Staff Interest Research Articles

Social media for environmental sustainability awareness in higher education

PurposeThe explosion of social media use such as Facebook among higher education students is deemed to have great potential in widely disseminating environmental sustainability awareness. The paper aims to capture, summarise, synthesise and comment on the role of social media to garner interest of students and staff on environmental sustainability issues.Design/methodology/approachSystematic literature review technique is adopted, and three selected online databases were searched for relevant papers for review. Specific data were extracted from each paper, and the discussion section was based on the developed research questions.FindingsHigher education needs to fully leverage the ubiquity of social media to extend how environmental sustainability is viewed by the students and staff. Sustainability practices conducted at the university level such as recycling, reduction of electricity and water consumptions and paper reduction in classroom and used to engage students on environmental matters. For staff, social media can be leveraged as to convey the university policy and assist in their quest to become full-fledged green universities.Research limitations/implicationsSome of the limitations of this research include the lack of keyword search using synonyms or related terms equivalent to the term “awareness”, lack of forward and backward searches, and the papers were searched until end of 2013 only. Future research needs to take advantage of the current limitations to investigate this topic and be empirically supported by theories using quantitative, qualitative or mixed-method-based research. Future studies could also develop relevant frameworks to propose an effective use of social media for creating environmental sustainability awareness in higher education.Practical implicationsPropagations of environmental sustainability awareness in higher education would be more effective with the use of social media.Social implicationsIn principle, the increase of environmental awareness level would increase the students’ good behavioural conduct on environmental sustainability.Originality/valueWhile the broad topic of environmental sustainability in higher education is widely discussed, the role of social media in shaping environmental sustainability awareness is still under researched. This situation provides a significant potential for exploration by sustainability researchers to craft their investigation on the effective role of social media in creating environmental awareness in higher education.

Mental health and human rights in Morocco: The urgent need for new policy

IntroductionAll over the world, there is global emergency when it comes to respecting human rights in providing good mental health services. Morocco as an African and a developing country has always had a mental health policy defined by several glitches and failures, which had not helped him improve its mental health services quality. Nevertheless, huge improvements were achieved through time.ObjectivesThis report, aims to draw attention on how compulsory it is to think and act all together to promote mental health and provide patients with better health services in Morocco.MethodsThe National Human Rights Council conducted an information and investigation mission in Morocco's main mental health hospitals and facilities between March 27 and July 6, 2012.ResultsStructures are insufficient and inadequate in terms of geographical distribution, architecture and equipment. There is a big shortage of medical and paramedical staff and little interest is given to vulnerable groups. Nevertheless, huge improvements have also been achieved through time with mental health issues becoming a cornerstone of the ministerial program, the involvement of the NGOs, the construction of newer facilities, the implementation of an information gathering system and the presence of a substance use policy.ConclusionPsychiatry in Morocco has come a long way since it was firstly implemented in the country as a medical specialty. Undoubtedly, a lot has been done but much more remains to be achieved. The current situation requires relevant actions and that clearly includes the implementation of a new mental health policy and the update of the legal framework.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

MANAGERIAL CHALLENGES IN USING LEAN TECHNIQUES IN DESIGNING A COMPREHENSIVE CHARACTERIZATION OF ORGANIZATION LOGISTICS AND PHYSICAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM: A CASE OF DEPARTMENT OF FIELD SUPPORT (DFS), UNITED NATIONS

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the managerial challenges in using lean techniques in designing a comprehensive characterization of the organization logistics and physical distribution system. The study further sought to determine the extent to which these challenges impact the logistics and physical distribution of goods and informed managerial practices.Methodology: The study employed a qualitative research design. The study targeted all the senior managers at Director Levels at the GSC and the RSC and all the senior operational staff from supply chain and service delivery pillars in three (03) large Field Missions. These field missions are namely United Nations Stabilization Mission in Congo (MONUSCO); United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS); and the United Nations Support Office for AMISOM (UNSOA). This study used purposive sampling technique. The researcher purposively sampled fifteen (15) personnel; with three (03) participants each from the GSC, RSC, and three (03) participants each from the three (03) Field Mission. Primary data was obtained from the original sources using questionnaires and interview.Findings: The results revealed that DFS did face various challenges in the implementation of lean strategies and that the operational difficulties experienced within its operations across field missions resulted in reduced customer satisfaction, increased supplier lead time and increased operational costs. The respondents indicated that they experienced a lack of understanding of the complexity of supply chain at the senior leadership level whereby most initiatives are tainted with personal agenda as a consequent the biggest hurdle to overcome is gaining enthusiasm and trust of the staff. They also indicated that there is a high risk of asset waste and loss due to assets remaining in stock for over one year without use. Further, they indicated that there are weaknesses in the management of construction or “self-constructed” projects; and weaknesses in the restructuring of the department of peacekeeping operations.Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study recommends that DFS should foster a continuous performance improvement mindset among staffs through planning, doing, checking and taking corrective actions on a balanced scorecard that integrates and aligns staff motivation and interest to the objectives of the organization. Also, objective and fair work plan and performance management are an ingredient to foster continuous improvement

