Private Sector Units Research Articles

Does financing SMEs guarantee inclusive growth and environmental sustainability in the European union?

At the heart of the EU cohesion policy and the European Green deal lies the underlying sub-goals not limited to; financing the transition, promoting economic well-being of regions, take everyone along, achieving climate neutrality and a zero pollution Europe which the small and medium enterprises positions as the perfect conduit to achieve the aforementioned sub-goals in the case of Europe. Our study seeks to investigate if credit flowing from private sector units and government-owned enterprises to SMEs guarantees inclusive growth and environmental sustainability in EU-27 member states using data collected from OECD Stat. Database and the World Bank database from 2006 to 2019. Findings from the econometric analysis shows that SMEs activities is a significant and positive predictor of environmental pollution in the EU. In the case of inclusive growth countries cohort in the EU, both credit flowing from private sector funding institutions and government-owned enterprises to SMEs enhances a positive SME growth impact on environmental sustainability. In the case of non-inclusive growth countries cohort in the EU, credit flowing from private sector to SMEs enhances the positive impact of SME growth on environmental sustainability while credit flowing from government-owned enterprises to SMEs intensify the negative impact of SME growth on environmental sustainability.

Policy Implications to Mitigate Economic Impact of Covid-19 and Enhance Healthcare Services during Pandemic in Saudi Arabia

In this recent time COVID-19 effect is becoming as a serious challenge for all human beings across the world. Saudi Arabia has secured 26th rank as health care service provider among all the nations globally. This study has included policy implications to improve health care services and economic activities in Saudi Arabia amid COVID-19 pandemic situation. Along with this, various effective initiatives taken by the government also has been mentioned in this study to identify its effectiveness. The effect of COVID-19 pandemic on the economic condition and the healthcare systems of Saudi Arabia is described briefly. Saudi government has invested USD 31.9 billion stimulus package to mitigate economic challenges amid the pandemic situation. Suitable investments are also made to incorporate digital tools in health care services. SAR 2 billion has been allocated to support 1000 small and medium health sectors, SAR 120 billion has been allocated to overcome financial crisis and SAR 9 billion is allocated to protect employment in private sector units.

Gentrification in large Canadian cities: tenure, age, and exclusionary displacement 1991-2011

ABSTRACT This paper contributes to the gentrification literature by asking how tenure changes, housing stock changes, and generational shifts might be related to gentrification as identified by household income growth in the inner cities of Canada’s three largest metropolitan areas. We use a modified shift-share analysis of changes in tenure, housing stock, and age-tenure cohorts between 1991 and 2011 to examine these questions in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver, Canada’s largest metropolitan areas. We find that in each case, gentrification is associated with an absolute decline in non-condo private-sector rental units, and that construction of non-market/social housing units has not been sufficient to compensate for the private-sector units lost to gentrification. Our analysis demonstrates that changes in the class structure of households, more than generational or age-cohort composition shifts, are at the heart of inner-city transformations in tenure and income among households. The big story is the absolute loss of affordable rental units in each inner city, and the concomitant exclusionary displacement of lower-income households that has resulted.

Audit of paediatric cardiac services in South Africa

Objective: To evaluate paediatric cardiac services in South Africa with respect to referral base, services provided and human resources. Study design: A descriptive study design was used. An audit of the referral base, personnel and activity of paediatric cardiac units throughout South Africa was conducted by means of a questionnaire. A specialist from each centre was asked to provide the relevant data. Where accurate data was not available, estimates were provided by practitioners within each centre. Results: All identified units participated in the audit. Three were private sector units while the other five were primarily public sector units. Twenty four paediatric cardiologists, equally distributed between public and private sector units, were practicing in the country as at end 2008, with a further eight paediatricians undergoing training in paediatric cardiology. This is significantly less than the 88 paediatric cardiologists required for the population of South Africa. Eight paediatric cardiac surgeons were operating predominantly on children in public hospitals and five in private institutions. An estimated 1370 operations for congenital heart disease were performed over a one year period, with 800 of these in the public sector. Extrapolating from accepted estimates of congenital heart disease incidence, this represents conservatively, less that 40% of operations required for the population. Additionally, only 26% of the estimated 114 simple transposition of great arteries born annually were operated on, indicating serious deficiencies in the ability to adequately detect and intervene in serious congenital heart disease presenting in the neonatal period. Conclusion: The infrastructure and resources to detect and manage heart disease in children in South Africa, particularly within the public sector, are grossly inadequate.

