Suchergebnisse

Self-esteem has positive effects on various aspects of people's lives, and it contributes to self-improvement and enhancement of their personal value. The purpose of this study was to explore the levels of social work students' self-esteem the period of their practice placement (internship). Methodologically, in the context of quantitative research, the Greek Self-Esteem Scale was granted. The sample consisted of 106 (N = 106) social work students who were doing their internship. The resulting research data were analyzed with the use of SPSS, and they were then interpreted according to the evaluation criteria of the scale with the Cronbach's Alpha index being of the order of 0.881. According to them, it seemed that the trainee students showed high percentages of total self-esteem 38.54% and particularly very high percentages on the self-esteem measurement scale of external appearance which reached up to 79%. In conclusion, it appears that high levels of self-esteem in students who carry out their internship enhance their skills in the internship setting, make them feel more confident in what they do, take initiative, be hardworking, punctual, and conscientious.

PurposeEnterprise resource planning (ERP) systems enhance productivity and working quality by offering integration, standardization and simplification of multiple business transactions. The present study seeks to introduce a conceptual framework that investigates the way that human inputs (top management, users, external consultants) are linked to communication effectiveness, conflict resolution and knowledge transfer in the ERP consulting process, as well as the effects of these factors on ERP system effective implementation.Design/methodology/approachThe examination of the proposed conceptual framework was made with the use of a newly developed questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed to a group of 361 Greek companies that have implemented an ERP system. Information technology (IT) managers were selected as the key respondents of the questionnaire. After the completion of the four month research period (September to December 2008), 108 usable questionnaires were returned (response rate=31 percent approximately). The empirical data were analyzed using the structural equation modelling technique (Lisrel 8.74).FindingsThe main findings of the empirical study can be summarized in the following categories: the assistance provided by external consultants during the ERP implementation process is essential; knowledge transfer is an extremely significant factor for ERP system success; knowledge transfer concerning technical aspects of ERP systems is more important than effective handling of communication, as well as conflict resolution among organizational members; the role of top management support seems to be of less importance that the one provided by users.Research limitations/implicationsThe present study is limited by the poor definition of its population (due to lack of available data) and the relatively small size of the sample.Practical implicationsThe paper points out areas that adopting companies should emphasize in order to successfully implement an ERP system and, therefore, harvest its potential benefits.Originality/valueThe paper proposes an enhanced conceptual framework that examines vital issues concerning ERP system effective implementation, thus, providing valuable outcomes for decision makers and academics. The originality of the paper lies in its three dimensional approach.

PurposeIntellectual capital (IC) shows a significant growing acceptance as a worthy topic of academic investigation and practical implication. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of IC on firms' market value and financial performance.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical data were drawn from a panel consisting of 96 Greek companies listed in the Athens Stock Exchange (ASE), from four different economic sectors, observed over the three‐year period of 2006 to 2008. Various regression models were examined in order to test the hypotheses included in the proposed conceptual framework.FindingsResults failed to support most of the hypotheses; only concluding that there is a statistically significant relationship between human capital efficiency and financial performance. Despite the fact that IC is increasingly recognised as an important strategic asset for sustainable corporate competitive advantage, the results of the present study give rise to various arguments, criticism and further research on the subject.Research limitations/implicationsThe lack of available data for the appropriate analysis, the investigation of four sectors of economic activity and the relatively narrow three‐year period for data collection are the main limitations of the present study.Practical implicationsResults proved that, in the Greek business context, the development of human resources seems to be one of the most significant factors of economic success. Focusing on human capital should, therefore, be at the centre of the companies' attention.Originality/valueThe present study combines previous methodologies in order to investigate certain causal relationships considering the IC of Greek listed companies. The value of the paper is the empirical investigation of these relationships in the context of the Greek economy and the enrichment of the literature with another paper that follows the value‐added intellectual coefficient methodology for the measurement of IC.

Abstract Background The National Organization for Healthcare Provision (EOPYY) originates from the recent reform in Greek healthcare, aiming amidst economic predicament, at the rationalization of health expenditure and reactivation of the pivotal role of Primary Health Care (PHC). Health funding (public/private) mix is examined, alongside the role of pre-existing health insurance funds. The main pursuit of this paper is to evaluate whether EOPYY has met its goals. Methods The article surveys for best practices in advanced health systems and similar sickness funds. The main benchmarks focus on PHC provision and providers' reimbursement. It then turns to an analysis of EOPYY, focusing on specific questions and searching the relevant databases. It compares the best practice examples to the EOPYY (alongside further developments set by new legislation in L 4238/14), revealing weaknesses relevant to non-integrated PHC network, unbalanced manpower, non-gatekeeping, under-financing and other funding problems caused by the current crisis. Finally, a new model of medical procedures cost accounting was tested in health centers. Results An alternative operation of EOPYY functioning primarily as an insurer whereas its proprietary units are integrated with these of the NHS is proposed. The paper claims it is critical to revise the current induced demand favorable reimbursement system, via per capita payments for physicians combined with extra pay-for-performance payments, while cost accounting corroborates a prospective system for NHS's and EOPYY's units, under a combination of global budgets and Ambulatory Patient Groups (APGs) Conclusions Self-critical points on the limitations of results due to lack of adequate data (not) given by EOPYY are initially raised. Then the issue concerning the debate between 'copying' benchmarks and 'a la cart' selectively adopting and adapting best practices from wider experience is discussed, with preference to the latter. The idea of an 'a la cart' choice of international examples is proposed. The 'results' discussing EOPYY's dual function and induced-demand favorable reimbursement system are further critically examined. International experience shows evidence of effective alternatives, such as per capita .