Scorecard Tool Research Articles

Simple rules and heuristic decision making using the quick screen tool: A JD Bioscience case study

ABSTRACT This case study examines JD Bioscience (JDB), a South Korean pharmaceutical start-up, using the quick screen framework and its scorecard tool. The underlying rationale (the “why”) is to combat the decision-making complexities involved with new assets for licensing and acquisition within the life science industry by utilizing simple rules (the “how”) via the quick screen tool (the “what”). This article aims to explore simple rules and heuristic decision making in life science opportunities. JDB’s final score of 2.87 reflects unique attributes and developmental risks around the firm, its lead asset, and its management team. The analysis supports the application of a simple rules decision-making framework for entrepreneurs, investors, and executives. This framework identifies an opportunity’s maturation stage and roadblocks the venture needs to address. The findings shed light on JDB’s trajectory and underscore the significance of employing strategic decision-making tools in navigating the complexities of the life sciences landscape.

Status of infection prevention and control in Cameroon healthcare facilities: lessons learned from the WHO COVID-19 scorecard tool under the hierarchy of control model

BackgroundInfection prevention and control (IPC) helps prevent disease transmission in healthcare facilities. There is a dearth of information on the implementation of IPC during the COVID-19 outbreak in Cameroon using the recommended WHO COVID-19 IPC scorecard tool. The present study assessed healthcare facilities’ compliance to IPC by continuous assessments, with an evaluation of the tool using the hierarchy of control theory. MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted in the 10 administrative regions of Cameroon by evaluating healthcare facilities prioritized by the Ministry of Public Health as high-risk facilities between March 2020 and November 2023. Comparisons were made regarding the facilities’ ownership, level and status. Results2,188 assessments from 1,358 healthcare facilities were collected. The median IPC scores at each evaluation were between the intermediate and advanced level, with a bias linked with decreasing selection of facilities. However, only 172 (13%) healthcare facilities achieved advanced IPC score (≥75%). Higher IPC scores were found in hospitals (p<0.001) and in private facilities (p=0.02). Predictors of good IPC compliance were hospital (OR=3.7, CI: 1.4-9.8) and private facility (OR=2.3, CI: 1.6-3.3). The tool met the five domains of the hierarchy of control model. ConclusionRepeated IPC assessments using recommended tools contribute to a better compliance of IPC by healthcare facilities in resources constrained settings.

Strategic Analysis from a consulting context for the Super Kinder School Institution

In the current dynamic, managers of educational institutions such as Super Kinder School seek correct decisions to enhance internal efficiency and meet organizational objectives. A strategic analysis was carried out applying the interpretivist methodology through a case design and an interview with the director of the institution. This qualitative approach has given rise to strategic matrices such as Porter's Five Forces, EFE, EFI, IE, SWOT, PEYEA, MPCE, MIC MAC, complemented by the Balanced Scorecard tool. Strategies focused on market growth, product and service development, and market penetration were identified, seeking to improve internal processes and promote the growth of Super Kinder School. The consultancy is aimed at addressing essential activities for the continuous development of Super Kinder School, requiring a deep understanding of the institution, its achievements and educational service

Strategic Analysis from a consulting context for the Super Kinder School Institution

In the current dynamic, managers of educational institutions such as Super Kinder School seek correct decisions to enhance internal efficiency and meet organizational objectives. A strategic analysis was carried out applying the interpretivist methodology through a case design and an interview with the director of the institution. This qualitative approach has given rise to strategic matrices such as Porter's Five Forces, EFE, EFI, IE, SWOT, PEYEA, MPCE, MIC MAC, complemented by the Balanced Scorecard tool. Strategies focused on market growth, product and service development, and market penetration were identified, seeking to improve internal processes and promote the growth of Super Kinder School. The consultancy is aimed at addressing essential activities for the continuous development of Super Kinder School, requiring a deep understanding of the institution, its achievements and educational service

Using Scorecards to Tune Ethos Directive Templates: An Adaptive Radiation Therapy Individualized Approach-Cervix Dosimetric Planning Study

