dimension in the management of the education sector.   Recommendation:  The study recommended for deliberate involvement of the community in the affairs of the school. The study recommends that policy formulation on matters of management of secondary schools should be all-inclusive so that it can address societal needs.

Simplified integration of optimal self-management behaviors is associated with improved HbA1c in patients with type 1 diabetes.

Living with type 1 diabetes requires burdensome and complex daily diabetes self-management behaviors. This study aimed to determine the association between integrated behavior performance and HbA1c, while identifying the behavior with the most significant impact on HbA1c. A simple and feasible questionnaire was used to collect diabetes self-management behavior in patients with type 1 diabetes (n = 904). We assessed six dimensions of behavior performance: continuous glucose monitor (CGM) usage, frequent glucose testing, insulin pump usage, carbohydrate counting application, adjustment of insulin doses, and usage of apps for diabetes management. We evaluated the association between these behaviors and HbA1c. In total, 21.3% of patients performed none of the allotted behavior, while 28.5% of patients had a total behavior score of 3 or more. 63.6% of patients with a behavior score ≥ 3 achieved HbA1c goal, contrasting with only 30.4% of patients with a behavior score of 0-1. There was a mean 0.54% ± 0.05% decrease in HbA1c for each 1-unit increase in total behavior score after adjustment for age, family education and diabetes duration. Each behavior was independently correlated with a lower HbA1c level, with CGM having the most significant effect on HbA1c levels. Six optimal self-management behaviors, especially CGM usage, were associated with improved glycemic control, emphasizing the feasibility of implementing a simplified version of DSMES in the routine clinical care. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03610984.

Research on the Application of Manager's Psychological Capital in Enterprise Performance

In the contemporary era, as competition among businesses intensifies, innovation and development in enterprise performance management are becoming increasingly crucial. Continuously enhancing employees' professional knowledge and skills not only improves their work capabilities but also boosts organizational performance, aiding companies in achieving sustainable development. Psychological capital, the latest theory in contemporary management science, transcends human and social capital, possessing characteristics of originality and forward-thinking. Managers, in their daily work, directly influence the attitudes and behaviors of their team members through formal or informal guidance and supervision. Creating a psychologically conducive environment, characterized by happiness, fulfillment, and belongingness, can positively and significantly impact managerial behavior, thus maximizing organizational effectiveness and managerial performance. Historically, businesses have prioritized employee performance management in human resources management processes, often neglecting the psychological needs of managers, thereby hindering the effective implementation of many incentive measures. Therefore, this study explores three dimensions of psychological capital and organizational performance, constructing a relevant structural equation model. By employing theoretical and empirical analysis methods, it validates the positive influence of psychological capital on organizational performance, providing insights into the impact of managerial psychological capital on organizational performance and actively contributing to the realization of corporate strategic objectives. 

Investigating the impact of smart manufacturing on firms' operational and financial performance

PurposeSmart manufacturing (SM) lies at the core of Industry 4.0. Uniform adoption of SM across business partners is crucial to exploit its value creation potential. However, firms' willingness to invest in SM is limited by insufficient or inconclusive evidence on its performance-related benefits. To close this gap, this paper develops and tests a model linking SM adoption to firms' financial performance. Improvements along the four dimensions of operational performance (i.e. cost quality, delivery and flexibility) mediate this relation.Design/methodology/approachThis study follows an empirical research approach. In particular, survey data from 234 automotive component suppliers are analyzed via covariance-based structural equation modeling to explore the link between SM adoption and operational performance. Survey data are then matched with secondary data from balance sheets of 81 firms to investigate the impact of SM on financial performance via partial least square structural equation modeling.FindingsFindings highlight that adoption of SM results in improvements in cost, quality, delivery performance, thus suggesting that SM is a mean to overcome performance trade-offs. Improvements in operational performance enabled by SM do not give rise to superior financial performance, thus implying that SM might support firms in maintaining the competitive position in the market, but could be insufficient to generate higher margin.Originality/valueResults have implications for SM research and for manufacturing executives engaged in the adoption of SM, as they provide a detailed analysis of the impact of SM on operational performance and clarify the effect that SM adoption has on financial performance.