MANAGERIAL CHALLENGES IN USING LEAN TECHNIQUES IN DESIGNING A COMPREHENSIVE CHARACTERIZATION OF ORGANIZATION LOGISTICS AND PHYSICAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM: A CASE OF DEPARTMENT OF FIELD SUPPORT (DFS), UNITED NATIONS

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the managerial challenges in using lean techniques in designing a comprehensive characterization of the organization logistics and physical distribution system. The study further sought to determine the extent to which these challenges impact the logistics and physical distribution of goods and informed managerial practices.Methodology: The study employed a qualitative research design. The study targeted all the senior managers at Director Levels at the GSC and the RSC and all the senior operational staff from supply chain and service delivery pillars in three (03) large Field Missions. These field missions are namely United Nations Stabilization Mission in Congo (MONUSCO); United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS); and the United Nations Support Office for AMISOM (UNSOA). This study used purposive sampling technique. The researcher purposively sampled fifteen (15) personnel; with three (03) participants each from the GSC, RSC, and three (03) participants each from the three (03) Field Mission. Primary data was obtained from the original sources using questionnaires and interview.Findings: The results revealed that DFS did face various challenges in the implementation of lean strategies and that the operational difficulties experienced within its operations across field missions resulted in reduced customer satisfaction, increased supplier lead time and increased operational costs. The respondents indicated that they experienced a lack of understanding of the complexity of supply chain at the senior leadership level whereby most initiatives are tainted with personal agenda as a consequent the biggest hurdle to overcome is gaining enthusiasm and trust of the staff. They also indicated that there is a high risk of asset waste and loss due to assets remaining in stock for over one year without use. Further, they indicated that there are weaknesses in the management of construction or “self-constructed” projects; and weaknesses in the restructuring of the department of peacekeeping operations.Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study recommends that DFS should foster a continuous performance improvement mindset among staffs through planning, doing, checking and taking corrective actions on a balanced scorecard that integrates and aligns staff motivation and interest to the objectives of the organization. Also, objective and fair work plan and performance management are an ingredient to foster continuous improvement

Implementation of cardiovascular disease prevention in primary health care: enhancing understanding using normalisation process theory

BackgroundThe reorientation of primary health care towards prevention is fundamental to addressing the rising burden of chronic disease. However, in Australia, cardiovascular disease prevention practice in primary health care is not generally consistent with existing guidelines. The Model for Prevention study was a whole-of-system cardiovascular disease prevention intervention, with one component being enhanced lifestyle modification support and addition of a health coaching service in the general practice setting. To determine the feasibility of translating intervention outcomes into real world practice, implementation work done by stakeholders was examined using Normalisation Process Theory as a framework.MethodsData was collected through interviews with 40 intervention participants and included general practitioners, practice nurses, practice managers, lifestyle advisors and participants. Data analysis was informed by normalisation process theory constructs.ResultsStakeholders were in agreement that, while prevention is a key function of general practice, it was not their usual work. There were varying levels of engagement with the intervention by practice staff due to staff interest, capacity and turnover, but most staff reconfigured their work for required activities. The Lifestyle Advisors believed staff had varied levels of interest in and understanding of, their service, but most staff felt their role was useful. Patients expanded their existing relationships with their general practice, and most achieved their lifestyle modification goals.While the study highlighted the complex nature of the change required, many of the new or enhanced processes implemented as part of the intervention could be scaled up to improve the systems approach to prevention. Overcoming the barriers to change, such as the perception of CVD prevention as a ‘hard sell’, is going to rely on improving the value proposition for all stakeholders.ConclusionsThe study provided a detailed understanding of the work required to implement a complex cardiovascular disease prevention intervention within general practice. The findings highlighted the need for multiple strategies that engage all stakeholders. Normalisation process theory was a useful framework for guiding change implementation.

