Shared Services Research Articles

Создание единой юридической функции в компании

The article describes prerequisites, targets, tasks, stages and tools of the project for creation of the legal shared services centre (SSC) — unifying the legal function into a vertically integrated specialised centre rendering in-house legal services to the company’s business divisions on the basis of uniform rules and standards and with reasonable expenses, efficiency and high quality.

Crowd-Starting a Shared (Shuttle) Service With Customer Suggestions

Digital platforms have improved the efficiency and quality of smart city operations by soliciting more customer inputs, for example, in the form of suggestions. One innovative option in urban transportation is the shared shuttle service, which lies between traditional public transportation and ride-hailing services. Platforms that offer these services can gather customer suggestions in a “crowd-starting” manner, which provides valuable insights into customer needs. However, this also presents a challenge in balancing service coverage and quality to meet customer needs implied by their suggestions. To address this issue, we introduce an optimization framework designed to maximize expected profit by leveraging customer response models which characterize how customers will respond to different service attributes and how their suggestions inform these responses. When estimating these response models, we present methods involving isotonic penalty and shrinkage tailored for handling small datasets. To demonstrate the practical implications, we apply our model to a shared shuttle service case study and discuss practical considerations, such as the value of information, the effectiveness of our estimation approaches, and the benefits of involving customers in the service design process.

How can local government be better supported to collaborate for community health and wellbeing?

AbstractCollaboration is a key strategy among local governments as expectations of the sector grow and resources to meet them fall short. Thus, more research is needed to consider how local governments can be supported to collaborate with others, not least for community health and wellbeing outcomes. In an earlier study, we explored inter‐municipal cooperation using social network analysis and local government perspectives on community health and wellbeing in the Australian state of Tasmania. Extending that study in ways reported here, we interviewed elected representatives and council staff to understand how and why Tasmanian local governments might collaborate with others to support community health and wellbeing. Findings show participants want councils to work more collaboratively to effectively deal with common challenges but are impeded by factors such as isolation and resource shortages. Tasmania's local government reform and Healthy Tasmania strategic plan are significant opportunities for collaborative practice to be enhanced among its local governments generally, and specifically in relation to community health and wellbeing. We advocate for a more considered approach to collaboration for community health and wellbeing that could deliver far‐reaching benefits for local governments and their communities.Points for practitioners Collaboration in local government is often described in terms of ‘shared services’ and tends to focus on transactional services that require little tailoring to local communities. Our study found municipal personnel want their councils to work more collaboratively to address common place‐specific issues related to community health and wellbeing, but are influenced by cultures of self‐sufficiency, organisational capacity and support, connections, and legislation and policy processes. Local government collaborative practices could be supported by the development of a place‐based policy framework to guide collaboration across local government service types, establishment of an informal statewide community health and wellbeing network for councils to facilitate peer learning and support, funding guidelines that explicitly support and encourage collaboration, and identifying collaboration as a priority in strategic plans, policies, and frameworks.

Enterprise Architecture for Education: A TOGAF Approach to Achieve Digital Transformation and Optimal Performance (A Case Study of Shared Service Function)

Enterprise Architecture for Education: A TOGAF Approach to Achieve Digital Transformation and Optimal Performance (A Case Study of Shared Service Function)

Adherence to physical activity recommendations and associations with self-efficacy among Norwegian adolescents: trends from 2017 to 2021