Connecting the dots between brand equity and brand loyalty for retailers: The mediating roles of brand attitudes and word-of-mouth communication

Managing and developing brand equity is of crucial interest to retailers. To provide a better understanding of retailer brand equity, we introduce a specific nomological network that brings together operational retailer brand equity dimensions and marketing performance outcomes. More specifically, we hypothesize that consumer attitudes toward the retailer and word-of-mouth communication individually and sequentially mediate the relationship between retailer brand equity and consumer loyalty toward the retailer. Partial least squares path modeling (PLS) was used to test the proposed model with 335 US consumers from the home improvement retail sector. A systematic validation procedure with explanatory (i.e., in-sample) and predictive (i.e., out-of-sample) power assessments and robustness tests such as the confirmatory tetrad analysis and model comparison confirms these specific relationships. The results show that the refined model allows retail managers to link brand equity dimensions to marketing performance more accurately and to predict customer loyalty more reliably.

Organizational Commitment and Employee Performance during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence from a BPO Company

The pandemic necessitated remote workplace setup, and as employees’ homes doubled as their workplaces, it became difficult to distinguish between the two. With this reality came the challenge of enhancing employee performance and organizational commitment. This study investigated the correlation between organizational commitment and employee performance during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study involved 158 employees of a BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) company situated in Quezon City, Philippines. Non-parametric statistical testing such as Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests were employed to examine the significant differences in the respondent's ratings when their demographic profiles were considered. Spearman’s rank correlation was used to measure the strength of the relationship between the constructs of organizational commitment and dimensions of employee performance. Results of the study revealed a high positive relationship between continuance commitment and employee performance. Furthermore, this study also explored organizational commitment along four demographic variables, resulting in the detection of significant differences in the perception of continuance commitment on account of gender, age, civil status, and length of service. A significant difference was also detected in affective commitment considering the length of service. Single, married, and widowed respondents also differed in their opinions on normative commitment. While research on organizational commitment exist, few studies have explored the role of demographic factors in shaping employee responses to pandemics. This study demonstrates value by examining the influence of demographic variables on organizational commitment and employee performance during the pandemic, adopting an intersectional perspective, and offering practical implications for organizational management, theoretical advancement, and future research directions.

Analysis of Regency and City Government Financial Reports in Provinsi Nusa Tenggara Barat

This research aims to analyze the financial condition of district and city governments in West Nusa Tenggara Province for the 2017-2021 period using analysis of financial flexibility ratios, financial independence ratios, and solvency ratios. The type of research used is descriptive quantitative. The research results show that for the group of district and city governments in West Nusa Tenggara Province in the 2017-2021 period that showed the best conditions in the short-term financial solvency dimension was the Bima City Government; the dimension of long-term financial solvency is the Bima Regency Government; the budget solvency dimension is the North Lombok Regency Government; the operational solvency dimension is the North Lombok Regency Government; the dimension of financial independence is the Mataram City Government; the financial flexibility dimension is the West Sumbawa Regency Government; the dimension of service solvency is the West Sumbawa Regency Government.

The impact of alcohol consumption on employee job performance

Background: Most people know that job performance generally refers to how well an employee is accomplishing his or her tasks and achieve the target, but there are number of factors that determine the level and quality of employee job performance. Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of Alcohol consumption on the self-reported work performance among the people of Jalalabad, Kyrgystan. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was done through online Google forms for a period of 3 months from September to November 2023 among 160 local people. Various dimensions of work performance are compared across different levels of alcohol consumption in the study. Result: In this study the respondents age range was 20-40 years with mean age of 30±1 years. Out of 160 respondents, male predominance was found over females with 68.1%. The largest percentage 67.5% of them consume alcohol due the stress they have in their Job. Most respondents 67.5% were found to have no family history of drinking alcohol. Regarding the impact of their job performance, only 23.9%(n=28) respondents experiences a significant impact on their job performance. Conclusion: Our study into the impact of alcohol drinking among Jalalabad residents revealed a concerning prevalence of 73% of the 160 respondents. This emphasizes the importance of targeted interventions, community education, and support networks in addressing alcohol's influence on the local population's well-being. Understanding and tackling the underlying causes of alcohol misuse in Jalalabad will be critical to building a better and more resilient community.