INFLUENCE OF LEAN STRATEGIES ON COST AND REDUCING NONE VALUE ADDED SERVICES IN THE OPERATIONS OF THE UN SERVICE CENTERS: A CASE OF DEPARTMENT OF FIELD SUPPORT (DFS), UNITED NATIONS

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to establish the influence of lean strategies on cost and reducing none value added services in the operations of the UN Service Centers and to explore the extent to which the Global Service Center (GSC) and the Regional Service Center (RSC) are useful tools in fostering service delivery through a robust SCM system.Methodology: The study employed a qualitative research design. The study targeted all the senior managers at Director Levels at the GSC and the RSC and all the senior operational staff from supply chain and service delivery pillars in three (03) large Field Missions. These field missions are namely United Nations Stabilization Mission in Congo (MONUSCO); United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS); and the United Nations Support Office for AMISOM (UNSOA). This study used purposive sampling technique. The researcher purposively sampled fifteen (15) personnel; with three (03) participants each from the GSC, RSC, and three (03) participants each from the three (03) Field Mission. Primary data was obtained from the original sources using questionnaires and interview.Findings: Results revealed that the use of lean strategies had not produced any noticeable result because of its infancy. Results also revealed that the use of lean strategies assisted the DFS gained economy of scale, centralization, standardization and higher global visibility on resources across Field Missions. Furthermore, results also showed that with the use of lean strategies, the DFS was able to transfer core supply chain functions from LSD to GSC. For instance, Global Asset Management is one example, and it allowed for better global visibility of resources across the organization. Results showed that UN Service Centers and Field Mission did not understand the needs of the end customer. Hence, the DFS ought to make changes on its operations in a bid to achieve customer satisfaction. Results showed that UN Service Centers and Field Mission did not understand the needs of the end customer. Hence, the DFS ought to make changes on its operations in a bid to achieve customer satisfaction. The results revealed that GSC and RSC-E as tools are quite useful, but there is still room for improvement. The results also revealed that GSC and RSC-E as tools have strengthened the Department's capacity as well as the asset management. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study recommends the incorporation of balanced performance knowledge in the integration of people, processes, technology and customer service level to ensure customer satisfaction while proving economy and effectiveness in dedicated resources. Shared and remote services help optimize resources, minimize the number of support staff in danger zones, balance workload and ensure business continuity. The study also recommends that DFS should foster a continuous performance improvement mindset among staff through planning, doing, checking and taking corrective actions on a balanced scorecard that integrates and aligns staff motivation and interest to the objectives of the organization. Also, objective and fair work plan and performance management are an ingredient to foster continuous improvement.

Feeling unsafe in the healthcare setting: patients' perspectives.

This literature review aimed to discover the factors that contribute to patients feeling unsafe in the healthcare setting. Electronic searches were undertaken using three databases to examine publications from 2002 to 2016. The design used a modified Cooper's (1982) five-stage integrative review method. Fourteen articles were identified, producing seven themes: information and communication, loss of control, staff presence, impersonal care, patients' vulnerable emotional and physical state, not being taken seriously, and the patient perception of of a lack of staff experience, knowledge, proactivity and interest. The findings suggest that, in maintaining a quality service for patients, nurses can contribute to the reduction of patients' feelings of being unsafe and vulnerable. Patients do not just feel unsafe when errors occur, but also when service quality is noticeably poor. Where lack of quality is perceived as an indication of potential threat, this lack may contribute to patients feeling unsafe within the healthcare setting.

INFLUENCE OF LEAN STRATEGIES ON COST AND REDUCING NONE VALUE ADDED SERVICES IN THE OPERATIONS OF THE UN SERVICE CENTERS: A CASE OF DEPARTMENT OF FIELD SUPPORT (DFS), UNITED NATIONS

