Staff Problems Research Articles

Sense of place in providers’ perspectives of school placement policies in relation to refugee settlement in rural Sweden

During the initial phase of the refugee wave in 2015 rural municipalities in Sweden were obliged for the first time to receive refugees. Some rural officials welcomed refugees in hopes that it would counter population declines and future staffing problems. Some officials also referred to rural areas as idylls for reception, well equipped for reception arguing that small places are better for integration. This raised placement issues, which varied widely among three identified categories of municipalities (tourist towns and/or sparsely populated areas, de/industrialised towns, and small villages). We explored these issues by interviewing respondents in 21 municipalities. We selected three municipalities to represent the three categories and analysed responses of our informants within them to obtain insights into their views of the refugees' reception and associated issues. For this we applied a Masseyian ‘sense of place’ and ‘power geometry’ theoretical framework. Wide variations among municipalities were reported. However, common themes included: a lack of relevant training initially; rapid establishment of organisational arrangements and competences; segregation in some municipalities due to placement in segregated housing (which raised informants' awareness of social class-based divisions); and changes in status or requirements for migrants to relocate (with very little warning) that severely impacted the refugees' transitions. The results clearly indicate needs for more long-term and robust policies to avoid problems associated with refugees' ‘liminal citizenship’ and weak power, with consequent impacts on their educational transitions and subsequent prospects.

СТОМАТОЛОГИЧЕСКОЕ ОБРАЗОВАНИЕ В ПРИАРКТИЧЕСКИХ СТРАНАХ

The structures of dental education in near-Arctic countries and regions at all levels are considered and the place of the pedagogical component is increased in them. It was noted that the actively functioning structures of additional vocational education (DPO) in 8 countries of the Arctic Council (Denmark, Iceland, Canada, Norway, the Russian Federation, the USA, Finland, Sweden) determine the dynamics of the assimilation by practicing dentists and maxillofacial surgeons of the use of the latest high-tech technologies, and in recent decades also a complex of humanities, primarily psychology and sociology. This increases the role of the pedagogical component in the system of their professional training of dentists and maxillofacial surgeons; the experience of organizing training processes in this direction is also in demand by the structures of domestic dental education. Its parameters are characterized taking into account the specifics of the Arctic zone, including ensuring the health of teeth and oral cavity of representatives of small indigenous peoples; problems of staffing of dentists and maxillofacial surgeons and improvement of their qualification level are analyzed. Due to the coordination of educational and research activities, the postgraduate education system is characterized by the transfer of the latest skills and techniques in dental education.

Implementation of Intrahospital Transfer Strategy During COVID-19 and Identification of Success Factors Based on DEMATEL Technique.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant strain on world health care systems. The lack of trained and experienced staff was a complicated issue during the pandemic. To overcome insufficient staffing problems, the intrahospital transfer (IHT) strategy was implemented at Milad Hospital in Tehran during COVID-19. We evaluated the effectiveness of the IHT strategy in order to determine whether the strategy should be continued post-COVID. Six supervisors with experience in COVID-19 wards and the IHT strategy were consulted to identify the advantages of continuing the IHT strategy and to evaluate the success and continuation of IHT factors. Then, the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method was used to establish a network of influence relationships among IHT strategy factors' success. The result showed that all criteria except increasing patient satisfaction (C1) and reducing waste of time (C8) are cause-and-effect criteria that affected other criteria. The research findings have implications for improving the day-to-day experience of staff navigating transfers of patients between wards and paraclinic units. This study also highlights the theoretical value of the cross-disciplinary integration of medical decision issues and multiple-attribute decision-making methodologies.