The Adaptive Radiation Therapy Individualized Approach-Cervix clinical trial uses predefined clinical directive templates (CDTs) combined with RapidPlan dose-volume histogram estimations (DVHe) to guide plan optimization in the Ethos treatment planning system. The dosimetric scorecard is a scoring tool that quantifies improvements in plan quality after physicians have precisely expressed their complete clinical intent. To our knowledge, this is the first study to use the dosimetric scorecard tool to tune an Ethos CDT to improve resulting plan quality. Iterative replanning was used to modify the draft CDT (CDT-1) in Ethos 1.1 to generate a new CDT (CDT-2) that maximized the clinical consensus scorecard's total score compared with CDT-1. CDT-2 was established, and resulting plans were compared with and without a DVHe. Additional fixed field intensity modulated radiation therapy beam geometries were compared between CDT-1 and CDT-2, both with DVHe. After obtaining favorable results when comparing CDT-1 versus CDT-2 for 2 test cases, 10 additional cases were retrospectively identified and tested. CDT-2 reduced organ at risk doses without compromising planning target volume coverage in the initial test cases. When combined with DVHe, CDT-2 marginally outperformed CDT-1. Plan quality further improved with a 19-field geometry. In the expanded analysis, CDT-2 achieved higher scores than CDT-1 in most cases, with the 19-field approach showing superiority. Optimization and calculation time increased by 1.9 minutes, monitor unit (MU)/field decreased by 44.4, whereas beam-on time increased by 2.8 minutes when increasing fields to 19 from 9. Reoptimization with Ethos 1.1 Maintenance Release 1 resulted in decreased MU and minimal score changes. The scorecard is an effective tool to adjust an Ethos CDT to improve the average calculated plan quality. It also allowed for easy evaluation of the dosimetric impact of other planning parameters (beam arrangements and use of DVHe) to identify the best approach. Using a finely tuned CDT is expected to improve planning efficiency and decrease intrainstitutional plan quality variability, benefiting cone beam computed tomography-guided adaptive radiation therapy.

An Application of the Scorecard Tool to Measure Corporate Governance Quality: Empirical Study in a transition country

Abstract Nowadays, the corporate governance quality (CGQ) of a company has become increasingly important as it is the benchmark for the investment decision-making process. However, there are not many studies of CGQ in the Vietnamese public sector. In this regard, this study adopted and adapted the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) corporate governance scorecard and the Vietnamese Listed Company Awards scorecard to evaluate the CGQ of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in Vietnam. Data from 220 equitized SOEs were collected from a self-administered survey and double-checked with information from in-depth interviews with the company’s managers and their documents. Collected data were analyzed to score the CGQ of surveyed companies. Results showed that the CGQ of survey companies met the basic requirements that comply with the legal framework. The analysis also showed the differences between two groups of state-owned enterprises: listed versus unlisted joint-stock companies. Based on the findings, we suggested companies improve and adjust their governance policies following 77 scorecard criteria and apply international best practices in corporate governance to promote their brand value to become more appealing to investors.

Analysing the implementation of infection prevention and control measures in health care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic in the African Region

