Sharing Meals With Institutionalized People With Dementia: A Natural Experiment

Nutritional deficiency can have dramatic effects on the physical and psychological status of older adults. Although food supplements can enhance nutritional status, several authors suggest that more ecological means could also have beneficial impacts. Therefore, a natural experiment was conducted to study the impact of changed mealtime experiences for people with Alzheimer-type dementia. Two special care units (in separate facilities) in France were included in this study: one implemented shared mealtimes between residents and caregivers and the other served as a comparison group. Weight was measured and staff observations were collected. Positive outcomes were observed for the experimental group. Implications for practice are discussed.     

A theoretical model of training and its transference: the pivotal role of top management team composition and characteristics

Training is considered an important tool for organizations as they attempt to gain competitive advantages. However, transferring and maintaining the acquired skills and knowledge to the workforce remain problematic. Managerial support is a factor influencing training and its transference. However, the role of top management teams (TMTs) in this process has largely been ignored. This paper posits that the degree to which an organization invests in training initiatives, as well as the percentage of training transference and maintenance, is a function of TMT composition, TMT characteristics, and the degree to which the TMT holds subordinate managers accountable. A model and propositions are advanced in this study.     

The relationship between transformational leadership and follower sickness absence: the role of presenteeism

The impact of transformational leaders on employee health and well-being has received much attention. Less research has focused on the relationships between transformational leaders and followers’ sickness absenteeism. Transformational leaders promote a group climate that may lead to absenteeism, especially among vulnerable employees (those with high levels of presenteeism). In the present study we examined the relationships between presenteeism, group-level transformational leadership and sickness absence rates in a three-year longitudinal study of postal workers and their leaders in Denmark (N?=?155). Group-level transformational leadership in year 1 predicted sickness absenteeism in year 2, but not in year 3. In examining conditions under which transformational leadership may be linked to higher levels of sickness absenteeism, we found that presenteeism in year 1 moderated the link between transformational leadership in year 1 and sickness absenteeism in year 3, such that followers working in groups with a transformational leader and who were high in presenteeism reported higher levels of sickness absenteeism. Our results suggest a complex picture of the relationship between transformational leadership and sickness absenteeism; transformational leaders may promote self-sacrifice of vulnerable followers by leading them to go to work while ill, leading to increased risks of sickness absence in the long term.     

The shape of protective capacity in unbalanced production systems with unplanned machine downtime

Several studies have shown that when both statistical fluctuations and dependent events exist, unbalanced production lines out-perform balanced lines. By definition, unbalanced lines have some amount of protective capacity built into them; however, little research exists to address the question of quantity and position of protective capacity necessary to counteract the impact of variation on system performance. This research seeks to improve our understanding concerning the shape of protective capacity in unbalanced lines when faced with variation in the form of unplanned machine downtime. Both Kanban and drum-buffer-rope (DBR) controlled lines are investigated. Results show that balancing the protective capacity yields superior results over both increasing and decreasing protective capacity shapes (holding average protective capacity equal). Results also show that Kanban lines behave differently than DBR lines.     

The role of stress and social support in Sick Building Syndrome

Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) involves seemingly healthy individuals experiencing long-lasting symptoms of physical distress in their work settings and is estimated to exist in 20 to 30% of all work settings in the USA. We examined differences in stress, social support and both physical and psychological symptoms reported by hospital personnel working in known SBS sites in Halifax, Nova Scotia (n = 297) with control employees working in relatively SBS-free settings (n = 228). We found that employees reporting that their health had been affected by the building in which they worked and those complaining of poor air quality were more likely to be found in SBS locations. In addition, those people with higher levels of organizational support and marginally higher levels of union support were also more likely to be found in SBS locations. Further analyses revealed that employees with higher role overload and greater family support, but lower levels of organizational support were more likely to report that their own health had been adversely affected by their place of work. Perceptions of poor air quality were predicted by higher levels of role conflict, role overload, and organizational stress and lower levels of organizational support. These results suggest that SBS may not be solely dependent on environmental factors.     

Supply Chains in Sub‐Saharan Africa: A Decision Support System for Small‐Scale Seed Entrepreneurs*

It is necessary to infuse a consistent supply of improved seed varieties into local sub‐Saharan African crop production to improve low crop yields. The best distribution channel for the improved seed varieties may be small‐scale commercial seed companies, but local entrepreneurs struggle to determine whether such businesses are viable. Using a multi‐echelon supply chain approach, a decision support system (DSS) was designed to help African seed entrepreneurs make informed decisions about small‐scale seed chain businesses. Specifically, entrepreneurs make decisions about where to locate seed enterprises, with which farmers to contract, and where to store seed. Optimization and simulation modeling are used to evaluate infrastructure variables such as distance, transportation cost, and storage loss and cost in three development level areas. Currently, the decision tool is used in Mozambique, Malawi, Kenya, and Tanzania. The model has supported the start‐up of at least 17 small seed companies that are now introducing improved seed varieties into villages and farms. The DSS applies decision science research in a humanitarian application and offers important managerial implications about supply chain infrastructure to nongovernmental organizations and humanitarian groups. Such applications are vital as groups such as USAID, the Gates Foundation, and the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi‐Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) continue to move toward micro‐enterprise, value chain, and market‐oriented development programs.     

DO SUPPLY‐SIDE FORCES EXPLAIN GEOGRAPHIC VARIATION IN HEALTH CARE USE?

Regional variation in health care utilization has been well‐documented, yet uncertainty persists about whether this variation is primarily the result of supply‐side or demand‐side forces. We provide new evidence on this issue by examining changes in health care use for the near‐elderly as they transition from being uninsured into Medicare. Results support a causal, supply‐side explanation of regional variation. Estimates indicate that gaining Medicare coverage in above‐median spending regions increases the probability of at least one hospital visit by 40% and the probability of having more than five doctor visits by 26% relative to similar individuals in below‐median spending regions. (JEL D43, H42, H51, I1, I11, I13)     

Disparity,Shortfall, and Twice-Endogenous HARA Utility

We derive a mapping between the shortfall-minimizing portfolio selection based on higher-order entropy measures and expected utility theory. We show that the family of HARA utility functions has a minimum-divergence, shortfall-based representation. This facilitates an interpretation in which the risk aversion parameters and the type of risk aversion arise endogenously. We provide a numerical example illustrating this interpretation.     

Nonparametric probability density estimation using normalized b–splines

We present a new nonparametric density estimate based on normalized tensor B–Splines. We show under the expected conditions that the non- parametric density estimate converges in mean square error and integrated mean square error. Results of simulations are also presented.