Rethinking European immigration waves and conclusions for the modernization and corporatization of Ukrainian large state-owned enterprises

The paper is dedicated to rethinking European immigration waves and drawing conclusions for the modernization and corporatization of large state-owned enterprises in Ukraine. This is significant for developing effective strategies for integrating migrants, enhancing management transparency, and ensuring sustainable economic development in Ukraine, as well as for implementing European practices and developing new digitalized Ukrainian practices of transparency and accountability in managing state-owned enterprises. The article begins with a review of the European experience of two immigration waves over the past 30 years, which created “immigration shocks” and contributed to a sharp increase in public attention to immigration issues, as well as structuring political competition on both the supply and demand sides of democratic representation. Based on this, the author’s vision is proposed on how this European experience can be applied to the not very popular among scholars and politicians in Ukraine and the EU, but economically significant for Ukraine, theme of promoting broad modernization of Ukrainian society and, in particular, supporting the corporatization of large state-owned enterprises, such as JSC “Ukrzaliznytsia”. The conclusion is made that state-owned corporations in Ukraine, facing a shortage of labor due to war and migration, can adapt the EU’s experience in managing migration to solve their staffing problems: a) develop targeted programs to attract qualified personnel from abroad, including the Ukrainian diaspora; b) create attractive working conditions and social packages to retain existing employees and attract new ones; c) invest in training and qualification improvement programs for local employees; d) implement more automation and digitalization processes to reduce dependence on manual labor; e) cooperate with the government to develop special visa programs for attracting foreign specialists in critically important sectors.

СУЩНОСТЬ И МЕХАНИЗМА РЕАЛИЗАЦИИ ГОСУДАРСТВЕННОЙ ПОЛИТИКИ КАДРОВОГО ОБЕСПЕЧЕНИЯ ВЫСОКОТЕХНОЛОГИЧНЫХ КОМПАНИЙ

Staffing is a significant part of the labour market. In modern conditions, the staffing process is not only designed by the state but also with the involvement of companies and industries which usually includes such stages as: the formation of personnel requests, personnel training, and their professional development. Due to the evolution of industries into high-tech industries, there are certain advanced skills demanded in labourers by the high-tech companies in the 21st century. States need to focus on developing, reskilling and upskilling modern labour to fulfil the demand of the market together by having active and productive collaboration with high-tech companies. This article describes the definition of high-tech companies formulated by the author and classifies the criteria of high-tech specialties based on the example of Russia and India which helps to understand the theoretical and practical aspects of staffing the high-tech specialists. The article also classifies the problems of staffing high-tech specialists by the high-tech companies which can include the aspects of education and training of highly qualified specialists such as retraining, advanced training of employees, planning and forecasting of producing high-tech specialists, recruitment, selection and finally control & assessment of the quantitative and qualitative composition of employees. After classifying the problems of staffing, the author concludes the mechanism for implementing the state policy of staffing high-tech companies which would be useful for the government to develop effective and productive policies of staffing high-tech specialties for high-tech companies. The purpose of the topic is to determine the essence and mechanism of implementation of the state policy of staffing high-tech industries Objective: 1) classify the criteria of highly qualified specialists; 2) state the definition of high-tech companies; 3) classify the problems of staffing in high-tech companies; 4) conclude mechanism for implementing the state policy of staffing high-tech companies. Methodology. The theoretical basis of the article is formulated based on the study and understanding of the works of prominent Russian economists, which explore issues of staffing on a systematic approach to reveal the integrity of the staffing mechanism.

Neuer Aufbruch ins globale Bankgeschäft: Die Personal- und Steuerungsprobleme der Deutschen Bank beim Einstieg ins internationale Investmentbanking

Abstract The article examines the genesis, perception and handling of the staffing and governance problems of Deutsche Bank, which stemmed from its entry into international investment banking in the mid-1980s and which have remained virulent into the bank’s recent past. Why was it not possible to prevent the blatant, extremely costly and permanently reputation-damaging breaches of rules by many investment bankers in this business area? An important explanatory factor seems to be the only half-hearted adherence to the concept of a global universal bank with integrated investment banking, while investment banking – which expanded strongly through the acquisitions of Morgan Grenfell (1989) and Bankers Trust (1998) – was de facto granted extensive autonomy within the group and a continuous but not precisely recorded transfer of resources by the parent company.

