Service Institutions Research Articles

Analysis of Behavioral Accounting Aspects in Cost Control at LKP Polindo Internasional

This research aims to examine the analysis of behavioral accounting aspects in cost control at LKP Polindo Internasional. The study utilizes a case study approach. Data collection techniques involve gathering articles and journals, as well as conducting observations and interviews with managers and financial stakeholders at LKP Polindo Internasional. Several articles used for discussion topics were obtained from Google Scholar, relating to the behavioral accounting aspects in cost control. The research findings indicate that the implementation of budgeting by LKP Polindo Internasional is one of the methods used to allocate company costs effectively and efficiently, and it has been well implemented. By utilizing budgeting, the company can have a more precise overview of the costs associated with various activities within the company. The budget serves as a reference for carrying out future activities. This research is expected to provide insights into the positive contribution of implementing Behavioral Accounting and Activity-Based Costing Systems in cost control for educational service institutions or companies. However, this study has limitations, including constraints on data availability from the company and limitations on generalizing research findings to other organizations. Additionally, external factors that may affect cost control could also pose limitations.

The Impact of the Quality System on Guest Satisfaction in Hotels (Study of a Sample of Tourists in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah Governorates)

The researcher here is trying to answer the following central question: What is the effect of the quality system on guest satisfaction in hotels? This study's importance lies in a comprehensive framework for testing the relationship between the quality system and guest satisfaction in hotels in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah governorates. In this study, the researcher relied on the descriptive approach, which is based on collecting information related to the apparent phenomenon through a questionnaire form prepared for this matter. The study reached a set of results, the most important of which is that intense competition forced hotels to pay attention to the quality system to meet the needs of the guests because it is the basic rule on which satisfaction depends. Guest service because it is a measure of the success or failure of hotels. The study recommends a set of recommendations, the most important of which are introducing and educating hotel employees in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah governorates about the concept of quality and how to apply it in hotels, as many tourist service institutions are unable to succeed in improving the quality of their services because their human staff do not have the knowledge or The necessary skills in implementing and managing the service concept and its quality.

ANALISIS PROBLEM MANAGEMENT PADA IT HELPDESK UIN RADEN FATAH DENGAN IMPLEMENTASI ITSM

Problem Management is a crucial aspect in the management of Information Technology (IT) services, aiming to identify and address the main causes of problems in an organization's IT infrastructure. This study analyzes the implementation of Problem Management in the IT Helpdesk at UIN Raden Fatah, with a focus on services from the PUSTIPD Unit. Case studies are used as the main research method, involving interviews, observation and analysis of related documents. The findings show that the implementation of Problem Management has brought significant benefits, although there is still room for improvement, especially in interunit coordination and end-user engagement. This study provides insight into the importance of Problem Management in improving the performance of IT services in higher education institutions.

Принципи правового регулювання інституту державної служби

The article analyzes the principles of legal regulation of the civil service institute. The ontological, axiological and praxeological value of the civil service institution, its actualization in the context of Ukraine's European integration efforts, has been proven. It is indicated that today this institution becomes not only an internal mechanism of legitimate, democratic control over the effective exercise of power, but also achieves the necessary functions of transformation of the entire state-power apparatus by improving the power system and bringing it closer to European management standards. The basic principles of legal regulation of the civil service are defined as key standards for the normalization of this institution's functioning of the power system, in particular: legality and legal obligation, which provides that the institution's functioning should be based on clear normative acts and relevant legal norms; transparency and justice, indicates that the process of making state-authority decisions should be open and transparent, include guaranteed opportunities to participate in the process, providing a guarantee for presenting one's position, as well as ensuring the right to defense and the possibility of appealing the decision; confidentiality and protection of personal data, which consists in the fact that all data related to public service must be protected from unauthorized access and use; taking into account the specifics of the activity, it is assumed that when implementing legal and organizational-management measures, one should take into account the specifics of work and foreign-political and internal factors of labor relations; the principle of responsibility of civil servants to society. By creating a complex set of basic principles, they form a matrix of legal regulation of the civil service institution, contribute to an effective and fair rule-making and law enforcement (law enforcement) process in the researched area. The principles guarantee the provision of high standards of behavior of employees and provide a reliable mechanism for monitoring compliance with legal and ethical norms, form an institutional and organizational mechanism for the efficiency and independence of the power system, and are factors in increasing public trust in the decisions of authorities and improving the quality of public administration.