BackgroundThe crucial role of physical activity (PA) in promoting well-being and overall health of adolescents is widely acknowledged. Previous global studies have consistently revealed low adherence to PA recommendations among adolescents, emphasizing potential links between PA engagement and self-efficacy in school-based populations. However, there is a need for further exploration of this relationship, in particularly gender differences and taking into account the potential influences of the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of this study is to provide a comprehensive description of adherence to PA recommendations and its associations with self-efficacy in Norwegian school-based adolescents over the period from 2017 to 2021.MethodsCross-sectional data on physical activity (PA) levels and self-efficacy among 13–19-year-old Norwegian adolescents were collected from the Norwegian Ungdata Survey during the period 2017 to 2021. The survey, conducted in Norwegian lower- and upper-secondary schools, was administered electronically during school hours. All data collected is anonymous and has received approval from the Norwegian Agency for Shared Services in Education and Research (SIKT). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software.ResultsGirls consistently exhibited lower adherence to PA recommendations (17.6–19.8%) compared to boys (27.7–31.1%) each year from 2017 to 2021 (all p < 0.01). Similarly, girls reported lower self-efficacy (14.1 to 14.8 out of 20) than boys (15.5 to 15.9) during the same period (all p < 0.01). Regression analyses highlighted robust positive associations between PA and self-efficacy in those adhering to PA recommendations (i.e., physically active at least 5 times a week) and strong inverse associations for those reporting inactivity (never active) in both girls and boys from 2017 to 2021.ConclusionAdolescents in Norway report PA adherence ranging from 15 to 30%, with girls consistently exhibiting lower adherence to PA recommendations and reporting lower self-efficacy than boys. Notably, there are substantial associations between self-efficacy and both adherence to PA recommendations and inactivity over time. These findings underscore the significance of promoting adherence to PA recommendations during adolescence, especially among girls. Policymakers in Norway should focus on initiatives to increase PA levels among adolescents in both lower and upper secondary schools.

On the path to develop a micromobility journey planner for Madrid: A tool to estimate, visualize, and analyze cycling and other shared mobility services’ flow

Journey planners could be one of the most relevant aspects to consider when choosing and deciding our daily trips. However, many of these trip apps still do not consider the new forms of mobility that are emerging in cities, also known as micromobility services (shared bikes, mopeds and scooters). In this study, we pursue two main objectives. On one hand, we create a journey planner for micromobility in Madrid. On the other hand, we use the journey planner to estimate and analyze micromobility flow considering the origin and destination points of trips registered in 2019 from the three different shared modes. Our results involve a series of maps that illustrate how micromobility flow is distributed in the city and the different dynamics considering two scenarios (weekdays and weekends). The journey planner helps to visualize those streets where micromobility flow concentrates, making micromobility users more visible and thus promoting that their paths become safer, attracting new users to start using micromobility (positive loop). Also, the maps could help policy planners to allocate new infrastructure in the city where it is needed most.

Navigating post-pandemic urban mobility: Unveiling intentions for shared micro-mobility usage across three U.S. cities

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a far-reaching impact on travel patterns, leading to a ubiquitous yet unequal decrease in mobility across transportation modes. Specifically, shared mobility services experienced a shift in demand due to increased concerns about COVID-19 transmission. As we move beyond the pandemic, gaining insights into the evolving travel demand landscape becomes crucial for adapting operations to the new normal of travel behavior. To that end, this study seeks to examine travelers’ intentions to adopt shared e-scooters and bikes in a scenario where COVID-19 risk is no longer a prominent factor. To achieve this, survey data were collected in Fall 2022 from three cities in the Midwest U.S. with different sizes, population densities, and maturity of shared mobility services. The survey solicited respondents’ opinions about their willingness to adopt shared mobility services in a future scenario. Covariance-based multigroup structural equation modeling (MG-SEM) was conducted to compare travel attitudes and perceptions among users from the three cities. Findings highlight the positive influence of attitudes, perceived behavioral control, and social norms on intentions to use micro-mobility. Additionally, the study reveals an unexpected positive influence of COVID-19 risk perception on intentions in one of the three cities, presenting an opportunity for service providers to capitalize on the perceived safety of shared micro-mobility in the future. Information about the intention to use shared mobility can help service operators anticipate a potential rise in demand, inform their operations, implement incentives and employ new market strategies to boost ridership.

Triple Helix for Sustainable Development Goals: An Impact Assessment of Shared Service Facility for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Competitiveness in the Philippines

This study investigates the impact and operational challenges of the Shared Service Facility (SSF) for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the Philippines, focusing on enhancing MSME competitiveness and sustainability. Through a mixed-methods approach, including surveys, interviews, and data analysis, the study assesses the SSF’s effectiveness in supporting MSMEs and identifies key challenges hindering its operation. The findings reveal significant improvements in MSMEs’ access to resources, innovation capacity, and market competitiveness following SSF assistance. However, logistical, managerial, and resource-related challenges pose significant hurdles to the SSF’s operational efficiency and effectiveness. To address these challenges, a comprehensive Strategic Plan is formulated, outlining key actions to improve logistical efficiency, enhance managerial effectiveness, strengthen financial sustainability, upgrade technological infrastructure, and foster collaboration and partnerships. Implementation of these strategic initiatives is crucial for optimizing the SSF’s operation, enhancing its impact on MSME competitiveness, and ensuring long-term sustainability. Overall, this study contributes valuable insights into the role of the SSF in fostering MSME development and economic growth in the Philippines, highlighting the importance of targeted interventions and collaborative efforts to support inclusive and sustainable development.

