5358 research outputs found
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Thank you for your staying! An analysis of the economic impact of tourism in Japanese prefectures
No full textA growing body of literature investigates the bi-univocal relationship between tourism and economic growth. Even if sub-national studies are deemed relevant, these are rare: we provide a first analysis of such relationship for Japanese regions and prefectures, using Granger Causality tests in a Bayesian VAR model, from 2007 to 2014. Both the tourism-led growth and the economic-led tourism hypotheses are supported in 4 out of 8 regions and in 19 out of 47 prefectures (either univocally and/or bi-univocally): it is possible to use tourism as a policy instrument to stimulate economic growth, even if regional discrepancies are to be expected
IGV short scale to assess implicit value of visualizations through explicit interaction
No full textThis paper reports the assessment of the infographics-value (IGV) short scale, designed to measure the value in the use of infographics. The scale was made to assess the implicit quality dimensions of infographics. These dimensions were experienced during the execution of tasks in a contextualized scenario. Users were asked to retrieve a piece of information by explicitly interacting with the infographics. After usage, they were asked to rate quality dimensions of infographics, namely, usefulness, intuitiveness, clarity, informativity, and beauty; the overall value perceived from interacting with infographics was also included in the survey. Each quality dimension was coded as a six-point rating scale item, with overall value included. The proposed IGV short scale model was validated with 650 people. Our analysis confirmed that all considered dimensions in our scale were independently significant and contributed to assessing the implicit value of infographics. The IGV short scale is a lightweight but exhaustive tool to rapidly assess the implicit value of an explicit interaction with infographics in daily tasks, where value in use is crucial to measuring the situated effectiveness of visual tools
Analyzing the performance of health technologies distribution models in primary care services
No full textPurpose: Due to the evolution of the health-care scenario and the growing role of the primary care setting, the distribution processes of health technologies will be more and more in demand in the near future. This paper aims to investigate this theme, analyzing the performance, strengths and weaknesses of the current distribution practices, with the ultimate overarching aim to improve the provision of the primary care services. Design/methodology/approach: The research framework is twofold. First, a tool to monitor the economic/quantitative performance of the distribution models was designed; second, the tool was applied to measure the performance of distribution models of absorbent devices for incontinence adopted by Local Health Authorities (LHA) in Lombardy Region (Italy). Quantitative data were collected by LHAs (from 2012 to 2016) and compared through data-benchmarking. Qualitative data from interviews and focus groups complemented the outcomes. Findings: Two main distribution models were investigated: distribution through pharmacies and home delivery. Results show that there is no winning/preferable model in terms of economic/quantitative performance and service quality level, but a counterbalanced combination of strengths and weaknesses exists. Moving from the highlighted weaknesses and building on the strengths, an alternate distribution model is proposed for testing. Originality/value: The present study approaches the theme of primary care services with a holistic approach, filling a literature gap. It also provides practitioners with a tool of performance analysis and management and real data, applicable also in international contexts. The collected real-world data also gives insights on the area of the quality of care, with particular reference to the patients' experience. As a lesson learned, policymakers and the National Healthcare Service should re-think their current distribution models/practices in the light of the highlighted criticisms and opportunities for improvement
Does the relationship between manager and employee affect the employees' propensity to recommend their manager?
No full textUnhappy employees are increasing alarming and bad management has been recognised as one of the most influential reasons of disengagement at work. Managerial behaviours may influence the quality of the relationship between managers and employees relevantly, with a strong impact on employees’ engagement. The present study aims to answer the following question: does the relationship between manager and employee affects the employees’ propensity to recommend their manager? Our proposal is based on a wealth of experience and integrates many of the latest, most robust and practical approaches on the theme, with research carried out on a group of 641 Italian employees
Innovation in small family firms
No full textResearch on innovation in family firms has flourished in the last decades. Nevertheless, most of the current understanding has been developed by studying large organizations, leaving the specific challenges and opportunities of innovating in small family firms still untapped. This introductory article summarizes the studies included in the special issue, integrates their contributions by uncovering four types of innovation that allow small family firms to overcome the liability of smallness. Finally, we suggest directions for future research
Could fluorescence guided surgery be an efficient and sustainable option? A SICE (Italian Society of Endoscopic Surgery) health technology assessment summary
No full textBackground: Indocyanine green fluorescence vision is an upcoming technology in surgery. It can be used in three ways: angiographic and biliary tree visualization and lymphatic spreading studies. The present paper shows the most outstanding results from an health technology assessment study design, conducted on fluorescence-guided compared with standard vision surgery. Methods: A health technology assessment approach was implemented to investigate the economic, social, ethical, and organizational implications related to the adoption of the innovative fluorescence-guided view, with a focus on minimally invasive approach. With the support of a multidisciplinary team, qualitative and quantitative data were collected, by means of literature evidence, validated questionnaires and self-reported interviews, considering the dimensions resulting from the EUnetHTA Core Model. Results: From a systematic search of literature, we retrieved the following studies: 6 on hepatic, 1 on pancreatic, 4 on biliary, 2 on bariatric, 4 on endocrine, 2 on thoracic, 11 on colorectal, 7 on urology, 11 on gynecology, 2 on gastric surgery. Fluorescence guide has shown advantages on the length of hospitalization particularly in colorectal surgery, with a reduction of the rate of leakages and re-do anastomoses, in spite of a slight increase in operating time, and is confirmed to be a safe, efficacious, and sustainable vision technology. Clinical applications are still presenting a low evidence in the literature. Conclusion: The present paper, under the patronage of Italian Society of Endoscopic Surgery, based on an HTA approach, sustains the use of fluorescence-guided vision in minimally invasive surgery, in the fields of general, gynecologic, urologic, and thoracic surgery, as an efficient and economically sustainable technology