Проблемные вопросы практической подготовки сотрудников полиции зарубежных стран и Российской Федерации на этапе учебной практики

Introduction. In the current economic and political realities, the modern activity of a policeman requires from him not only professional theoretical knowledge, but also practical skills, endurance, stress resistance and strong psychological skills. The relevance of this issue is explained by the need for solving staffing problems in view of growing threats and the rise in crime, as well as for increasing the level of practical training of police officers in emergency situations, which begins at the internship stage, and is the basic form of training future specialists of Internal Affairs Bodies. Theoretical analysis. The purpose of the article is to reveal the distinctive features and organizational problems of practical training of police officers in the course of educational and quasi – professional activities. Empirical analysis allowed us to confirm the theoretical positions obtained during the survey on the basis of the Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement, and Moscow University of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia named after V. Ya. Kikot. Conclusion. As a result of the conducted research, a general conclusion is formulated about the relevance of the problem of police officers' professional training and the need for finding approaches to its organization and developing a comprehensive model of training practices.

Staffing in the Hospitality Industry of the Kursk Region: Finding a Solution to the Problem

Relevance. The relevance of the study is determined by the rapid development of domestic tourism, which revealed the most important problem of the industry - the shortage of professional personnel. In order not to lose the growing interest of travelers in new areas of domestic tourism, it is necessary to improve the skills of employees of the hospitality industry as soon as possible and more effectively.The purpose of this study is to find a solution to the problem of staffing, which will ensure the quality of customer service of the hospitality industry in the Kursk region.Objectives: assessment of the dynamics of employment in the hospitality sector in the country and in the Kursk region; investigation of the causes of professional staff turnover; search for ways out of the crisis situation; development of proposals aimed at solving the problem of staffing in the hospitality industry of the Kursk region.Methodology. Within the framework of the study, materials of news agencies, standard methods of statistical processing were used; methods of scientific generalization, collection and processing of information, as well as methods of comparative and strategic analysis were applied.Results. The results of the study showed that the problem of staffing the hospitality industry in the Kursk region remains relevant and requires close attention. To solve it, it is necessary to combine the efforts of organizations of higher, secondary and additional education with the needs of employers in the hospitality industry.Conclusions. The dynamic and sustainable functioning and development of the hospitality industry requires solving the problem of staffing, including due to the high level of turnover of specialists. Educational organizations of different levels and professional associations do not ignore the emerging challenges and discuss the development of training programs for specialists in this field of activity.

Signal quality indices evaluation for robust ECG signal quality assessment systems

As the current healthcare system faces problems of budget, staffing, and equipment, telemedicine through wearable devices gives a means of solving them. However, their adoption by physicians is hampered by the quality of electrocardiogram (ECG) signals recorded outside the hospital setting. Due to the dynamic nature of the ECG and the noise that can occur in real-world conditions, Signal Quality Assessment (SQA) systems must use robust signal quality indices (SQIs). The aim of this study is twofold: to assess the robustness of the most commonly used SQIs and to report on their complexity in terms of computational speed. A total of 39 SQIs were explored, of which 16 were statistical, 7 were non-linear, 9 were frequency-based and 7 were based on QRS detectors. With 6 databases, we manually constructed 2 datasets containing many rhythms. Each signal was labelled as ‘acceptable’ or ‘unacceptable’ (subcategories: ‘motion artefacts’, ‘electromyogram noise’, ‘additive white Gaussian noise’, or ‘power line interference’). Our results showed that the performance of an SQI in distinguishing a good signal from a bad one depends on the type of noise. Furthermore, 23 SQIs were found to be robust. The analysis of their extraction time on 10-second signals revealed that statistics-based and frequency domain-based SQIs are the least complex with an average computational time of (mean: 1.40 ms, standard deviation: 1.30 ms), and (mean: 4.31 ms, standard deviation: 4.50 ms), respectively. Then, our results provide a basis for choosing SQIs to develop more general and faster SQAs.