Partnering with consumers and practising clinicians to establish research priorities for public hospital maternity services.

Objective An innovative approach by two Queensland health services was taken to establish a shared maternity services' research agenda by partnering with consumers and clinicians. The objective was to set the top five research priorities to ensure that the future direction of maternity research was relevant to end-user and organisational needs. Methods A modified James Lind Alliance (JLA) methodology was applied between August 2022 and February 2023 across two south-east Queensland Health Services which included five participating maternity units and involved partnership with consumers, healthcare professionals and clinician researchers. The reporting guideline for priority setting of health research (REPRISE) was followed. Results There were 192 respondents to the initial harvesting survey, generating 461 research suggestions. These were aggregated into 122 unique questions and further summarised into a list of 44 research questions. The 157 eligible interim prioritisation survey respondents short-listed 27 questions ready for ranking at a final consensus workshop. The top five question themes were: (1) maternity care experience, engagement and outcomes of priority populations; (2) increasing spontaneous vaginal birth; (3) experiences and perceptions of woman/person-centred care; (4) best practice care during the 'fourth' trimester; and (5) antibiotic use during labour and birth. Conclusion Applying an adapted JLA framework can successfully shape and establish a research agenda within Australian health services, through partnership with consumers and practicing clinicians. This is a transparent process that strengthens the legitimacy and credibility of research agendas, and it can form a replicable framework for other settings.

Study on the Impact of Financial Shared Services on the Transformation of Financial Professionals

Financial Shared Services (FSS) has emerged as an integrated financial management model that is widely adopted across the globe. By consolidating and standardizing financial processes, FSS enhances the efficiency and transparency of corporate financial management. However, the implementation of FSS has also significantly impacted the roles, skill requirements, and career development paths of traditional financial professionals. This paper delves into the concept of FSS and its implementation process, exploring its multifaceted impact on the transformation of financial personnel. The study finds that FSS not only drives the transition of financial professionals from traditional transactional tasks to higher-level analytical and decision-support roles but also demands stronger cross-functional communication and IT application skills. Additionally, this paper discusses the challenges that financial professionals may face during this transition and proposes corresponding strategies to assist enterprises in promoting FSS and supporting the career development of financial personnel.

Dissecting shared e-scooters usage patterns and its impact on other transportation modes: A case study of Portland city

The study analyzed the survey data from the 2018 Portland E-scooter Pilot Program and aims to determine (i) who uses shared e-scooters and why they use them, and (ii) whether there is any association between e-scooter usage and the usage of other modes of transportation. To accomplish the first objective, the study identifies the users of shared e-scooters based on their travel behavior using an unsupervised machine learning approach, latent class analysis (LCA). The LCA model grouped e-scooter users into three distinct classes: Class 1 (Recreational Enthusiasts) −occasional and frequent users for recreation, Class 2 (Commute Riders) −frequent users for work, and Class 3 (Intermittent Joyriders) −occasional and one-time users for recreation. Furthermore, a set of ordered logit models is employed to determine the second objective based on the identified classes of e-scooter users, their socio-demographic characteristics, and the built environment variables. The results of ordered logit models revealed that compared to Commute Riders, both Recreational Enthusiasts and Intermittent Joyriders exhibit less interest in increasing the usage of available transportation modes after adopting e-scooters. Notably, low-income e-scooter users show a higher probability of increasing their usage across various transportation modes, including public transportation, driving, shared mobility services, personal bikes, shared bikes, and walking. The study offers valuable insights to guide city planners and policymakers in developing effective strategies for the deployment of e-scooters, targeting each group of users.