Socio-economic Impacts of Climate Change in Odisha: Issues, Challenges and Policy Options

Climate change has been affecting people around the world, threatening the basic elements of life – access to water, food, health and use of land, and the basic environment. In the case of a developing country like India and her states, climate change is an additional burden because ecological and socio-economic systems are already facing pressures from rapid population, industrialization and economic development. It is in this context, this study is an overview of the climate change scenario in Odisha, its impacts, policy options available so far, and the road ahead. In view of the 1999 super cyclone that broke the economic backbone of the State, and floods, droughts and heat waves being the constant visitors to State, the State has been relatively more vulnerable to climate change over the years. These issues have the potential to derail the growth strategy and deepen poverty in the State. Climate change has the potential to exacerbate inequality and prevent economic growth. Thus, it is essential that the private sector units, civil society and government should work together to improve environmental performance while pursuing goals of sustainable economic development in Odisha. This would certainly foster a carbon-conscious, and climate resilient development path in the State.

Occupational Exposure to Some Environmental Physical Factors as Related to Productivity in the Garment Industry of Egypt

Background: Garment industry in Egypt has been estimated in 2008 to be about 458 enterprises (employing 103,000 workers) representing 42.0% of the overall textile and garments industries, and 4.8% of the total private sector enterprises. Al-Mahalla Al-Kubra, which is the greatest city of El- Gharbia Governorate houses 263 (57.4%) of these enterprises (employing 12,209 workers). The occupational exposure to physical hazards may adversely affect workers' comfort, health, performance and productivity. Objective(s): This study was designed to assess the relation between work stresses imposed by exposure to physical hazards and productivity in Garment industry in that city. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that was conducted in five garment enterprises in Al-Mahalla Al-Kobra city. The five enterprises included two public and three private sector units, representing 12% of the total number of garments' workers within the city. The collected data included data from records, workers' and employers' or managers' interview, and the results of the physical hazards' assessments. Since it was difficult to calculate the workers' productivities directly from enterprises' records, the productivities of the workers were computed as follows: % of productivity = Standard workers' productivity (100%) - % deficiency in his or her productivity from the standard. Results: The higher percent productivity reported in the Private sector enterprises (86.5%, 86.5% and 100% in C, D, and E enterprises respectively) than in the Public (71.5% and 54.7% in A and B enterprises respectively) may be attributed to the production payment regimen common in the former than in the latter. The workers in the Private-sector enterprises were keen to achieve the greatest production to get maximum payment. This may also interpret the considerably higher workers' attendance (less absenteeism) among Private-sector workers than in the Public-sector ones. Conclusions: The deleterious effects of workers' exposure to physical hazards; heat, noise and vibration, and improper illumination on their productivity are clearly demonstrated in the present study. Attention should be directed towards the control of these hazards and improving the work environment of the garment industry in Egypt, particularly in the Public sector enterprises.

Functional neurosurgery

It is a great honour to write the editorial for this month’s CME component of the SAMJ. Functional neurosurgery is a subdivision of neurosurgery that does not always receive the recognition we feel that it deserves among general medical practitioners. It is definitely the less ‘sexy’ component of neurosurgery compared with vascular and skull base neurosurgery, but it is an important and highly specialised part of our field. There are currently only one academic unit and about five private sector units that perform functional neurosurgery procedures on a regular basis in South Africa. This, unfortunately, leads to many patients and their medical caregivers not knowing about the options available to them on their doorstep. Patients do not need to leave the country to search for help in other countries.