Abstract 1002: The historically black colleges and universities cancer trial consortium: A way forward to diversifying cancer clinical trials

Abstract The National Comprehensive Cancer Center Network cancer guidelines state that the best management for a cancer patient is on a clinical trial. However, the demographics of 74 registration trials for oral cancer therapies from 2009 - 2019 show only 2.5% of participating patients were Black. Similarly, of the 3,593 patients enrolled in all registration trials for new cancer drugs approved by the FDA in 2019, only 4% were Black patients. A third analysis showed that between 2008 and 2018, only 3.1% of cancer trial patients were Black. The underrepresentation of Black patients in cancer clinical trials is a complex issue that requires a multifaceted solution. Complicated, interdependent causes include, but are not limited to system, provider, and patient bias. Increasing globalization of clinical trials also contributes to a widening gap in Black patient enrollment. Achieving diversity among clinical trial participants requires intention in study design regarding accrual sites and outreach, and involvement of a diverse trial workforce. The ideal clinical trial system would minimize system, provider, and patient biases. Such a system already exists in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) system. HBCUs represent 3% of institutions of higher education in the USA, yet they enroll 16% of Black students and confer 24% of all baccalaureate degrees earned by Black students. 40% of Black engineers, 50% of Black lawyers, 70% of Black physicians, and a staggering 80% of Black judges attended an HBCU. HBCUs are exceptional at impacting communities of Color and have been doing so for centuries. The HBCU Cancer Trials Consortium (HBCU CTC) is a network of HBCUs and Ally institutions that aims to bring innovative cancer clinical trials to historically underserved communities and honor the legacy of HBCUs, which have consistently and successfully served underserved communities for over a century. The HBCU CTC will oversee and conduct cancer clinical trials at member institutions. We envision founding flagship members to include HBCUs that provide graduate medical education and training, such as Howard, Meharry, Charles Drew, and Morehouse. Non-HBCUs committed to the mission are invited to join the consortium as Ally institutions (eg. MSIs). Membership is not exclusive of membership in other cancer consortia. The HBCU CTC will provide shared resource services for member institutions that lack expertise or funding to conduct services locally (eg. data management, DSMB, biostatistics, a cancer focused IRB, central radiology, and central pathology). The Consortium will also work to develop local infrastructure support for the conduct of cancer clinical trials at member institutions. Citation Format: Sheldon L. Holder, Robert A. Winn, Wafik S. El-Deiry. The historically black colleges and universities cancer trial consortium: A way forward to diversifying cancer clinical trials [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 1002.

IMPACT OF NOREPINEPHRINE DOSAGE INCREASE AND VOLUME EXPANSION ON CAPILLARY REFILL TIME IN SEPTIC SHOCK PATIENTS

Background: When evaluating patients with acute circulatory failure, one clinical feature that may be quickly determined at the bedside is the capillary refill time (CRT).Objective: The objective of this observational study was to describe the changes in CRT that occur as a result of volume expansion and increased dosages of norepinephrine, along with related macro-circulatory variables, in patients suffering from septic shock. Study Design: This was an observational study. Setting: The study was conducted at Bahria Town International Hospital Lahore and Services Institute of Medical Sciences. Duration of Study: The study was conducted over six months from January 2, 2023, to July 30, 2023. Methods: We measured mean arterial pressure (MAP), cardiac index (CI), and five consecutive CRT readings in 40 septic shock patients. These measurements were taken before and after a 500 mL saline infusion in 20 patients and before and after an increase in norepinephrine dosage in another 20 patients. Results: The "norepinephrine" group had lower SAPS II and SOFA scores than the "volume expansion" group. When all patients were assessed together, volume expansion significantly lowered heart rate while increasing MAP, diastolic arterial pressure, CI, CVP, and CRT. Fluid-induced increases in CI of ≥ 15% were observed in 11 patients (55%). In fluid responders, fluid infusion significantly raised MAP by 31% (11-49%) and CI by 26% (20-42%). Increased norepinephrine levels may lower CRT in patients with a baseline value of fewer than 3 seconds. Increasing norepinephrine has a low possibility of decreasing CRT in patients with baseline CRT ≥ 3 seconds if the MAP increase is <15%. However, the decrease in CRT is inconsistent in patients with baseline CRT ≥ 3 seconds when norepinephrine increases MAP by ≥ 15%. Univariate regression analysis revealed a correlation between the absolute value of CRT and lactate levels, heart rate, norepinephrine dosage, gender, SAPS II, and ICU mortality. In a multivariate analysis that included all physiological parameters with a p-value <0.1 in univariate linear regression, only lactate upon admission had a significant association with the absolute value of CRT. Conclusion: CRT uncommonly improves with therapy in individuals with septic shock and prolonged CRT when volume expansion raises cardiac output by <15% and increasing the dosage of norepinephrine increases MAP by <15%. CRT's response varies when there are significant effects of fluid infusion on cardiac output and norepinephrine on MAP; in some patients, it decreases while remaining consistent in others. CRT functions as an indicator of microcirculation in this context.