Oral antibacterial drug prescribing in primary care out-of-hours services in Wales: a secondary analysis study

Abstract Introduction Antibacterial drug consumption is posing significant threats and contributing to antimicrobial resistance.[1] Individuals are frequently exposed to antibacterials, either with intentional use or unintentionally through environmental contamination, such as when drug residues are excreted into water resources.[2] To address these concerns and promote sustainability in human health and the environment, adopting rational prescribing practices is essential, especially in primary care (PC) settings where antibacterial prescribing is high. Healthcare practitioners often face various challenges when prescribing these drugs. The challenges are more pronounced in out-of-hours (OOH) encounters, where additional factors, including managing unfamiliar patients and limited safety netting, further complicate their prescribing decisions. Limited research has been conducted in these settings until recently, and the evidence in Wales is lacking. Aim Investigate oral antibacterial drug prescribing volume over time in PC, focusing on OOH services. Methods Retrospective descriptive analyses on All-Wales antibacterial prescriptions were carried out using longitudinal secondary data that were readily available when data was accessed, i.e., between the financial years 2015-16 and 2021-22. National Health Service financial years cover the period from April to March. These routinely collected data, which are not publicly available, were requested from All-Wales Therapeutics and Toxicology Centre and extracted from the Comparative Analysis System for Prescribing Audit (CASPA), an electronic-based system used by Wales Shared Services Partnership to maintain records of PC prescriptions dispensed in the community. Number of items prescribed during daytime and OOH services was obtained for all antibacterials and the 4Cs associated with Clostridioides difficile infections (co-amoxiclav, clindamycin, cephalosporins, quinolones). Data were processed and adjusted per 100,000 population using mid-year estimates, and the overall percentage changes in volumes were calculated. Results The total number of items prescribed in PC was 14,997,291, of which 1,265,499 (8.44%) were 4Cs. For OOH services, the total number of items was 445,339 (3% of PC); 4Cs accounted for 50,527 (11.35% of OOH, 4% of PC 4Cs). OOH antibacterial and 4Cs prescribing represented relatively small proportions over the 7-year period in relation to PC, ranging between 2.7%-3.2% and 3.6%-4.2%, respectively. Data revealed a decline in prescribing in PC as a whole and OOH services, reaching its lowest in 2020-21 when COVID-19 hit. Throughout the study, prescribing volume per 100,000 population decreased by 20.7% in PC and 31.2% in OOH services when examining all oral antibacterials, and by 40.9% and 38.5%, respectively, when examining 4Cs. Data from 2021-22 indicated a rise (14% in PC; 19% in OOH) in total antibacterial prescriptions from the previous year. Conclusion To our knowledge, this study is the first to examine oral antibacterial prescribing volume in Wales OOH services, revealing downward trends of prescribing in PC generally and OOH services. The reduction in PC was primarily driven by daytime prescribing, where most consultations usually take place. Various factors may contribute to this reduction, warranting further exploration of antimicrobial stewardship activities. Additionally, investigating COVID-19 potential impact on prescribing and its sustainability is crucial. Qualitative interviews are ongoing with lead antimicrobial pharmacists in Wales, to understand the observed trends and uncover their underlying driving causes.

Integration of Shared Micromobility into Public Transit: A Systematic Literature Review with Grey Literature

Shared micromobility services have become increasingly prevalent and indispensable as a means of transportation across diverse geographical regions. Integrating shared micromobility with public transit offers opportunities to complement fixed-route transit networks and address first- and last-mile issues. To explore this topic, a systematic literature review was conducted to consolidate knowledge, analyze research achievements and best practices, and provide future research recommendations. This study examined 108 journal papers from the Web of Science (WoS) core collection from 2016 to 2022, along with grey literature. Citation and co-citation analyses were performed to build and illustrate the literature’s bibliometric networks. This analysis categorized the literature into four major study themes: policy, sustainability, the interaction between shared micromobility and public transportation, and infrastructure. The implementation approaches of integrating shared micromobility and public transportation in different cities were classified into four categories: physical integration, payment and fee integration, informational integration, and institutional integration. The findings indicate that the relationship between shared micromobility and public transportation varies with spatial–temporal conditions and the population density of the city. Overall, integrating micromobility into public transit can offer faster and more cost-effective mobility options for most trips, contributing to urban resilience, a better air quality, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and livable communities. Based on these insights, further research is recommended to explore dynamic and context-specific strategies for successful shared micromobility and public transit integration, considering diverse urban settings and demographic factors.