The Integrated Problem of Construction Project Scheduling and Multiskilled Staff Assignment with Learning Effect

Effective multiskill resource scheduling requires comprehensive workforce assignments. Drawing on the multiskill project scheduling problem perspective, this study investigates the integrated problem of project scheduling and multiskilled staffing based on a more realistic perspective that human skill level is dynamic and has a variable activity duration caused by the learning effect. An integer linear programming model is innovatively constructed to solve the problem directly. Moreover, an adapted tabu search algorithm with six resource-oriented priority strategies is designed to solve large-scale problems efficiently. Based on a realistic construction project case and numerical instances, comprehensive computational experiments are conducted to validate the proposed algorithm. The findings reveal the impact of different resource strategies on project duration and personal skill growth, particularly through the optimization of project scheduling according to the dynamic scenarios. The research extends conventional project scheduling knowledge and its methods by solving complex scheduling problems for improved project objectives and employee value. In practice, the model and the algorithm can be integrated into the project management information system for strategizing a plan of project scheduling and staff assignment proactively.

Data-driven integrated home service staffing and capacity planning: Stochastic optimization approaches

We address a home service staffing and capacity planning (HSCP) problem under uncertainty. Specifically, given sets of providers, service types, and days in the planning horizon, we aim to determine the number of providers to hire (staffing) and the allocation of hired providers to different types of services (capacity planning). Data from a collaborating home services provider in Beijing demonstrate significant variability in customer demand within and across service types. Service duration is also random. The objective is to minimize the total cost associated with staffing, capacity allocation, over-staffing, and under-staffing. We propose two-stage stochastic programming (SP) and data-driven distributionally robust optimization (DRO) approaches to address demand and service time uncertainty considering two types of decision-makers, namely an everything-in-advance decision-maker (EA) and a flexible adjustment decision-maker (FA). In the EA models, we determine the staffing and capacity allocation decisions in the first stage before observing the demand. In the FA models, we make staffing decisions in the first stage and then determine the allocations based on demand realizations in the second stage. We derive equivalent mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) reformulations of the proposed DRO models for the EA decision-maker that can be implemented and efficiently solved using off-the-shelf optimization software. We propose a computationally efficient column-and-constraint generation algorithm with valid inequalities to solve the proposed DRO models for the FA decision-maker. Numerical experiments based on data from a home services provider in Beijing are used to compare the proposed approaches and illustrate the potential for impact in practice.

Reimagining HR Practices to Attract and Engage Gig Talent: An Organisational Perspective

At a time when the gig economy and gig work are getting increasingly popular and offering infinite possibilities and solutions to age-old staffing and skilling problems, this article aims to explore the challenges and opportunities posed by this new model of engagement from the lens of information technology industry and the need for a paradigm shift in HR practices in such organisations to attract and engage gig workers. The article extensively relies on a review of the extant literature on the topic, including papers published in reputed journals, reports, news articles, podcasts, TEDx talks and perspectives of HR practitioners gathered through one-to-one interviews. The findings corroborate the need for a completely different approach to managing gig workers, including reimagining workplace structures and organisational systems, designing inclusive policies and adopting progressive HR practices to create an employer brand that resonates with gig workers.

АНАЛІЗ ТРЕНДІВ РОЗВИТКУ РИНКУ ПРАЦІ В УКРАЇНІ: КЛЮЧОВІ ЗМІНИ ТА ВИКЛИКИ ВОЄННОГО ЧАСУ

The article is devoted to the generalization of the changes taking place in the labor market of Ukraine in the conditions of the war based on the analysis of its development trends, as well as the identification of challenges affecting the human resources of the economy. The relevance of the research topic is due to the fact that currently in Ukraine, business needs comprehensive and accessible information about the state and trends of the labor market in order to make sound management decisions in the field of personnel support and develop appropriate measures in response to the challenges experienced by the labor market in the conditions of martial law. The research was conducted using the information base of the State Employment Service, as well as on the basis of processing the results of surveys conducted by sociological groups and consulting companies. The dynamics of the unemployment rate in Ukraine and the load on 1 vacancy were analyzed, special attention was paid to the category of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the labor market. It was determined that IDPs are a potential source of solving the problem of business staffing in wartime conditions. The trends of the labor market of Ukraine in the conditions of war, which take place from the side of labor supply and demand, are summarized. The challenges of wartime, which the labor market of Ukraine feels most acutely, are defined as follows: settlement of the regional imbalance of the labor force; settlement of the professional and qualification imbalance in the labor market, in particular through the formation (in the updated system of professional education) of jobseekers with the skills required by the economy; promoting the integration of IDPs into the labor market of host communities; investing in the creation of new jobs with decent and inclusive working conditions; stimulation of effective employment of women and youth; spread of new forms of employment and support of self-employment.