Updating Curricula of Iraqi Higher Education Institutions & SDGs Achievement

Education, being an essential requirement to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), curricula life. Accordingly, most Higher Education Institutions have paid much attention to modernize curricula due to their positive impact on the progress of societies, in addition to identifying and internalizing the role of employees in the accomplishment of SDGs. They should be aware that their environment is the shelter that they are assumed to protect and preserve. Therefore, the goals related to people’s environment have been widely explored in the updated curricula as they work on meeting the learners’ needs, their concerns, and developing meanwhile their skills of different directions. Nonetheless, the curricula of some Iraqi Higher Education Institutions still do not include materials that are consistent with the learners’ tendencies and their abilities as well as the essential requirements of society. Hence, these curricula have failed to achieve the main strategies of learning because they have been concentrating on specific topics that only assist students to shift from one study stage to another. The process of updating the curricula of Iraqi Higher Education Institutions, as per the researcher’s viewpoint, is considered as part of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, when applied, whether now or in the future, they shall change the role of academics as well as students, creating meanwhile some type of link between educational, productive and service institutions, and thus connecting education with life and acquisition of labor skills, being essential factors that lead to promoting the concept of curriculum. The researcher has adopted a descriptive approach focusing in his survey on a sample of 68, he has come up with the following conclusions: Most updated items of the curricula assist in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Higher Education Institutions participate in supporting and encouraging transfer of appropriate advanced technologies so as to achieve Sustainable Development Goals. Besides, we have come up with the following recommendations: It is quite necessary to update the curricula according to their objectives and outcomes for the purpose of achieving SDGs in face of current and future challenges. Establishing an infrastructure for financing and implementing curricula that could enable students to contribute in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. integrating the SDGs with the environmental, social, cultural and scientific objectives.

Exposure to Stress and Burnout Syndrome in Healthcare Workers, Expert Workers, Professional Associates, and Associates in Social Service Institutions.

Background and Objectives: Workplace burnout syndrome is often as sociated with particular aspects of certain job positions, especially those that entail working with people with special needs. The burnout syndrome in healthcare jobs is a serious problem that has grown into an epidemic among healthcare workers and associates. The aim of this research is to assess the presence of stress and burnout syndrome at work with healthcare workers, expert workers, professional associates, and associates in social service institutions in Belgrade. Materials and Methods: This research was conducted in the form of a cross-sectional study of a representative sample in social institutions in Belgrade. It was conducted from March to the end of June of 2023. The sample of the study had 491 participants. The questionnaires used were a structured instrument with social-demographic and social-economic characteristics, workplace characteristics, lifestyle characteristics, and the following questionnaires: DASS-21, Copenhagen, Brief Resilience Scale, and Brief Resilient Coping Scale. Results: The end results indicate the following to be significant risk factors for the occurrence of workplace burnout syndrome: overtime (OR = 2.62; CI = 1.50-4.56), BRS average score (OR = 0.28; CI = 0.17-0.44), DASS21 D heightened depression (OR = 2.09; CI = 1.1-4.04), DASS21 A heightened anxiety (OR = 2.38; CI = 1.34-4.21), and DASS21 S heightened stress (OR = 2.08; CI = 1.11-3.89). The only protective risk factor that stood out was the self-assessment of health levels (OR = 0.60; CI = 0.42-0.85). Conclusion: Overtime is a significant factor associated with workplace burnout. Apart from it, other significant factors associated with workplace burnout were heightened depression, anxiety, and stress levels.