Employee engagement in shared services in a regional university context

ABSTRACT A reflexive thematic analysis was used to identify factors that enhance and inhibit employee engagement amongst professional staff working in shared services teams in an Australian regional university. With efficient and effective client service delivery expected of people working in a shared services structure, employee buy-in and the need for them to feel engaged are important. However, little is known about the employee experiences of working in a shared services team. Despite this, shared services have become popular in universities by offering cost savings while improving service quality and output. We found that professional staff responded generally positively to working in a shared services team. Moreover, they indicated positive employee engagement when their working experiences responded to specific ‘rules of engagement’ applicable to their shared services environment.

Leveraging data to support health equity in an integrated delivery and finance system.

To accelerate healthcare transformation and advance health equity, scientists in learning health systems (LHSs) require ready access to integrated, comprehensive data that includes information on social determinants of health (SDOH). We describe how an integrated delivery and finance system leveraged its learning ecosystem to advance health equity through (a) a cross-sector initiative to integrate healthcare and human services data for better meeting clients' holistic needs and (b) a system-level initiative to collect and use patient-reported SDOH data for connecting patients to needed resources. Through these initiatives, we strengthened our health system's capacity to meet diverse patient needs, address health disparities, and improve health outcomes. By sharing and integrating healthcare and human services data, we identified 281 000 Shared Services Clients and enhanced care management for 100 adult Medicaid/Special Needs Plan members. Over a 1-year period, we screened 9173 (37%) patients across UPMC's Women's Health Services Line and connected over 700 individuals to social services and supports. Opportunities exist for LHSs to improve, expand, and sustain their innovative data practices. As learnings continue to emerge, LHSs will be well positioned to accelerate healthcare transformation and advance health equity.

Accelerating value function approximations for dynamic dial-a-ride problems via dimensionality reductions

As the success of ride-sharing mobility service providers shows, customer demand for shared mobility services is increasing. The availability of mobile devices enables the constant accessibility of mobility apps and the immediate placement of transport requests. To provide such a dynamic dial-a-ride service, an effective control of the fleet is necessary. One promising solution approach is the value function approximation (VFA), which on the one hand convinces through good performance, but on the other hand also stands out through fast response times for a request. Training a VFA can be a challenging task since, among other things, the dimensionality of the state space plays a decisive role. If many variables to describe a state are used, a high amount of information can produce good performance after completion of the learning process. If the state space is too high-dimensional, there is also a risk that the method will not be able to find a reasonable solution. In contrast, if the number of variables is reduced, the learning speed can be accelerated, but the eventual performance may suffer from the associated loss of information. Furthermore, not all variables are equally relevant, as they contain different amounts of information. This paper presents a hybrid strategy, temporarily lowering the dimensionality of the problem using dimension reduction methods and subsequently increasing it by mapping the lower-dimensional state representations back onto a high-dimensional state space in order to exploit the advantages of both space dimensionalities. VFA in itself results in competitive performance for the dynamic dial-a-ride problem with shared rides. The proposed hybrid state representation can outperform the reference state representations by 3%, which corresponds to a meaningful acceleration in VFA learning speed.

Equity issues associated with the widespread implementation of autonomous vehicles

Abstract Autonomous vehicles (AVs), either shared or privately owned, are predicted to become a common transport mode used by the general population in coming decades. Policies governing the use of AVs may increase or decrease social inequities. This review synthesizes existing literature and provides policy recommendations to enhance equity as the use of AVs becomes more widespread. We identified nine areas in which AVs could impact equity: (i) assessment of community mobility needs and priorities, (ii) education and outreach, (iii) disparities in infrastructure quality, (iv) equitable distribution of customer services, (v) access to AVs by persons with low incomes, (vi) shared infrastructure services, (vii) barriers to shared AV use, (viii) access to AVs by persons with disabilities and (ix) disruption of existing transportation jobs. Recommendations for promoting equitable use of AVs include (i) policies governing how jurisdictions oversee AV implementation and (ii) policies addressing how jurisdictions issue permits to AV service providers. Oversight policies include ensuring input from disadvantaged communities, providing subsidies for low-income users, establishing ride-sharing rules to protect vulnerable populations, reviewing the equity implications of proposed AV infrastructure improvements, providing retraining opportunities for those who may lose jobs due to AV implementation and monitoring the impact of AV policies implemented. Permitting processes include ensuring equitable access to AVs for low-income, minority, and older users and persons with disabilities, ensuring equitable distribution of AV service areas and verifying that data from all communities are incorporated into the artificial intelligence algorithms used to guide AVs.