Finansowanie projektów inwestycyjnych na poziomie lokalnym w Polsce w latach 2010-2013

The paper contains the results of regional studies conducted for the compliance of development projects with the objectives of the Europe 2020 Strategy, and with a particular focus on innovative projects. The specific aim of the study was to analyze the projects for which contracts for co‑financing from EU funds have been concluded, and which are consistent with both the priorities of the Strategy, and the general objectives of the European Union up to 2020. The analysis was conducted in groups of projects corresponding to the objectives of the Strategy. The results of the study clearly showed the diversity (in terms of financial value and quantitative measure) of development projects at two levels of local government: district (powiat) administration and municipal administration, as well as the role of private sector activity in implementing innovations. Especially noticeable was strengthening of “self ‑government approach” to social issues, which are in the scope of an impact of the public authorities at regional and local level. Growing importance of the social services development coincides with the gradual decreas‑ ing of the scope of investments in technical infrastructure. Meanwhile the activity in the field of innovation focused clearly in the private sector units.

Introspection into Priorities before Changing the Job: A Survey

The present paper is an attempt to understand the various priorities that should be taken in to consideration before making any decision for new assignment by the employees. Money should not be the only deciding factor for a change in the job. There are various other areas which plays vital role in this direction. As this is a contemporary topic, which has its reflection on many of us and the need for better understanding into the priorities is felt by the researchers. In this direction 180 people were approached in and around Odisha, however finally 129 people responded. The data was collected from educational institutions and other private sector units. The composition of respondents are includes 63 female and rests are male respondents. It is found that majority felt that stability in a job, job security; family security, growth, children’s’ education etc. are more important than the financial benefits from new job. However the priorities are differ from person to person. The new entrants do not have much alternative than financial benefit however but for the middle and senior level people priority is more defined than the newer ones. This may be due to of getting opportunity by new employees and because of expertise knowledge by the middle and senior level employees in their own field. For the purpose of confidentiality we are not mentioning the names of the organizations.

The critical care nursing workforce in Western Cape hospitals - a descriptive survey

Background. A global shortage of registered nurses (RNs) has been reported internationally, and confirmed in South Africa by the National Audit of Critical Care services. Critical care nurses (CCNs) especially are in great demand and short supply. Purpose. The purpose of this study was to quantify the nursing workforce and compare it with requirements of critical care units (CCUs) in hospitals of the Western Cape province as at 1 January 2005, and to quantify potential recruits from nursing education institutions. Design. A descriptive survey conducted on site in CCUs of the private and public sector hospitals of the Western Cape, using a structured questionnaire. Results. Data were obtained from questionnaires (96.5% return rate) from 77 of the 80 CCUs surveyed in 35 hospitals (12 public; 23 private). Intensive care units (ICUs) and high-care units (HCUs) were classified in the questionnaire. Findings revealed: 39 adult ICUs (12; 27), 2 paediatric ICUs (public), 14 neonatal ICUs (4; 10), 13 adult HCUs (11, 2), 1 paediatric HCU (public), 3 neonatal HCUs (public) and 5 high-dependency units (HDUs) for adults (public), with 720 functional unit beds in total (359; 361). A registered nurse/ventilated patient ratio of 1:1 was used in 5.26% of public sector units but in all private sector units. Of the 768 nurses of all categories in public sector units 118 (15.4%) were trained CCNs and 289 were RNs (37.6%). In private sector units 204 (38.1%) of 535 nurses were trained CCNs and 204 (38.1%) were RNs. According to a consensus-driven method developed in Australia to measure the required number of ICU nurses, the Western Cape has a deficit of 72% and 80% RNs respectively in public and private sector CCUs, amounting to an actual total shortage of 2 711 RNs. Data from 7 educational institutions revealed that during 2004, 300 undergraduate nurses and 80 postgraduate CCNs graduated. Conclusion. The current supply of nurses does not meet the needs of CCUs in the Western Cape, and the number of educators and clinical mentors is inadequate Southern African Journal of Critical Care Vol. 22 (2) 2006: pp. 50-56

Efficiency measurement of hemodialysis units in Greece with data envelopment analysis

This paper reports on a study of the suitability of data envelopment analysis for measuring efficiency of hemodialysis units in Greece. The sample consists of 118 such units operating in the public and private sector. Production characteristics were designated in terms of two input measures – nursing staff and dialysis machines – and one output measure, namely the number of patients treated per month. The DEA model selected was input oriented, allowed for variable returns to scale and the units were ranked according to a benchmarking approach. The results yielded mean efficiency scores of 65.04% and 82.21% for the public sector and private sector units, respectively. Independent sample t-tests showed statistically significant differences between these scores. The units were also classified, according to location, as either being in Athens, Thessalonica or another region and the procedure was repeated. The results yielded mean efficiency scores of 58.89%, 61.48% and 67.51%, respectively. Comparison, in this case, indicated significant differences between the public sector units located Athens from those located in Thessalonica or elsewhere. The overall findings are encouraging for the potential of DEA in this setting and generate the need for further research in order to validate any conclusions.