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to establish the influence of lean strategies on cost and reducing none value added services in the operations of the UN Service Centers and to explore the extent to which the Global Service Center (GSC) and the Regional Service Center (RSC) are useful tools in fostering service delivery through a robust SCM system.Methodology: The study employed a qualitative research design. The study targeted all the senior managers at Director Levels at the GSC and the RSC and all the senior operational staff from supply chain and service delivery pillars in three (03) large Field Missions. These field missions are namely United Nations Stabilization Mission in Congo (MONUSCO); United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS); and the United Nations Support Office for AMISOM (UNSOA). This study used purposive sampling technique. The researcher purposively sampled fifteen (15) personnel; with three (03) participants each from the GSC, RSC, and three (03) participants each from the three (03) Field Mission. Primary data was obtained from the original sources using questionnaires and interview.Findings: Results revealed that the use of lean strategies had not produced any noticeable result because of its infancy. Results also revealed that the use of lean strategies assisted the DFS gained economy of scale, centralization, standardization and higher global visibility on resources across Field Missions. Furthermore, results also showed that with the use of lean strategies, the DFS was able to transfer core supply chain functions from LSD to GSC. For instance, Global Asset Management is one example, and it allowed for better global visibility of resources across the organization. Results showed that UN Service Centers and Field Mission did not understand the needs of the end customer. Hence, the DFS ought to make changes on its operations in a bid to achieve customer satisfaction. Results showed that UN Service Centers and Field Mission did not understand the needs of the end customer. Hence, the DFS ought to make changes on its operations in a bid to achieve customer satisfaction. The results revealed that GSC and RSC-E as tools are quite useful, but there is still room for improvement. The results also revealed that GSC and RSC-E as tools have strengthened the Department's capacity as well as the asset management. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study recommends the incorporation of balanced performance knowledge in the integration of people, processes, technology and customer service level to ensure customer satisfaction while proving economy and effectiveness in dedicated resources. Shared and remote services help optimize resources, minimize the number of support staff in danger zones, balance workload and ensure business continuity. The study also recommends that DFS should foster a continuous performance improvement mindset among staff through planning, doing, checking and taking corrective actions on a balanced scorecard that integrates and aligns staff motivation and interest to the objectives of the organization. Also, objective and fair work plan and performance management are an ingredient to foster continuous improvement.

Barriers, facilitators, and benefits of implementation of dialectical behavior therapy in routine care: results from a national program evaluation survey in the Veterans Health Administration.

National implementation of evidence-based psychotherapies (EBPs) in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) provides important lessons on the barriers and facilitators to implementation in a large healthcare system. Little is known about barriers and facilitators to the implementation of a complex EBP for emotional and behavioral dysregulation-dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). The purpose of this study was to understand VHA clinicians' experiences with barriers, facilitators, and benefits from implementing DBT into routine care. This national program evaluation survey measured site characteristics of VHA sites (N=59) that had implemented DBT. DBT was most often implemented in general mental health outpatient clinics. While 42% of sites offered all four modes of DBT, skills group was the most frequently implemented mode. Fifty-nine percent of sites offered phone coaching in any form, yet only 11% of those offered it all the time. Providers were often provided little to no time to support implementation of DBT. Barriers that were difficult to overcome were related to phone coaching outside of business hours. Facilitators to implementation included staff interest and expertise. Perceived benefits included increased hope and functioning for clients, greater self-efficacy and compassion for providers, and ability to treat unique symptoms for clinics. There was considerable variability in the capacity to address implementation barriers among sites implementing DBT in VHA routine care. Mental health policy makers should note the barriers and facilitators reported here, with specific attention to phone coaching barriers.

Quality Indicators in Laboratory Medicine: the status of the progress of IFCC Working Group "Laboratory Errors and Patient Safety" project.