Maternal delay for institutional delivery and associated factors among postnatal mothers at Southeastern Ethiopia: a cross sectional study.

Maternal delay in timely seeking health care, inadequate health care and the inability to access health facilities are the main causes of maternal mortality in low and middle income countries. The three-delay approach was used to pinpoint responsible factors for maternal death. There was little data on the delay in decision making to seek institutional delivery service in the study area. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the extent of the first maternal delay for institutional delivery and its associated factors among postpartum mothers in the Bale and east Bale zones. An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 407 postpartum mothers from April 6 to May 6, 2022. A systematic sampling technique was used to select study participants. The data were collected electronically using an Open Data Kit and exported to SPSS window version 25 for cleaning and analysis. Both bivariate and multivariable analysis was done by using binary logistic regression model to identify factors associated with maternal delay for institutional delivery services. Statistical significance was declared at P-value < 0.05. In this study, the magnitude of the first maternal delay in making the decision to seek institutional delivery service was 29.2% (95% CI: 24.9, 33.9). Previous pregnancy problems (AOR = 1.8; 95% CI: 1.06, 3.08), knowing the danger signs of labor and childbirth (AOR = 1.78; 95% CI: 1.11, 2.85) and decision-making (AOR = 0.42; 95% CI: 0.20, 0.85) were significantly associated with the first maternal delay. This study identified a significant number of postnatal mothers experienced delay in making decisions to seek institutional delivery service in the study area. Promoting women's empowerment and building on key danger signs should be emphasized.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY OF GREEN MICROFINANCE INSTITUTIONS: A TOOL FOR PROMOTING WOMEN’S ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT IN CHINA

Economic freedom has central importance among the nations, however, Chinese economic freedom index declining continuously, leading to the several issues. Particularly, economic freedom is low among the Chinese female population. The world average of economic freedom index in 2022 based on 175 countries is 60 index points, but the Chinese index is 48. To address this issue, this study introduced green microfinance institutions based on Mayoux’s Feminist Empowerment Theory. The objective of this study is to examine the role of green microfinance institutions in women economic freedom in China. A survey questionnaire is used to collect data from female clients of microfinance institutions. 315 respondents responded to the survey and data analysis is carried out by using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Results of the study identified that, green microfinance institution’s services such as credit and insurance can facilitate green micro enterprises. The promotion of green micro enterprises causes to increase women economic security, leading to the economic freedom. Additionally, green microfinance policy is a critical factor to promote the positive relationship between green microfinance institution’s services and women economic freedom. Findings of this are helpful for the practitioners to increase women economic freedom in China by providing various services of green microfinance institutions.

Transformation of child welfare Institutions in Bandung, West Java: A case of deinstitutionalization in Indonesia

The enactment of the National Standard of Care for Child Welfare Institutions in 2011 signifies Indonesia's commitment to deinstitutionalization by guiding the transformation of the country’s Child Welfare Institutions, from facility-based childcare homes or orphanages, to centers of community-based children and family services. Yet, evidence of this transformation of Child Welfare Institutions is scarce. This study aimed to investigate the state of transformation of the child welfare service providers for neglected children in the City of Bandung as a parameter to understand the progress of the deinstitutionalization process in Indonesia.Fifty child welfare service providers (Child Welfare Institutions and government child protection services) operating in Bandung participated in an online survey. Cluster analysis of organizational data combined with an analysis of responses to hypothetical scenarios of children at risk of family separation, grouped service providers into; (i) medium to large, faith-based, non-government Child Welfare Institutions that primarily provide privately funded institutional care services at the Bandung level (50%), (ii) small, secular, non-government Child Welfare Institutions and government child protection services that primarily deliver family support services at the Bandung level (26%) and (iii) medium to large, secular, non-government Child Welfare Institutions that deliver privately funded institutional care and other family support services at the provincial level (24%). While there is evidence of deinstitutionalization activity in Bandung, the large number and relative size of privately operated Child Welfare Institutions suggests a high dependency on institutional care to meet children's general welfare needs.The cluster analysis also indicates limited government funding and the missions of religious organizations as possible constraints on system transformation. Further research is needed to understand the enablers and barriers to transforming the system from predominantly institutional care to a continuum of services in the context of deinstitutionalization in Bandung.

