158 research outputs found
On the multivariate circulant rational covariance extension problem
No full textPartial stochastic realization of periodic processes from finite covariance data leads to the circulant rational covariance extension problem and bilateral ARMA models. In this paper we present a convex optimization-based theory for this problem that extends and modifies previous results by Carli, Ferrante, Pavon and Picci on the AR solution, which have been successfully applied to image processing of textures. We expect that our present results will provide an enhancement of these procedures.</p
Digitalization of relational space in the service triangle: The case study of retail banking
No full textIntroduction: The article aims to shed light on the process of shaping the relational space of work in the service triangle through the progressive digitalization of work in retail banking industry. It addresses the following research question: how do technological shifts affect the relationships and interactions (a) between employees and supervisors, and (b) between employees and customers? Through a close examination of the redesign of the interpersonal relationships from the subjective viewpoint of front-line workers across these two levels, the paper contributes to advancing the understanding of the impact of technologies on surveillance practices, work identity and professional ethics in a key working sector with regard to digitalization and changes in professional requirements. Methods: The question is addressed through a qualitative case study of retail banking in Italy. In the (retail) banking sector, the redesign of the relations between supply and demand for services is more sensitive to the changes afforded by digitalization and learning algorithms. The study was conducted with the involvement of workers and trade unionists, with whom we embarked on a constant work of re-articulation through data collection, analysis, and conceptualization. We collected a multiplicity of data for triangulation: interviews, focus groups, documents, and ethnographic notes. Results: Data analysis shows how work processes and interpersonal relationships start to be redesigned across the two levels. At (a) level, two main aspects are found: the measurement of individual performance within the logic of quantification, which reduces employees to a set of measured dimensions, pushing workers into conditions of stress and competition; new surveillance practices and forms of organizational control enabled by technologies and learning algorithms. At (b) level, from being an expert with specific knowledge in the financial sector the bank employee turns into a kind of seller of any product that the algorithm decides to sell, thus ignoring the value of situated experience held by embedded, embodied social actors. Moreover, algorithms enter jurisdictional spaces traditionally controlled by knowledge workers and produce unknown outcomes concerning to whom to sell which products that cannot be clearly understood by workers. Discussion: Technology contributes to engendering complex identity constructions to maintain, protect, and revise professional identity
Digitalization of relational space in the service triangle: The case study of retail banking
No full textIntroductionThe article aims to shed light on the process of shaping the relational space of work in the service triangle through the progressive digitalization of work in retail banking industry. It addresses the following research question: how do technological shifts affect the relationships and interactions (a) between employees and supervisors, and (b) between employees and customers? Through a close examination of the redesign of the interpersonal relationships from the subjective viewpoint of front-line workers across these two levels, the paper contributes to advancing the understanding of the impact of technologies on surveillance practices, work identity and professional ethics in a key working sector with regard to digitalization and changes in professional requirements. MethodsThe question is addressed through a qualitative case study of retail banking in Italy. In the (retail) banking sector, the redesign of the relations between supply and demand for services is more sensitive to the changes afforded by digitalization and learning algorithms. The study was conducted with the involvement of workers and trade unionists, with whom we embarked on a constant work of re-articulation through data collection, analysis, and conceptualization. We collected a multiplicity of data for triangulation: interviews, focus groups, documents, and ethnographic notes. ResultsData analysis shows how work processes and interpersonal relationships start to be redesigned across the two levels. At (a) level, two main aspects are found: the measurement of individual performance within the logic of quantification, which reduces employees to a set of measured dimensions, pushing workers into conditions of stress and competition; new surveillance practices and forms of organizational control enabled by technologies and learning algorithms. At (b) level, from being an expert with specific knowledge in the financial sector the bank employee turns into a kind of seller of any product that the algorithm decides to sell, thus ignoring the value of situated experience held by embedded, embodied social actors. Moreover, algorithms enter jurisdictional spaces traditionally controlled by knowledge workers and produce unknown outcomes concerning to whom to sell which products that cannot be clearly understood by workers. DiscussionTechnology contributes to engendering complex identity constructions to maintain, protect, and revise professional identity.The authors received financial support for the research from the Department of Human Sciences of University of Verona (12,000 euros) and from IRES Veneto (12,000 euros)
Lo sviluppo della filiera foresta-legno come strumento di diversificazione e consolidamento dell’economia rurale della Regione del Nordeste Riograndense (Brasile)
No full textThe relationship between costs and quality in nonprofit nursing homes
No full textWe investigate the relationship between costs and quality in nonprofit nursing homes, which represents a key issue in the present context of adoption of cost containment measures. We estimate a total cost function for nursing home services using data from 45 nursing homes in Southern Switzerland between 2006 and 2010. Quality is measured by means of clinical indicators regarding process and outcomes that are derived from the Minimum Data Set. Conversely from many previous studies, we use panel data and estimate fixed effects models and control for unobserved heterogeneity. This allows to capture nursing homes specific features that may explain differences in quality or costs levels. We find evidence that poor levels of quality regarding outcome, as measured by the prevalence of severe pain and weight loss, lead to higher costs. Quality endogeneity is addressed through IV and GMM approaches using measures of residents empowerment through families as instruments
Implications of global budget payment system on nursing home costs
No full textPressure on health care systems due to the increasing expenditures of the elderly population is pushing policy makers to adopt new regulation and payment schemes for nursing home services. We consider the behavior of nonprofit nursing homes under different payment schemes and empirically investigate the implications of prospective payments on nursing home costs under tightly regulated quality aspects. To evaluate the impact of the policy change introduced in 2006 in Southern Switzerland – from retrospective to prospective payment – we use a panel of 41 homes observed over a 10-years period (2001–2010). We employ a fixed effects model with a time trend that is allowed to change after the policy reform. There is evidence that the new payment system slightly reduces costs without impacting quality
The relationship between costs and quality in nonprofit nursing homes: is higher quality more costly?
No full textIs higher nursing home quality more costly?
No full textWidespread issues regarding quality in nursing homes call for an improved understanding of the relationship with costs. This relationship may differ in European countries, where care is mainly delivered by nonprofit providers. In accordance with the economic theory of production, we estimate a total cost function for nursing home services using data from 45 nursing homes in Switzerland between 2006 and 2010. Quality is measured by means of clinical indicators regarding process and outcome derived from the minimum data set. We consider both composite and single quality indicators. Contrary to most previous studies, we use panel data and control for omitted variables bias. This allows us to capture features specific to nursing homes that may explain differences in structural quality or cost levels. Additional analysis is provided to address simultaneity bias using an instrumental variable approach. We find evidence that poor levels of quality regarding outcome, as measured by the prevalence of severe pain and weight loss, lead to higher costs. This may have important implications for the design of payment schemes for nursing homes
The relationship between costs and quality in non profit nursing homes
No full textWe investigate the relationship between costs and quality in nonprofit nursing homes, which represents a key issue in the present context of adoption of cost containment measures. We estimate a total cost function for nursing home services using data from 45 nursing homes in Southern Switzerland between 2006 and 2010. Quality is measured by means of clinical indicators regarding process and outcomes that are derived from the Minimum Data Set. Conversely from many previous studies, we use panel data and estimate fixed effects models and control for unobserved heterogeneity. This allows to capture nursing homes specific features that may explain differences in quality or costs levels. We find evidence that poor levels of quality regarding outcome, as measured by the prevalence of severe pain and weight loss, lead to higher costs. Quality endogeneity is addressed through IV and GMM approaches using measures of residents empowerment through families as instruments
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