BackgroundThe declaration of SARS-CoV-2 as a public health emergency of international concern in January 2020 prompted the need to strengthen infection prevention and control (IPC) capacities within health care facilities (HCF). IPC guidelines, with standard and transmission-based precautions to be put in place to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 at these HCFs were developed. Based on these IPC guidelines, a rapid assessment scorecard tool, with 14 components, to enhance assessment and improvement of IPC measures at HCFs was developed. This study assessed the level of implementation of the IPC measures in HCFs across the African Region during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodAn observational study was conducted from April 2020 to November 2022 in 17 countries in the African Region to monitor the progress made in implementing IPC standard and transmission-based precautions in primary-, secondary- and tertiary-level HCFs. A total of 5168 primary, secondary and tertiary HCFs were assessed. The HCFs were assessed and scored each component of the tool. Statistical analyses were done using R (version 4.2.0).ResultsA total of 11 564 assessments were conducted in 5153 HCFs, giving an average of 2.2 assessments per HCF. The baseline median score for the facility assessments was 60.2%. Tertiary HCFs and those dedicated to COVID-19 patients had the highest IPC scores. Tertiary-level HCFs had a median score of 70%, secondary-level HCFs 62.3% and primary-level HCFs 56.8%. HCFs dedicated to COVID-19 patients had the highest scores, with a median of 68.2%, followed by the mixed facilities that attended to both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients, with 64.84%. On the components, there was a strong correlation between high IPC assessment scores and the presence of IPC focal points in HCFs, the availability of IPC guidelines in HCFs and HCFs that had all their health workers trained in basic IPC.ConclusionIn conclusion, a functional IPC programme with a dedicated focal person is a prerequisite for implementing improved IPC measures at the HCF level. In the absence of an epidemic, the general IPC standards in HCFs are low, as evidenced by the low scores in the non-COVID-19 treatment centres.

ROI (Return on Investment) on Human Capital

In the 21st century, the success of proactive organization in no long-er evaluated by tangible assets like cash, plants, equipments and buildings. The outdated approach was quantifying the contribution of human resources in organization. For better presenting a real picture, a Human capital scorecard tool has been developed for measuring human resources contribution within the organization, which is innovation for Georgian business market. The topic is out-lining the main concepts, theories, hypothesis and application pro-cess of the Human capital evaluating tool, the primary goal of which is to measure financial and non-financial effects of investment and expenditures in human resources. By implementing relevant evalua-tion tool of human resources contribution within Georgian organiza-tions it means to acquire a value of understanding the human re-sources usefulness in company. By using the HR scorecard, manag-ers are able to determine what has affected the trend and forecast the future.

OpenSSF Scorecard: On the Path Toward Ecosystem-Wide Automated Security Metrics

The OpenSSF Scorecard project is an automated tool to monitor the security health of open-source software. This study evaluates the applicability of the Scorecard tool and compares the security practices and gaps in the npm and PyPI ecosystems.

Using Scorecards to Tune Ethos Directive Templates: An ARTIA Cervix Dosimetric Planning Study

The Adaptive Radiation Therapy Individualized Approach (ARTIA) Cervix clinical trial uses predefined clinical directive templates (CDT) combined with RapidPlan DVH estimations (DVHe) to guide plan optimization in the Ethos treatment planning system. The dosimetric scorecard tool (DST) quantifies improvements in plan quality. This is the first study to utilize the DST to tune an Ethos CDT to improve resulting plan quality. Iterative replanning was used to modify the draft CDT (CDT-1) in Ethos to generate a new CDT (CDT-2) that maximized the clinical consensus scorecard's total score compared toCDT-1. CDT-2 was established, and resulting plans were compared with and without a DVHe. Additional fixed field IMRT beam geometries were compared between CDT-1 and CDT-2, both with DVHe. After obtaining favorable results when comparing CDT-1 verses CDT-2 for two test cases, 10 additional cases were retrospectively identified and tested. For the initial test cases, CDT-2 decreased OAR doses without compromising PTV coverage (No DVHe). While both plans met the protocol target guidelines and OAR constraints, the scorecard was able to quantify the improvement with CDT-2 on a test case with a score of 166.1 (78.7%) vs CDT-1, 163.87 (77.6%). When CDT-2 was combined with the DVHe, it still marginally outperformed CDT-1: 168.73 (76%) versus 166.13 (74.8%). Plan quality was further improved by increasing the total number of fields to 19. Combining CDT-2 and DVHe with a 19-field geometry resulted in the greatest benefit at 184.6 (83.2%). This scored higher than the ARTIA-Cervix defined delivery technique of CDT-1 and DVHe, with a 9-field geometry 166.1 (74.8%). The study was expanded to a separate analysis on 10 new cases. The 19-field approach was superior for all 10 cases and CDT-2 achieved a higher score in 7/10 cases. When comparing 9 versus 19 fields, the total optimization and calculation time increased by an average of 1.9 minutes while the beam delivery time increased by an average of 2.8 minutes (+/- 0.1). The average MU/field was 174.3 (total 1568.3) and 129.9 (total 2468) for 9 and 19 fields, respectively. Two test plans were re-optimized and calculated with Ethos 1.1 maintenance release (MR) 1 with both 9 and 19 fields. For case 1, MR 1 resulted in an 8.4% and 6.9% decrease in MU and scored -0.6% and +0.5% for 9 and 19 fields, respectively. For case 2, MR 1 resulted in a 0.8% and 3.1% decrease in MU and scored -3.4% and -0.3% for 9 and 19 fields, respectively. The scorecard allows for easy evaluation of the dosimetric impact of other planning parameters (beam arrangements and use of DVHe) to identify the best approach. Using a scorecard to finely-tune a CDT is expected to improve planning efficiency, decrease intra-institutional plan quality and variability, improve the average calculated plan quality and benefit CBCT-guided ART.