The knowledge of error rates is essential in all clinical laboratories as it enables them to accurately identify their risk level, and compare it with those of other laboratories in order to evaluate their performance in relation to the State-of-the-Art (i.e. benchmarking) and define priorities for improvement actions. Although no activity is risk free, it is widely accepted that the risk of error is minimized by the use of Quality Indicators (QIs) managed as a part of laboratory improvement strategy and proven to be suitable monitoring and improvement tools. The purpose of QIs is to keep the error risk at a level that minimizes the likelihood of patients. However, identifying a suitable State-of-the-Art is challenging, because it calls for the knowledge of error rates measured in a variety of laboratories throughout world that differ in their organization and management, context, and the population they serve. Moreover, it also depends on the choice of the events to keep under control and the individual procedure for measurement. Although many laboratory professionals believe that the systemic use of QIs in Laboratory Medicine may be effective in decreasing errors occurring throughout the total testing process (TTP), to improve patient safety as well as to satisfy the requirements of International Standard ISO 15189, they find it difficult to maintain standardized and systematic data collection, and to promote continued high level of interest, commitment and dedication in the entire staff. Although many laboratories worldwide express a willingness to participate to the Model of QIs (MQI) project of IFCC Working Group "Laboratory Errors and Patient Safety", few systematically enter/record their own results and/or use a number of QIs designed to cover all phases of the TTP. Many laboratories justify their inadequate participation in data collection of QIs by claiming that the number of QIs included in the MQI is excessive. However, an analysis of results suggests that QIs need to be split into further measurements. As the International Standard on Laboratory Accreditation and approved guidelines do not specify the appropriate number of QIs to be used in the laboratory, and the MQI project does not compel laboratories to use all the QIs proposed, it appears appropriate to include in the MQI all the indicators of apparent utility in monitoring critical activities. The individual laboratory should also be able to decide how many and which QIs can be adopted. In conclusion, the MQI project is proving to be an important tool that, besides providing the TTP error rate and spreading the importance of the use of QIs in enhancing patient safety, highlights critical aspects compromising the widespread and appropriate use of QIs.

The Evolution of Russian Military Thought: Integrating Hybrid, New-Generation, and New-Type Thinking

ABSTRACTThis article highlights both the evolution of Russian thinking and Russian General Staff interest in a concept known as new-type warfare. In early 2015, General-Lieutenant A. V. Kartapolov, then director of the Russian General Staff’s Main Operation’s Directorate, both explained the concept in an article written for the Journal of the Academy of Military Science and provided a schematic visualization of the concept. Before this revelation, Western analysts had thought that the Russian military was using either hybrid warfare concepts or new-generation warfare (NGW) means. In response to these assertions from the West, Russian military officers stated that they do not conduct hybrid war, noting clearly that this is a Western method for waging modern war. However, two retired Russian officers did write extensively on NGW in 2012 and 2013, which prompted much discussion in the West. This concept was not directly refuted by Russian military officers, which may mean it is still a relevant way to consider warfare within the ranks of military professionals. At this moment, however, with General Staff backing, it appears that the new-type warfare concept has won out over NGW, although an evolution and integration of thinking is also apparent in the progression from hybrid, to NGW, to new-type warfare.

Проблемы управления человеческими ресурсами в индустрии гостеприимства

The article is devoted to the practice-oriented issues in hospitality industry. The work presents new trends in modern requirements for staff in tourism and hotel industry. The authors on the basis of estimations the industry´s leading experts and own practical convictions assert that the effectiveness of personnel interaction with partners and customers is a structural constructed field of activity and affects the competitiveness of businesses in general. New conceptual understanding of human resources management includes scientific administration, interconnection of social and psychological characteristics of each employee´s with labor productivity and formation of staff interest in the results of operations. In this regard, it is interesting to study the influence of these factors on the work of staff in hospitality industry. This article discusses the actual needs of the work with staff in the departments of HR (human resources), and, in present conditions, the demand for the following approaches: remote employment, flexibility in competence and professionalism, continuing education, fast adaptation and the staff involvement in the company work process.

Social Dialogue on European Railways: Search for a Balance

The reform of the railways in the EU was followed by strengthening of the position of the industry in the transport market, and at the same time by the necessary support rendered to rail companies that perform important social functions. In this context, the authors distinguish the activities of the committee for social dialogue in the railway transport, which, in cooperation with the European Commission carries out projects and prepares decisions designed to protect the interests of staff, labor rights of wage earners, and simultaneously preserves the opportunity for mutually beneficial cooperation between trade unions, businesses and governments.