Digital ethical reflection in home nursing care: Nurse leaders' and nurses' experiences.

Nurse leaders increasingly need effective tools that facilitate the prioritisation of ethics and help staff navigate ethical challenges and prevent moral distress. This study examined experiences with a new digital tool for ethical reflection, tailored to improve the capabilities of both leaders and employees in the context of municipal long-term care. The aim was to explore the experiences of nurse leaders and nurses in using Digital Ethical Reflection as a tool for ethics work in home nursing care. The study employed a qualitative design, incorporating individual and focus group interviews for data collection. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyse the data. The participants comprised six nurse leaders and 13 nurses, representing six home care zones across two Norwegian municipalities. The study involved informed, voluntary participation and was approved by the Norwegian Agency for Shared Services in Education and Research. Four themes were developed: a constant walk on the edge between engagement and discouragement and lost in translation describe the process, while tuning in to the ethical dimension and navigating ethical uncertainties illuminate the experienced significance of Digital Ethical Reflection. Success with Digital Ethical Reflection in home nursing care depends on clear leadership planning, nurses' understanding of the tool's purpose, and active use of digital registrations. Support from ethically interested nurses enhances overall engagement. Further research is needed to explore the potential of Digital Ethical Reflection as an additional tool in long-term care ethics work.

Exploring the Factors Affecting Shared Biking Perception: Insights from Turkey

Understanding consumer perception regarding shared biking services requires the analysis of psychological factors underlying the late diffusion of shared biking services. This approach alone has the potential to develop new business strategies that better respond to users’ needs and facilitate the spread of these mobility systems. By analyzing the factors influencing consumer perception of shared biking services, survey data from 330 respondents from Turkey were used. A structural equation modeling analysis was conducted to investigate consumer perceptions regarding shared biking through the analysis of psychological factors underlying the late diffusion of shared biking services. The statistical tools SPSS version 28 and AMOS version 28 were employed for data analysis. Findings showed that as consumers perceive shared biking services as useful and hedonic, their attitudes become more favorable. Importantly, highlighting the mediating role of compatibility, this study emphasizes the congruence among shared biking services, consumers’ lifestyles, and their traveling habits. Findings also suggest that the perceived complexity has a negative impact on shared biking attitudes. Interestingly, no significant relationship was found between perceived risk and shared biking attitude. The findings provide further support for innovation diffusion and theory of reasoned action, and developed a theoretical framework integrating variables related to both barriers and drivers, thus guiding future studies on the sharing economy. The study also provides insights with the potential to contribute to the development of service design and service marketing strategies that respond better to users’ needs, and also, to facilitate the spread of these mobility systems.

End-of-life care at home: Dignity of family caregivers.

Healthcare services are increasingly being shifted to home settings for patients nearing end-of-life. Consequently, the burden on family caregivers is significant. Their vulnerable situation remains poorly understood and there is little information available regarding their experiences of dignity. This study seeks to understand the experiences of family caregivers related to dignity and loss of dignity, aiming to provide a deeper insight into their situation when caring for a home-dwelling family member nearing end-of-life. This exploratory study consists of a second analysis combining data from two primary studies, including 24 family caregivers of a family member nearing end-of-life, and is founded upon Gadamer's philosophical hermeneutics. Approval was obtained from the Norwegian Agency for Shared Services in Education and Research and was based on voluntary participation, informed consent, and confidentiality. The following three main themes were identified: Having a meaningful existence within the living environment, being seen and valued as a family caregiver in relation with others and suffering in a space of loneliness. These contextual, relational, and existential perspectives were found to be closely interrelated. The dignity of family caregivers was closely tied to being seen as unique individuals, not merely caregivers, thereby requiring healthcare professionals (HCPs) to understand their personal needs. This study highlights the emotional distress and loneliness family caregivers feel in their dual role within the healthcare system, thereby calling for HCPs to adopt an attitude of gentleness and recognition to impart dignity-preserving care in homecare practices.