Organization of Social Assistance to Indigenous Minorities in the Turukhansk Region in 1920-1925

The authors consider the issues of involvement of native minorities of the Russian North in the Soviet construction in the first half of the 1920s. The problem is illustrated through the example of Turukhansk region (until 1930 it united the peoples that populated the North of Yeniseysk Governorate). The source base includes the documents from the fund of the State Archive of Krasnoyarsk Territory. It is noted that during the early Soviet period the national policy towards the indigenous peoples of the North was characterized by flexibility and search for balance between the interests of the government and the northern peoples. This policy was mostly founded on socio-economical tasks, rather than political ones. At this stage the government assumed the administration management, provision of economic aid to the native minorities of the North, preservation of the life-sustaining system for using natural resources, all that determined their traditional lifestyle. There began the creation of institutions of self-government (clan councils), trade services, medical care and school education. It was the Northern instructors that acted as conductors of Soviet policy among indigenous peoples. It was intended, on the one hand, to streamline the activities of Soviet institutions among the indigenous peoples of the North, and on the other hand, to help the latter adapt to the new socio-economic conditions. The authors determine the specifics and role of Northern inspectors (from 1924 - instructors in foreign affairs) through the nature of interaction between state, local administrative and clan institutions in the process of developing and implementing support for indigenous peoples of the Yenisey North; their general catastrophic situation could entail irreversible processes of the extinction of these peoples.

Deepening Insights Into Social Entrepreneurship by Leveraging Service-Dominant Logic

Social entrepreneurs operate in highly complex social and institutional environments where dual economic and social missions create paradoxes, conflicts, and challenges. To achieve their goals, social entrepreneurs are frequently dependent on the resources and engagement of numerous other actors as diverse as funders, policymakers, accelerators, investors, volunteers, universities, supply chain partners, NGOs, and of course, customers and beneficiaries. To understand these complexities, a holistic and systemic perspective is required. In response, this study leverages the service-dominant (S-D) logic of marketing to offer a path to deepening insights in social entrepreneurship research. Specifically, the paper draws on four key concepts related to S-D logic that offer interesting avenues for future research: (1) service ecosystems, (2) value co-creation, (3) institutions and institutional arrangements, and (4) actor engagement. To enrich the conceptual arguments, illustrations are provided using the Melbourne-based social entrepreneurial collective, Moving Feast. The collective emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic and involved numerous social enterprise organisations, support organisations, funders, and community organisations. The paper concludes with a set of future research avenues.

Analysis of student satisfaction with the quality of academic library services at state Christian religious higher education institutions

This study aimed to obtain accurate information about the student satisfaction level with academic library services in State Christian Religious Higher Education institutions and to evaluate the performance of each attribute service. A quantitative approach involving descriptive statistical methods was used. For data collection, a questionnaire comprising 16 statements, validated by five experts, was employed and the data were gathered from 382 students across three participating State Christian Religious Higher Education institutions. The data analysis employed descriptive statistical methods and involved the use of the Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) formula and the Importance Performance Analysis (IPA) method. The results showed that the percentage of overall student satisfaction level for academic library services was 66.24%, indicating students were largely content with these services. However, there was room for improvement in the performance of these services. This study identified certain service attributes such as internet accessibility, library collection, library catalog system, timeliness of library opening and closing, library staff readiness, and the speed of library staff in handling requests, which were found to provide low satisfaction levels to students. A comprehensive performance evaluation for each academic library service attribute resulted in a mapping visualized through the four quadrants of the Cartesian diagram. The management of the State Christian Religious Higher Education must develop various facilities for library operational support and also staff competencies to improve the academic library services.

