The effect of specialization on operational performance: A mixed-methods natural experiment in Danish healthcare services

Constructs for Assessing Integrated Reports—Testing the Predictive Validity of a Taxonomy for Organization Size, Industry, and Performance

The lack of an agreed valid measurement of integrated reporting (<IR>) among organizations poses a constant problem to empirical researchers. Lueg and Lueg proposed an <IR> score that rates and categorizes reports according to their compliance with the principles of <IR>. This study tested and validated their proposed coding catalogue, constructs, and taxonomy using capital market data and multivariate statistics. These findings suggested that this <IR> score and the corresponding taxonomy for classifying reports has a high predictive validity and can be used by future researchers to measure <IR>. In particular, this <IR> score confirmed that integrated thinking reports tend to be published by large organizations in controversial industries with an above-average performance (Adj. R2 = 42.2%). The findings also suggested that the construct form of the integrated report contributes more explanatory power than the construct content. In this regard, the results indicated that only full implementers of <IR> show associations with performance, unlike organizations that partially comply with the <IR> principles.

The impact of hospital support function centralization on patient outcomes: A before-after study

Objectives

Study design

Methods

Results

Conclusions

•

Integrated health systems including multiple hospitals are increasingly frequent and can lead to economies of scale.

•

We found a decrease in readmissions and average length of stay associated with the centralization of support functions.

•

Additional studies are needed to evaluate the effect of health systems integration on patient outcomes.

Examining the relationship between patient experience and readmission rates: A profile deviation analysis

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between patient experience and readmissions by exploring whether the deviation from an ideal patient-experience profile is linked to higher readmissions. Using patient experience scores, hospitals were assigned to one of four groups based on their deviation from an ideal profile. The readmission rates for the four groups were analyzed using Profile Deviation, ANOVA, and Least Significant Difference. Patient experience is a central component of hospital performance, specifically, readmission rates. Findings indicate as patient experience scores decrease, profile deviation increases, with a corresponding increase in readmission rate. This study provides empirical support for administrators focusing on patient experience as part of an overall strategy for reducing hospital readmissions. The key feature of this research is the use of a profile deviation methodology to examine the relationship between patient experience and readmission rates.

Elaborating on modular interfaces in multi-provider contexts

Purpose

This study examines how modular interfaces manifest in multi-provider contexts and how they can improve coordination and customization of services. The aim of the study is to describe interfaces in multi-provider contexts and elaborate on how they support the delivery of integrated patient care.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative, multiple case study was conducted in two multi-provider contexts in healthcare services: one representing paediatric Down syndrome care in the Netherlands and one representing home care for the elderly in Finland. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews in both contexts.

Findings

This study provides insight into several types of interfaces and their role in multi-provider contexts. Several inter- and intra-organizational situations were identified in which the delivery of integrated patient care was jeopardized. This study describes how interfaces can help to alleviate these situations.

Originality/value

This study deepens the understanding of interfaces in service modularity by describing interfaces in multi-provider contexts. The multi-provider contexts studied inspired to incorporate the inter-organizational aspect into the literature on interfaces in service modularity. This study further develops the typology for interfaces in modular services by adding a third dimension to the typology, that is, the orientation of interfaces.

Adaptation of the balanced scorecard model to measure performance of the departments at Dr Zainoel Abidin Regional General Hospital, Banda Aceh

Purpose

This paper aims to determine the performance of the departments at Dr Zainoel Abidin Regional General Hospital, Banda Aceh, Indonesia, in 2016, based on the targets and realization of their work programs using balanced scorecard.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted qualitative and quantitative approaches.

Findings

The overall results of the performance appraisal using the balanced scorecard approach seen from the financial, internal business, customer and training and learning perspectives are good. Dr Zainoel Abidin Regional General Hospital has provided good services, and performance of its departments have generated the expected outcome, realized by the Hospital.

Originality/value

The novelty of the present study lies in its research model, where human resources (transformational leadership, organizational commitment and resource uniqueness) and financial management (business plans, budget and performance).