Scorecards: Quantifying Dosimetric Plan Quality in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy

A scoring mechanism called the scorecard that objectively quantifies the dosimetric plan quality of pancreas stereotactic body radiation therapy treatment plans is introduced. A retrospective analysis of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma receiving stereotactic body radiation therapy at our institution between November 2019 and November 2020 was performed. Ten patients were identified. All patients were treated to 36 Gy in 5 fractions, and organs at risk (OARs) were constrained based on Alliance A021501. The scorecard awarded points for OAR doses lower than those cited in Alliance A021501. A team of 3 treatment planners and 2 radiation oncologists, including a physician resident without plan optimization experience, discussed the relative importance of the goals of the treatment plan and added additional metrics for OARs and plan quality indexes to create a more rigorous scoring mechanism. The scorecard for this study consisted of 42 metrics, each with a unique piecewise linear scoring function which is summed to calculate the total score (maximum possible score of 365). The scorecard-guided plan, the planning and optimization for which were done exclusively by the physician resident with no prior plan optimization experience, was compared with the clinical plan, the planning and optimization for which were done by expert dosimetrists, using the Sign test. Scorecard-guided plans had, on average, higher total scores than those clinically delivered for each patient, averaging 280.1 for plans clinically delivered and 311.7 for plans made using the scorecard (P=.003). Additionally, for most metrics, the average score of each metric across all 10 patients was higher for scorecard-guided plans than for clinically delivered plans. The scorecard guided the planner toward higher coverage, conformality, and OAR sparing. A scorecard tool can help clarify the goals of a treatment plan and provide an objective method for comparing the results of different plans. Our study suggests that a completely novice treatment planner can use a scorecard to create treatment plans with enhanced coverage, conformality, and improved OAR sparing, which may have significant effects on both tumor control and toxicity. These tools, including the scorecard used in this study, have been made freely available.

Новый подход к исследованию влияния компаний на региональное устойчивое развитие: кейс Якутии

This paper is based on the proposed hypothesis: the activities of a company (especially a large, backbone company) in the social, environmental and economic spheres have a corresponding impact on certain aspects of the sustainable development of the region. The goal of the study is to prove this relationship at a conceptual level using indicators of sustainable development applied at different levels of socio-economic systems. The paper addresses a relevant gap in the literature: the absence of frameworks allowing the assessment of the interactions and intendancies between levels. To do this, the literature on this issue was studied and it was proved that there were no studies with a similar framework. The study draws on the systems of sustainable development indicators, suggested in literature and used for the assessment of sustainable development at the regional and company’s level and proposes a framework to integrate them. For that it uses the classical balance scorecard (BSC) tools — the strategic maps both for a region and a company. The Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) in Russian Federation and public joint stock company “ALROSA” were chosen as the basic object of research at the regional and corporate level, respectively. The built strategic maps reflect the decomposition of the main strategic goal and contain an interdependent set of sustainable development indicators for each level, which can be used to assess and monitor the results of the relevant strategies. Then, a new conceptual framework reflecting the impact of the l company’s activities on the sustainable development of the region is proposed. The framework includes the performance indicators of the company and the region by three dimensions of sustainable development — environmental, social, and economic. On the basis of the conceptual scheme of the relationship, it is possible in the future to build econometric models based on the proposed indicators. The identified quantitative assessments in this case will make it possible to make strategic management decisions that will maximize the positive effect of the implementation of the sustainable development strategy in the region using the potential of companies.