Examining the formation of legal guarantees for equal acces to civil service: historical origins and modern application

The aim of the work is to demonstrate the historical progression of access to civil service across different historical epochs – Ancient World, Middle Ages, New Era, and Modern Times. The developmental phases of equal access to civil service mirror the primary trends in shaping the relationship between individuals and the state. The article demonstrates the peculiarities of legal guarantees, which are closely intertwined with the complex global political, economic, social, and cultural transformations of humanity, giving scholars the space to go far beyond modern history. Employing a theoretical research model focused on a human-centered perspective, it scrutinizes the essence of legal assurances. The historical method is employed to comprehend the retrospective formation and progression of the civil service. Additionally, the axiological method forms the basis for considering equal access to the civil service as a value category.&#x0D; Results of the research highlight that the legal guarantees of the right to equal access to the civil service have evolved over time, dating back to the Ancient World. This evolution is attributed to the formation of the civil service institution. The legal guarantees for equal access to the civil service are not only recognized at the national level but are also enshrined in international legal standards aimed at protecting human and civil rights. The study acknowledges that restrictions on the right to equal access during periods of special legal regimes can limit citizens’ political opportunities for contributing to good governance. Author concluded that from the time of the Ancient World to the present, as a product of the evolutionary formation of the civil service institution, legal guarantees of the right to equal access to the civil service have been formed, including legality and fairness of selection procedures, equality, and non-discrimination of applicants for civil service positions, requirements for professionalism and competence, remuneration, etc.

Impact of Severe Winter Weather on Operations of a Radiation Oncology Department

IntroductionDuring winter of 2022, Western New York faced two major storms with blizzard conditions and record-breaking snowfall. The severe weather resulted in power outages, and travel bans. This study investigates the impact of these conditions on patient adherence to radiotherapy. Combining data from a large academic center and its satellite clinic, this single-center study is shedding light on the challenges faced by cancer care facilities during severe weather and proposing suggestions to prevent and mitigate harm done by severe weather. MethodsIn this study, data was collected using the MOSAIQ Record and Verify system (v. 2.81) to generate deidentified reports of scheduled and treated patients. The treatment adherence rate was calculated by dividing the number of patients treated by the total number of patients scheduled. Data was specifically collected for patients undergoing treatment on linear accelerators at a primary academic center and a satellite facility. The study focused on working days from November 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023, excluding weekends and holidays (as treatments are not routinely scheduled). Severe weather days were identified using advisories from the National Weather Service and local institution, including specific periods in November, December, and January. ResultsIn the study, 15,010 scheduled treatment visits were recorded across the academic center and the satellite clinic. The mean daily treatment adherence rate was 91.7%. Severe weather conditions led to a significant reduction in adherence, with rates dropping to 77.8%. Adherence rates during non-severe weather days were notably higher at 93.9%. Statistical analysis confirmed the substantial impact of severe weather on adherence (p<0.001). Severe weather had a more pronounced impact on the satellite clinic during periods of severe weather with absolute reduction in adherence rates of 21.9% vs. 15% in primary hospital). Moreover, adherence rates at the satellite clinic vs. primary hospital site was lower even under standard operating conditions (92.2% vs 94.0%, p<0.001). ConclusionAs a part of operational planning, it is important to be aware how severe weather can impact treatment adherence. The study findings underscore the importance of proactive measures to ensure patient access to healthcare services during adverse weather events and highlight the broader significance of incorporating Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) considerations into contingency planning for maintaining treatment continuity.

How informal financial service institutes facilitate the financial inclusion of low-income, unbanked consumers