The changing climate for women patients in medium secure psychiatric units

Aims and MethodWe conducted a telephone survey of medium secure units in England and Wales to determine the distribution of women patients.ResultsThe survey identified 1836 medium secure beds, housing 342 women patients. Women in the NHS were housed primarily in mixed-gender units (170 women, 94%). Most NHS beds in single-gender units were for men (56 beds), whereas most private sector beds in single-gender units were for women (79 beds).Clinical ImplicationsIncreased awareness of the often inappropriateness of services for women in mixed-gender units has led to units deciding not to admit women patients and, inadvertently, more single-gender beds for men in NHS units than for women. The NHS units have to rely on private sector units to provide beds in single-gender units for women, perhaps at the expense of effective continuity of care.

Market-Orientation in Commercial Banks — A Study of Selected Banks in Delhi

Commercial banks in India have undergone a significant metamorphosis since the initiation of the economic reforms in 1991. Many of their archaic rules and regulations have been replaced by transparency, greater autonomy, and market dynamism. The liberalisation policy of the Government of India has allowed the private sector units to operate and give competition to with the erstwhile monopolies of commercial banks in the public sector. Besides, the modern, sophisticated, and discerning consumers want nothing but the best from their bank(s). In order to survive the emerging competition among commercial banks to gain the largest share of the market, the importance of market-orientation is continuously increasing in the banking industry. This paper seeks to make a comparative study of the current status of market-orientation in selected commercial banks in Delhi.

Medium secure provision in NHS and private units

The use of private sector medium-secure units is a practice now firmly entrenched in forensic psychiatry. An assessment of patients in both NHS and private sector medium-secure provision was undertaken, looking at all medium-secure patients funded by three adjacent North East Thames health authorities. Case-notes and clinical measures were studied for each patient and comparisons made between the patients in the NHS and private sector units. The major differences between the two groups were not in clinical measures but in the types of acts or offences the patients had committed to get them into medium security, and in the length of stay in hospital. The patients in the NHS units were more likely to have committed violent offences, more often against strangers, and to have spent more time in hospital in their lives than the patients in the private sector units. Some of these differences may be explained by differing admission policies in the two types of units. We look at this phenomenon and some of the issues needing to be addressed as a result of the parallel development of the private sector units alongside the NHS service.

BTR Ltd., Rampur, U P

BTR, a manufacturer of turpentine oil and rosin, is a member of a consortium of eight state-level public sector units in Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. The Consortium fixes uniform selling prices for the members' output�rosin and turpentine oil. BTR's competitors are public and private sector units and importers of rosin. Supply and prices of resin, the main raw material, are regulated by each state government based on availability and cost of collection, which vary considerably. The managing director of BTR wonders whether BTR should continue its membership of the Consortium. The case raises many other issues: what objectives can and should the Consortium serve? what are the objectives served by the regulatory policies of the state governments? Will getting out of the Consortium help achieve BTR or state government objectives? Gurdev Singh is Associate Professor and S R Asokan is Research Assistant at the Centre for Management in Agriculture, Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.

Sector Context and Performance

Research comparing public and private organizations has become more common, but questions remain as to whether differences in sector are significant or spurious. The research reported here, based on secondary data from a cross-national study of research units, examines differences in the performance of public and private sector units, controlling for a number of potentially confounding variables. Path analysis is used to `factor out "performance differences in public and private sector units. The findings suggest that sector context is not entirely a spurious function of such variables as size and technology, but itself makes a significant contribution to performance differences. It is further concluded that multiple criteria are important when seeking to measure R&D performance by sector. Public sector units appear advantaged with respect to certain activities and private sector ones with respect to others.