Participatory design of a sleep intervention with correctional supervisors using a root causes approach.

After a Design Team (DT) conducted a workforce health assessment of correctional supervisors, they selected sleep as an intervention priority, given its numerous health and work consequences. Existing workplace sleep interventions are designed with little worker input, but participatory solutions that incorporate workers' lived experiences and root causes of poor sleep may be more relevant, appropriate, and acceptable to end-users, resulting in better uptake. The DT met bi-monthly to complete the Intervention Design and Analysis Scorecard (IDEAS) tool to brainstorm interventions that address root causes of poor sleep,and evaluate, rank, and select interventions for implementation. We conducted a qualitative review of meeting notes and worksheets from each IDEAS step, and present our findings on root causes and prioritized solutions. The DT consisted of two university researchers and seven members of a correctional supervisors' union, with 5-9 participants attending each meeting. IDEAS Steps 1-5 were completed in eight meetings over six months. Root causes of poor sleep included mind/body and environmental disruptions, and insufficient time. Three solutions were proposed: training on sleep hygiene, meditation, and sleep debt management; a sleep-tracking smartphone app; and a shared overtime policy based on splitting one 8-hour shift between two supervisors. This is the first known application of IDEAS to address sleep, and targeting root causes may result in more efficacious interventions for sleep improvement. Moreover, because IDEAS guides DTs in selecting solutions with the greatest perceived health benefits, reach, cost-effectiveness, and feasibility, it may result in more successful implementation.

Improving Computational Thinking and Teamwork by Applying Balanced Scorecard for Sustainable Development

This work aimed to analyze the concept of a balance scorecard (BSC) tool integrated with computational thinking (CT) in university education. An experiential approach to learning about the CT through the study of a BSC performance evaluation tool has been reported. The BSC project offers students hands-on experience with the team-based, cross-functional, and strategic aspects of conceptual thinking. This study integrates the four aspects of the BSC into CT to evaluate students through four perspectives. The experiential approach requires each student to compose a team, find information about their motivation, and develop BSC concepts that apply learning performance in a computational thinking course. The conclusion suggests that the BSC project had a positive impact on the students who participated, indicating their overall knowledge and understanding of functional areas and relationships within the teamwork cooperation were enhanced. Our paper reports an experiential method of learning CT by studying BSC performance evaluation tools. The application example can enhance students’ logical thinking, what is indispensable and essential in maintaining competitiveness.

The Use of the Balanced Scorecard as a Strategic Tool in Public Institutions: A Systematic Review

Strategic Planning is one of the management tools most used by institutions that seeks to translate the organization's strategy, define its strategic objectives, identify the main existing bottlenecks and anticipate changes. The indicators are allies of planning and fundamental to the control of processes, because they make it possible to monitor goals, correct problems and propose alternatives for solving possible problems. Therefore, this research consists of verifying the actions outlined in strategic planning in the public sector, using the balanced scorecard tool. For that, a systematic literature review was used as the methodological procedure as the main theme the use of the BSC as a strategic management tool in the public sector. Around 2.003 articles relevant to the proposed theme were identified, selected from 2015-2020, of which 11 deal directly with the use of the BSC. As a result, the survey found the concern that public organizations have been demonstrating in perfecting their strategic plans by adapting the BSC to the reality of the public sector so that they provide better services to society.

Application of a Scorecard Tool for Assessing and Engaging Media on Responsible Reporting of Suicide-Related News in India.