On the Issue of the Kazakh Model of Transit

This article examines the Kazakh model of transit. An attempt is made to characterize January 2022 events (protests and violence) in Kazakhstan. According to the author, the protest movement, along with the coup attempt, was based on deep social problems that were ignored for many years. There is no doubt that social movements were the result of a communicative crisis that went deeper as a consequence of the political transition that had begun. The major reason for the crisis communication between the authorities and society is connected with the existing clientelism. It was clientelism and its inability to adequately respond to the new demands of society that led to the demoralization of the entire state administrative apparatus. An attempt, under the conditions of the patron-client relations, to ensure the legislative consolidation of institutions for the transit of power was not successful. The author sees the reason for the failure in the absence of full-fledged institutions that have not been formed and naturally have not been entrenched in the political consciousness. The absence of a political tradition, non-participation of the population in the decision-making process led to the fact that the legislative novels that fixed the transit of power were canceled overnight without public objection. The author links the trajectory of successful political reforms with the existing staffing problem.

Utilization of Primary Healthcare Centers by Residents of Ido-Ekiti, Nigeria.

Primary health care (PHC) centers help in providing a complete, universal, unbiased, and reasonable healthcare service to all. One major aim of PHC is to reduce health inequality. Most PHC centers in Nigeria cannot deliver fundamental healthcare services due to staffing, equipment distribution, quality infrastructure, and drug supply problems. The objective of this study was to assess the awareness and utilization of PHC services in a rural community in Nigeria. The study was carried out in a pastoral area in Ekiti State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was used to recruit adults aged 18 years and over residing in 361 households. A semi-structured questionnaire was utilized for data compilation. Study data were evaluated using IBM SPSS version 28.0 and reported using descriptive and inferential statistics. Chi-square test and binary logistic regression were used to assess the associated factors and predictors of PHC utilization. The proportion of those who had ever utilized PHC services was 45.7%. Significant predictors of the utilization of PHC centers include knowledge of the location of a PHC center, awareness that PHC centers operate 24 hours every day, and awareness that community members are part of the PHC staff. Non-availability of medical personnel and ease of access to secondary and tertiary health institutions are potential threats to the use of PHC facilities.

Teacher Shortages and Turnover in Rural Schools in the US: An Organizational Analysis

Purpose: The objective of this study is to provide an overall national portrait of elementary and secondary teacher shortages and teacher turnover in rural schools, comparing rural schools to suburban and urban schools. This study utilizes an organizational theoretical perspective focusing on the role of school organization and leadership in the causes of, and solutions to, teacher shortages and staffing problems. Data/Methods: The study entailed secondary statistical analyses of the nationally representative Schools and Staffing Survey, its successor the National Teacher Principal Survey, and their supplement the Teacher Follow-Up Survey, conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics. Findings: The analyses document that, contrast to urban and suburban schools, the student population and teaching force in rural schools has dramatically shrunk in recent decades, that despite this decrease in students, and demand for teachers, rural schools have faced serious difficulties filling their teaching positions, and that these teacher staffing problems are driven by high levels of preretirement teacher turnover. Moreover, the data document that teacher turnover varies greatly between different kinds of schools, is especially high in high-poverty rural schools, and is closely tied to the organizational characteristics and working conditions of rural schools. Implications: Research and reform on teacher shortages and turnover have focused on urban environments because of an assumption that schools in those settings suffer from the most serious staffing problems. This study shows that teacher shortages and teacher turnover in rural schools, while relatively neglected, have been as significant a problem as in other schools.