National Survey of US academic anesthesiology chairs on clinician wellness

Study objectiveThe prevalence of anesthesiology department wellness programs is unknown. A database of wellness programs is needed as a resource for departments attempting to respond to the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Anesthesiology Milestones Project. The purpose of this study was to survey academic anesthesiology chairs on wellness issues, characterize initiatives, and establish wellness contacts for a Wellness Initiative Database (WID). DesignAn Internet-based survey instrument was distributed to academic anesthesiology department chairs in the United States. SettingOn-line. PatientsNone. InterventionsNone. MeasurementsAnalysis for continuous variables used standard means, modes, and averages for individual responses; 95% confidence intervals for proportions were calculated by Wilson's method. Main resultsSeventy-five (56.4%) responses (of a potential 133 programs) were obtained. Forty-one (of 71 responders; 57.8%) expressed interest in participating in a WID, and 33 (44%) provided contact information. Most (74.7%) had recently referred staff for counseling or wellness resources, yet many (79.5% and 67.1%, respectively) had never surveyed their department's interest in wellness resources. Thirty-four percent had a wellness resources repository. Of 22 wellness topics, 8 garnered >60% strong interest from respondents: Addiction Counseling, Sleep Hygiene, Peer Support Program, Stress Management, Conflict Management, Burnout Counseling, Time Management, and Dealing with Adverse Events Training. There was a statistically significant difference in interest between those willing to participate or not in the WID across most topics but no significant difference based on need for recent staff referral. ConclusionsThe majority of chairs needed to recently refer a department member to wellness resources or counseling. Most were interested in participating in a WID, whereas a minority had gauged staff interest in wellness topics or had a wellness resource repository. Highest interest was in topics most related to function as an anesthesiologist. Those willing to participate in the database had statistically significant differences in interest across most wellness topics.

Thinking Outside of Outpatient: Underutilized Settings for Psychotherapy Education.

Although psychiatry residents are expected to achieve competency in conducting psychotherapy during their training, it is unclear how psychotherapy teaching is integrated across diverse clinical settings. Between January and March 2015, 177 psychiatry residency training directors were sent a survey asking about psychotherapy training practices in their programs, as well as perceived barriers to psychotherapy teaching. Eighty-two training directors (44%) completed the survey. While 95% indicated that psychotherapy was a formal learning objective for outpatient clinic rotations, fifty percent or fewer noted psychotherapy was a learning objective in other settings. Most program directors would like to see psychotherapy training included (particularly supportive psychotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy) on inpatient (82%) and consultation-liaison settings (57%). The most common barriers identified to teaching psychotherapy in these settings were time and perceived inadequate staff training and interest. Non-outpatient rotations appear to be an underutilized setting for psychotherapy teaching.

СОЦІАЛЬНА РЕЗУЛЬТАТИВНІСТЬ СУБ’ЄКТІВ ПІДПРИЄМНИЦЬКОЇ ДІЯЛЬНОСТІ

Стаття спрямована на дослідження соціальної результативності суб’єктів підприємницької діяльності. Соціальний аспект підприємництва стає необхідною компонентою ділового успіху, зростання прибутковості та конкурентоспроможності, а також мінімізації ризиків. Соціальна результативності представлена як відповідність розвитку господарської діяльності основним соціальним потребам і цілям суспільства, інтересам трудового колективу і окремої людини. Дослідження соціальної результативності суб’єктів підприємницької діяльності запропоновано аналізувати за допомогою соціальних факторів. Соціальні фактори характеризуються мінливістю очікувань, відносин та інтересам суспільства, колективу чи індивіда.
 Запропонована узагальнена класифікація факторів, що здійснюють вплив на соціальну результативність підприємницької діяльності, виділено зовнішні та внутрішні фактори. До зовнішніх факторів віднесли: рівень доходів населення; диференціація населення за доходами; міграційні процеси; рівень заробітної плати; рівень легалізованості доходів населення; сімейний статус населення; рівень зайнятості населення; вікова структура населення тощо. Стосовно внутрішніх факторів, то доцільно виділити наступні: низький рівень професійної базової підготовки, використання низько кваліфікованих працівників, відсутність умов для застосування креативних здібностей, недосконалість ефективної системи мотивації професійного зростання, відсутність спеціалізованих центрів для підвищення кваліфікації тощо. Кількісний та якісний аналіз вище зазначених факторів дасть змогу визначити рівень соціальної результативності суб’єктів підприємницької діяльності.
 Для аналізу ступеня впливу факторів на результативність діяльності розроблена анкета експертного оцінювання, яка представлена у вигляді оціночної шкали.
 Проведене анкетування та оброблення думок експертів і визначений ступінь впливу факторів на соціальну результативність підприємницької діяльності. Оцінка рівня соціальної результативності суб’єктів підприємницької діяльності експортним методом конкретного фактора і представлена формулою. Шкала оцінки рівня соціальної результативності суб’єктів підприємницької діяльності у відсотковому еквіваленті за окремими факторами: 100-90 – високий рівень; 89-75 – середній рівень; 74-60 – задовільний рівень; 59-40 – низький рівень; 30-0 – відсутній рівень.
 В статті окремо розраховані рівні соціальної результативності суб’єктів підприємницької діяльності для зовнішніх та внутрішніх факторів. Встановлено, що і зовнішні, і внутрішні фактори знаходяться на середньому рівні, тобто попадають в проміжок 89%-75%.
 Дані розрахунки демонструють резерв для підвищення соціальної результативності суб’єктів підприємницької діяльності. Основні заходи щодо підвищення соціальної результативності суб’єктів підприємницької діяльності доцільно об’єднати в наступні групи: науково-технічна група; організаційно-економічна група; соціально-психологічна група; зовнішньоекономічна група. Дані резерви дозволяють максимально скоротити резерв рівня соціальної результативності суб’єктів підприємницької діяльності, що, у свою чергу, підвищить їхню ефективність і конкурентоспроможність, а також знизить підприємницькі ризики.
 Отже, зростання результативності виявляється в максимізації соціального та економічного ефекту і мінімізації робочого часу. Соціальний результат суб’єктів підприємницької діяльності знаходить вираження у забезпеченні кращих умов життя створюються передумови для майбутнього розвитку як колективу, так і індивіда загалом. Механізм соціальної результативності суб’єктів підприємницької діяльності є основою розвитку, переходу від простих до складних потреб, від матеріальних до духовних, від економічних до політичних, отже, до всебічно розвиненої індивідуальності. При цьому вищі потреби повинні розглядатись як головне багатство суспільства, головний чинник його економічного і соціального прогресу. Суперечність між необмеженим зростанням соціальних і економічних потреб та обмеженими ресурсами додаткового часу, який може бути спрямований для задоволення їх в кожний певний момент, виступає рушійною силою соціально-економічного розвитку.