Background: Each year there are more than 800,000 deaths by suicide across the world, while India alone accounts for one third of female suicides and one fourth of male suicides worldwide. Responsible media reporting of suicide is an important suicide prevention intervention at the population level. There is sufficient evidence to show that the way suicide is reported and portrayed in the media can have a significant impact on individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Recognizing the important role of the media in suicide prevention, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued guidelines for responsible reporting of suicides by the media. The Press Council of India, in 2019 endorsed WHO’s guidelines for media reporting of suicides, however there is no evidence that the Indian media is complying with these guidelines. Methods: To encourage responsible media reporting, we developed a scorecard to assess and rate media reports on suicide. We reviewed several resource documents that contained guidelines on responsible reporting of suicide. After consulting with a team of experts, we arrived at a scorecard that consisted of 10 positive and 10 negative parameters. Results: We applied the scorecard to 1318 reports on suicide from 9 English language newspapers, with the highest readership in India between the dates of 1 April to 30 June 2020. For the articles analyzed, the average positive score across all newspapers was 1.32 and the average negative score was 3.31. Discussion: The scorecard can be a useful tool to assess media reports on suicide and provide metrics for the same. It can facilitate improved monitoring and engagement with media organizations, who can quickly check their own reporting compliance to the WHO guidelines and compare how well they are performing compared to their peers over time.

Evolution of the concept of a balanced indicator system

The aim of this research is to analyze the evolution of the balanced scorecard concept. To do this, the article describes the evolution of the concept of a balanced scorecard in a historical context. Namely, 3 stages of the formation of this system are considered. For each stage, comments are given by the author with a description of the identified problems. The analysis outlines an approach to education and the development of a new balanced scorecard. The described system of indicators makes it possible to link multilateral indicators for balanced development in different economic entities. The authors come to the conclusion that the competent and comprehensive use of the balanced scorecard tools leads not only to an overall reduction in financial costs, but also allows to increase the quality of the services provided in general.

Balanced Sscoreard, an alternative for development in SMEs

The SMEs are organizations that are framed in the need to achieve continuous development, through competitiveness, strategies and objectives. The purpose of the research is to demonstrate the potential of the Balance Scorecard tool as an alternative for the development of SMEs. The result obtained shows that the 4 pillars on which the Balance Scorecard is based are useful for small companies, as well as for industries. In conclusion, including the Balance Scorecard tool in the strategic planning of SMEs will allow them to lay solid foundations for their future growth and achieve competitiveness in the market and promote innovation as a differentiating factor.

Soluciones corporativas de inteligencia de negocios en las pequeñas y medianas empresas

El objetivo se basó en determinar el sistema inteligente que se ajuste a la operatividad de Comercializadora “Cordero”, ubicada en Azogues, provincia de Cañar, Ecuador. El método es de tipo no experimental y de enfoque mixto. Se descubrió que existe un número reducido de pymes que utilizan el sistema BI, y las que utilizan esta tecnología la mayoría emplea la herramienta de cuadro de mando integral, la misma que se alinea en mayor porcentaje a los compones financiero, clientes, procesos internos y aprendizaje en las organizaciones. El estudio sobre la inteligencia de negocios demuestra a la administración que esta herramienta tecnológica permite un mejor análisis de la información de forma más rápida, asimismo mejoró significativamente la calidad de la información haciendo más confiables los reportes generados a partir de ella, brindando un soporte para la toma de decisiones en las empresas.

A New Methodology for Improving Penetration, Opportunity-Visibility and Decision-Making by SMEs in EU Public Procurement

Despite over 30 years of legal harmonisation, stubbornly low levels of cross-border public procurement continue to persist in the EU. In 2016 the European Commission sought new thinking to address this long-standing problem. Drawing on a number of cross-border studies undertaken by the authors, the reasons for low level cross-border procurement penetration are identified. A new action-based framework to increase cross-border procurement is proposed, as are new ideas to make it easier to identify public contracts outside national borders. Suggestions for reforming tender evaluation practices that could encourage SMEs to overcome their aversion to ‘home bias’ are proposed, alongside a ‘balanced scorecard tool’ to guide SMEs making critical cross-border public procurement decisions. Keywords: SMEs, cross-border, EU public procurement, non-tariff-barriers, harmonisation