PurposeThe present study aimed to provide an understanding of the roles of community-based financial service organizations (i.e. rotating savings and credit associations [ROSCAs] as institutional pillars in facilitating low-income, unbanked consumers’ access to informal financial services).Design/methodology/approachSemi-structured interviews were conducted with 39 low-income, unbanked consumers participating in ROSCAs in Pakistan, where only 21% of adults have a bank account and almost four out of five individuals live on a low income. The obtained data were analyzed using the thematic analysis technique.FindingsROSCAs’ regulatory, sociocultural and cognitive aspects facilitate low-income, unbanked consumers’ utilization of informal financial services owing to their approachability by, suitability for, and fairness to such consumers. Thus, they promote such consumers’ financial inclusion.Practical implicationsLow-income consumers are mostly unable to access formal financial services due to the existing supply- and demand-side impediments. Understanding ROSCAs’ institutional functioning can help formal financial service providers create more transformative financial services based on the positive institutional aspects of ROSCAs to enhance poor consumers’ financial inclusion and well-being.Social implicationsThe inclusion of low-income, unbanked consumers in formal banking services will help them better control their finances.Originality/valueMany low-income, unbanked consumers in developing countries utilize informal financial services to meet their basic financial needs, but service researchers have rarely investigated how informal financial institutions function. The present study showed that ROSCAs, as informal institutions, meet low-income, unbanked consumers’ personal, social and financial needs in a befitting manner, which encourages such consumers to use the financial services offered by ROSCAs.

Subsidy from State Public Universities and Solidarity Support in Mexico from 2012 to 2021

The present research is a documentary study that analyzes the trend in annual subsidies granted to the Mexican higher education system in the period from 2012 to 2021, generating an overview of the government’s budget to higher education institutions and its current impact on the system by considering national public spending at both the federal, state and private levels. In addition, it establishes the budget granted in these years to different types of institutions such as State Public Universities (UPES), State Public Universities and Solidarity Support (UPEAS), as well as Technological Universities (UT) and Polytechnic Universities (UP). The institutions have been affected over the years, since the budget granted has not represented an increase in management for the operation of the investment of the universities, as a result, various support programs have had to be sought to cover their recurrent costs which are not sufficient for their teaching operations, research, extension of culture and institutional services and on certain occasions had to resort to intervention with own resources. In conclusion, in 2012 a total of $ 193,145,10 million current pesos was awarded, However, in 2021 there were only $270,487.30 million pesos corresponding to the support granted nationally to all higher education institutions as a whole, which implies greater expenses for universities throughout the states.

The disease prevention and rescue system based on Lorentz-RR analysis technology for public welfare organizations

Health concerns have become a significant focus in peoples daily lives. Currently, with the increasing demand for monitoring human health, some social organizations need to strengthen health detection technology, and various related technologies are emerging. The aim of this study is to develop a social organization disease prevention and assistance system that integrates the advantages and resources of social organizations, social service institutions, social workers, caregivers, service recipients, and their families. The main system is designed based on a front-end and back-end separation architecture, using core technology: the Lorenz-RR scatterplot classification algorithm to achieve the selection of classification algorithms, the development of AlexNet algorithm, and the optimization of dataset expansion algorithm, Thus, the improvement of the Lorenz-RR scatterplot classification algorithm of the AlexNet model is achieved, and the development of a social organization disease prevention and assistance system is completed. It has high accuracy and sensitivity in the analysis of relevant indicators of service objects, and its application value is significant, with widespread promotion significance.

Managing under austerity: a qualitative study of management–union relations during attempts to cut labour costs in three South African public hospitals

PurposeIn this paper, the authors examine the strategies used to reduce labour costs in three public hospitals in South Africa, which were effective and why. In the democratic era, after the revelations of large-scale corruption, the authors ask whether their case studies provide lessons for how public service institutions might re-make themselves, under circumstances of austerity.Design/methodology/approachA comparative qualitative case study approach, collecting data using a combination of interviews with managers, focus group discussions and interviews with shop stewards and staff was used.FindingsManagement in two hospitals relied on their financial power, divisions between unions and employees' loyalty. They lacked the insight to manage different actors, and their efforts to outsource services and draw on the Extended Public Works Program failed. They failed to support staff when working beyond their scope of practice, reducing employees' willingness to take on extra responsibilities. In the remaining hospital, while previous management had been removed due to protests by the unions, the new CEO provided stability and union–management relations were collaborative. Her legitimate power enabled unions and management to agree on appropriate cost cutting strategies.Originality/valueFinding an appropriate balance between the new reality of reduced financial resources and the needs of staff and patients, requires competent unions and management, transparency and trust to develop legitimate power; managing in an authoritarian manner, without legitimate power, reduces organisational capacity. Ensuring a fair and orderly process to replace ineffective management is key, while South Africa grows cohorts of competent managers and builds managerial experience.