Day Case Local Anaesthetic Thoracoscopy: Experience from 2 District General Hospitals in the United Kingdom

Local anaesthetic thoracoscopy (LAT) can be a vital procedure for diagnosis of unexplained pleural effusions. Traditionally, poudrage for pleurodesis and insertion of a large bore drain necessitated admission. There has been a shift towards performing LAT as a day case procedure with indwelling pleural catheter (IPC) insertion. This was advocated during the COVID pandemic by the British Thoracic Society (BTS). To determine the feasibility of such pathways, continuous evaluations are required. All day case LAT procedures with IPC insertion, performed in theatre, were identified at two large district general hospitals (Northumbria HealthCare in the North East of England and Victoria Hospital, NHS Fife, in Scotland). Rapid pleurodesis with talc was not performed due to local staffing problems. All patients had their LAT in theatre under conscious sedation with a rigid scope. Demographics, clinical, radiological and histopathological characteristics and outcomes were collected. 79 patients underwent day case LAT. The lung did not deflate, meaning biopsies were not enabled, in four of the patients. The mean age was 72 years (standard deviation 13). Fifty-five patients were male and twenty-four were female. The main diagnoses were lung cancers, mesotheliomas and fibrinous pleuritis with an overall diagnostic sensitivity of 93%. Other diagnoses were breast, tonsillar, unknown primary cancers and lymphomas. Seventy-three IPCs were simultaneously placed and, due to normal macroscopic appearances in two patients, two large bore drains were placed and removed within one hour of LAT termination. Sixty-six (88%) patients were discharged on the same day. Seven patients required admission: one for treatment of surgical emphysema, four because they lived alone, one for pain control and one for control of a cardiac arrythmia. Within 30 days, there were five IPC site infections with two resultant empyemas (9%), with no associated mortality. Two patients developed pneumonia requiring admission and one patient required admission for pain management. The median number of days for which the IPCs remained in situ was 78.5 days (IQR 95). The median length of stay (LoS) was 0 days (IQR 0). No patients required further interventions for pleural fluid management. Day case LAT with IPC insertion is feasible with this current set up, with a median stay of 0 days, and should be widely adopted. The health economics of preventing admission are considerable, as our previous analysis showed a median length of stay of 3.96 days, although we are not comparing matched cohorts.

The Antifragile Radiologist

The Antifragile Radiologist

Первая дискуссия об организации государственной статистики в Российской империи

The article is devoted to the history of state statistical institutions formation in Russia in the first quarter of the 19th century. In that period, the government gradually came to understand the statistics role in public administration, and yet varying views of the leading statesmen on the goals of administrative statistics resulted in long search for optimal configuration of the statistical agency. Exponents of opposite approaches were the Minister of Police A. D. Balashev and Minister of Internal Affairs V. P. Kochubey. The full text of Balashev’s project “On the statistical institution,” submitted in 1819 for the Committee of Ministers consideration, is being published for the first time, as well as Kochubey’s opinion on the issue. It is noted that Balashev's project encapsulated his ongoing efforts to create the statistical dDepartment of the Ministry of Police, the first body of administrative statistics in Russia. The department was established in 1810 with participation of the Academy of Sciences member, statistician Karl F. Herman. Later, the structure of the department was improved, the problems of staffing and funding solved. The initial ministry staff did not allow for the creation of a separate statistical body, and its activities were regulated only by intra-ministerial instructions. New administrative reform of 1819, when the Ministry of Police merged with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, called into question the future of administrative statistics in Russia. Balashev lost his ministerial post. The status of the statistical department, created as an intra-ministerial experiment, was undefined. In the circumstances, Balashev attempted to preserve the statistical department, formalizing its place in the central administration structure; he sent his proposals to the Committee of Ministers. Balashev's project raised issues of centralization of statistical research (which remains relevant up to date) and proposed to secure the statistical agency’s independent status. He also put forward an idea of involving the scientific community in statistical work through creation of the Statistical Society. The essence of Kochubey's report on Balashev's project amounted to developing statistical units within different ministries and to abandoning all plans for centralized aggregation of statistical information. The projects’ historical context and their significance for evolution of statistics in the Russian Empire are considered.

Current problems of staffing of the national spatial data system

Current problems of staffing of the national spatial data system