Meet the AMDA Medical Director of the Year Nominees

Meet the AMDA Medical Director of the Year Nominees

Implementing caseload midwifery: Exploring the views of maternity managers in Australia - A national cross-sectional survey.

The benefits of caseload midwifery care are clearly documented, and many policy documents in Australia support its expansion. Despite this, little is known about the availability of caseload across Australia, nor about what proportion of women have access to a caseload model. This paper describes caseload midwifery in the public maternity system in Australia; its prevalence, and factors associated with implementation and sustainability. A cross-sectional online survey of maternity managers of public hospitals that provide birthing services throughout Australia. Sixty-three percent (149/235) of eligible participants responded. Respondents were from all states and territories, metropolitan, regional and remote areas, and from hospitals with very small to very large birth numbers. Only 31% reported that their hospital offers caseload midwifery, and an estimated eight percent of women received caseload care at the time of the survey, most of whom were considered to be of 'low obstetric risk'. Many respondents were planning to implement or expand caseload. Key factors associated with the implementation of caseload were funding to establish the model, the interest and availability of staff to work in the model, organisational support and perceived consumer demand. This is the first study to explore caseload implementation at a national level. Although the number of services offering caseload midwifery care has increased nationally, access remains relatively limited. Women who live in metropolitan areas and who are considered at 'low obstetric risk' are most likely to be able to access this model. Funding and support for establishing new models are the main barriers to implementation.

Welcoming and celebrating diversity: The Uniting journey of learning on inclusive practice

Welcoming and celebrating diversity: The Uniting journey of learning on inclusive practice

Trust and Reliability in Building Perfect University

Building perfect university is certainly a difficult and lengthy process which must participate jointly and responsibly all members of the university on: university's executive, teachers, research, administrative and support staff, as well as students. Perfect university is characterized by many attributes, both quantitative and qualitative. The purpose of paper is focus attention on trust and reliability that can be assigned to qualitative attributes. The methodological part contains the results of a questionnaire survey conducted on a sample of 150 students of University of Zilina. The students were asked to identify the importance of certain attributes of the perfect university. From the viewpoint of attribute the trust, we investigated the importance that students assigned to the following two characteristics: 1) early implementation of the promises made by the university; 2. behavior of teachers and staff that inspires trust of the students. In the light of attribute the reliability, we examined the importance of these two characteristics: 1) having the well-educated teachers, capable of answering to the students’ questions; 2) interest and support of teachers and staff in solving students’ problems. On the basis of statistical processing of the results and other methods (analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, generalization, comparison, etc.), the creative part of the paper contains some recommendations that could executives of universities use in their quest to become the perfect university.